Drug Companies Are Under Scrutiny Worldwide

In my July 2012 post titled " Fraudulent Practices by Global Pharmaceuticals ", I brought to the attention of the readers of this blog some of the illegal an unethical practices used by the world's top drug companies in order to win business. Since then, things appear to have got worse in the fight of the top companies for global market share. However, some countries' regulatory authorities and police forces have now got drug companies in their sights in relation to the withholding of information about their drugs which should be readily available to the public, and any illegal activities practiced by them.

In the aforementioned post, I highlighted GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) , who are Britain's biggest drug company, who had just been fined three billion dollars by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the USA for withholding information and fraud in relation to some of their drugs on sale in that country. Since then, GSK has been accused of illegal activities by the Chinese in the form of attempting to bribe doctors and hospital officials to favour their drugs in preference to the competition. As a consequence of the accusation, GSK's chief executive in China at the time of the alleged wrongdoing has been moved elsewhere within the company. GSK are also under investigation on home soil by the Serious Fraud Office in the UK into the " commercial practices employed by the company and its subsidiaries" .

From interviews that I have seen done with GSK executives, they resent the fact that they appear to have been singled out for special scrutiny in many countries when the standards employed by the competition in order to win business are no better. There is some truth in this. Pfizer, Merck and Abbott Laboratories, for instance, have been fined billions of dollars between them over the last five years by the FDA in connection with their drugs on sale in the USA. In the case of China, GSK probably feel that if they did not employ underhand methods to win market share then an American or continental European drug company would probably use the same or similar tactics.

 
Should you trust the products of a drug company who have a history of either withholding information or lying about the drugs they sell ? The ethical standards of the top drug companies appear to be much the same as the top banks. The banks have got into trouble with the regulatory authorities over mis-selling, misrepresentation, manipulating the LIBOR rate and breaking sanctions in many countries. We know the banks are only in it for the money, but the idea that the top pharmaceutical companies care about your health is a big lie: they are just using health as a means of making the maximum amount of money possible.

The global publicity created by their past misdeeds have put drug companies on the radar of the regulatory authorities and the police in many countries. There is evidence to suggest that countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Holland,Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Canada and others will not tolerate such behavour in future. Because there is such profits involved, a billion dollar fine for a global pharmaceutical is only like a light slap on the wrist which they can easily absorb. What needs to be done if they are found guilty of either withholding information or fraud, is to fine the company the equivalent of two years profits in relation to the particular jurisdiction involved, as well as jailing the top executives for up to five years.

How to Prevent Headaches

Headaches are characterised by pain and pressure in different parts of the head. Headaches are not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition. Sinus headaches are caused by the overproduction of mucous in the membranes; vascular headaches result from the tightening and contraction of the muscles in the area of the neck, forehead and scalp; and migraine headaches are caused by the alternating constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the brain. The common migraine is accompanied by an uneasy feeling, nausea, depression and tingling in the arms and legs. The severe migraine is preceded by visual disturbances such as flashing lights, sensitivity to noise, weakness and dizziness.

Headaches can result from many causes, as follows: nutrient deficiencies such as a deficiency in vitamins B6 or C; food allergies; side effect of medication; caffeine withdrawal; lack of sleep; premenstral syndrome; birth control pills; hunger; constipation; reaction to food additives; alcohol abuse; air pollution; bacterial and viral infection; eye problems including improper eyeglasses; tension; low blood pressure; overexposure to the sun; dehydration; a deficiency in red blood cell chlorine levels; and a reaction to foods containing tyramine which include some cheeses, chocolate and bananas.

Doctors have responded to headaches by prescribing painkillers, anti-depresssants, ergotamine, or metbysergide for the prevention of migraine headaches. There are problems with all of these. Strong painkillers can be addictive; aspirin can cause bleeding from the stomach; and Phanacetin can lead to chronic kidney disease. Anti-depressants may cause drowsiness, blurred vision, nervousness and weight gain. One side effect of ergotamine can be the destruction of arteries in the limbs, eyes or heart. Metbysergide may lead to fibroid growth in the kidneys.

It is therefore best to concentrate on diet as a natural cure for headaches. If one food or drink is the root cause of your headaches, it is best to eliminate it from your diet completely. Avoid drinks containing caffeine such as coffee, tea or cola; or drink decaffinated versions of them instead. Avoid foods containing tyramine such as aged cheese, nuts, shell fish, pork, bananas, chocolate and wine. Avoid dairy products, in so far as you can, if they are the cause of your headaches. Eliminate cold foods, ice cream, and ice cubes from your diet; and cut down on or eliminate alcohol.

Some headaches, such as migraine ones, result from the body being in an acid condition. It is best therefore to try to keep the body as alkaline as possible by eating raw fruits, vegetables and sprouts. There is also evidence that almonds, brown bread, salmon, lettuce, cucumber, spinach, mushrooms and watermelon can provide some relief from headaches. Vegetable juices such as carrot and celery juice can also provide some relief.

The following food supplements can also be employed constructively to get relief from headaches: niacin, 100mg. three times daily; magnesium citrate, 400mg.three times daily; vitamin B complex, 50mg.three times daily; vitamin E, 400 I.U.twice daily; fish oil, two 1,000mg. three times daily; and vitamin C, 1,000mg. three times daily.

The following herbs, for the reasons stated, can also be used to treat headaches: feverfew gives relief from the pain of migraine headaches; basil draws poison out of the body; blessed thistle helps oxygenate the brain and improves circulation; ginger removes congestion; peppermint allows oxygen into the bloodstream; white willow bark relieves pain; and thyme brings general relief.

Other measures that can complement the foregoing are:
(a) Relaxation techniques such as meditation and imagery in order to reduce stress.
(b) Daily aerobic exercises to strengthen and enhance lung capacity in order to improve oxygen intake.
(C) A 3-4 day fast taking liquids such as apple, carrot or celery juice only, in order to eliminate toxins from the body.

You now have sufficient information, above, in order to tackle the problem of headaches without resorting to prescription drugs.

Beware of the Mind-Body Relationship

There is a link between the mind and the body known about by some for thousands of years. The German philosopher, Goethe, once said: “the mind governs the body”.  If you can learn to maintain a balance between the principles of good health, and the often conflicting demands of your personality and lifestyle, you can lead a life free of disease and suffering.  On the other hand, if you simply let yourself go freewheel, making no effort to guide your life, you will remain in a constant state of imbalance whereby you experience setbacks of all kinds including mental and physical ones.

Your body and your life are merely reflections of your mind. It is the mind alone that shapes and determines your destiny. Even the most highly skilled doctors or surgeons, with the most modern equipment and medications, can only stimulate your inner healing powers, they cannot cure you by themselves. It is only through the power of the mind that you can achieve the real healing of both your physical and psychological health problems.  

Your mental or emotional state has a bearing on your health and vice versa. They are interdependent and support for one has an impact on the other. Lots of people are overweight, inactive, stressed and make poor food choices causing feelings of fatigue, anger, frustration and depression. Ignoring the mind-body connection over time can lead to serious mental or physical health problem requiring treatment or hospitalisation.

The following facts emanating from studies carried out in the USA and UK further confirm the mind-body connection:

·        Two- thirds of all visits to a doctor are for stress- related causes.

·        Hostility at home or at work can have a bigger impact on heart disease than being overweight, cigarette smoking or having high cholesterol levels.

·        People high in optimism were less likely to develop heart disease than their pessimistic counterparts.

·        Employees receiving mental health counselling were 35% less likely to have a physical complaint than those without.

·        People with high levels of anxiety have a much higher risk of developing a heart complaint.

·        Talk therapy is more effective for anxiety and depression than drug therapy.

Without being too pernickety about it, here are some practical things you can do daily to ensure your mind-body balance is in equilibrium:

1.     Try and find the root cause of anything affecting your mind. Your problem could possibly arise from a toxic substance such as mercury or lead, vitamin B12 or magnesium deficiency, reaction to a chemical or an allergy you have developed. By finding the cause, you are in a position to take remedial action.

2.     Learn how to relax or engage in activities which promote relaxation. Relaxation exercises, meditation, relaxation music, yoga, crafts, hobbies and sports can all play a part in reducing stress.

3.      Actively practice bringing about a state of calm. This might involve deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, having a massage, making love, taking a bath or sauna, or going for a walk in the woods or by the sea.

4.     Do some daily exercise. It is a powerful way of reducing toxic substances in the body which may be affecting the mind, and is a lot more efficient in this respect than a prescription drug.

5.     Eat a balanced diet. Eliminate anything containing refined sugars, caffeine and cut down on alcohol consumption. Eat a least 5 portions of fruit or vegetables daily: and try and derive most of the proteins you eat from vegetables or fish instead of meat.

6.      Take a multivitamin and mineral tablet daily as insurance against a deficiency in the diet. Make sure there is no deficiency in vitamins C, B5,  B6, B12 or the mineral magnesium. 

7.     Use calming herbs in the diet. Valerian, peppermint, camomile, passionflower, lavender, lemon balm are all in this category.

8.     Keep well hydrated by drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily. Water is the most efficient way of expelling toxins from the body. You could reduce the amount of water you consume if you drink green tea, ginger tea, fruit or vegetable juices.

9.     Examine your attitudes and responses to problems you encounter regularly in order to reduce stress. Can you possibly overcome setbacks in your life with a sense of humour?

10. Build a network of friends, family and community. They are your most powerful allies in achieving long-term health. Interaction with a pet such as a cat or a dog can also have a positive influence on heath.

You now have enough ideas outlined above to begin to create a better relationship between the mind and the body, so that the effect of them working in harmony has a positive impact on your overall health and wellness.

How to Prevent or Cope With Gout

Gout is a disease caused by pain, swelling and inflammation in the joints. A high uric acid content in the blood leaves deposits of uric acid crystals in and around the tissues of the joints at the extremities of the body, especially the big toe. Gout usually affects men. High uric acid levels are most often found in people of high intellectual achievement, overachievers and high aspirers.

High uric acid levels mainly occur from the inability to metabolise proteins from purine type foods. Uric acid crystals form in the joints causing the body to release harmful chemicals that cause inflammation and severe pain in the affected areas. Poor diet, age, diuretic type medications, excess weight, overindulgence in alcohol, drinking too much coffee can put a person at risk of developing gout.   

Conventional medicine has responded to this disease with the following: anti-inflammatory drugs; colchicine from the root of meadow saffron; medications to lower uric acid levels and promote excretion through the kidneys; and medications to prevent the formation of uric acid stones. There are problems with all of these as follows: anti-inflammatory drugs can cause dizziness, nausea, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting and internal bleeding; colchicine can cause numbness in the hands and feet, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, hair loss and abdominal bleeding; and drugs to lower uric acid levels or prevent stones may weaken kidney function due to over-excretion of uric acid through the kidneys thereby causing them to work too hard.   

The main preventative measures you can take against developing gout are as follows:

1. Maintain a healthy weight.
2. Drink plenty of liquids such as water, green or herbal tea. 8-10 glasses per day should be sufficient.
3. Limit your alcohol consumption to the occasional glass of wine.
4. Limit your intake of purine type foods which include red meat, shellfish, tofu, organ meats, peas, anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms.
5. Eat potassium rich foods such as spinach, avocado, dried peaches, bananas, carrots, orange juice, baked jacket potatoes, lima beans and yams.
6. Drink a warm glass of lemon and water each day after dinner.
7. Avoid diuretic medications as they reduce the amount of potassium in the body.

If you already have gout, then you need to avoid all purine type foods as defined above, as well as fried foods, cream, ice cream, pastries, rich deserts, spices and alcohol especially beer.  Eliminate sugar- laden soft drinks in favour of water or green or herbal tea.

The diet should mainly consist of natural organic foods with a bias towards those having high fibre and potassium contents. A high fibre diet aids in eliminating uric acid by absorbing bile acids formed in the liver. Consequently, whole grain cereals, wholemeal bread, wholegrain pasta, brown rice, nuts, seeds, beans and potassium rich foods, as defined above, are all good for the condition. Other specific foods like sour cherries and strawberries can help combat a gout attack by getting uric acid out of the system at the onset. Grapes help alkalise the body and lessen the acidity of uric acid thereby encouraging the body to eliminate it.     

The following herbs, for the reasons stated, can help counteract gout: parsley acts as a natural diuretic; black cohash moderates blood activity; saffron neutralises uric acid build-up; devil’s claw is a natural cleansing agent for toxic impurities; nettle contains alkaloids which neutralises uric acid; and hydrangea is an anti-inflammatory.

Food supplements can be employed to help with gout as follows: vitamin C, 1000mg. three times daily; vitamin B5, 300mg. three times daily; folic acid, two 800mcg. tablets three times daily; bromelain, 500mg. twice daily, fish oil, two 1000mg. capsules three times daily; magnesium citrate, 400mg. three times daily; potassium tablets as directed on the label.

The following additional measures can help cope with gout:

1. Take half a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda in water twice daily in order to alkalise the body.
2. Soak a piece of white flannel in warm castor oil, wring it out and place it over the inflamed area, cover with plastic and apply a heating pad. Do this twice daily for one hour at each sitting.
3. Fasting for three to four days at a time. Drink distilled water and five to six glasses of green vegetable juice or apple juice in lieu of food.        

If you have anything to say on this post, use the comments box below for that purpose.