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GLUTEN-FREE, #FITFAM AND DOCTORS – WHAT THE NATURALIST MOVEMENT MISSES ABOUT MEDICINE
Kris Vallotton
October 24, 2017
Have you noticed your newsfeed fill with #fitfam, essential oil tutorials, paleo recipes and plugs for taking supplements? I believe in eating healthy, exercise, and all the natural and organic medicine that is emerging in this 21st-century. I think it’s healthy, progressive and right. BUT I’ve also noticed that as natural medicine grows in popularity, along with it has come a fear of, and even judgement
towards western medicine! This is not okay, my friends!
In a move towards healthiness, there is a growing fallacy against modern medicine that needs to be addressed. I thank God for the science and the medical community. Jesus himself said, “Those who are sick need a physician.” And let’s not forget the Great Physician who loves to heal
in miraculous
ways. But the call into medicine is just as holy and purposeful as any other call by God. It’s one that is worth honoring.
LET’S TALK ABOUT LIFE-EXPECTANCY
The life expectancy in the US in the year 1900 was 46.3 years old for a male and 48.3 years old, for a female. The statistics before 1900 were worse than this. The life expectancy today in America is 78.9 years.
What’s important to note here is that before the industrial revolution people ate organic food, there were no such things as herbicides or growth hormones. Not to mention that people primarily worked in the fields, and therefore got tons of sunlight exposure and exercise. They slept an average of an hour longer per day, and had dramatically less stress in their lives. AND YET THEY DIED 30 YEARS YOUNGER THAN WE DO TODAY! THAT’S RIGHT FOLKS, 30 YEARS YOUNGER! This is not an opinion, this is a fact.
MEDICINE IS NOT EVIL
Why is our life expectancy longer today, even though we face food covered in pesticides, genetically modified organisms, (and let’s not even talk about the chemicals and weird ingredients in processed foods)? Because of the advancement of science and medicine! Before, things like vaccinations and antibiotics, smallpox, polio, and a long list of common diseases wiped out entire communities. In fact it was extremely common, for example, for people to die from the flu.
Even today, in third world countries that don’t have access to some of the medicine that westerners may take for granted, entire villages are wiped out because they can’t get inoculated from common diseases.
THE TOUGHEST JOB IN THE WORLD
I’m personally tired of the ongoing conspiracy theories against medicine and doctors. The idea that medicine is just about money is statistically proven to be a lie. It’s easy to be against inoculations, modern medicine, antibiotics and so forth as long as you don’t work in the poor villages of Africa. But if you want to know the truth about medicine just ask Heidi Baker or Tracy Evans, or anyone else that works among the extremely poor.
Let me be clear, I’m extremely thankful for the rise of natural and holistic medicine. But I am really tired of the disrespect that’s waged daily against doctors and nurses and the medical community who work tirelessly among the sick. Frankly, I think they have the toughest job in the world.
SO WHAT’S THE ANSWER?
I think we should learn everything we can from the holistic community, eat healthier, get exercise, and so forth. However, we should also stop these senseless attacks against the medical community who have actually extended our lives, and are responsible for many of our loved ones being with us today. If you work in the medical community, I just want to say thank you for your hard work, your long hours, and the long-suffering that you have exerted in helping people to get well and stay well. May God richly bless you and your families.
I think at the end of the day it all comes down to honor. If you’re a naturalist, more power to you! I truly believe that natural medicine has something good to offer the world. However, I would never want to be a naturalist at the expense of common sense, the facts about increased life expectancy, or the ways I’ve seen western medicine save lives. The next time you’re quick to judge someone for vaccinating their kids, take a break and remember to choose honor. The same goes on the flip side. The next time you’re about to judge someone for using essential oils to treat a cold, take a break and remember to choose honor. We don’t all have to agree with each other in order to honor one another! What I do know for sure is the disrespect has got to go!
What’s your take on medicine? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
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