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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 17, 1992                   TAG: 9202170227
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

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FAVOR NATURAL REMEDIES OVER PRESCRIPTIONS

DRUG COMPANIES are making obscene profits, and doctors and patients are held hostage! It is unfortunate that medical schools as well as public schools are not taught very much about natural remedies, organic foods, and vitamin and mineral supplements. The processing of canned food and the pollution of our water (just two examples) make the doctor's admonition to eat a healthy diet quite hollow.

Of fish that Consumer Reports tested, 30 percent were spoiled, 43 percent of the salmon had PCBs, and the swordfish showed high mercury levels. Legislation for remedying this is bogged down because of bureaucratic infighting about who is to take on the task, the Food and Drug Administration or the Agriculture Department.

Worse yet, President Bush says he is putting a moratorium on certain regulations, worsening what already is ineffective as a result of Reagan's favoritism toward big business. Environmental protection over the past decade has been quite ineffective, probably by design! Is it any wonder the cancer rate is climbing?

As to health costs, instead of relying on ineffective remedies that address only symptoms, and those with 25 percent alcohol (twice that of most wine!), why not try natural remedies that work? When a cold or flu appears, use chicken soup, well-spiced; garlic, high doses of vitamin C, hot liquids like lemonade or jasmine tea. Antibiotics, tranquilizers, etc., have their place, but are used overmuch and often unnecessarily. Vitamin/mineral deficiencies cause much of our illnesses.

Public schools should teach realistic nutrition, effective consumerism and the hazards of pollution, junk foods, etc. There is too much illness, obesity and anxiety in our culture, and not enough of the right education that teaches kids to think, that motivates them. Parents are also failing in this area. JACK E. BYRD HARDY

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