This is a good thread. Thanks to everybody for posting.
I have strong opinions on pharmaceutical drugs. I do my best to be objective but some of the practices of the A.M.A. and Big Pharma really get me worked up. I am disgusted that harmful man-made chemicals are the first option. That is wrong in so many ways. They are known to cause death and ill health. They are known to not be effective long term solutions. It's absolutely ridiculous.
Proper diet and exercise always promote better health, both short term and long term. There are no exceptions to this. Scientifically measurable results may not show up immediately but that is no reason to discredit their efficacy. Good science never stops looking for the next best option. The scientific method is not the standard for Big Pharma.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
"Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning.[1] A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.[2]
Although procedures vary from one field of inquiry to another, identifiable features distinguish scientific inquiry from other methodologies of knowledge. Scientific researchers propose hypotheses as explanations of phenomena, and design experimental studies to test these hypotheses. These steps must be repeatable in order to dependably predict any future results. Theories that encompass wider domains of inquiry may bind many independently-derived hypotheses together in a coherent, supportive structure. This in turn may help form new hypotheses or place groups of hypotheses into context.
Among other facets shared by the various fields of inquiry is the conviction that the process be objective to reduce biased interpretations of the results. Another basic expectation is to document, archive and share all data and methodology so they are available for careful scrutiny by other scientists, thereby allowing other researchers the opportunity to verify results by attempting to reproduce them. This practice, called full disclosure, also allows statistical measures of the reliability of these data to be established."
They (Big Pharma) don't seem to care about anything but profit. Why even use science if they're not going to be objective and strive to better the field?
As always, it boils down to money. And the FDA just hangs back, taking payoff after payoff, grinning like idiots. All the while proclaiming to be protecting us. Simultaneously, they repeatedly publish absolute nonsense about the danger of natural remedies. Many of these natural remedies have hundreds of years of historical and anecdotal evidence to at least warrant further studies.
That was a bit of a rant, wasn't it? I apologize.
From my experience, I feel that a diet high in fruits and vegetables (high in fiber and antioxidants), daily aerobic activity, and supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and herbs will promote cardiovascular health comprehensively. Man made drugs should be a last resort.
Garlic, onions, turmeric, milk thistle, hemp seed oil, flax seed oil, niacin, and/or Dandelion root are all natural options that should be considered before deadly and poisonous drugs.
Thanks again to everybody for sharing your thoughts.