When it comes to selling, one of the oldest tricks in the book is to create an urgent need or problem, then magically provide (i.e.: sell) the solution to said problem. 

Note that I used the word create here, because many times the need for a specific product is just not there, so the customer must be convinced (or scared into thinking) they need it. 

At the same time, if other competing products can be squashed or vilified, even better. 

I’ve just described the primary marketing strategies of the pharmaceutical industry. 

Here’s what I mean: 

Part 1. Create the problem and solution 

Except for antibiotics (which kill bacteria that cause potentially dangerous infections), most medications don’t cure a thing.  

Instead they thwart, suppress, alter or otherwise interfere with one or more of your body’s innate functions in an effort to reduce or mask your symptoms. 

A classic example here is acid reducers.  Medications like Nexium, Pepcid, Prilosec and Tagamet all work to prevent your stomach from producing acid like it was designed to.   

Presumably, less acid made by the stomach means less acid to come sliding up your throat and causing heartburn.  (Never mind that this also destroys your digestion of proteins, but I digress.) 

But the marketing of acid reducers didn’t stop there. 

Because instead of just having good old-fashioned “heartburn” (which in many cases can be addressed with dietary changes), people are diagnosed with acid reflux disease for which daily drugging is sold as the solution. 

Another example of a created “disease” is EPI—exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.   

Our bodies’ ability to produce digestive enzymes frequently diminishes with age, especially in people over age 50 and/or in those with a highly processed diet.  This is nothing new, and most times can be addressed with dietary changes and supplementing with an herbal digestive enzyme formula. 

But now it has a fancy title for which the recommended treatment is prescription “pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy” and acid reducers. 

See the pattern here? 

Part 2. Squash the competition 

Pharmaceutical companies have spent incredible amounts of time and money to convince the public that natural answers like supplements are worthless and even dangerous. 

An example of this that comes to mind is a 2014 “study” that concluded fish oil causes prostate cancer. 

I had a client ask me about it after his cardiologist told him to stop taking fish oil for his high blood pressure. 

Here’s what I found out about this sham of a study: 

The participants

The study was not a new "study" at all--rather the findings were dug up from specimens collected from men who had participated in a prior study. 

The study was designed to assess whether selenium and Vitamin E, together or alone, reduced prostate cancer risk.  Omega-3 fish oil wasn’t even the substance being examined!  

But that didn’t stop the efforts to vilify it. 

And the group selection was anything BUT scientific.   

The study compared 834 men who had already been diagnosed with prostate cancer with a random bunch of 1,393 other men.  

Besides the glaring fact that one group already has cancer and the other doesn't, no attention was paid to smoking status, race, weight, diabetes and several other factors that affect prostate cancer risk.  

So how can any "findings" between the two groups claim to be based on sound scientific research principles when they basically compared apples and (diseased) oranges? 

The findings 

The original findings in the study showed no benefit from selenium intake and a slightly higher number of prostate cancers in men who took Vitamin E.  

But instead of looking at the Vitamin E a little closer to see if lifestyle factors could explain the difference, the researchers took aim at fish oil.  They compared the levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in the red blood cell membranes of the prostate cancer group vs. the non-cancer group.  

There was a mere 0.2 percent (two-tenths of one percent) difference in the two blood levels that prompted the media frenzy claiming that fish oil supplements cause prostate cancer. 

NO dietary history was obtained from either group, nor any information about supplement use. Apparently, the researchers didn't think it was important to actually ASK the men if they ate fish or took fish oil supplements.    

So there's no way in heaven or on earth to decipher why the Omega-3 levels were slightly higher in men with prostate cancer.  

And certainly no basis to attribute the difference to supplementation! 

But get this—if you do a search today asking “Does fish oil cause prostate cancer” you’ll still see that sham of a study quoted on various “health” sites. 

Start creating health 

The main takeaway here is that drug companies will stop at nothing to grow their profits, your health be damned. 

So it’s becoming increasingly important to do your own research, seek out integrative physicians who embrace more holistic measures, and do your part to create health. 

Here are some strategies you can consider: 

1- Rely on the farmer—not the pharmacist 

See what a difference it can make to use food as your medicine with the right diet and sound digestion! 

I can guide you through this important step with my Great Taste No Pain health system. 

Great Taste No Pain stresses the importance of wholesome real foods like fresh vegetables and fruits, meats, poultry and fish, real butter and healthy fats.   

Plus it teaches you the science of food combining which shows you how to pair foods together in your meals to pave the way for smoother, more comfortable digestion. 

With Great Taste No Pain you'll also get menu suggestions, and a collection of delicious, easy recipes that make eating for great health thoroughly enjoyable! 

2- Support your gut microbiome  

Many drugs can be murder on your gut microbiome—this is especially true of antibiotics, acid reducers, pain medications, antidepressants and steroids.  

The beneficial bacteria in your intestinal tract house 80 percent of your immune system as well as help keep your digestion smooth and efficient. 

So if you're lacking a strong, healthy population of these microbes, your digestion is likely compromised, and your immune function weakened—so you are without its vital protection against disease. 

In addition to having a healthy diet of real foods, supplementation with a potent multi-strain probiotic like Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula can go a long way in supporting a healthy gut environment. 

Super Shield's 13 high-quality strains and 7.25 billion CFUs of potent friendly bacteria are ready to help strengthen your gut wall, encourage regular BMs and support your immune system. 

Note that if you have chronic, longstanding gut issues, the additional potency of Super Shield PLUS may be helpful.   

Super Shield PLUS contains 15 probiotic strains and 20 billion CFUs to help support even the most seriously imbalance microbiome! 

3- Search out natural options to medications 

In nearly every instance, there is a safe, natural answer to health issues.   

For example, our Digestizol Max digestive enzyme formula can help where your body may be lacking in enzymes and pave the way for more efficient digestion.   

Plus Gastro BeCalm Blend contains four herbs (mastic gum, marshmallow, ginger and licorice) that are HIGHLY effective in easing occasional heartburn. 

And the turmeric found in Optimal Turmeric Blend has shown itself in tens of thousands of studies to be an awesome anti-inflammatory, helping with high blood pressure, aches and pains, cholesterol, insulin resistance and even cancer prevention! 

4- Get regular exercise 

Pick an activity and do it at least 4 to 5 times a week. Even brisk walking is good and practically anyone can do that! 

Just be sure to get your doctor’s OK first. 

5- Reduce stress 

Stress directly impacts your gut microbiome and weakens your immune function, so do what you must to reduce stress in your life.  

Regular exercise has been shown to be extremely helpful, as well as counseling, prayer, deep breathing, massage, acupuncture, and even adopting a pet! 

Take the steps you need to help create real health from within. You’ll never regret it. 

To your health, 

Sherry Brescia