@Melissa75 My GF would agree with you regarding food = medicine. She started juicing a week or two ago and between that and smoothies, we've been eating more healthier than normal, which to say is even more healthier than most people. Food is very important as it will either give you energy or steal what energy you have.
First I think most people see some of the herbal remedies as an alternative to medication, and I'm not sure we can easily accept that or dismiss them. I think each person should take themselves to be an individual, discover what issues you may have with vitamins and what symptoms you have most, and see what others may be doing for that particular symptom. Science has a way of trumping all opinions, and unfortunately some of the science isn't always exact. As scientists have to treat a large amount of people with varying variables that are generally out of their hands, they have to try to assist as many as possible in a particular way (like Kalydeco). Some of the herbal remedies that have surfaced have proved to be very useful (see the Curcumin results, and then go research the folks in Europe who have had wildly great success with it), so we should not easily dismiss. You are forgetting a key, that they did not have in the 40s, and that is the internet, the freedom of sharing information with others to see what works and doesn't. Back then science was behind but also was the ability to communicate vastly with the entire world. I think people overlook this, and they want to stick to the doctors recommendations instead. I think it's very important to listen to your doctors, as they are the experts, but also do your own research and find what works best for you! If that includes lots of anti-inflammatory items, herbs, oils, etc, that is for you to decide what you want to buy into and attempt to make yourself better. The natural health section of the forums has a lot of information, and there is a particular forum member who has gone above and beyond to provide her experience and research with varying herbs in an attempt to overcome her illness as well.
http://cfnaturalhealth.weebly.com/
I have pancreas issues as a rare-commodity of a CF'r, mine mostly works. That being said there are times when it overworks, so I've been trying a few things when the pancreas flares up to see if I can control it better (such as coconut water, chewable papaya enzymes with chlorophyll, liquid chlorophyll, various types of smoothies and juice, etc) - and trying to figure out what is best to eat/drink during that week afterwards to get myself back on track sooner with more energy. I'm still working out this formula but i think each person is very individual and it'll take a lot of research and understanding of what you are putting in your body to figure out what works best for you!
Good luck on your search, I think science has come a long way and we will see promising drugs that target genetics in the near future - but I also think diet is immensely important as well as happiness.
Breathe easy folks!
