Drug-Induced Diseases: They exist in your practice
Did you know that pharmaceuticals can cause disease?
If you’re a chiropractor, they present as drug-induced subluxations. If you’re an acupuncturist, they present as chronic kidney yin/yang deficiency, liver qi or liver blood stagnation.
The Prevalence and Development of Drug-Induced Disease
In today’s world, chronic illness is at an all-time high, yet few question how this epidemic originated. The reality is that modern diseases are often the result of long-term exposure to chemicals, refined foods, and pharmaceuticals, leading to drug-induced diseases. This phenomenon was well-documented by Dr. Weston A. Price in his book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. His research confirmed that when traditional diets were replaced with processed, nutrient-deficient foods, people developed chronic illnesses that were previously unknown to their ancestors.
The Vicious Cycle of Pharmaceuticals and Malnutrition
When patients experience health issues caused by malnutrition and toxicity from processed foods, they turn to medical doctors for relief. The conventional medical system, instead of addressing the root cause—nutritional deficiencies and toxicity—prescribes pharmaceuticals. However, all pharmaceuticals deplete the body of essential nutrients, further exacerbating malnutrition. Moreover, pharmaceuticals are synthetic chemicals that contribute to the body’s toxic burden, placing additional stress on detoxification organs like the liver and kidneys.
Over time, new symptoms arise as side effects of the medication, but instead of addressing these as drug-induced, doctors often diagnose them as new diseases. This leads to the prescribing of even more medications, creating a downward spiral of declining health.
Drug-Induced Diseases: A Known Phenomenon for Decades
The concept of drug-induced diseases is not new. Publications detailing the harmful effects of pharmaceuticals first emerged before the 1960s. Today, drug-induced disease textbooks exceed 1,000 pages, listing countless conditions caused by prescription medications. Examples of serious drug-induced diseases include:
Antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis, leading to chronic digestive disorders.
Steroid-induced osteoporosis, weakening bones and increasing fracture risks.
Statin-induced muscle and nerve damage, often misdiagnosed as autoimmune disorders.
NSAID-induced gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be life-threatening.
Antidepressant-induced suicidal ideation, an ironic and tragic consequence of these drugs.
Despite decades of evidence, the pharmaceutical industry continues to push more drugs while suppressing the awareness of natural healing alternatives.
A Time Before Pharmaceuticals: The Power of Herbal Medicine
It is essential to remember that 250 years ago, not a single pharmaceutical or vaccine existed, yet people survived and thrived. Every community had a local herbalist who, through generations of knowledge, understood which plants could support health. During this time, processed foods were virtually nonexistent, and people relied on whole, nutrient-dense diets.
Spices and herbs were once so valuable that entire wars were fought over them. The Spice Wars (15th-17th century) saw European nations like Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and England battling for control over lucrative spice trade routes in Asia. The Anglo-Dutch Wars (17th-18th century) also had significant economic motivations tied to spice control. These conflicts highlight the profound value of medicinal plants—yet today, these same plants are disregarded or even demonized.
Herbal Medicine: From Treasure to “Weed”
Once revered, many medicinal plants are now labeled as mere “weeds.” This shift is no accident—it is a result of pharmaceutical propaganda to keep people dependent on synthetic drugs.
Dandelion, a powerhouse for liver detoxification, is now seen as an annoying weed in suburban lawns.
St. John’s Wort, known for its ability to support mood and mental health, is dismissed by mainstream medicine despite being a safer alternative to antidepressants.
Many more plants once used for healing have been cast aside in favor of lab-made drugs that carry dangerous side effects.
The Pharmaceutical Myth: Reclaiming Health Through Functional Nutrition
For those seeking to understand the deep deception behind pharmaceuticals and the power of nutrition in healing, The Pharmaceutical Myth is a must-read. This book provides critical insights into how the medical system prioritizes profit over health and why Functional Nutrition is the key to reversing chronic disease. Every clinician must have this book in their office so that patients can receive proper education and return to trusting their intuition when it comes to their health.
Conclusion: Identifying and Addressing Drug-Induced Diseases
Every natural health clinician must prioritize identifying the drug-induced diseases their patients suffer from. Pharmaceuticals are inherently dangerous—they all have side effects, they all deplete essential nutrients, and they all place a toxic burden on the body. By addressing the root cause through proper nutrition and detoxification, patients can reclaim their health and break free from the vicious cycle of pharmaceutical dependency.
The time has come to shift back to nature, honor the wisdom of our ancestors, and reject the notion that health comes from a pill bottle. True healing lies in nourishing the body with whole foods, utilizing herbal medicine, and reducing exposure to synthetic chemicals. Natural health practitioners must lead the way in this movement and help patients recognize that the very medications they take to “heal” them may actually be making them sicker.
Gerald is a former pharmaceutical sales rep turned Functional Nutritionist, Gerald Roliz, CNC, MBA will teach what you can do to prevent your patients from developing Drug-Induced Diseases.
It’s more prevalent than you think. If you have a patient on polypharmacy (aka multiple medications) and you are stuck. Get answers and provide workable solutions. Functional Nutrition solutions. But first, become an expert in pharmacology and learn to spot iatrogenesis in your patients on drugs. Fight to create a drugless society. Start by enrolling today. Your patients are counting on it.
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