Just how sick does the Pharmaceutical Industry want you to be?

I worked for 11 years in the pharmaceutical industry and I spent 11 years bribing doctors to prescribe the company's medicines... yes I actually bribed them.  It wasn't blatant bribing as I worked in marketing, but the reps would call me and ask if my product's budget could pay for a "new computer for Dr. So and So" or "A new set of shelves for such and such a department in such and such hospital".  I never did buy any shelves, but that's what went on the invoice, computers I bought many.

In fact, in most of my 11 years at one of the top pharmaceutical companies I was stunned at what the company was willing to do in order to sell drugs.  In the end, I left.

However, it still shocks me to see how accepting the public is of taking medicine.  Most people are looking for a quick fix to stop them feeling ill and in many cases I admit, the medicine is necessary. And please don't get me wrong, doctors and modern medicine are great when needed, but a lot is in your hands to avoid that necessity.

However, a conversation with my father last weekend made me realize just how hooked on medicines people really are.

Take my father for instance.  He's 73 years old, obese with type 2 diabetes, beginning of heart problems, diverticulitis, and a whole host of other problems related to the diabetes.  For example he just had cataract surgery.  Not long ago, I put him on the F.I.T Method and he lost a staggering 6.5k in 2 months and his blood sugar level returned to normal and his cholesterol reduced.  In just 2 months!

However, having had his diabetes specialist jumping for joy, and feeling well pleased with himself, he did what most people do in that situation... fall "off the wagon", he stopped doing the F.I.T. Method and went back to his old habits.  What happened?  Well he turned up here for a visit last week looking fatter than I have ever seen him and unable to walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath, not to mention the problems he had doing simple tasks such as putting his shoes on.

Pharmaceutical companies don't make cures
they make customers

When I asked him about the weight gain he got defensive, this is understandable but his defense was that his blood sugar level was stable and so was his cholesterol thanks to the medication he was taking.  And here is my point... the pharmaceutical industry WANTS YOU TO STAY AS SICK AS POSSIBLE FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE... THAT'S HOW THEY MAKE MONEY!

I said this to my father and he looked at me in horror, he'd never thought of it like that.  What's more the majority of doctors prescribe medicines BECAUSE IT IS THE EASY THING TO DO... not to mention that they are visited by every rep of every pharmaceutical company and told endlessly about the benefits of this or that drug.  It is much easier to put a bandaid on something than to educate and prevent it happening.

However, from all this came something positive.  My brother, who used to be obese but has now lost loads of weight sat at the dinner table and said to our father, "It's a LIFESTYLE change Dad!  You have to make the change and incorporate it into your way of living!"  I was delighted, there was one disciple who'd learned the lesson!!!!!  Yes!!!!!  I'm sure you'll understand that my family gets pretty fed up with me preaching about healthy diets and healthy living, the importance of exercise, etc... They are more difficult to convince than my patients!

Yale School of Medicine has just released a study on a nuclear receptor called PPARgamma which when switched off could prevent obesity and diabetes... of course, it's by way of a magic pill.  The majority of weight problems are lifestyle related.  I often hear how someone has put on lots of weight during a pregnancy only to continue piling on the pounds afterwards, or people literally not realizing (or not wanting to realize) just how big they were getting.  It usually means that something happens in their lives that is a trigger to make them lose weight; not being able to do their seat belt up on a plane, or not being able to fit into the roller coaster car at the theme park, or an unflattering photo at a wedding... there are many triggers.  However, if your lifestyle got you fat... then you can change your lifestyle and reverse the effect - it really is that simple!

However, nowadays, most people look for the minimum effort quick fix... gastric band surgery, bariatric surgery, diet pills, liposuction, expensive treatments, fad diets... and so the list goes on.  Very few actually try the healthy eating and exercise route, people want instant results and instant gratification.  All of these "quick fixes" have dangerous side effects that are not worth the risk.  For me

the answer is clear; a healthy diet and regular exercise routine will not only help you find your perfect weight, but you will maintain it and prevent illness.

So, the choice is yours... do you overhaul your diet and lifestyle and live better for longer, or do you trust in magic pills that will keep you just alive so you can make lots of profits for the pharmaceutical industry?  The choice is yours, for you and your family.

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com