Sales of alternative medicine products are booming

(NaturalNews) Sales of alternative medical products are on the rise in spite of -- and perhaps in part because of -- tough economic times.

According to a study reported in The Daily Mail, the British alternative medicines market has grown by 18 percent in the past two years, to a yearly value of £213 million ($333 million). This value is expected to rise to £282million, or another 33 percent, in the next four years. This increase has been seen across the board, even in less well-known treatments such as traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine.

In the United States, retail sales of vitamins and supplements totaled almost $639 million between October and December 2009, a nearly 10 percent increase from the same period in 2007. Sales of herbal supplements have increased 6 percent. The true scale might even be higher, as the figures do not include sales from Wal-Mart or club stores, where people are more likely to turn when there budgets become more restricted.

This increase is particularly striking given the overall downward trajectory of spending in that same time period.

The Daily Mail reports that analysts at the firm Mintel attribute much of the growing popularity of alternative medicine to wider acceptance by both the public and by governments. In the United Kingdom, for example, acupuncture is now covered by the national health insurance plan.

Another cause might be the rise in the diagnosis of mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Due to the potentially serious side effects carried by psychiatric drugs, many more patients are now turning to homeopathic remedies such as St. John's wort. The herb, used primarily to treat depression, was purchased by an estimated 1.5 million people in the United Kingdom in 2008.

Another major factor driving the growing popularity of alternative medicine, at least in the United States, is its relative cheapness compared with pharmaceutical or other mainstream health remedies. According to a study by the Associated Press, "climbing sales of herbal medicines have paralleled the tanking economy."

"More people are value shopping," said Whole Foods spokesperson Jeremiah C. McElwee, noting that the store has seen a sharp increase in sales of herbal and nutritional supplements.

A U.S. National Institutes of Health study released in December confirms this claim. Approximately 18 percent of survey respondents said they had used nonvitamin, nonmineral products as health care. Twenty-five percent of these said they had also delayed or foregone conventional medical treatment due to the cost.

"I'm trying to save money," said Kristen Kemp of Montclair, N.J., editor for a social networking Web site for mothers. She notes that each prescription and doctor's visit costs her $20, "and I have three kids."

In contrast, she can spend $10 on a bottle of Chinese herbs and use them to treat colds and stomachaches, supplemented with honey. This is even less expensive than purchasing over-the-counter drugs.

"Just in case something bad happens to our jobs, I want more money in the bank," she said.

Cathy Birleffi, a self-employed bookkeeper and notary, said that changes in insurance policies have made health care costs harder for her to meet. Her insurance premiums have risen to $1,300 a month, and reimbursements have gone down.

"The doctors are so much higher [in cost], the insurance isn't paying as much," said Cathy Birleffi, a self-employed bookkeeper and notary. "Every time I turned around, it was $50 here, $75 there."

Birleffi and her husband are now using herbal remedies to treat many of their health problems.

Richard Nahin, co-author of the federal study, encouraged people who use herbal supplements or similar remedies to inform their doctors that they are doing so, as some supplements can interfere with prescription drugs or vitamin intake.

Sources for this story include: www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-... www.allbusiness.com/pharmaceuticals....

Dr Nicholas DiMartino joins Natural News Talk Hour to discuss ADHD

(NaturalNews) This week's NaturalNews Talk Hour presents Nicholas DiMartino, D.O., ND talking about "ADHD -- A NEW Medical Perspective". Discover an all-natural, whole new way to diagnose, treat and solve attention or behavioral problems. Our program runs this Thursday evening at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern, and registration is free. Simply enter your email address in the registration form on the right column of this page and you'll receive call-in details for the broadcast.

"The NaturalNews Talk Hour and the incredible guest list they are hosting, with their extensive knowledge and personal experiences, pass on to us the road map for personal health. Words cannot express my sincerest thanks to the entire team for all that you do." - Andy M.

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

According to the National Institute on Mental Health, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).
As of 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 4.5 million children 5-17 years of age have been diagnosed or 3%-7% of school-aged children suffer from ADHD. Boys (9.5%) are more likely than girls (5.9%) to have been diagnosed with ADHD and the prevalence varies substantially by state, from a low of 5% in Colorado to a high of 11.1% in Alabama.
Jonathan Landsman, Host of the Talk Hour says, "Dr. DiMartino has been dealing with the problems associated with ADHD for years. His holistic approach has proven to be a highly-effective way of healing children and adults. This show will reveal a remarkable way of looking at ADHD, our nutritional habits, detoxification techniques, the value of loving relationships and much more!"

In 2005 dollars, the cost estimates for ADHD were around $36 to $52 billion. It is estimated to cost between $12,005 and $17,458 annually per individual with no end in sight. In fact, conventional medicine tells us there is no cure, it's genetic and that there is little connection between our diet or environment and ADHD. Yet, common sense tells us there must be a link between lifestyle and all types of dis-ease.

Recently, U.S. health data has linked children's attention-deficit disorder with exposure to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables. Dr. DiMartino believes there is a strong relationship between our lifestyle habits and ADHD. His discoveries will open your mind to the amazing possibilities of a full recovery from this terrible condition.

This week's guest: Nicholas DiMartino, D.O., ND

Nicholas DiMartino, D.O., ND - "ADHD - A NEW Medical Perspective" Thu. May 20th

Nicholas DiMartino is a physician; who early in his career became intrigued by the interrelationship between mind-body-spirit, health and well-being. Consequently, he has taken time to study and broaden his view of healthcare beyond allopathic medicine and into traditional healing systems such as, Ayurveda, Macrobiotics, Naturopathic medicine, Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine and bodywork. Over the years, his medical practice has become a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern integrative medicine. Through his efforts, he has discovering a deeper, more intimate and transformative healing experience for all those interested.

"Dr. D" is currently practicing medicine at the Woodlands Healing Research Center located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. The Woodlands Healing Research Center is a non-profit, multidisciplinary, integrative medical office that provides comprehensive family medical services emphasizing Environmental, Functional and Preventive Medicine.

In order to provide the safest and most effective nontoxic treatments, Woodlands utilizes a wide range of complementary medical modalities. Their doctors find the majority of today's health problems can be best managed by integrating more "functional" and "natural" therapies into conventional medical diagnosis and treatment. Woodlands' medical providers are trained in both areas of conventional and complementary medicine.

Don't Miss Out! This show will open your mind to the tremendous possibilities available for overcoming ADHD. Parents, teachers and healthcare providers are going to be amazed at the information revealed during this program. Register now using the email form in the right column, and you will be emailed show details. Space is limited - Register Now!