CKinnard wrote:...it drove home there's millions of such people in the care of doctors. these people on the whole believe medication is the best solution for hypertension, CVD, and diabetes.
Since they've grown up in a system that accepts these outcomes as a natural and unfortunate part of life - that one doesn't think about until middle age - I'm not surprised. Having grown up in the same system, I can see where they learn it from. But the subjects of the doco don't appear to be thinkers IMO. There are also plenty around me at work, home etc who know better but choose the easy/descructive path. Regardless of the meds they are on, or problems they have.
CKinnard wrote:...one thing I can say for sure. in 20 and 50 years, lifestyle change WILL play a dominant role in treatment of these diseases.
and medical practice of today will be looked back on as a time of ignorance and apathy rooted in vested interest.
I think the truth about this is starting to become mainstream enough that most people that aren't closed-minded should be starting to hear or read about the power of lifestyle change. Although most still think exercise is the dominant player.
We are 70 years past peak smoking, but there are still people I know who do it. So although the power of diet may become more common knowledge with TV and newspaper articles similar to the one above, I doubt doctors or poor food choice sellers/dealers with be short of business in the next few decades.
Just saw this which appears to be related to what you're talking about.
http://www.pcrm.org/nbBlog/andrew-freem ... escription
He gives patients a packet of materials with literature including the Physicians Committee’s Vegetarian Starter Kit, a guide to local plant-based eating, and recommendations for documentaries such as Forks Over Knives.
“For the first time in my career, I was awestruck by my patients’ improvements,” says Dr. Freeman. “One patient who was suffering from heart failure, diabetes, and overweight was off most of his medications within about six months of starting a plant-based diet.”