I feel a little weird about defending evidence-based medicine, since it’s peer-reviewed hard data that can be trusted. An evidence-based approach to anything does not need defending. However, a lot of you feel distrustful toward modern medicine in general, and I get it. Additionally, I’ve had challenging and productive conversations with many of you who care a lot about natural approaches to wellness. And I’m not sure everyone knows my background. So here goes!
I chose to have a baby at home when I saw the statistics and read the blogs and watched the documentary. I delayed all vaccines for my kids until age five, and I still keep religious exemption forms on file from the local health department. I don’t treat most illnesses with medication. My favorite phrase is “let it ride” when deciding how to manage symptoms in my home. I love essential oils, and I’ll be the first to tape a clove of garlic in your ear when it aches. I am quick to blame most of my personal health symptoms on inflammation.
But this is different. A brand-new virus has spread to the ends of the earth and back, with little available data on transmission and treatment and prevention. This is not the same thing as a chronic medical illness that can be managed with lifestyle changes. It is not the same thing as feeling like your family practitioner isn’t listening to you, and finding a natural-minded supportive community online. It is not the same thing as boosting your immune system with supplements during flu season. Although I still do every single of one of these things, COVID-19 is different.
I want to acknowledge that a natural approach to wellness and healing is painfully missing from our allopathic model of medicine. Additionally, I must confess that I have changed my mind countless times, on each of these topics, when presented with new information along the way over the years. But we cannot afford to conflate multiple important topics into one right now, and we cannot afford to spend too much time on rabbit trails. We are in crisis mode with one thing and one thing only – COVID-19.
It is privilege that allows me to access bloodwork and follow-up interpretation. It is privilege that allows me to access academic journals with best practice and gold standards. It is privilege that allows me to access a medical provider speak to my individual situation and make recommendations on vitamins and supplements. It is even privilege that allows me access into the natural-minded community online and in my local community. Not everyone has the time or space to research and ask questions and scroll. Not everyone can afford naturopathic options or experimental treatments. If an item is not FDA-approved, it may not be covered by health insurance. If I start talking about medication publicly, does it count as medical advice? If I make a blanket statement about Vitamin D dosing, for example, how will I follow up on each person’s blood levels? Vitamin D is not excreted through the kidneys; therefore, overdosing is a real and scary possibility. For the sake of the many, we must shoot straight and keep things simple.
Lucky for us, the experts have already done that for us. They recommend hand hygiene, masks, and six feet of space. We know that hand hygiene prevents the ingestion of droplets, masks prevent the spread of droplets, and space is a safety measure against both. Interestingly enough, each of these interventions is natural and non-toxic.
I will continue using natural approaches for myself and my family and patients. I will continue to care about the emotional/mental/spiritual consequences of this pandemic. I will continue to admit when I’m wrong and allow myself to change my mind as needed. But I will always, always consider two things as priorities – listening to expert opinion, and remaining concerned for my community.
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