be changed, but the expression of them is affected by nutrients, infectious agents, and environmental toxins. Prescription of natural substances including nutrients, vitamins, and bioidentical hormones is particularly well suited to this approach by address- ing underlying biochemical imbalances and cellular dysfunction. This contrasts with reliance upon pharmaceutical agents to


suppress symptoms rather than identifying and providing correc- tion for underlying causes of most chronic diseases within the traditional medical model. It is important to realize that FDA approval of a new drug requires only that two properly designed clinical studies show statistically significant benefit compared to “placebo controls” – inert or inactive “dummy” substances given to comparison subjects in the study. Furthermore, approval does not require direct comparison with effectiveness of existing ones, and this is rarely if ever done. In many cases, a newly approved drug has failed to demonstrate efficacy compared to placebo in the large majority of studies done by the pharmaceutical com- pany, but the negative trials were never published. This is known as the “file-drawer” phenomenon, whereby negative trials are hidden from view by never being published. Drugs are important, sometimes critical and life-saving, but it important to understand that commercial interests and the kinds of disclosure described above often exaggerate perceived effectiveness and understate real-world adverse effects. Every drug is a “xenobiotic” or foreign substance to the body. This means that effective metabolism is required, and this involves the complex detoxification pathways that are often impaired in the course of chronic disease. A Los Angeles Times article (9/17/2011) cited U.S. CDC data


showing that drug deaths exceeded motor vehicle accident deaths in the United States in 2009. Deaths from prescription and non- prescription drugs have continued to increase according to nu- merous reports. The Times article points out that increasing prescribing of pain-killers and anti-anxiety drugs has contributed to these alarming numbers.


The traditional medical care model has served well in many


advances that have prolonged life and enabled widespread in- creased survival and provided solutions for previously untreatable diseases such as infectious disease and fatal nutritional deficits (like vitamin C for scurvy and vitamin D for rickets). The increas- ing cost of health care and a disproportionate percentage of disease burden has shifted during current times to chronic dis- eases, however. The traditional model which served so well in the past increasingly fails to stem the tide of contemporary disease morbidity – autoimmune diseases, degenerative diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and steadily increasing morbidity and mortality from adverse effects of drugs. Functional medicine is well suited for this trend and many believe represents the hope for progress in the future.


Natural Triad will furnish references upon request.


Bose Ravenel, M.D., F.A.A.P. retired from his former general pediatrics practice in October, 2013 and now provides pediatric functional medicine consultations as a member of Robinhood Integrative Health in Winston Salem. For an appointment, call 336-768-3335. For more information, visit www.RobinhoodIn- tegrativehealth.com See ads on pages 24, 38.


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