Inflammation—The 3.5 Million dollar word. That’s right! Even though the dictionary defines inflammation as redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed function of an area of the body-- the FDA has now designated it as a “disease.” Therefore, those of us who have natural approaches to dealing with it can be fined excessively if we refer to it, which is what happened to a sister company that is now responsible for paying them $3.5 million dollars.
Inflammation is the body’s complex biological response to harmful stimuli such as pathogens, irritants, or injuries. It’s a natural, protective attempt by the body to remove the stimuli and start the healing process. When this inflammation becomes too intense or chronic, the inflammatory response itself can damage tissues. Atherosclerosis, asthma, allergies, autoimmune disorders, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer are all triggered, caused by or involve inflammation.
Although it is a natural protective response of the human body, the FDA has decided that inflammation is, in and of itself, a disease, and that statements about the ability of supplements to treat inflammation are “implied disease claims.”
A few weeks ago we talked about the freedoms we have in this country. While we focused mostly on the positive aspects in that article, there are many areas that bring us great concern. Those of us in the supplement industry have seen our free speech freedoms continue to diminish to the point that it is impossible to tell people the true benefits of healthy foods and supplements.
Since inflammation is now a disease, it is illegal for anyone with a supplement that is anti-inflammatory to tell their customers about it completely unless they perform double blind studies. The problem is that only big pharmaceutical companies have the financial ability to perform such expensive tests. That means hands off to those who want to discuss methods, products, or whole food supplements to help deal with inflammatory issues.
The first amendment prohibits the government from banning speech because it does not agree with the message. The Food and Drug Administration is a government entity. The reality is that the stronger the government controls the definition and treatments of sickness and disease, the greater the chasm will become for those of us who wish to learn and teach how to naturally use methods, products, and supplements.
For several years, the Dieticians of North Carolina in particular have been lobbying against anyone consulting about food and nutrition unless the person is a registered dietician. Sadly, how many dieticians can look you in the eye and say that their patient with diabetes followed their advice and completely recovered from diabetes? They teach people how to manage their disease, not overcome it. The knowledge of true healing of the body with proper nutrition is not being taught in the dietician schools. These schools are likely financed in some way, as are medical schools by organizations with agendas that do not prioritize patients’ health first.
In North Carolina, it is illegal for someone other than a dietician to counsel anyone concerning how to use diet to help reverse their disease regardless of how much experience and success they may realize. The dietician lobbyists work hard to keep laws in place to “protect” their income streams.
Likewise, the pharmaceutical and medical establishments work hard to protect their “turf.” The general public isn’t aware that these battles are taking place. The resulting laws that have been put in place to supposedly “protect” our citizens actually causes them harm as they severely limit your ability to get the truth about how fruits and vegetables can actually protect and heal people from sickness and disease. Then, when someone crosses the gray line, they are hit with a hefty fine that either severely cripples their company or puts them out of business completely. Big pharma, medical establishment, and dieticians use our representatives, the government, and our laws to eliminate their competition, protecting their revenue streams.
Fortunately, we still have faith. Faith that one day we will not wake up to the debilitating news that our freedom to share health and help people restore their health will not be taken away. Sadly, it does feel as if each day, the noose has grown tighter…
This isn’t the only area where our freedoms are being eliminated, so as you are enjoying these warm, summer days, please offer up a prayer to the only One who can create order in this law-filled, lawless land. May He guide you and I as we gear up for the next elections. Lord, please continue to bless this great country!
