The 10 Most Important Health Reports of 2004
From the McDougall Newsletter
Not only did you hear of these important issues first by
reading our monthly publication, but the news was reported in terms that
were meaningful to you and to those you love. Taking action on any one of
these timely reports has the real potential to save you from suffering and
to save you money – in other words, a longer better life at no cost to
1) People Are Infected with Leukemia Viruses from
The Real Issues: Nine out of ten herds of cattle in the
United States (and most other cattle-producing countries) are infected
with bovine leukemia viruses.
Importance to You: 74% of people eating the American
diet (from beef and dairy products) have been infected with these viruses.
Bovine leukemia viruses are known to cause leukemia and lymphomas in
animals, and the same is suspected for people.
Action to Take: Stop consuming meat and dairy products
and never begin feeding them to your children and grandchildren. Even if
you are already infected, a plant based diet can reduce your risk for
developing these cancers.
2) Atkins Medical Report Shows Effects of His Diet
The Real Issues: Dr. Robert Atkins’ medical report
(following his death in April 2003) was released to the public in February
of 2004, and it revealed that he was grossly overweight and had
cardiovascular (heart and artery) disease.
Importance to You: Over half of the people in the USA
and other western countries have experimented with an “Atkins-type,”
low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein, high-cholesterol diet (a diet
high in meat and dairy). More than 100 years of research says this kind of
eating will destroy your health and appearance.
Action to Take: To avoid the unattractive personal
appearance and poor health of Robert Atkins, MD, follow the advice which
is the opposite of his recommendations. In other words, eat a high
carbohydrate, low-fat diet, based on plant foods.
3) “Good” HDL-Cholesterol Is Meaningless
The Real Issues: HDL-cholesterol as measured on common
laboratory tests fails to help predict your risk of suffering from
coronary artery (heart) disease.
Importance to You: HDL-cholesterol can lead to 2
dangerous consequences: 1) Your total cholesterol is high, but your doctor
reassures you that there is nothing to worry about because your “good” HDL-cholesterol
is also high – as a result, you miss an opportunity to correct the real
indicators of trouble (total and LDL-cholesterol) by being falsely
reassured. 2) After following a healthy diet (plant-food based) your total
cholesterol falls and so does your HDL (a fraction of total cholesterol).
Your doctor tells you that you are now unhealthy because of your low-HDL,
or worse yet he tells you to eat more meat (cholesterol) in order to raise
Action to Take: Strive to get your total cholesterol
below 150 mg/dl (and LDL-cholesterol below 80 mg/dl) with a healthy diet
(and in some cases, judicious use of medications). Ignore your HDL-cholesterol
values – they are largely irrelevant and misleading.
4) PSA Tests Are Dangerous
(June 2004 and September 2004)
The Real Issues: Men are encouraged to take a PSA test
as if it has been shown to save lives – and it does not. Researchers from
Stanford University finally admitted to the public that the PSA test is
inaccurate and fails to catch the cancer at a stage early enough to be
treated effectively by surgery or radiation. The test does far more harm
Importance to You: Without adding a day to your life,
this test is very likely to cause you the misery of worry, and any
follow-up therapy is likely to cause pain, and/or impotence and
incontinence (you may have to wear a diaper or indwelling urinary catheter
for the rest of your life).
Action to Take: When your doctor insists upon a PSA
test, begin by asking for evidence for the benefits. Then refuse the test.
At the same time make dietary changes (low-fat, plant based) that will
protect you from prostate cancer.
5) Over-Treating Blood Pressure Kills
The Real Issues: Using medication to lower blood
pressure can increase your risk of dying from heart disease by reducing
the flow of blood to vital tissues.
Importance to You: Your doctor is likely working under
the incorrect premise that your blood pressure should be forced to normal
(110/70 mmHg or less) with his powerful drugs. You may die as a result of
his “good” intentions.
Action to Take: Lower your blood pressure with a healthy
diet, exercise and good habits (off the alcohol and coffee). Only treat
with medications when your blood pressure is sustained (over months) at
160/100 mmHg or higher. Do not lower your pressures below 140/85 mmHg with
medications. Pay attention to other “risk factors” like body weight,
cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. Without medication a low blood pressure
(110/70 mm Hg or less) is healthy.
6) Supplements Can Damage Your Health
(August, November, and December 2004)
The Real Issues: Taking pills filled with concentrated
nutrients can increase your risk of heart disease and cancer, and your
overall risk of dying.
Importance to You: Vitamins, minerals, and other
phytochemicals (plant substances) are essential for your health. When
taken as an isolated, concentrated form, as pills, they can cause
metabolic imbalances within your cells that can cause you to become ill.
Action to Take: Get your vitamins and other
micronutrients from their natural packages (fruits and vegetables). Use
supplements rarely (with proper indications), because they are really
medications with benefits and adverse effects.
7) Vioxx and Celebrex Increase Heart Attacks
The Real Issues: Cox-2 inhibitors are no more effective
than regular NSAID’s, such as aspirin and Motrin, and they increase your
risk of death from heart disease (at least doubled).
Importance to You: The pharmaceutical companies are
concerned with profit – period. Knowledge of cox-2 inhibitors causing
heart attacks has been published in the scientific literature for more
than five years. If your doctor has been unaware of troubles with drugs,
and is not working to get you off medication, than search elsewhere for
better health care.
Action to Take: Put all your efforts into becoming
healthy so that you can avoid the risks associated with the medical
industries. Choose simple, time-honored, cheap medications only, and only
when medication is necessary.
8) Lumpectomy Best for Breast Cancer
The Real Issues: Simple, non-deforming surgery (and some
anti-estrogen therapy) is as effective as mutilating mastectomies and
radiations for breast cancer.
Importance to You: One in eight women will develop
breast cancer. Unless you are well-informed, the kind of treatment you
receive will depend upon the doctors that oversee your care – for better
and, usually, for worse, because most doctors treat women far more
aggressively than the 100 years of scientific evidence justifies.
Action to Take: Avoid breast cancer with a healthy diet.
If disease does befall you, then become a well-informed consumer. Demand
that your doctors justify their recommendations with solid research.
Choose less, rather than more, therapy.
9) Meat Leads to Colitis and Arthritis
(November 2004 and December 2004)
The Real Issues: Autoimmune diseases, like arthritis and
colitis, are caused by eating the rich western diet (meat and dairy
Importance to You: Victims of these diseases are told
“we do not know the cause” – not true. They are placed on powerful,
expensive, dangerous, and relatively ineffective medications, with a
promise of great benefit – not true. What causes disease promotes disease
– your best treatment is a change in your diet.
Action to Take: A diet based on starches with the
addition of fruits and vegetables, not only prevents serious autoimmune
diseases, such as arthritis and colitis, but can be an effective cure –
and that is what the research says.
10) Calcium Channel Blockers Kill
The Real Issues: Calcium channel blockers are
profitable, but dangerous, medications used to treat high blood pressure
and heart disease. They double your risk of dying of heart disease. They
also increase your risk of cancer, bleeding, and suicide. I refuse to
Importance to You: High profits from these medications
cause drug companies to teach your doctors dangerous prescribing habits –
you suffer. Your health is irrelevant.
Action to Take: Lower your blood pressure with diet,
exercise and good habits (no alcohol or coffee). If your elevated blood
pressure persists (remains 160/100 mm Hg or greater for months) then use
simple diuretics (they cost pennies) – and do not treat too aggressively
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