A hot button topic of conversation today is whether or not parents want the government calling the shots on the maintenance of health for their families, literally. Compulsory vaccinations such as those for measles, polio, and smallpox have been argued back and forth my supporters and anti-vaxxers alike for either their life-saving ability or their dangerous effects on well-being.
Many who oppose vaccinations cite Naturopathy, or the practice of holistic and natural lifestyle changes and supplements, to combat disease. While overall lifestyle changes are conducive to healthier well-being, completely breaking from conventional medicine can also lead to devastating consequences. It is important to weigh both the pros and cons of Naturopathy to determine whether or not it’s the right choice for you and your family.
As stated previously, Naturopathy promotes living a healthier lifestyle that will prevent grave health concerns in the future. Eating clean and cutting out sugars while engaging in a balanced diet can alleviate risks of heart failure, diabetes, and boosts the overall immune system to strengthen the body. Stress is also a component that lowers body immunity against illness. Naturopathy believe the remedy to this is meditation, and regular exercise like yoga will prevent that degradation and promote natural resistance.
The emphasis of natural immunity is a critical factor in the idea of Naturopathy. The body is a self-balancing system, so outside intervention would disrupt its functioning and cause the body to rely on chemically created sources for strengthening and treatment. The only external source Naturopathy approves of are supplements that are organically produced in order to boost wellness and help fight disease. Introducing foreign substances like prescription drugs, or most notably vaccines, are viewed as detrimental to the balance in the body especially to young children who have not had the time to build a sturdy immunity on their own yet.
Those who oppose Naturopathy cite that while it focuses on keeping the body healthy with a beneficial lifestyle, toxins and diseases in the atmosphere intervene and having clear diagnosis paired with proper medical attention can help the body fight on its own without putting it through elongated stress. Such as the use of vaccines that have eradicated Smallpox and nearly Polio. Both diseases were deadly in their introduction but as more have used vaccines to intervene on their spread, it has no longer become a concern.
These vaccinations and various other medications stem from concise medical research. Naturopathy emphasizes prevention but treatment and clear diagnosis is not emphasized in its ideology. Rather it’s the maintenance of a body that is already functioning well and allowing it to continue doing so without treatment.
Additionally, supplements recommended in Naturopathy are starkly different from the drugs prescribed by physicians. While prescription medications have strict regulations to them, supplements are not as controlled nor are they specifically targeted for certain bacterial ailments or viruses. For the most part, they are preemptive.
Naturopathy or conventional medicine. The body’s own immunity or safe intervention. Both have their definite pros and cons and one option does not always have all the answers nor does one hold more weight than the other. In essence, it is always important to consult physicians or health centers to determine what treatment is best for you and your family and select which option suits your lifestyle best. When it comes to your health, you call the shots.
This article is for informational purposes only. Please contact your physician for more information about vaccinations.
Sinclair Broadcast Group is committed to the health and well-being of our viewers, which is why we initiated Sinclair Cares. Every month we’ll bring you information about the “Cause of the Month,” including topical information, education, awareness, and prevention. August is Immunization Awareness Month.