From The


Archives Of Jack Kessinger, DC, ND, DABCI


Dr Jack Kessinger From the Editors Desk


March 2010 The Original Internist by: Jack Kessinger, DC, ND, DABCI


Recent reports boast new protocols for prescribing statin (cholesterol lowering) drugs for healthy patients!!! Where’s the science with an idea like that? The reason- ing is presumed to prevent healthy people from develop- ing cardiovascular disease. One of the statins (Baycol) was recently removed from the market because of at least 31 reports of fatal rhabdomyolysis. How many went un- noticed? We may never know.


Let me see? There is a well documented healthier ap- proach for reducing cholesterol. This approach is com- monly referred to as natural health care. Wouldn’t it be a more responsible protocol to teach patients the impor- tance of following a healthy diet, proper nutritional sup- port, getting regular exercise and avoidance of tobacco smoke and excess alcohol for reducing cholesterol and obtaining optimum health? The natural approach seems like a more logical approach than the “band-aid” effect of a drug.


I’ve often wondered why the medical approach to coun- ter the build-up of plaquing in the arteries continues to be concentrating on thinning the blood with medication (aspirin or coumadin), so it can more easily flow through smaller nutrient canals. What about the side effects of these medications?


As troubling as the statin drug for healthy patient theo- ry is, I watched several interviews on television lately, debating whether pre-school children who have type II diabetes should be put on statins or not. Some medical experts say diet should be the first approach. Others think children are okay to take the drugs. The biggest debate was if they should have them before they become teenag- ers.


Wait a minute! Children should never have type II dia- betes! Type II diabetes is completely avoidable, and cur- able with proper diet, nutrition and exercise. Parents must assess what their kids are consuming. Are they getting enough fruits and vegetables daily? Are they exercising?


THE ORIGINAL INTERNIST MARCH 2018


Or, are they sitting in front of the TV and computer in their extra time? Obesity among children has raised to over 30%. To further emphasize this, pull out some old photos of your grade school days, or better yet, your par- ents photos from grade school. Are there any obese chil- dren in these photos? Most likely not, maybe one or two at most. Now look at the children you see on the street, in the malls and in your office. How many of them are not at a healthy weight?


I am always shocked to see what today’s average child eats. In our clinic we have parents fill out a food diary for one week of every food item their child consumes. It is not unusual to see NO FRUITS OR VEGETABLES on the list…. Unless you count french fries and catsup.


New studies show that the current generation of children will be the first generation who can expect a shorter lifes- pan than their parents. Up until recently, each genera- tion’s expected average lifespan has continued to exceed their predecessors. The reasons for this change are many, but can be attributed to the consumption of low nutrient processed foods, soft drinks (diet or not), a lack of physi- cal activity and over use of prescription drugs, i.e., anti- biotics and vaccines.


In my opinion, healthy people do not need drugs to stay healthy. What they need is education. Today’s society is generally uneducated when it comes to preserving their own health. Not to mention preventing debilitating dis- eases such as type II diabetes and heart disease.


We teach our patients that type II diabetes and cardio- vascular disease can be prevented, and in most cases re- versed. We remind them that it takes dedication on the patient’s or parent’s part to maintain health. A nutritional diet and regular aerobic exercise are a must!


Regarding statin drugs for people with no signs of dis- ease. Are we forgetting the side effects that these drugs proliferate? Putting a healthy person at risk by prescrib- ing statin drugs at a young age, will no doubt lower the estimated life expectancy to be reduced even further.


What is happening to ethical care? u


CDID Symposium May 4-6, 2018 Las Vegas, NV See page 8


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