Be Wary of Unsupported Therapeutic Claims Alternative Approach

I am a great supporter of nontraditional medicine. It is an area of unbridled imagination and discovery where, I believe, simple cures for serious diseases will be found. However, there is also a dark side to nontraditional medicine: Claims of therapeutic benefit based on little or no real data.

A few weeks ago one on my clients mentioned her experiences with ozone, an alternative therapy that has been around for more than 100 years. Although it's promoted as a treatment for diseases such as cancer, AIDS and even to slow the aging process, the medical evidence is seriously lacking.

Ozone is basically another form of oxygen. Oxygen is formed when two atoms of oxygen combine to form the oxygen molecule, O2. It is vital to life on this planet. Ozone is formed when three oxygen atoms combine, producing ozone, O3. Ozone is often produced in large amounts during summer thunderstorms as well as being plentiful in the upper atmosphere, where it protects us from ultraviolet radiation.

More than 100 years ago, we discovered how to make ozone in the lab and began using it as a medical therapy. At that time, antibiotics and modern prescription drugs did not exist. Ozone was discovered to be toxic to bacteria and to enhance wound healing. As a result, it was used successfully to treat many illnesses, including tuberculosis, ear infections and especially dental infections. Even though there appears to be real benefit to the dental application of ozone therapy, quality research continues to be seriously lacking.

Another of our clients told me she went to a physician who told her ozone therapy could help prevent the metastasis of her breast cancer. She said she spent $7,000 over two months taking ozone therapy. Unfortunately, she still had breast cancer.

I often tell my clients that, in nontraditional medicine, the claims of extraordinary benefit may be unsubstantiated. These claims of health benefits are often based upon individual testimonials. Although there is nothing wrong with a truthful testimonial, there is a world of difference between health claims based on testimonials and health claims based on quality research.

I would love to say that everyone in nontraditional medicine is honest and that all claims of benefit are solidly based on good research...but it would not be true. Chronic pain and suffering results in desperation and desperation opens the door for dishonesty. The key is quality research. If something works, we should know. If something does not work, we should know that, too. Remember, there is no such thing as a miracle pill! God is the answer!

Bruce Brightman – founder
LifeSource