I'm a big fan of the benefits of nutrition and other natural measures over pharmaceutical interventions wherever possible. Now it's official: food is better medicine than drugs. Well it is if you believe nutritional guru Patrick Holford and Times contributor Jerome Burne, whose book of that name has just been published.

Their controversial new title "Food is better medicine than drugs" claims: "In the UK, 10,000 people are killed every year by adverse drug reactions, which happen when the prescription drug that is supposed to be curing you kills or harms you instead."

According to these authors, that sobering total is more than the number of people who die from cervical cancer, taking illegal drugs, mouth cancer and passive smoking combined. They reckon it's actually more dangerous to visit your doctor than it is to drive your car. In 2004, traffic accidents were responsible for a modest 3,221 deaths by comparison. A further 40,000 people each year are made sick enough by the drugs they are taking to be admitted to hospital.

They say: "More of us than ever are succumbing to chronic disease and the figures make grim reading. One in six of us is expected to die prematurely, the most likely cause being heart disease, strokes or cancer. By the age of 50, one in three of us will be officially obese and a quarter of us will spend the last 30 years of our lives with the pain of arthritis."

"Many more of us will be put on drugs for less serious conditions such as high blood pressure or raised cholesterol, with the promise that they will reduce our chances of joining the ranks of the chronically ill," they add.

"But is this really the best way to deal with the rising tide of poor health? Especially when the truth of what drugs are really doing for us makes such worrying reading."

Great question, and I'd have to say a resounding "possibly not!" Sure, it's your choice and drugs can be quick, convenient and undoubtedly effective. But at what cost?

To me, it always seems like we look in the wrong place. Only today government officials are reiterating the old germ theory propaganda, "coughs and sneezes spread diseases." But what about building immunity within, rather than fearing attack? Or at least doing a bit of both.

Similarly, reaching for drugs to assuage symptoms is also a glance in the wrong direction. Why do you feel so tired? Why is your blood pressure so high? Why is your blood sugar level out of control?

For answers, look no further than the likes of Holford and Burne who will show you how to create a health-enhancing lifestyle through nutrition and lifestyle changes as an alternative to the drugs they so bitterly oppose.

But what can you – the man or woman in the street – practically do about it? Why not ask your GP if all your meds are absolutely necessary and alongside, get the advice of a nutritionist who can literally offer you a new lease of life – if you follow a plan that's made specifically for you.

"Food Is Better Medicine Than Drugs: Your Prescription for Drug Free Health"
Patrick Holford and Jerome Burne explain why food may be better medicine for your health than the drugs your doctor is likely to prescribe. Based on solid scientific trials and illuminating case histories, this book will revolutionise the way you think about your health and put you back in charge. The authors reveal how modern medicine has become distorted and is now, for reasons largely to do with profit and power, heavily dependent on prescription drugs. They look at common health problems (pain/arthritis, heart, depression, diabetes, memory, hormones, digestion, breathing, infections, etc.) and compare the effectiveness of nutrition-based approaches with today's potentially harmful commonly used medicines. Holford and Burne then recommend the foods and supplements you need to take to keep you healthy and to help reverse your health problem, suggesting safe drug-free alternatives to painkillers, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, blood thinners, cholesterol reducers, HRT, antidepressants, stimulants and tranquilisers. Simple to follow, practical and convincing, this is a book you need to read.

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