The Importance of Cellular Health

Copyright 2006 Mary F. Zesiewicz, MD
Preventative and restorative health care includes the principles of cellular health.
The human body is made up of 60 trillion cells. Each cell has a specific role in how the body functions. Each cell works very hard. It is the harmonious collaboration of all our cells that make the human body work in optimal fashion.
Disease results when cell function goes awry. Dysfunction in one cell eventually spreads to others and our whole system is out of balance. Restoring balance in some cells directly affects our overall health and well-being.
In the current, conventional model of health care, treatments focus largely on alleviating symtpoms. While this is often very helpful, it is often not adequate to eradicate disease and restore a state of health. This is evidenced by the skyrocketing rates of chronic health ailments like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, among others.
In short, eradicating disease is not sufficient to restore a person's state of health.
To date, the primary source of information regarding promotion of cellular health has been the field of Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM). Yet, why aren't CAM modalities discussed in our conventional doctor's visit?
While CAM is enormously popular, most strategies and suppements are, as of yet, not scientifically researched. And without such research, it is very difficult for CAM to gain widespread acceptance in mainstream medicine. This lack of research is largely attributable to lack of funding. A great deal of medical research is sponsored by large companies that manufacture pharmaceuticals and therapeutic medical devices. This is not a criticism of this research; but in terms of long term health, it is simply not enough.
Public sentiment, as far as acceptance of CAM is concerned, remains steady and strong. And sentiment in conventional health care as far as acceptance of CAM is concened, is definitely increasing.
What can we do to promote more quality research and education in CAM and in particular the field of preventative medicine?
Raising public awareness is a must. With all that is published in the field of Complementary/Alternative Medicine, there is still a scarcity of scientific research validating, not only its effectiveness, but more specifically, which populations would be most amenable to which products. These are wonderful discussions we can have with our conventional health care doctors and our natural health providers.
It is amazing how many people that are treated for various health conditions are, as of yet, unaware of the potential benefits of combining their treatments with Complementary/Alternative Medicine. Likewise, most conventional doctors have received minimal training in Complementary/Alternative health; many doctors begin their own personal study of CAM after dialoging with their patients.
Awareness promotes positive action. From creative questions will arise meaningful solutions.
This dialogue needs to come from each of us. Health, and our state of health, affects us all.