What do Doctors know about Resveratrol? What should they know?
Just a few days ago I was talking to a doctor friend of mine who I had not seen in a while. After the normal pleasantries I naturally brought up the subject of resveratrol. It's not very often I get to ask a doctor about resveratrol so I was willing to take a shot with an old friend.
The conversation went something like this:
Me: Have you heard of resveratrol and what do you think of it?
Doc:Resveratrol! Isn't that the supplement made from red wine that everyone is talking about?
Me: Yes, sort of... it's not really made from red wine but traces of resveratrol can be found in it.
Doc: Right, well all that stuff is crap. How is drinking red wine which is full of alcohol going to make people healthy? It's all just another marketing scam. There is no shot it does anything for people.
I spent the next 10 minutes attempting to explain some of the basis surrounding resveratrol research. The conversation ended without any convincing on my part of the doctor.
Needless to say I was taken back by the ability, or lack there of, from a medical professional not willing to think there is even a slight possibility resveratrol works. I needed my faith in the trusty MD's to be restored so I made a call to another doctor friend of mine. This conversation went much better:
Me: What do you think of this "new" supplement resveratrol?
Doc #2: It's funny you mentioned it, I just this past week had a patient ask me about resveratrol. Said she had been taking it for a few months and feels it is contributing to her weight loss.
Me: Do you think it's contributing to her weight loss?
Doc #2: Well it's possible, but I don't know enough about resveratrol to say whether it is or is not. She wasn't the first to mention it to me. I've had a few patients over the past year or so ask me about resveratrol. I guess it's time for me to look into it a bit further.
Me: (big grin and faith restored)
I just knew not all doctors could be so closed minded. In my opinion doctors have to be open-minded and at the very least willing to investigate alternatives.
This brings me to why I brought up these two conversations. Western and alternative medicines do not need to be the equivalent of Democrats and Republicans.
We need bipartisanship in medical science. Let's not split the aisle and get further away from what will most likely work in the long run. Open minded doctors and open minded naturalists need to work together to treat patients with the most effective remedies possible.
Sure, some people think this is "old school vs new school" mentality, but the reality is training, protocol, and health insurance companies have made it difficult for this to happen. The freedom to treat patients as individuals has gone away and been replaced by a one-size-fits-all approach to medicine.
A New Era of Medical Practice is Springing Up All Over!
You will see 2 types of practices growing in the coming years, Integrative Medicine and Private Physicians.
Integrative Medicine (IM) is the best of both worlds and more affordable then Private Physicians. IM joins ancient methods used for 100's of years with the latest scientific approaches to medicine. Get acupuncture at the same practice you get help on your diet, receive the latest vaccinations, or get a echocardiogram. There is typically a staff of doctors each with heir own unique specialties combined with Alternative Health Professionals catering to just about all of your needs. All your doctors under one roof communicating with each other about your care! Sounds perfect!
Private Physicians on the other hand are typically smaller practices where you pay an additional fee on an annual basis to the Practice. This limits the number of patients and gives you more time with your physician. No rushing in and out because your Doctor needs to see 80 people a day to make ends meet from health insurers. The downside it you're looking at an additional $1500 to $5000 per year for this service.
Both solutions take the pressure away from Doctors to make quick, protocol type, decisions. You get the best of both worlds with each option.
We don't have to stick with the status quo any more. Our options are expanding!
What do you think of these new approaches to medical care? Comment below!
Live Longer,
Markus
I spent the next 10 minutes attempting to explain some of the basis surrounding resveratrol research. The conversation ended without any convincing on my part of the doctor.
Needless to say I was taken back by the ability, or lack there of, from a medical professional not willing to think there is even a slight possibility resveratrol works. I needed my faith in the trusty MD's to be restored so I made a call to another doctor friend of mine. This conversation went much better: