Danger, step away from the olive oil!

Today's Wall Street Journal has an article about potentially adverse reactions between medications and food with "health-improving" qualities. When I read this article, my first assumption was the article was funded by the pharmaceutical industry. It is in the best interests of their bottom-line, and hence their shareholders, for the American public to eat unhealthy food and need a multitude of prescription drugs to stay alive.

Disclaimer: I am not a physician. Do not stop taking any prescription medication without the advice and support of your physician. The article has a link that lists some common foods and potential drug interactions. If you are taking any prescription drugs, the information is worth reading.

Now for my opinion: This article is not surprising. Many of the foods listed are considered detoxifying. And, after all, what is a prescription drug other than a pile of chemical toxins formed into a pill?

I, for one, would rather explore (with the advice, counsel and support of a qualified professional) what natural food choices I could make to avoid taking toxins in pill form. Perhaps that is just me...

Doctors and Listening

I was talking to a practicing physician yesterday we wandered to the topic of his counseling patients on weight loss. He said even as a physician you have to be very careful what you say because some people are so sensitive about their weight and lack of exercise. A push too hard and the patient gets angry and won't come back. He takes the approach of gentle reminding and hints.

I continue to mull over the discussion today. I think we have to rely on our doctors to tell us the truth even if we don't to hear it. Who else tells us the unwanted truths? Are we simply happy to stick our heads in the dirt (or the bowl of cookie dough ice cream) and not face reality?

I believe that most people who need to take better care of themselves already know it. So why do people get upset when confronted with the truth?