Doctors and Pharmaceutical Companies - Health Problems – Medications - Healthy Foods – Natural Remedies – Gut Health – Obesity - Diseases
May 4
13 min read
Are doctors pushing medications for pharmaceuticals companies to make more money?
Do you think that doctors give you one pill to take care of the problem and another pill to take care of the side effects of the first medication?
What has changed over the years?
Have doctors prescribed too many medications to cover up or regulate medical problems, instead of getting to the root of the problem?
Why do you think doctors focus more on prescribed medicine, instead of focusing on the patient’s gut health, eating habits, and activities in their life?
Many people are unhappy with taking too many medications, being over medicated, being overweight, and having an unhealthy body. We go to the doctor to help with our medical problems. The doctor listens to us, prescribes medication, and directs us to a dietician, who sees us for about 1-2 weeks, or refers us to another doctor, who gives us another medication and a different diagnosis. This vicious cycle that goes on and on.
Before you know it, you are taking 4-8 different medications, which cover up the problem or ease the symptoms, but it doesn’t cure or take care of the root causes of the problem. The dietician doesn’t know a lot about your medical history and efforts to lose weight or diet, so they guess and assume things to assist you with weight loss and healthy foods.
Are you at the point that you feel like you have tried everything, and nothing seems to work?
Are you feeling depressed, wanting to give up, and don’t like what you see in the mirror?
Do you feel like people around you just don’t understand what you are going through, and you don’t have the support you need?
You are not alone! There are many people who are struggling with the same problems and emotions.
Who’s to blame for your obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and medical problems?
Is it the doctor?
The pharmaceutical companies?
Fast Food and Restaurants advertising “Supersize” your meal or “We serve larger portions for a great price?” Their marketing strategies draw you in like a magnet. Temptations and marketing is a dangerous strategy for our health and wellbeing.
Who’s to blame? Is it you?
You stand in your own way to improve your health and your lifestyle. Most of the blame lies with your willingness to improve your health, refusing the temptation to eat the wrong foods, and the lack of motivation to move or exercise. Your body is like a vehicle. It requires regular maintenance, fluids to operate, and fuel to keep it going. If we don’t maintain our body in a healthy way, it will shut down, be prone to diseases and viruses, and slow down, struggling to stay alive.
No one is standing in your way, except YOU! Take charge of your life and your body. Be determined to keep yourself going, no matter what obstacles are in your way, and most of all DON’T GIVE UP! Find your support system, friends, family, a buddy, and take charge of your life. You are the only one that can do this!
History About Doctors and Pharmaceutical Companies:
The rise for the need of internal medicine and specialists began in the latter half of the 20th century, particularly after World War II, which ended in 1945. Medical Specialty boards were formed, like the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), which solidified this trend. It marked significant steps towards recognizing experts of many specific medical fields.
Family medicine was recognized as a specialty service and emerged later in 1969. The number of certified internal medicine physicians increased after 1941. By 1970, internal medicine and family medicine became the primary providers of outpatient care and became a trend that continues today.
The first pharmaceutical company was established in 1885 as a manufacturing company, which converted to wholesale merchants, then started to manufacture commercial drugs. The pharmaceutical industry and mass production of medications largely emerged in the second half of the 19th century. The roots of the pharmaceuticals started with apothecaries and pharmacies. The pharmaceutical industry was characterized by scientific research using chemicals, dyes, and synthetics.
The advancements of drugs started in the 20th century, provided antibiotics, insulin, and other life-saving medications. Today, there is a huge focus on research, development, and marketing of drugs, which emerged the term “Big Pharma” to describe the dominant forces in the industry. The pharmaceutical industry has evolved, and is driven by advancements in science and technology, regulatory changes, and societal needs.
Now that you have learned a little about the history of physicians and the pharmaceutical companies, are you asking yourself, “Do doctors prescribe several medications to patients to make “Big Pharma” money? Are there kickbacks when they prescribe more medications or specific medications”?
Before World War II and on into the 1960’s, general practitioners (Family Doctors), were mainly used by patients. Specialists were mainly used for more serious illnesses. Family doctors practiced medicine more to discover the root of the problems, before handing out prescriptions for every ache and pain. They focused on foods patients were eating for health reasons and to have a healthy gut. Family doctors knew certain foods people eat, especially sugary drinks, salt, and snack foods, were causing problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Family doctors worked with the patients to help them lose weight, maintain a healthy body, and try to lower these problems, before recommending a specialist. Specialists in these early days were expensive. Today specialists are costly too, but if you consider the wages were incredibly low in the 1950-2009, people could not afford to go to a specialist.
Minimum hourly wages:
1950 - $ .75
1960 - $1.00
1970 - $1.45
1980 - $3.10
1990 - $3.80
2000 - $5.15
2009 - $7.25
Today, 2025, the federal minimum wage remains $7.25anhour. However, states have the right to raise minimum wages to any amount.
The point is even today, with the rising costs of medication, food, gas, and other necessities, people still can’t afford to go to a specialist, hospital, or even urgent care facilities.
Are doctors and pharmaceutical companies in league with each other?
YES! Over the years their interactions and potential conflicts of interests, including financial ties, have raised concerns about the relationship and rising habits of prescribing medication to patients. Critics argue that potential ties are leading to biased decision-making, increased drug costs, and potential undermining of patient care.
People need to slow down, and try to understand their eating habits, medical needs, and lifestyle, to determine how they can improve their overall wellbeing.
Doctors are a good way to diagnose health problems, but do we really need all the medications they are prescribing, or can we use a variety of natural remedies and resources?
Doctors should focus on our health, diet, and activities in our life, more than ways to prescribe medication that only cover-up or eases our health problems. Many times, these problems can be solved by our eating habits and activities.
Healthy Eating Habits & Activities to Have a Healthier Body
We may not have a doctoral degree, but we can understand what our body is telling us when we don’t feel good, when we overeat or eat the wrong foods, if we are tired, and if we experience pain.
There are things we can do to help ourselves before seeking help from a physician, such as eating healthily, motivating our body by exercising or walking daily, having a healthy gut to lose weight, natural herbs and vitamins, natural oils for pain management, Hemp, and many more alternative remedies. Taking too many prescribed medications, that coverup or regulate a health problem, is putting chemicals into your body that will eventually cause organ problems and sickness.
This is not saying that you should stop taking medications. By all means take the medication and do not quit cold turkey, but you can find alternative, healthy and natural ways to help eliminate or reduce your health problems. By doing this, it will help to reduce the amount of medication you are taking or someday you may not need to continue the medication. Communicate with your doctor about new natural remedies that you are trying, especially to see if the natural remedy conflicts with your prescribed medication.
Physicians cannot and will not recommend natural remedies, herbs, oils, hemp, or anything except a pharmaceutical drugs, due to the lack of rigorous scientific evidence and regulations, and they could face disciplinary actions or deemed unprofessional, incompetent, or violate state laws or regulations. Factors like a lack of scientific evidence for the remedies has the potential for harm to the patient, which could lead to legal actions.
Remember, there is no magic pill that will make you lose weight or heal your body. You must do this on your own. I am sure you are asking “How do I do this on my own?” Let me provide you with information before we get into the details of how to maintain your own health.
This leads us to commonsense. Patients need to have more common sense and the willingness to educate themselves with alternative remedies.
Herbalists have studied and practiced natural remedies, which can be extremely helpful. Other ways to heal our bodies is the foods we consume.
Eating healthier foods will lead to losing weight, good digestions, lower blood sugars, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and many more health benefits.
Stay away from sugary foods, added sugars, salty snacks, foods high in carbohydrates such as cereal, chips, and potatoes.
Reduce portion sizes.
Meat should be roughly the size of a deck of cards, 3-4 oz. portions. Adults need 5-
7 oz of protein a day. Red meat is 12-18 oz. per week.
Vegetables are generally 2-1/2 to 3 cups per day.
Fruit is 1-1/2 to 2 cups of fruit per day.
The key to maintaining a healthy weight and body is not the number of meals you eat each day. The key is to consume a balanced diet, manage your calorie intake, stay away from certain sugary or fatty foods, and focus on nutrient-rich foods, which provide your body with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, and will keep your gut healthy.
Most people don’t like to talk about their gut or poop. A healthy gut is the key to a healthy body. Normal bowel movements can vary. An average number of bowel movements, you should have to stay healthy, is 3 times a day to 3 times a week. It’s more important to focus on what is normal for your individual body and bowel habits, than a specific number of times a week. However, if you only poop 1-2 times every 2-3 days, this is not a healthy gut, and you need to change your diet to be healthy. Constipation is more common in older adults and some medications can cause constipation. A healthier diet is necessary to have a healthy gut.
A high-fiber diet, such as whole wheat, fruits, and vegetables, can promote regular bowel movements.
Drinking enough fluids can provide stimulation to poop.
Physical activity will stimulate bowel movement.
If you are concerned about your bowel movements, consult a dietician to help you with your eating habits and communicate this to your physician.
To maintain a healthy body inside and out, you need to choose healthy foods and healthy snacks. Certain foods are beneficial for specific parts of your body, due to the nutritional benefits. You can remember these by color or name.
Healthy Food Choices:
Red: Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants like lycopene and anthocyanins, helping to reduce inflammation, fiber, and support the immune system. According to research, they protect against certain types of cancer according to research. Each red fruit or vegetable has its own unique health benefits. Do your research to find out more about these wonderful products.
Tomatoes Red Bell Peppers Pomegranate
Strawberries Cranberries Radish
Raspberries Kidney Beans Chili Pepper
Beets Rhubarb Guava
Red Onions Gojo Red Potatoes
Red Bell Peppers Cherries Plums
Red Apples
Blue & Purple: Fruits and vegetables contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and helps with memory function. Each red fruit or vegetable has its own unique health benefits. Do your research to find out more about these wonderful products.
Blueberries Blue Potatoes Blackberries
Grapes Plums Eggplant
Eggplant Blackcurrant Figs
Cauliflower Purple Yam Beetroot
Onions Prunes Cabbage
Orange & Yellow: Fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids, like beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. This is important for vision, immune function, and skin health. Each red fruit or vegetable has its own unique health benefits. Do your research to find out more about these wonderful products.
Yellow Carrots Oranges Sweet Potatoes
Papaya Peach Apricots
Cantaloupe Butternut Squash Pumpkin
Mangoes Persimmon Sweet Corn
Bell Peppers Lemon Pineapple
Tangerines Yellow Beets Kumquat
Yellow Tomatoes Yellow Potatoes Raisins
Green: Fruits and vegetables contain vitamin K, potassium, and antioxidants, which are important for heart health, bone health, and protect against cancer. Each red fruit or vegetable has its own unique health benefits. Do your research to find out more about these wonderful products.
Spinach Collard Greens Arugula
Kale Swiss Chard Green Peppers
Broccoli Bok Choy Lettuce
Microgreens Brussel Sprouts Celery
Turnip Greens Chives Endive
Asparagus Brussel Sprouts Avocados
Avocados Kiwi Edamame
Okra Green Tea Seaweed
Jackfruit Pawpaw Apples
Parsley Basil Lemon Pepper
Herbs: (Considered to be vegetables and for medicinal reasons)
Cilantro Thyme Rosemary
Oregano Sage Mint
Dill Lemongrass Tarragon
Cardamom Chamomile
Mugwort (a substitute for oregano, parsley, and basil. It has medicinal properties to help with digestion, female disorders, ease sore throats, tea as a liver tonic, and sleep problems.
There are many other herbs that are good for your health, which are not green in color. Research more about healthy herbs for your health benefit.
White & Brown: Fruits and vegetables contain allicin and other compounds with anti-tumor properties. Garlic is known for its antifungal and antibiotic properties. Each red fruit or vegetable has its own unique health benefits. Do your research to find out more about these wonderful products.
Onions Garlic Mushrooms
Bananas Brown Rice Brown Bread
Quinoa Cauliflower Pears
White Nectarines Parsnips Turnips
Navy Beans Chickpeas Hummus
Coconut Lychees White Nectarines
White Peaches Ginger Ginkgo
Dates Raisins Fig
Nashi Pear Kumato Oat
Dark Chocolate Coffee Lentils
Flaxseed Whole Wheat Whole Grains
Nuts: Contains rich nutrients, healthy fats, fiber (Microbiome, supporting gut health), alpha-linolenic acid, and antioxidants that can contribute to heart health, brain function, bone health, certain types of cancer (such as colon cancer), regulate blood sugar levels, and potentially aid in weight management. They are packed with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin E, folate, niacin, magnesium, Vitamin B6, zinc, copper, calcium, and potassium.
Walnuts (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) help to reduce inflammation and improve artery health, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, helps to lower blood pressure, decreases the risk of blood clots, can help delay or prevent age-related heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, nerve disease, and some types of cancer.
Pistachios - Can help delay or prevent age-related heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, nerve disease, and some types of cancer.
Almonds – This is considered the healthiest nut due to the antioxidants, which can protect against obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Almonds can help delay or prevent age-related heart disease, stroke, nerve disease, and some types of cancer. Note: Do not eat raw. Raw Almonds has been linked to a Salmonella outbreak.
Peanuts -Contains antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and is high protein content. They can help with heart health, blood sugar management, and reduce the risk of gallstones. They are high in fiber to help with digestion health. It is important to eat peanuts in moderation. Peanuts are high in calories.
Cashews - Can help delay or prevent age-related heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, nerve disease, and some types of cancer.
Hazelnut – Consuming “raw” in-shell has been associated with an outbreak of E. coli.
Pecans –High calorie content and fat content. Similar nutritional value to Macadamia nuts. It can help delay or prevent age-related heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, nerve disease, and some types of cancer.
Macadamia – High nutritional value and high in antioxidants providing brain-boosting benefits. They are a healthy source of fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
To sum things up, when you prepare a healthy meal, choose foods that are good for your body. Your plate should look like this.
1. Meat – Choose one type of meat and make sure the portion is no bigger than a deck of cards. Healthier meat is chicken, low fat pork, sirloin, and lean beef cuts, venison, and wild caught fish such as Salmon, Mackeral, and Tuna.
2. Choose vegetables and fruits from each color category for the health benefits. 3/4 of your plate should be fruits and vegetables
3. Consume 2-3 meals per day at appropriate times for good digestions. For example:
· Breakfast early in the morning to 9:30 a.m.
· Lunch between 11:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
· Dinner between 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., no later.
Try not to eat your last meal of the day later than 6:30 p.m. It takes time to digest food. An upset stomach will cause sleep loss and pain.
4. Snacks – Choose healthy snacks such as fruit, vegetables, or nuts. Stay away from sugary, salty, and fatty snacks. Snack once in the morning, only if you feel hungry before lunch, and around 3:00 p.m. Stay away from snacking after 7:30 p.m., unless you work an evening shift, then you will need extra energy from healthy foods.
5. Beverages – Drink plenty of water or beverages that contain water such as coffee, tea, flavored water. Watch your sugar intake. Some flavored waters are high in sugar. BAI flavored water is a healthy choice and delicious. Stay away from soda, even diet soda, and sugary drinks. NOTE: Diet sodas contain sugar substitutes, which tricks your insulin levels, causing an increase in sugar levels in your body. It can cause insulin deficiency, which contributes to weight gain and makes it hard to lose weight.
6. Get plenty of Sleep. Lack of sleep can contribute to these health problems.
Obesity – Effects the hormones that regulate appetite, leading to hunger and overeating.
Weak immune system – Your body will produce fewer protective substances, making you more susceptible to infections and illnesses
Chronic Diseases – Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, even some types of cancer.
Slower Metabolism & Impaired Physical Performance – Leads to a decrease in calorie burning, making it harder to lose weight. Leads to a decrease in energy levels, which affects your ability to exercise, participate in activities, and even perform daily tasks.
Increased Risk of Accidents – When you are tired, you cannot focus, and your reaction time is decreased. Your cognitive functions are affected by lack of sleep. The risk of accidents and injuries increase both in your everyday life and while driving.
Mental Health issues – Lack of sleep affects your ability to be alert. It affects your cognitive abilities to make decisions, problem solving, causes mood swings, irritability, anxiousness, makes it hard to control your emotions, and can be extremely dangerous at work and operating machinery or vehicles.
I hope you have a better understanding of what it takes to maintain a healthy body and valuable information about healthy foods, the importance of activities in your life, support so not to give up, and to get plenty of sleep for your cognitive responses.
This is extremely important for you to maintain your body for better health, and to live a better lifestyle. Life is too short to give up on yourself and the places we haven’t traveled to or family and friends we need to visit.
I hope you have enjoyed this post. Please return to learn more valuable information about your health and how to live a better lifestyle. If I can provide advice or answer questions, please email srrllcbooks@gmail.com. Please leave comments and share this article with others. Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Lifestyle Challenges Blogs by Writer/Author Marietta Smith
I hope you have enjoyed my blogs. Let me know if you are able relate to some of these experiences and valuable information. I hope that I can help you to improve your skills, knowledge, and live a long, happy life. I have had many experiences (good and bad), challenges, and life lessons. For this reason, I want to share valuable information and advice with you, that can be vital to living a better lifestyle and to look at the world a little differently with open eyes.
If any of my posts have touched you or have made difference in your life, I would love to hear from you.
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