The Well
Infidel – 08.15.2010
The next
time you see a headline proclaiming a medical breakthrough, think of this
ancient Latin expression: “Cum grano salis.” It means with a grain of salt.
That expression started because salt used to be very valuable. And, it was in
high demand as a food preservative, as a poison antidote and a taste enhancer.
Salt was relatively scarce at one time. It also was thought to have healing
qualities. Now that's a laugh, since in modern times it kills those who overuse
it for long periods by raising their blood pressure. But, to urge taking one
thing or another with a grain of salt still means to look upon an object or
proposition with a healthy dose of skepticism, suspicion and caution.
Thus,
where headlines and modern-day carnival barkers on TV send a message of urgency
or proclaim a breakthrough, remember “cum grano salis.” It's easy to get
excited at some of the headlines in daily newspapers, especially those
heralding new research findings. The media does this in part to sell newspapers
or get you to tune in. Maybe it's done in part by editors in newsrooms who
simply don't have time to read the full studies. In any event, I've noticed a
serious disconnect between the promise and the reality in announcements about
the latest research findings on health matters.
If you
think you are easily fooled, you might be. I recommend an attitude of bemused
skepticism at all times, but particularly with regard to newspaper accounts of
the latest discoveries from medical research. Don't put too much stock in these
unlikely headlines, at least not before you read to the end of the stories or
check out the articles in respected journals. Adopt the perspective of Sherlock
Holmes, namely, Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever is left, no
matter how improbable, has got to be true. Thing is, once you eliminate the
impossible AND the improbable, there is seldom anything left! So, don't be an
easy mark for nonsensical things, whether they be headlines in newspapers or
sensational stories. In the latter category are the Indian Monkey Man scare,
the Loch Ness monster, Big Foot, space visitors in New Mexico, the Yeti, trolls
under bridges and the candidacy of Sarah Palin for any public office, let alone
president of the United States. Tooth fairies? Well, that's something else -
there might be a tooth fairy, because where else could that nickel have come
from that I discovered under my pillow after a tooth extraction long, long ago?
Instead of
credulity, put your faith in things solid, reputable, virtuous, wise and above
suspicion, such as the typical essay in an AWR. These essays are filled with
startling conclusions and partially-baked opinions founded on irreproducible
findings, inspired hyperbole and medicated data intermingled, intertwined and
occasionally intertwixed with subjective experience. How can you top that? On
several occasions, these reflections and surmises have been shown to contain
elements of truth, however elusive veracity in the health and medical field can
be. REAL wellness perspectives always work, and that is the best measure. If
forced to choose between statistical methodologies or utilitarian discoveries,
you are usually better off with the latter but, fortunately, the choice of
positions is always wider!
I was
thinking along these lines the other day when I came across the headline about
a research project in the conservative Wall Street Journal. The article
described how a popular pain reliever might protect against Alzheimer's. The
headline, however, hinted that a CURE for Alzheimer's might have been found!
This gave the impression that a breakthrough was at hand, that cheap,
over-the-counter pain relievers such as Advil and Motrin seem to prevent the
body from producing a protein that in turn causes brain-clogging deposits in
Alzheimer sufferers.
The study
described how scientists, over a four-year period, noted that some people who
take large amounts of ibuprofen and other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatories
(NSAIDs) meds seem to be at less risk of developing Alzheimer's. These findings
were supported by colleagues who worked with cells taken from mice that had
been genetically altered to have a disease similar to Alzheimer's. However, the
best that could be stated by the scientists, as opposed to the WSJ headline
writers, was that this association could one day lead to new treatments that
reduce the formation of brain deposits, or plaques, without toxic side effects.
That was
the best that could be said of the study results. Wait till you hear the worst!
The researchers also stated (this was discussed near the end of the WSJ
article) that further studies would take years and that the potential benefits
of the drugs have been subject to experiments only in cell cultures and
laboratory animals. In fact, doctors were warned NOT to prescribe high doses of
NSAIDs as a way to prevent Alzheimer's! The doses used in the experiments were
equal to more than 16 Advils a day - enough to cause problems almost as bad as
Alzheimer's, if you can imagine that. These hazards include kidney damage and
severe gastrointestinal ailments, either of which can be fatal.
The
lesson? As noted in the beginning, adopt an attitude of bemused skepticism and
learn (and practice) the key REAL wellness skill of effective decision-making.
Be well
and look on the bright side. If you find that hard, consider this: We share
99.6 percent of our active genes with the chimpanzees. We are more closely
related to chimps than rats are to mice. Knowing that, how could you possibly
take yourself so seriously as NOT to look on the bright side - while curbing
enthusiasm for any side, of course.
Donald B. Ardell is the Well
Infidel. He favors evidence over
faith, reason over revelation and meaning and purpose over spirituality. His enthusiasm for reason, exuberance
and liberty are reflected in his books (14), newsletter (544 editions of a
weekly report) and lectures across North America and a dozen other countries.