GOP Doctor Instructs John McCain and Explains What the McCain Bill Means for his Patients
February 16, 2010
[In a letter posted in the Health Sentinel on February 8, 2010, Nicholas J. Gonzalez, M.D., wrote to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., co-sponsor of the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010. The following is an abridged form of Gonzalez’ letter.]
Dear Senator McCain:
Though I am a resident of New York, not Arizona, I suggest that someone on your staff read my letter very carefully, as I believe you are unwittingly sponsoring a bill with potentially onerous consequences, one that might — if I read the information about it properly — lead to the death of hundreds of my patients fighting advanced, terminal cancer. I do not think that you would want their deaths on your conscience.
I am a registered Republican, and in the past have donated many thousands to Republican causes, including your reelection, even when it became clear to me that the Party, including you, had strayed significantly from its mission of limited government, deficit reduction and, ultimately, protection of individual liberty.
A former journalist (Time Inc.), I am currently a physician and cancer researcher. I was educated at three Ivy League schools (Brown undergraduate, Columbia post grad, Cornell for medical school) and finished a fellowship in cancer immunology under Robert A. Good, for ten years president of Sloan-Kettering. Under Dr. Good’s direction, 29 years ago I began researching the use of diet, nutrients and proteolytic enzymes against advanced cancer.
Though some consider my work “alternative,” and although in the past I have generated controversy (since my therapy does not conform to the drug company model), I have been funded by very mainstream corporations and institutions, including Procter & Gamble, Nestle and the NIH. Congressman Dan Burton, R-Ind., has long been a vocal supporter; and I have met with Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, at his invitation, to discuss this treatment. My research was featured in a lengthy profile published in The New Yorker magazine (Feb. 5, 2001) and more recently in the actress Suzanne Somers’ best-selling book Knockout about innovative new approaches to cancer. My colleague Dr. Linda Isaacs and I recently published the first book in a projected series, The Trophoblast and the Origins of Cancer, which discusses in some detail the scientific support for our treatment approach. You can learn more about my background and therapy at our website: www.dr-gonzalez.com
Dr. Isaacs and I are currently treating hundreds of patients diagnosed with terrible advanced cancer, patients for whom no conventional options exist. Many are successfully battling their disease with our regimen of diet, nutritional supplements and proteolytic enzymes — currently available legally as over-the-counter items. We use only high-quality products, manufactured according to my stringent specifications.
Though I suspect you and your staff created this new bill with the intention of protecting the public, as I read information about the bill, it appears to give the FDA near-dictatorial control over the manufacture and availability of supplements, allow it at its own discretion to remove legitimate nutritional supplements from the marketplace, file arbitrary complaints against legitimate supplements and impose drug-testing standards on each supplement. Testing of a single product to meet FDA standards for marketing of a new drug can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. To my knowledge, no supplement company has the resources to fight or meet such regulatory impositions. As a result, ethical supplement companies would (again, if I read the bill correctly) be forced to shut down.
I have read that you are motivated by recent scandals involving the doping of athletes with illegal steroids, certainly a terrible tragedy, and have been approached by various professional athletic organizations such as Major League Baseball. I believe these organizations are trying to shift blame from their athletes to the supplement industry. Regardless, the FDA already possesses the power to investigate and punish companies marketing and selling steroids improperly. It certainly does not need added control over properly manufactured and properly marketed supplements or food substances — and the companies that provide these products — in order to regulate illicit steroid spiking. It hardly seems reasonable, as could now be possible should your bill pass, to punish and perhaps even eliminate an entire industry because of a few renegade manufacturers.
On the surface, your bill sounds innocent enough, requiring manufacturers to provide the FDA with ingredients, etc. But current Good Manufacturing regulations already require supplement companies to provide proof of ingredients and quality. This proposed bill, whatever your stated goal, appears to play into the FDA’s longstanding animus against the supplement industry at large, which to date — under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) — has had some protection from capricious regulatory harassment. Based on years of study, I believe that the FDA’s antagonism even against ethically manufactured supplements stems from its close working relationship with the drug company giants. Like the FDA, the drug industry has sought for years to have supplements removed from the over-the-counter marketplace and transformed into prescription drugs, which it alone could control and market and for which it could charge enormous prices. You seem to have played right into this effort.
In your press conference, you alluded to expected opposition to your bill from the supplement industry. I suspect such opposition will be small compared with the opposition of the American public at large. In past decades, as the FDA, working with the drug industry, tried to gain complete control over the supplement industry, the American people have repeatedly fought back in vigorous campaigns, expressing their opinions to their elected officials in Washington. But the regulatory agencies in Washington never give up their dream of removing most if not all supplements from the free marketplace and turning them into restricted and expensive drugs, all to the benefit of the pharmaceutical industry and to the ultimate detriment of the public.
Ethically manufactured nutritional supplements, when used appropriately, are extraordinarily safe and provide considerable health benefits. We see this daily in our own practice, even with the most advanced, deadly of diseases. Furthermore, nutrients — again, when manufactured and used appropriately — have in my long experience none of the terrible side effects of prescription items or even over-the-counter drugs. For example, it is estimated that 10,000 Americans die each year from bleeding resulting from intake of aspirin or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, yet the FDA does nothing to ban these products, which bring in untold profits to the drug industry. Nor to my knowledge have you ever held a press conference expressing your outrage over thousands of Americans tragically dying from aspirin use each year.
On a personal note, I will tell you that since your press conference announcing the introduction of your bill, hundreds of my very sick patients have been very distraught, angry that you, of all people, would sponsor legislation that might possibly eliminate their life-sustaining supplements from the marketplace and essentially condemn them to death — all in the name of consumer protection. The mere possibility of such a turn of events has upset them enormously. I will also tell you that as we learn more about this proposed legislation, however you may position it, my patients are already considering mobilizing to support your opponent in every way possible, financially, as volunteers — even perhaps holding a “sit-in” at your offices for the benefit of the press. That is how seriously they are taking this situation. And let me assure you these people are not part of some supplement company conspiracy against safe manufacturing practices: They are Americans with terrible diseases, many of them veterans, who do not want interference with their treatment choice. I can understand their dismay. Perhaps I am wrong in my interpretation, but if this bill were ever to pass, the repercussions do seem potentially disastrous, in ways far beyond your assurance that this issue is a “no-brainer.”
I would be happy to talk to anyone on your staff about the unintended consequences apparent in this bill. As I read the information, it appears that ultimately it protects nobody except the drug industry and provides professional athletes with a convenient scapegoat. It certainly would not protect the American public that has repeatedly shown over the decades that it wants free access to nutritional supplements without FDA interference. Certainly, it will not protect my patients, who, frankly, did not need to hear of this bill, the thought of which has added enormous stress to their daily lives as they fight their life-and-death battles.
Sincerely,
Nicholas J. Gonzalez, M.D.
Great letter. I am totally against this bill. I am allergic to many, many medications and 5 years ago I was diagnosed with Atrial Fib and certain supplements have helped me stay out of afib for months at a time. I was also diagnosed with H.pylori last year, I was very sick losing from 123 lbs to 105 lbs. I could not take the strong antibiotics prescribed so found a supplement and in two months the H.pylori was killed by the supplement and verified by medical professionals. Please keep fighting to stop this bill please, my life probably depends on it.
Wow! The public is up in arms over this one, as well we should be!
I, too have fought to be healthy…and my weapon of choice, is NATURAL, WHOLESOME FOODS (ie herbs) vitamins–yes, supplements!
They have stood the test of time, and been “field-tested” for 6,000 years since God gifted us with them Genesis 1:29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.”
So, I trust God more than chemists. Now, I am not against medicine–I try it AFTER the supplements when issues are serious.
I am now 70 years old and never had to rely on prescription drugs–I look and feel GREAT, most of the time.
McCain’s bill would wipe out even the minimal protections contained in DSHEA. It would give the FDA full discretion and power to compile a discreet list of supplements allowed to remain on the market while banning all others.
Everyone knows that the FDA is friendly to drug companies (which pay its bills and provide good revolving door jobs) and hostile to supplement companies. Under this bill, this same Agency could quite arbitrarily ban any supplement it wished or turn it over to drug companies to be developed as a drug and sold for multiples of its price as a supplement. Take for example fish oil. Drug companies brought out “their” fish oil prescription for over $200! When excellent quality pure fish oil supplements were 10X less expensive!
The FDA will love a move like McCain proposes, because it believes that it can more easily control a few industry giants.
The FDA is already misusing the adverse event reporting process that exists. Drugs rack up thousands of adverse event reports without any action. Just recently, the FDA yanked from the market a supplement product based on just a couple of alleged adverse event reports without even allowing the company (an old and respected firm) to provide any counter-evidence or counter-argument.
How about this quote “DRUG-RELATED morbidity and mortality have been estimated to cost more than $136 billion a year in the United States. These estimates are higher than the total cost of cardiovascular care or diabetes care in the United States. A major component of these costs is adverse drug reactions (ADEs). In additon, ADEs may account for up to 140,000 deaths annualy in the Untied States.” (JAMA 1997,277(4);301
It would be even HIGHER now…this is crazy. Leave things as they are!
Christine Winters
Here is the podcast link to my interview of Dr. Nick Gonzalez from February 14, 2010 regarding the McCain Dietary Supplement Safety Act:
http://askrsb.podbean.com/2010/02/15/mccains-mccancer-monopoly-2142010-hour-1/
Dear Dr. Gonzales and Supporters,
You are a pioneer! Thank you for writing Sen. McCain and letting him know some of your truth about nutrients which is the truth of many Americans.
Big Pharma and the FDA are in cahoots with Big Agriculture, Big Chemicals, Big Gov’t ETC. The agenda is to do to us what has been done to Europe with the loss of sovereignty of the countries of the EU. They no longer have access to vitamins and nutrients except through their doctors and at dosages that would not support a flea and prices that support princes. (Thanks to the Codex Alimentarius).
What could possibly be behind all this? Let me suggest that these entities do not want people to be well (more jobs for the medicos) do not want the sick or elderly to hang around too long (draining the coffers of Social Security and other insurances that they paid into for years) and the biggest motivation of all is – you guessed it – the MONEY! Everyone in Big Bizz wins!
Keep writing, marching, griping and voting those out of office who will not listen to their constituents. We definitely need another revolution – in mind, body and spirit. This has to stop! It has to stop with you and me. The ruling elite ought not to have their way with us and make us pay the bill, to boot.
I am an ovarian cancer survivor and rely on supplements to sustain my present excellent health, including bioidentical hormones which would also be affected by this bill. We Americans cannot eat enough food to give us the nutrition today that we need (please see the article in Mother Jones magazine about how much of our food is nutritionally deficient compared to 50 years ago).
Senator McCain has been hoodwinked that with this bill he will be helping the American people. On the contrary, if this bill passes, the harm that will come from it will be astronomical. I work in a pharmacy in NW Indiana that has an emphasis on nutritional health using quality supplements, and I know that supplements work by how they have helped our customers, myself, my family, and my friends.
Senator McCain, drop the sponsorship of this bill. If you don’t, the consequences to us all and to your political career will not be pretty. Do you realize how many Americans use supplements? I dare you to check it out.
Thank you for writing to John McCain voicing your,(and thousands of our) concerns over this bill.
I’m a Hep C survivor. Contracted the disease 25 yrs ago, but down here in Florida conventional medicine reigns and have had to rely on diet, cleanses and SUPPLEMENTS to keep myself
functioning and able to be the single parent I am.
Again Thank You for your voice, and feel free to add mine.
The FDA has already caused huge problems for thyroid patients, by ordering two of the natural dessicated thyroid hormone producers to stop production since natural thyroid has not been “approved”. Little do they care that natural thyroid was the standard protocol long before the FDA even existed. Big Pharma, no doubt, is behind this as they try to push their synthetic T4 (which for many patients is useless!). Obviously paying off someone for these favors. I resort to getting my natural hormone from Thailand now….
I think the natural/alternative health industry needs to organize a march on Washington to get our message across. I’m ready to go!
No one could have said it better. I voted for John McCain but now I am telling him ‘get out my face and off of my back’ I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I do not need the government to take on that role.
Who is regulating tobacco and alcohol to keep it away from people misusing it. They are both drugs to the body. There are some labels with warnings and they consider that to be sufficient. Who is going to profit from this FDA interference?
Thank you for being a voice in this matter. I certainly do not want to be regulated with my supplelments. I”m a 72 years of age female and look at least 10 years younger, which my medical biological age also shows, inc. blood pressure 100/70 and extra high HDL [i've had no cosmetic surgery or treatments][would probably be more difference if I dyed my hair.] I have no doubt that my health has been greatly enhanced by my alternative methods of care.
It would be tragic if the FDA puts gets any Legislation against supplements.
We must keep them out of our personal choices.
What is wrong with McCain??
Thank you for your heart felt letter
Good Luck
Linda
Thank you, Dr. Gonzalez. The FDA does not now do an adequate job of “policing” Big Pharma. Why would anyone give them an additional job to do? Of course, it is easier for FDA to oppose the Supplement Industry than Big Pharma. The big bucks are with Big Pharma. I hope more doctors join you in opposing this new attack on natural supplements and vitamins. Did you notice that FDA has for years opposed use of Stevia – UNTIL Coca Cola decided to use it in their beverages and, miraculously, it became acceptable! Amazing what money can do. Again, thank you.
Congratulations to you Dr. Gonzalez!!! If this doesn’t change Senator McCain’s mind, nothing will!
I fully support Dr. Gonzalez statement as reasonable, logical, and irrefutable.
Thank you Dr. Gonzalez for publically publishing your letter to Sen. McCain. Perhaps we will hear publically from other practioners. Maybe Gerry Gordon MD an Arizona resident.
I have felt our government leaders are totally out of touch with the public but I am now more convinced that they are arrogant and self serving parasites living off the backs of the working middle class.
i needed the choice to try alternative supplements before having to undergo chemo for the aggressive cll stage 3 case that i am involved in.
still, with consulting with doc. i do supplements that complement chemo….
i do believe that if i knew about having cll earlier….. the right supplements would have played a stronger role.
i would feel that my right of choice would be violated if this bill is allowed……
in just a few hours…i’ll undergo another chemo treatment…..and if there was an alternative, it would have to be so much gentler than the harshness of this that i would wish on no one…
wil
I wholly concur with Dr. Gonzalez. The Food and Drug Association has long shown its true face of protecting its financial interests without real regard for the safety of the public. This bill is a sham that would only further the power of the Drug Lobby and not help or provide safety for the public. I, along with millions of the voting public, am appalled at this consideration.
RIGHT ON DR. GONZALEZ; THIS LEGISLATION WILL BE DISASTEROUS FOR THE HEALTH OF THE NATION. THE INCESTUOUS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FDA AND THE PHARMACEAUTICAL CARTEL HAS RESULTED IN INCOMPETANCE, DECEPTION, FAILURE, ABUSE, SUPPRESSION OF VIABABLE AND COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO PHARMACEUTICALS AND OUTRIGHT THUGGERY. SENATOR MCCAIN EITHER IS OBLIVIOUS TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION OR HAS BEEN PAID HANDSOMELY FOR HIS SPONSORSHIP OF IT. EITHER WAY THE RESULTS WILL BE THE SAME. TO GIVE THE FDA ADDITIONAL POWER IS ABSOLUTELY THE WRONG WAY TO GO. THE FDA NEEDS TO BE DISMANTLED AND REORGANIZED WITH STRICT OVERSIGHT OR ELIMINATED ALTOGETHER. EVERYONE SHOULD GET A COPY OF “FDA: FAILURE, DECEPTION, ABUSE BY THE LIFE EXTENSION FOUNDATION. IF THIS LEGISLATION PASSES THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE HORRENDOUS AND JOHN MCCAIN WILL BE THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR IT.
If supplements are restricted I am another casulity of the bill. I have been depending on supplements for many years, mostly nutrients and a few herbs. It may be my death sentence.
Gary B. Cernak
222 Park St.
Easthampton Ma.
01027
An excellent letter that gets to the heart of the problem. Let us hope that Senator McCain will read it and heed its meaning and the consequences of continuing in his mistaken course.
Mr. McCain’s proposal has upset me as well. And a lot of other people I know who rely on supplements to help their many ailments. I myself have been fighting with spinal stenosis for the past 20 years. I cannot/donot use prescription pain medications. Most of them make me ill and the side effects are scary.
I have a few supplements that do help relieve the pain in my back and joints. If I were to lose access to those supplements I would be worse off than I am now. So far, I manage to keep out of a wheelchair, but I still can’t walk very far without a lot of pain. If it weren’t for the supplements that I have access to I would be much worse off than I am now.
II am on social security and do not have extra money to spend on the kind of treatment the drug companies would try to push me into. Nor do I want their kind of treatment. Our society is drugged up enough already. Even Medicare has eliminated some of the treatments that would help me.
In view of the hue and cry about bringing down medical costs I cannot not imagine the thinking (or maybe I can as it brings in more dollars to the medical industry) that prevents methods of treatment that would bring better relief and healing at less cost. I have just looked into some new treatment with laser technology that could bring me some real relief from my pain and disability for thousands less than the surgery the medical establishment would put me through (with no guarantee that it will even work). Surgery would be in the tens of thousands of dollars whereas the laser treatment will only cost approx. $2000 dollars. However, Medicare will not cover it.
I could say a lot more on the subject, but you probably get the idea. Why would they rather spend $30,000 when two or three thousand would bring better relief with much less pain and bring down medical costs. I can guess; IT IS THE BOTTOMLINE. They (the medical establishment and drug companies) are not interested in healing, they are interesting in making money.
This is ‘right on’. Yes there are some abuses in the supplement world but they pale in the light of Big Pharma’s insensitivity and dishonesty. And at least 50 % of the FDA’S bottom line is funded by Big Pharma. Their interest in American health is greatly conflicted and it would be criminal to give them control of the supplement world. Senator McCain should do his homework on this one. I would vote for him again but would have to think twice if he supported this potentially disastrous bill. AGR
Dr. Gonzalez, that is a great letter. I read Suzanne Somer’s book and I was very impressed with you and your work in curing cancer without the usual “cut, burn or poison” treatments. It is amazing how the human body can repair or heal itself with proper nutrition and supplements.
It is a sad situation when a government agency that is supposed to be protecting people against harmful drugs has instead become a patsy for big pharmaceutical companies. In truth, it is the Faulty Drug Administration, beholden to Merck, Astra-Zeneca, Lilly, etc. and looking out for their interests in lieu of protecting John and Jane Doe from harmful drugs.
The irony is that many of the supplements have been used and tested for hundreds of years or more, instead of the “fast track” testing that makes users paying “guinea pigs” for the pharmaceutical companies. They are using the steroid scandals as a scapegoat to stop the supplements so big pharma can take over the supplement market and create more huge profits.
We who use supplements have done the research and know what we are doing. We are in control of our health and well-being and now our job is to fight the Faulty Drug Administration to keep that right. Best wishes to you….
What does athlete use of steroids(drugs) have to do with using ordinary food supplements? Personal liberty and responsibility , and not a safety, are at issue here. A government agency is making law? How did this come about?.
Has everyone forgotten that it is the duty of government to secure the rights of the people? Government is instituted to serve us and not the other way around. When government tells us that it knows best, it already is ignoring our sacred rights.
Who is this new McCain, and what has he done with the Senator from Arizona?
Jana Hill
I agree with you, Dennis. Without the right to choose the alternative Doctor and supplements that I and my Naturopathic Dr. advised, I would not be writing this Reply today. I want that right to remain and not have it controlled by the Drug Co.’s. Thanks, Dr. Gonzalez for speaking up!
Carole Muller – [email protected]
Dr. Gonzalez: Your letter to Senator McCain was absolutely brilliant.
I hope that he gets the message and does not side with the big companies
who care only about stuffing their own wallets at the expense of the public interest.
Thanks a million for speaking out so eloquently on our behalf.
Very truly yours,
Stuart Kerner
This was an absolute wonderful letter & I commend you, Dr. Gonzalez, for writing it. You said everything exactly as it is, FDA & Pharma are in bed together & FDA needs to be eliminated.
Thank you so much for this expression
thank you for having the conviction to write mccain this letter. i pray it does some good. i was a mccain supporter but no more, also i have several family members in az. that will no longer support him either, because of this bill.
Dear Sn. McCain,
We fought to have freedom to eat food supplements without the gov’t. boots on our necks.
We sincerely believe you have received poor advice or $$$$ from Big Pharma, who lose when folks stay healthy.
Please take back this ill-advised bill.
You will get more votes if you do.
Thanks, Marilyn
Thank you, Dr. Nicholas J. Gonzalez, for not only speaking out on behalf of your patients, but also for all Americans who use and rely on nutritional supplements. I couldn’t have said it any better.
I cured myself of cancer 23 years ago using natural supplements, no thanks to the pharmaceutical companies.
Hi Dr Gonzalez,
you wrote a fantastic letter to John McCain exactly to the point, we all hope that such a bill
would be rejected right away because otherwise will kill innocent people reling on proper
nutrition essential for good health.
Thanks again for what you do for terminally ill patients, I’m on your corner 100%
Frank Cansella
Natural Healer
I have followed Dr. Gonzalez’s research and writings and hope that John McCain will be affected by his letter. We all need to stand up for the freedom to choose our form of healthcare. I believe that supplements and clean whole foods are imperative in prevention and treatment of disease. Much of today’s illness stems from lack of nutrients, not lack of drugs.
Carol Klingsmith, R.N.
Missouri
I, too, am a cancer survivor who depends on supplements to maintain my health. I will fight this bill with every effort I can.
I, too, am a cancer survivor who depends on supplements to maintain my health. I will fight this bill with every effort I can.
Beautifully written DR. Gonzalez! I read about you in Knockout recently. Keep up the good work.
Hooray for Dr. Gonzalez!
Dr.Gonzalez very compellingly underlies the potential threat to the life saving treatments of some cancer patients whose lives are at stake. The rest of the population will potentially face additional hardships in getting the nutrients their bodies need. While the immediate consequences are not as starkly imminent in their lives, over the long term the total damage can be far greater. But since it will be spread out over more time, it will be noticed much less.
Thiis bill must be stopped.
Your are right on with your assesment of McCains bill. One other aspect of this bill is like most in congress; give more powere to big money (pharmeticials in this case) at the sacrifice of the individual. Why can’t big companies make a profit the old fashion way; provide a good product at a reasnoable price. Does their success (or greed) depend on their having a franchise to screw someone?
My wife and I take specific supplements for improved health and do so out of pocket since health insurance does not cover these health aides. These supplements provide protection against illnesses as well as minimize same.
So we have been paying for health insurance coverage while our total health care costs to the insurance company have been well below premiums paid. Remember, our supplements are over and above the premiums.
So we as well as millions of others are being “self reliant” in taking charge of our health and paying for quality supplements. This is a solution to rampant health care cost growth. Can Senator McCain arrange for health insurance rebates for the self reliant citizens?
Introduce this topic in the February 25th Health care brawl. It just might bring some logic to the fiasco.
Senator McCain, the proposed legislation is misguided and will be another license to steal for big Pharma. Do you want that on your record?
Joseph C Bucara
Looks like Ron Paul is opposed to it also http://dailypaul.com/node/124647
I was a patient of Dr. Gonzalez’ from 1992 to 1996 for endometrial cancer. I have been cancer free for all the years since thanks to his wonderful program of supplements, diet, and alternative medicine procedures. I also had overcome osteoporosis with nutrition and supplements and stay healthy by still staying on Dr. Gonzalez’ diet and supplements. It would be tragic to so many people to deprive us of our health-giving products that are harmless yet so powerfully effective. I am a Democrat, but it doesn’t matter which Party to one belongs, we ALL need the FDA to keep their hands off our supplements.
Dear Dr, Gonzalez,
I have been reading about you for years and have been very impressed with what I have learned about your treatment methods. You have stated very eloquently what I think of this proposed bill.
I have a friend with a health food store who is working with me to repair the damage done by years of PPI drugs. She is very knowledgeable about supplements and is making major strides in helping me regain my health. If this bill passes, she will no longer be able to help people who have chosen to heal themselves with diet and nutritional supplements rather than tolerate the side effects of pharmaceuticals.
I thank you for your wonderful letter stating what thousands of us are thinking.
Sincerely yours,
Laura S Carr
With all due respect, Dr. Gonzalez, is it possible that a diet with the proper amounts of vegetables, fruits, etc. would be sufficient treatment?
My other question is that does this bill also include naturopathic, ayurvedic, and homeopathic remedies?
I have Herpes simplex (fa9ial) and use Viruxo to treat it. would that also be regulated?
Dear Bobbie:
You need to watch “Food Inc” – Real food is only available under your own growing supervision!…..also, from what I understand of a cancer patient friend I have who is on Dr Gonzalez’s diet, the enzymes need to be taken in fairly large amounts to keep the body’s flush supported (since illness slows many of the systems in the body so there it can focus on “fighting” the illness (by the immune system).
This is about all the public – if the supplement companies don’t exist, where do the Naturopathic prescriptions, Ayurvedic, and Homeopathic remedies come from???? Other countries imported by black market????
Get a clue, this is not just about you and your Herpes simplex!!!
Linda
I totally agree with you. It’s time for McCain to retire doing stupid stuff like this. Vote him into retirement.
Sincerely,
Don Newsom
Way to go Doc, I have a new hero. I am alive today because of alternative cancer therapy. One of which included pancreatic enzymes. ( Dr. Kelley)
Coming up to 6 years from a terminal diagnosis and doing great.
Keep up the good work ! ! ! !
Dennis McMichael
Thank you, thank you for publishing this letter to McCain.
I also sent him an email off his website blasting him royally!!
Sandy
Dear Dr. Gonzalez,
You are a true champion of those of us who have maintained good health through the use of supplements. I have suggested to Sen. McCain that he could use some of them to clear his head. I presume his wife has investments in the pharmaceutical industry, thereby giveing further incentive to his effort.
Bravo!
Dear Senator McCain,
I too am extremely upset by your introduction of this bill. My good health requires unfettered availability of nutritional supplements that my board certified Medical Doctor recommends. Some of my health problems were caused by long term pharmaceutical use and can only be treated with high powered nutrition. I the early 90’s I had toxic chemical overload and conventional medicine had nothing to offer. It was through large doses of nutrients that my body was able to detoxify before I succumbed to the toxins. Without ready availability of quality nutritional supplements I would not be here to write this letter today. Rescind this foolishness!!!
Sincerely,
Charles B Dorsey, Baltimore
I am appaled by what Sen. McCain is proposing.
I am convinced that recent proposed health care legislation in Congress was drug company sponsored. I now must suspect that Sen. McCain has also been purchased by the drug companies.
The Congressional health care debate has been a misnomer – it is not about health – it is about prescription drug distribution and who pays the tab
When will America wake up?.
Were it not for my autistic son’s supplement regimen, he would not be able to sit in his third grade classroom and learn multiplication facts and the life cycle of plants and animals. Very obviously, Senator McCain feels that my son’s condition would be better treated by the government than by his doctors!
Thank God for Dr’s like Nicholas J Gonzalez. I had a viral cardiomyopathy 6 years ago which I treated with Co Q 10 and L-Carnitine.I could not take the conventional meds because of the side effects. It was resolved in 3 months. Also my bone density is 10% better since I’ve been on Vitamin D3, calcium and bio-identical hormones.This could not have been possible without access to these supplements.
In a free country such as ours shouldn’t we be able to choose how we would like to take care of ourselves?