Sea Change
Greetings from a very warm western Wisconsin! The frigid temperatures of just 2 weeks ago abated and now we bask in sunshine, warmth, and the sounds of spring. It will change back again but here, we enjoy these anomalies even if they are short-lived.
Earlier this week, a news story crossed my screen titled Pfizer hires ex-FDA drug chief as top doctor published in The Hill. This constant rotation of regulator-industry is well known and supports the corruption claims that so many feel are rampant in the pharmaceutical and insurance sectors. Was it too soon to expect the current administration to correct this as they’ve stated they will ‘drain the swamp’? Do they even intend to address it or was it campaign promise that merely helped win the election? It made me consider the approval of RFK Jr. as secretary over the Health and Human Services department and how our expectations might need to change.
RFK Jr has promised to focus on nutrition, exercise, and wellbeing to combat the myriad of chronic illnesses afflicting Americans and many in the wellness sector, particularly dietary supplements, are ecstatic about this sea change. These changes are sure to affect the exploding dietary supplement industry, which in 2023 was valued at 177.5 billion USD and expected to grow at 9.1% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) according to Grandview Research. From a bird’s eye view, this sector has taken several pages from the pharmaceutical industry playbook creating ‘must need’ products designed to improve health rather than cure disease though some do make such claims illegally. And without proof of effectiveness, the opportunities are nearly infinite…to make money. Are these companies more concerned with their consumers or their pocketbooks? To me, the answer is obvious. Some will say…it’s okay to make money offering beneficial products but I question their benefit and even safety. Warning letters from the FDA reveal that many supplements are adulterated with prescription drugs to ensure an effect is noted by the consumer. Stated ‘clinical trials’ advertised by companies are often poorly designed with no peer review or verification. FDA and other federal agencies are now required to downsize leaving surveillance resources limited. Consumers of dietary supplements are facing a smorgasbord of highly marketed products with doubtful benefits and little oversight.
Several years back, blue zones were in the news, five spots with exceptionally healthy and long living individuals across the globe. Though some of the age related data has since been debunked the underlying variables that each location shared were strong social ties, mainly plant based diets, exercise, and low stress. None of them had strict regimens of exercise, supplements, or diets. Transitioning to such a lifestyle is easier for some than others, but everyone can pick an area and move towards it rather than swallowing another supplement.
Where do herbal products fit into this post? Rather that purchasing that $50 bottle of supplements, begin a practice of learning about common herbal remedies that are easily accessible or even available to grow and process yourself. Identify your own deficiencies or needs and work with an herbalist who can pinpoint ways to incorporate more whole herbs into your diet. If a supplement is recommended, research where to obtain it and be mindful of the marketing claims. Most clinical herbalists offer sliding pay scales to minimize any financial burden because they’re more concerned with the health of a client than they are about becoming wealthy.
I’m not anti supplement or anti pharmaceutical, just anti industry pushing unnecessary products for profits. If there’s a lesson to be learned from the blue zones, it’s that wellness isn’t achieved through a multi billion dollar industry, it’s attained through personal choices and simplicity.
-Anne
*This post was written without the use of artificial intelligence.