Is natural medicine always better?
Check out the article below for 5 reasons why a naturopathic doctor doesn’t think so
Natural medicine - is it better than conventional?
Ever since I announced that I would be attending the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, I have been THE person everyone confides their health questions in. Family, friends, and acquaintances ask me to review their blood work, look at their x-rays, or check out a picture of their poop (it happens more often than you would think!). These conversations almost always end with the question “what is the natural way to cure this?”. While this question may seem appropriate to ask a naturopathic doctor, it does not necessarily align with the principles of naturopathic medicine.
There are 2 principles of naturopathic medicine we have to consider; first is “do no harm” and second is “treat the individual”. Naturopathic doctors are taught to take a holistic approach to healing that considers all aspects of a patient’s well-being. When making a treatment plan with holistic health in mind, we must consider all aspects of a person’s being to find a treatment plan that truly fits each patient’s unique needs and minimizes all side effects. Just because something is labeled ‘natural’ doesn’t mean that it is better than other treatments, or that it is more appropriate for a particular patient or condition.
With that in mind, here are 5 reasons why natural might not always better
1. Natural medicine is not effective for every ailment.
A 2007 study found that in people with pre-diabetes lifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise, were as effective as pharmaceutical treatment for preventing progression to type 2 diabetes (1). Here we can see that the ‘natural’ route is comparable to the pharmaceutical route, and with less side effects. However, if you broke your arm, a herbal remedy would do little to resolve your condition. NDs can assess your condition and determine if the natural route is appropriate for you, or if you should be referred for conventional treatment (on its own or in conjunction with naturopathic treatment).
2. Natural medicine has side effects too.
It is a common misconception that if something is natural, it can’t have any side effects. However from a biological perspective this doesn’t really make sense. Substances only have effects- we interpret these effects as intended or unintended. For example, magnesium has a muscle relaxing effect and a laxative effect. If a patient is taking magnesium for muscle soreness, they may experience loose stools as well and call that a side effect. However, if a patient is taking magnesium for constipation, the stool softening effect is the intended effect. The bottom line is, just because something is ‘natural’ doesn’t mean that it is appropriate for you, or that it can’t cause harm. Always seek medical advice before starting a new supplement.
3. Natural medicines can have hidden costs.
If we are taking a holistic approach to a patient’s health, we must consider the mental and emotional cost associated with these treatments, in addition to physical side effects. For example, a patient with IBS whose bloating is keeping them from going out to eat with their friends. Every time they eat-out they get a stomach ache, so they stop going out. Prescribing them a long-term, highly restrictive diet may solve their bloating issue, but it won’t allow them to go out with their friends again, since most restaurants can’t accommodate highly restrictive diets. So even if a natural remedy is effective, we still need to be creative in designing a treatment plan that fits with the patient’s ultimate goals.
4. The ‘natural route’ can be less accessible than the ‘conventional route’.
While naturopathic medical visits are covered by most extended health plans, supplements and natural health products rarely are, and this cost can add up. Even dietary and exercise recommendations can be inaccessible to some, as they require a significant time commitment. Consider a busy working parent with high blood pressure. The most indicated treatment plan may be home cooked meals, exercise and meditation, but if they don’t have the child care support they need to follow through with this treatment plan then prescribing it will only add stress to their situation. Meeting the patient where they’re at provides the best care, while leaving room to grow.
5. Some naturally sourced natural health products can be more damaging to the environment than lab-made medicines.
Many herbal medicines, such as dandelion, are abundant and easily grown. However, there are a few herbs and ‘superfoods’ that have become endangered due to over-harvesting. If you are environmentally conscious, find an ND with similar values who can guide you to the most sustainable options for your health.
Naturopathic doctors are experts in critically assessing and communicating natural medicine research with our patient. This means that we search the literature to find the most effective natural treatments for you, and we always make sure to communicate the possible side effects so that you can make an informed and empowered decision about your treatment plan. We research all possible treatment options, natural and conventional, and find the best combination to meet your health goals, all while respecting your physical, mental, emotional, financial, and social needs.
Sources:
1) Gillies CL, Abrams KR, Lambert PC, Cooper NJ, Sutton AJ, Hsu RT, et al. Pharmacological and lifestyle interventions to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2007 Feb 10;334(7588):299.