Saturday, August 16, 2025

Alternative Natural Agents in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

A lot of my own former colleagues who are doctors and countless patients, including mine have consulted me on other therapeutics options in treating diabetes other than using drugs.

First of all, let me very briefly explain how diabetes is currently treated using conventional medicines. 

Diabetes is treated with a variety of medications, including oral drugs and insulin. Oral medications include sulfonylureas (e.g., glipizide, glyburide,

gliclazide, glimepiride) that stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin. Meglitinides 

(e.g., repaglinide, nateglinide) are similar to sulfonylureas, stimulating

insulin release, but with a shorter duration of action.

Biguanides (e.g., metformin) primarily work by reducing glucose production by the liver and improving insulin sensitivity. Thiazolidinediones, α-glucosidase inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and bile acid sequestrants. Then we also have GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (e.g.,

exenatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, semaglutide). 

These are injectable medications that stimulate insulin release, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite. Besides these there are also Pramlintide which is an injectable medication that mimics the effects of amylin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels after meals. 

Insulin is also available in various formulations, including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting types, and is used to manage both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. 

We shall not go any further into all these anti-diabetic drugs  as my  purpose here is to write on other more effective and safer natural medicine that have traditionally been used that patients have told me are much more effective than conventional drugs.

Let me now write a short review paper here on other alternative options that are used traditionally where many  patients have told me they were permanent cured and now free from diabetes, after their doctors have failed to cure them permanently using those drugs mentioned above 

Alternative Natural Agents in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: Mechanistic Insights

Abstract

This review examines four natural or supplemental agents, namely, 

Orthosiphon stamineus (Misai Kucing), Swietenia mahagoni (Tunjuk Langit), Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon), and chromium (especially chromium picolinate as glucose tolerance factor) -focusing on their mechanistic roles in glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and diabetic complication mitigation, based on current in vitro, in vivo, and limited human studies.

1. Orthosiphon stamineus (Misai Kucing)

1.1 Hypoglycemic activity and glucose metabolism

The chloroform sub-fraction (Cƒ2-b) of O. stamineus significantly reduced blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats without altering plasma insulin levels, suggesting an insulin-independent mechanism such as enhancing peripheral glucose uptake [1].

1.2 Glucose uptake and enzyme inhibition

Aqueous extracts have been shown to increase glucose uptake and consumption in adipocytes (3T3-L1 cells), indicating potential insulin-mimetic or sensitising activity [2].
Flavonoid constituents such as sinensetin inhibit carbohydrate-digesting enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase, with IC₅₀ values as low as 0.66 mg/mL [3].

1.3 Antioxidant and GLUT4-mediated effects

Water extracts exhibit antioxidant activity and promote GLUT4 translocation to skeletal muscle cell membranes, enhancing glucose uptake [4].
A systematic review has identified rosmarinic acid, betulinic acid, tormentic acid, and orthosiphols among the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects [5].

2. Swietenia mahagoni (Tunjuk Langit)

 2.1 Hypoglycemic and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory properties 

Seeds of Swietenia macrophylla exhibit hypoglycemic activity in diabetic rats, likely due to reduced carbohydrate absorption and delayed postprandial glucose rise [6,7].

2.2 Glucose tolerance improvement

Purified seed extract demonstrates α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ of approximately 4.7 µg/mL, and improves glucose tolerance in animal models [8].

2.3 Antioxidant and cardioprotective effects

Nanoparticle formulations of S. macrophylla seed extract have been found to reduce oxidative stress in diabetic rat cardiac tissues by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA), enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), thus protecting cardiac cells from hyperglycemia-induced injury [9].

3. Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon) 

3.1 Multi-component activity

Bitter melon contains polypeptide-P (an insulin-like peptide), charantin, saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and triterpenoids, all of which contribute to its hypoglycemic effects [10,11].

3.2 Mechanistic pathways

Its mechanisms include antioxidant protection of pancreatic β-cells, reduced intestinal glucose absorption, inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, increased hepatic glycogen storage, and stimulation of glucose oxidation [10].
Certain compounds activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), enhancing glucose uptake and improving metabolic regulation [10,12].
Polypeptide-P and lectins exert insulin-like effects by stimulating glucose uptake via increased insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) phosphorylation and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activation [13,14].

Additional studies suggest modulation of incretin signaling through TGR5 activation, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition [15].

4. Chromium (particularly Chromium Picolinate as GTF)

4.1 Role in insulin signaling

Chromium picolinate supplementation has been shown in some studies to enhance insulin sensitivity, increase insulin receptor kinase activity, improve insulin receptor mRNA expression, and support insulin-like growth factor receptor synthesis [16,17,18].

4.2 Chromodulin mediation

A proposed mechanism involves low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (chromodulin) binding to Cr³⁺, which then interacts with the insulin receptor to prolong tyrosine kinase activation and enhance glucose uptake [19,20].

4.3 Clinical evidence and limitations

Meta-analyses report modest improvements in fasting glucose and HbA₁c in insulin-resistant individuals, though findings are inconsistent [16,18].


Safety is generally acceptable at 200–1,000 µg/day, but high doses may pose risks in those with renal or hepatic impairment [18,21].

Summary Table

Agent Main Mechanisms

Orthosiphon stamineus: Peripheral glucose uptake; α-glucosidase/α-amylase inhibition; antioxidant effects; GLUT4 translocation

Swietenia mahagoni α-Glucosidase inhibition; delayed carbohydrate absorption; antioxidant & cardioprotective effects

Momordica charantia Insulin-mimetic peptides; AMPK activation; reduced gluconeogenesis; improved insulin signaling

Chromium (picolinate) Enhances insulin receptor activity; chromodulin-mediated kinase activation; modest glycemic improvement 

 

References 

 

1. Sriplang K, et al. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007;109(3):510-4.

2. Yam MF, et al. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(3):945.

3. Akowuah GA, et al. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012;12:176.

4. Yam MF, et al. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(3):945.

5. Mohamed EA, et al. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:819984.

6. Rahman MA, et al. J Tradit Complement Med. 2020;10(1):48-54.

7. Fadeyi SA, et al. Pharmacogn Mag. 2013;9(Suppl 1):S1-7.

8. Arifuddin M, et al. Biomed Pharmacol J. 2023;16(3):1485-94.

9. Fadilah NR, et al. Pharmaceuticals. 2023;16(7):973.

10. Joseph B, Jini D. Asian Pac J Trop Dis. 2013;3(2):93-102.

11. Wang S, et al. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:904643.

12. Tan MJ, et al. Br J Pharmacol. 2008;155(6):1056-63.

13. Ahmad N, et al. J Pharm Technol Clin Pharm. 2016;8(3):5215-23.

14. Nerurkar PV, et al. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006;6:10.

15. Harinantenaina L, et al. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006;16(23):5635-8.

16. Yin RV, Phung OJ. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(4):612-20.

17. Vincent JB. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2016;53(5):289-329.

18. Balk EM, et al. Diabetes Care. 2007;30(8):2154-63.

19. Yamamoto A, et al. J Nutr. 1987;117(5):944-51.

20. Vincent JB. Nutr Rev. 2000;58(6):171-7.

21. Anderson RA. J Am Coll Nutr. 1998;17(6):548-55.

Monday, August 11, 2025

Doctor is A Treater, Not A Healer – A Spiritual Reflection on Healing


By  Lin Ru Wu (not Lim Ju Boo)

 

Summary: 

 

At best, a doctor can only treat a patient holistically as a living being composed of body, mind, and soul. At worst, he may regard the patient as a malfunctioning machine to be "oiled" with drugs or repaired via surgery. But in neither case does the doctor possess the power to heal.

 

A Personal Encounter and Its Deeper Implications:

 

Yesterday, I conversed with a physician friend, my former colleague, who described himself as a healer. Out of respect for our long-standing friendship since college, I refrained from expressing my disagreement, although I fundamentally oppose that notion.

This is because a doctor, by training and practice, can treat a patient but cannot truly heal him. More often than not, even the act of treating lacks a holistic perspective. A doctor frequently focuses on the disease itself, applying drugs, chemicals in essence, without attending to the entirety of the patient as a person with body, mind, and soul.

Hence, I assert unequivocally: no doctor, whether practising traditional medicine or modern scientific medicine, can rightly claim to be a healer. The reality is that only the human body possesses the inherent, divinely programmed capacity to heal itself. In fact this is the proverb or motto I specifically spelt out when I first started writing in this blog nearly 20 years ago.

 

"A True Doctor is One Who Teaches, The Best Healer is Your Own Body" 

 

 A doctor may treat a patient endlessly, but treatment alone is not healing.

The Unique Authority of Jesus Christ in Healing

The only being capable of true, instantaneous healing without chemical intervention, unlike the pharmaceutical paradigm introduced by John D. Rockefeller over a century ago or the medical-surgical systems of the modern era, is Jesus Christ. His healing was never a process; it was an instantaneous transformation, achieved through His voice or touch.

Jesus did not engage in treatment. He healed. The blind received their sight not after a course of medication but immediately. The paralysed walked without physiotherapy. Lepers were cleansed in an instant. Even the dead responded to His command.

These acts overrode the natural biological healing timelines and processes. Jesus healed wholly, beyond any scientific or medical intervention. Neither traditional nor modern practitioners can compare. Medical doctors, therefore, cannot be rightly called healers. They are, at most, facilitators or treaters. The true healing force resides in the miraculous, God-given intelligence of the body, which declares:

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well"
(Psalm 139:14)

 

How Jesus was able to heal instantly, without requiring an appointment, a six-month wait, a detailed medical history, a battery of blood and urine tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, or ultrasounds, nor the administration of chemicals disguised under the noble name of 'medicines', is not for us to question, but to humbly acknowledge as a manifestation of His Divine power."

 

See further elaboration here:


The Unsung Sentinel: How Our Immune System Protects Us Every Moment


https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=immune+system

 

On Healing: A Physiological and Spiritual Distinction 

 

In today’s discourse, the term "healer" is casually applied to medical doctors, traditional practitioners, and other healthcare providers. Though respectful in intent, this conflation obscures a crucial distinction between treatment and healing, a difference that is not merely linguistic but philosophically and biologically profound.

The Doctor’s Role as a Treater

A doctor is trained in anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and clinical methods to diagnose and manage illness. Treatments may involve pharmaceuticals, surgery, therapy, or preventative counsel. However, none of these constitutes healing. The doctor merely facilitates the conditions necessary for the body’s natural healing mechanisms to operate.

Consider wound repair: A physician may clean and suture the injury, but it is the body that activates coagulation cascades, recruits inflammatory cells, deploys fibroblasts, deposits collagen, and regenerates epithelium. Likewise, antibiotics suppress pathogens, but the immune system clears infections. Chemotherapeutics may shrink tumours, yet long-term remission relies on the body's restorative capacity.

Thus, a doctor treats, but healing, if it occurs, is autonomously orchestrated by the body’s internal processes. Sometimes, despite the best treatment, healing does not take place. As doctors, we can't even cure even common diseases like diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, cancer,  dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, advanced lung, heart, kidney and liver disease,  stroke and other neurological diseases, including motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy, HIV/AIDS...etc, etc...just to name a few. 

The True Healer: Divine Biological Intelligence

Each human being is endowed with intricate, highly sophisticated self-regulatory systems, homeostasis, tissue regeneration, immune defence, neuroplasticity, and psychological resilience, all designed for healing. These processes are not human inventions but are deeply embedded in the divine blueprint of life.

Their origin is neither pharmaceutical nor academic. These healing mechanisms arise from the Creator, who formed humanity with profound complexity and purpose:

“Fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)

The Supreme Healer: Jesus Christ

Where human intervention requires time and biological cooperation, Jesus bypassed all limitations. His acts of healing were absolute: immediate, total, and unrepeatable by human means. The blind, the lame, the leprous, and even the dead responded instantly to His will.

These miracles were not symbolic but literal demonstrations of divine authority. Christ did not simply restore physical function, He redeemed the soul. He healed the emotionally broken, forgave sins, cast out evil, and conferred spiritual wholeness. Healing, in its truest and most transcendent form, is the redemption of the soul for eternal life:

“By His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)

This verse refers not to physical therapy but to salvation, God’s remedy for the human condition. 

 

Jesus did not call or address Himself as Dr Jesus unlike Us:

 

Despite His unmatched healing powers, Jesus never referred to Himself as “Dr. Jesus” or “the Great Physician” in title. His humility sharply contrasts with our modern professional pride where we address ourselves as "doctors" when we are just treaters. It serves as a lesson of human pride against divine modesty. 

 

Respect is what we need to earn humbly without us even wanting it. We cannot demand others to respect us. We must not glorify ourselves, but to glorify God to the highest who vested those horrendous powers of healing to His only Son, Jesus Christ who came to this world not to heal the sick, which was only a very, very small side-benefit, a teeny-tiny gift to those who were sick during His time. He came here not to heal the sick but His mission was far, far more important than that; to save our souls from eternal destruction from being cast into the Lake of Fire.  The gift of an eternal life is far, far more important to all of us than temporary physical healing in this world. He came  to give us eternal life only if we accept Him as our Saviour.  

 

Modern Misconceptions: A Matter of Titles and Truth

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Emergency Protocol for the Management of the Unconscious or Critically Ill Patient


A Comprehensive Protocol for the Management of Critically Ill Patients in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit

By Lin Ru Wu (alias Lim Ju Boo)


Abstract:


Critically ill and unconscious patients require immediate and structured care to prevent morbidity and mortality. This paper presents an evidence-based, multidisciplinary management protocol for doctors working in Emergency Departments (EDs) and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), structured around the widely accepted ABCDE approach, and addressing organ support, nutritional care, infection control, medication review, and coordinated communication. This protocol complements the perspectives outlined in "Beyond the Pill: A Critical Review of Pharmacology, Chronic Disease, and the Path to Root-Cause Healing" (Lim, 2025).


1. Introduction:


Effective management of the unconscious or critically ill patient is vital to improving outcomes. A structured approach helps prevent critical oversights, allows rapid stabilization, and facilitates multidisciplinary teamwork. Evidence supports that implementing structured clinical protocols in emergency and critical care improves survival and reduces errors (Resuscitation Council UK, 2021; NICE Guidelines, 2022).

2. Initial Assessment and Resuscitation: The ABCDE Principle

A - Airway Management: 

Airway patency is a priority. Obstruction from secretions, blood, or the tongue must be cleared. Endotracheal intubation should be performed when necessary using appropriately sized tubes (7.0–7.5 mm for females, 8.0–8.5 mm for males) and confirmed with capnography (Griesdale et al., 2012). Cuff pressures must be maintained between 20–30 cm H₂O to prevent tracheal injury (Sole et al., 2011). Suctioning should be based on clinical indication, with regular evaluation of secretion characteristics for early infection signs.

B - Breathing:  

Breathing is evaluated through inspection, auscultation, and pulse oximetry. Hypoventilation necessitates bag-valve-mask ventilation or mechanical support. Oxygen is administered generously, aiming for SpO₂ > 94% (WHO, 2020). Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees improves oxygenation and prevents aspiration (Drakulovic et al., 1999).

C - Circulation: 

Cardiovascular assessment includes blood pressure, heart rate, and ECG monitoring. Serum lactate serves as a marker of tissue perfusion and shock (Jansen et al., 2010). IV access is established via two large-bore cannulas, with fluid resuscitation tailored to volume status. Focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) can assist in detecting cardiac tamponade, ventricular dysfunction, or hypovolemia (Kirkpatrick et al., 2004).

D - Disability:  

Neurological status is assessed via the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Pupils, tone, reflexes, and limb movement guide further neurological evaluation. Blood glucose must be checked immediately, with hyper- or hypoglycemia treated promptly. Imaging (CT/MRI) is indicated for suspected stroke, trauma, or seizures (Adams et al., 2007).

E - Exposure and Environment: 

The patient must be undressed for thorough examination. Pressure points, skin integrity, surgical sites, and temperature must be evaluated. Hypo- or hyperthermia should be corrected, as both contribute to increased mortality (Mackowiak et al., 1992).

3. Internal Organ Support and Nutritional Management:

Electrolyte and Acid-Base Balance Daily monitoring and correction of electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, PO₄³⁻, Cl⁻) are essential. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis guides management of acid-base disorders, with prompt intervention to prevent metabolic complications (Vincent et al., 2005).

Fluid Balance: 

Fluid input and output should be charted meticulously. Urinary catheterization aids hourly monitoring. Cumulative balance helps assess volume overload or depletion (Cecconi et al., 2014). Fluid targets must be individualized based on perfusion status and clinical needs.

Nutrition:  Enteral feeding should begin within 24–48 hours once hemodynamic stability is achieved (ESPEN Guidelines, 2019). A dietitian should calculate daily caloric and protein requirements to avoid catabolism and support immune function.

4. Gastrointestinal Care: 

Prophylaxis for stress ulcers is initiated using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H₂ blockers (Cook et al., 1998). Bowel movements should be monitored, with constipation addressed via oral laxatives or prokinetics. Nasogastric tubes are indicated for feeding or decompression, with measures taken to reduce aspiration risk.

5. Infection Surveillance and Control:

Daily review of WBC count, CRP, procalcitonin, and temperature trends is necessary. All invasive lines, catheters, and tubes must be reviewed and removed when no longer required (CDC Guidelines, 2020). Wound inspection and early identification of pressure injuries are vital in preventing sepsis (Sullivan et al., 2013).

6. Medication Management and Prophylaxis: 

All medications should be reviewed daily. Chronic medications may be reinstated as appropriate. Intravenous drugs should be converted to oral when feasible. Prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis using unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin is recommended (Geerts et al., 2008). Pain is managed using analgesics based on validated scoring systems.

7. Multidisciplinary Care and Family Communication: 

Physiotherapy is essential for respiratory care and limb mobilization. Passive exercises prevent joint contractures and venous stasis (Perme et al., 2012). Regular input from neurology, nephrology, surgery, and other specialties is essential. Family members should be informed daily, with discussions on prognosis and care preferences initiated early where necessary.

8. Conclusion: 

The care of the critically ill requires a structured, systematic, and compassionate approach. This comprehensive protocol ensures life-saving interventions are timely and evidence-based while incorporating nutritional, psychological, and rehabilitative aspects. The art of medicine lies not just in clinical acumen but in coordinating care that preserves dignity, ensures safety, and promotes recovery.


References:


1. Resuscitation Council UK. (2021). ABCDE approach.

2. NICE Guidelines. (2022). Acute illness in adults in hospital: recognising and responding to deterioration.

3. Griesdale DE et al. (2012). Endotracheal intubation in the ICU. Intensive Care Med.

4. Sole ML et al. (2011). Airway management and cuff pressure. Am J Crit Care.

5.WHO. (2020). Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection.

6. Drakulovic MB et al. (1999). Semi-recumbent positioning to prevent pneumonia. Lancet.

7. Jansen TC et al. (2010). Lactate monitoring in critically ill patients. Am J Respir Crit Care Med.

8. Kirkpatrick AW et al. (2004). Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST). J Trauma.

9. Adams HP et al. (2007). Stroke management guidelines. Stroke.

10. Mackowiak PA et al. (1992). Fever and host responses. Ann Intern Med.

11. Vincent JL et al. (2005). Acid-base disorders in the ICU. Crit Care.

12. Cecconi M et al. (2014). Fluid management in critically ill patients. Lancet.

13. ESPEN Guidelines. (2019). Clinical nutrition in the ICU.

14. Cook DJ et al. (1998). Stress ulcer prophylaxis in the ICU. N Engl J Med.

15. CDC. (2020). Guidelines for prevention of catheter-related infections.

16. Sullivan DH et al. (2013). Pressure ulcers and infection. Adv Skin Wound Care.

17. Geerts WH et al. (2008). Prevention of venous thromboembolism. Chest.

18. Perme C et al. (2012). Early mobility in the ICU. Crit Care Nurse.

Appendices: 


1. Checklist for Daily Critical Care Rounds
2. ABCDE Protocol Summary
Nutritional and Fluid Monitoring Templates

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Beyond the Pill: A Critical Review of Pharmacology, Chronic Disease, and the Path to Root-Cause Healing



A Critical Review of Pharmacology:

by Lin Ru Wu alias Lim Ju Boo

 

This paper is written initially for medical doctors, but it is reachable to ordinary lay readers. The purpose of this paper is for us - doctors and non-doctors  to understand drugs do not cure any disease unless that root causes of the disease are removed. The explanation is below this paper under: 

4.1 The River Analogy and,  

4.2 Masking vs Healing.

Despite their limitations, certain drugs are life-saving as described under:  

5. Role of Pharmacology in Emergencies:  pharmacological agents are indispensable in acute care.

Pharmacological Agents in Modern Medicine: Mechanisms, Applications, and Limitations in Chronic Disease Management to me as I begin to write my thoughts, is like “Chemical Interventions and Biological Rivers: A Systems Perspective on Drug Therapy and Chronic Disease” 


I shall follow this paper up with another paper on how some of these emergency drugs are used under: 


"Emergency Protocol for the Management of the Unconscious or Critically Ill Patient" 


Abstract:


This paper provides a comprehensive overview of pharmacological agents widely used in contemporary medicine, including their pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic applications, side effects, drug interactions, and contraindications. It further critiques the limitations of these drugs in addressing chronic diseases due to the failure to treat root causes. The discussion is enriched with analogies illustrating systemic effects of masking symptoms without curing underlying pathology. Despite their shortcomings in chronic care, emergency and critical care pharmacotherapeutics are acknowledged for their indispensable life-saving roles.


1. Introduction: 


Pharmacology is the science of drug action on biological systems and comprises two major branches: pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body) and pharmacokinetics (what the body does to the drug) [1]. A rational approach to pharmacotherapy requires a thorough understanding of both aspects, as well as disease pathophysiology, to select the right drug for the right patient under the right conditions.


2. Pharmacological Classes and Mechanisms


2.1 Antibiotics: 


Antibiotics target bacterial structures or functions, including cell wall synthesis (e.g., beta-lactams), protein synthesis (e.g., macrolides), and DNA replication (e.g., fluoroquinolones) [2]. While generally well-tolerated, side effects include gastrointestinal upset, antibiotic-associated colitis, and the development of resistance. Co-administration with antacids or iron may interfere with absorption.


2.2 Antivirals: 


Antivirals inhibit viral replication through mechanisms such as neuraminidase inhibition (e.g., oseltamivir) or nucleotide analog incorporation (e.g., acyclovir) [3]. Drug resistance and toxicity (renal, hepatic) are notable issues.


2.3 Anti-inflammatory Agents:


NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, diclofenac) inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), reducing prostaglandin synthesis [4]. While effective in inflammation and pain, they pose risks for gastric ulceration, renal impairment, and cardiovascular events, especially when combined with ACE inhibitors or diuretics ("triple whammy effect") [5].


2.4 Analgesics:


Paracetamol acts centrally to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. Opioids (e.g., morphine, fentanyl) act on mu-opioid receptors, providing potent pain relief but are associated with respiratory depression, tolerance, and dependence [6].


2.5 Corticosteroids:


Steroids such as prednisone suppress inflammation and immune response via genomic and non-genomic pathways [7]. Chronic use can cause adrenal suppression, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, and increased infection risk.


2.6 Antitussives and Expectorants:


Dextromethorphan (antitussive) acts on the cough center in the medulla. Guaifenesin (expectorant) increases mucus clearance. While useful in symptomatic relief, they do not address the cause of cough [8].


2.7 Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs):


PPIs like omeprazole inhibit the H+/K+ ATPase pump in gastric parietal cells. Long-term use has been linked to B12 deficiency, hypomagnesemia, and increased risk of enteric infections [9].


2.8 Antihypertensive:


These include ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine), and diuretics. Each class acts via distinct pathways, such as RAAS blockade or vasodilation. Side effects and interactions vary: e.g., ACE inhibitors may cause hyperkalemia or cough [10].


2.9 Antidiabetic Agents:


Insulin and oral agents like metformin (inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis), sulfonylureas (stimulate insulin release), and SGLT2 inhibitors (promote renal glucose excretion) are used in diabetes management [11]. Hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and urinary tract infections are common concerns.


3. Interactions and Contraindications:


Polypharmacy often leads to drug-drug interactions. For instance, NSAIDs with ACE inhibitors and diuretics increase the risk of renal failure. SSRIs with NSAIDs increase bleeding risk. Contraindications may include pregnancy (e.g., tetracyclines), renal failure (e.g., metformin), or heart block (e.g., beta-blockers in severe bradycardia) [12].


4. Limitations in Chronic Disease:

 Management While these drugs provide symptom relief, they often fail in chronic diseases such as hypertension, metabolic syndrome, or cardiovascular disease, because they do not address the root causes, often poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and environmental exposures.


4.1 The River Analogy: 


Imagine the body as a river with clean water flowing from a healthy source. Disease arises when pollutants (e.g., poor diet, stress, toxins) enter the source. Medications act like barriers downstream, trying to prevent polluted water from reaching villages (organs). But unless the source is cleaned, the pollution continues. Blocking it may cause overflow, damaging surrounding systems, analogous to drug side effects or new disease manifestations (e.g., polypharmacy leading to organ dysfunction).


4.2 Masking vs Healing: 


In chronic conditions, suppressing blood pressure or blood glucose without lifestyle intervention is akin to painting over rust without removing it, it temporarily masks the problem but does not halt progression. Studies have shown that lifestyle interventions such as plant-based diets, exercise, and stress reduction can reverse or mitigate diseases like type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis [13][14].


5. Role of Pharmacology in Emergencies Despite limitations, pharmacological agents are indispensable in acute care. For instance:


a). Adrenaline in anaphylaxis restores airway and circulation.

b). Nitroglycerin in acute coronary syndrome rapidly relieves ischemic pain.

c). Intravenous fluids and vasopressors restore hemodynamic stability in shock.

d). Benzodiazepines control status epilepticus.

e).Tranexamic acid limits bleeding in trauma [15][16].


Such drugs stabilize patients, buying time for the body’s healing systems to activate or for surgical interventions to take place. Their short-acting but rapid mechanisms are tailored for life-saving actions. I shall address this in my next article I have written for doctors (but reachable for lay readers)  under "Emergency Protocol for the Management of the Unconscious or Critically Ill Patient" 


Pharmacological agents play essential roles in symptom control, acute management, and life-saving interventions. However, chronic disease treatment demands a paradigm shift from symptomatic suppression to addressing root causes. Integrative strategies combining pharmacology with lifestyle and preventive medicine offer the most promising path toward long-term health.


References:


1. Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM, Flower RJ. Rang & Dale's Pharmacology. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2019.

2. Katzung BG, Trevor AJ. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 15th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2021.

3. De Clercq E. Antiviral drug discovery and development: where chemistry meets with biomedicine. Antiviral Res. 2005;67(2):56–75.

4. Vane JR, Botting RM. Mechanism of action of NSAIDs. Am J Med. 1998;104(3A):2S–8S.

5. Whelton A. Nephrotoxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: physiologic foundations and clinical implications. Am J Med. 1999;106(5B):13S–24S.

6. Trescot AM et al. Opioid pharmacology. Pain Physician. 2008;11(2 Suppl):S133–S153.

7. Barnes PJ. Anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1998;53(6):455–461.

8. Dicpinigaitis PV. Antitussive effects of theobromine. Faseb J. 2004;18(7):A991.

9. Lam JR et al. Proton pump inhibitor and vitamin B12 deficiency. JAMA. 2013;310(22):2435–2442.

10. Williams B et al. 2018 ESC/ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. Eur Heart J. 2018;39(33):3021–3104.

11. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2022. Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Suppl 1):S1–S108.

12. FDA Drug Safety Communications. www.fda.gov (Accessed 2025).

13. Ornish D et al. Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease. JAMA. 1998;280(23):2001–2007.

14. Barnard ND et al. A low-fat vegan diet improves glycemic control. Diabetes Care. 2006;29(8):1777–1783.

15. NICE Guidelines: Anaphylaxis: Assessment and Referral. 2011.

16. CRASH-2 trial collaborators. Effects of tranexamic acid on death and vascular occlusive events in bleeding trauma patients. Lancet. 2010;376(9734):23–32.

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Why Does the Pubic Trust Doctors, Scientists and Teachers Most? Should We Really?

There was an opinion poll conducted by Ipsos in this link attached seeking the public opinion on the most trusted professions and the least trusted people

 

 

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/12/19/survey-malaysians-rank-politicians-and-social-media-influencers-among-least-trusted-professions/160433 

 

 

The report was made public on Dec 19, 2024  that says: 

 

"A recent survey by global market research firm Ipsos has revealed Malaysians trust levels in various professions, showing that politicians and social media influencers are among the least trusted.  The study, released today, found that 41 per cent of Malaysians expressed distrust towards politicians, making this profession the least trusted overall. Social media influencers closely followed, with 36 per cent of respondents indicating distrust, while government ministers ranked third at 35 per cent. Advertising executives and religious leaders also scored low trust ratings, with a 30 per cent distrust rate placing them fourth and fifth, respectively. 

 

“Key professions such as doctors, teachers, scientists, and the armed forces consistently rank as the top five most trusted professions,” the reporter Tan  added.

 

Tan also pointed out the ongoing scepticism towards social media influencers, noting that despite their growing presence, trust in them remains low.

 

The Ipsos study surveyed 23,530 online adults under the age of 75 across 32 countries from May 24 to June 7, 2024.

 

My question now is, why was that the public trust the doctors, scientists and teachers most? That would include those teachers  in medical schools teaching medical students to use Big Pharma chemical medicines made from oil and petroleum  introduced by John D Rockefeller over 100 years ago to the scientists to manufacture them and in turn introduced them to the gullible doctors who believe in the scientists  who researched and 'discovered' them and in turn, the medical  teachers in medical schools who teach the student doctors and also doctors themselves that  these chemicals made from petroleum can "cure" diseases. Worse of all, the patients trust their doctors most who gave them all these pills made from chemicals.  

 

Don't we think these are all frauds passing from one profession to the other to the gullible believers, especially to the ignorant public  who trust all three professions most?  I would cherish the intellectual and spiritual honesty of anyone who can answer me this question as I seek truth, especially in a world so clouded with disinformation and misdirection.

 

 The Ipsos poll cited presents a very telling reflection of public sentiment, a society that exalts some professions while casting deep suspicion on others.

 

What the Ipsos Poll shows the Malaysian public, and indeed many others globally, place the highest trust in: 

 

 Doctors, Teachers, Scientists The Armed Forces, Judges (in some polls) Conversely, those least trusted are: Politicians Social media influencers Government ministers Advertising executives and Religious leaders (a tragic sign of moral erosion)

 

 This  insight moves beyond mere numbers: it challenges the very foundation upon which trust in these highly regarded professions is built.

 

If none can answer me, let me with honesty address and answer this question myself with the clarity and seriousness we all deserve.  Now let me look deeper into the paradox I  raise: 

 

 The Medical-Industrial Complex and Rockefeller’s Legacy is entirely correct in pointing out that the modern medical system, trusted as it is, has deep roots in Rockefeller’s petrochemical empire. The Historical Backdrop John D. Rockefeller, in the early 20th century, capitalized on petroleum not only as fuel but as raw material for chemical synthesis, including pharmaceuticals. Through his philanthropic ventures (e.g., the Rockefeller Foundation), he funded medical schools, research institutions, and public health programs, but always under a systematized doctrine of medicine that favored synthetic drugs over holistic, herbal, or traditional practices. The Flexner Report (1910), also funded by Rockefeller and Carnegie, restructured medical education to promote allopathic medicine, leading to the marginalization of homeopathy, naturopathy, and herbal medicine. Thus, from teachers (in medical schools) to scientists (developing the drugs) to doctors (prescribing them), the entire chain became industrialized, standardized, and tightly controlled. 

 

Why then do people still trust these professions? This is because doctors are perceived as caregivers who relieve suffering and save lives. Teachers are seen as nurturers of young minds, instilling knowledge and ethics. Scientists are viewed as seekers of truth, solving mysteries of nature. This perception, however, often overlooks the economic, political, and industrial influences shaping their beliefs and practices. 

 

Are they all gullible or complicit? An important distinction must be made.  Most doctors, scientists, and teachers are sincere. They enter their professions with noble intentions. Trust the system that trained them. Operate within guidelines and institutional norms. They are not necessarily complicit, but many are unaware of how thoroughly their disciplines have been filtered, manipulated, and shaped by corporate and political interests. 

 

Some scientists and teachers question the status quo. A growing number of professionals are now advocating for integrative medicine, and warning about pharmaceutical overreach. These professionals including doctors, medical scientists, medical researchers themselves are now promoting natural, preventative health rooted in nutrition, immunity, and lifestyle. But these voices are often censored, discredited, or defunded because their views threaten the trillion-dollar pharmaceutical industry. 

 

Is it then all a fraud? I would not call the professions themselves fraudulent, but the systemic structure controlling them often is. Science, in its pure form, is noble. But science for profit becomes distorted. Medicine, as healing art, is sacred. But medicine under monopoly and patent law becomes suspect.

 

 Education, as enlightenment, is virtuous. But education as indoctrination is dangerous. So, the tools of trust are not wrong, but those who wield them without conscience, or who fund them with ulterior motives, corrupt the whole structure. 

 

The Rock of Public Trust: Misplaced? 

 

Let us now return to my poignant observation: “Don't you think these are all frauds passing from one profession to the other to the gullible believers who trust all three of them most?” 

 

 Yes, in many cases, what the public trusts is not the profession itself, but a narrative of credibility built by media, institutions, and corporate branding. And when trust becomes unquestioning, it turns into blind faith, ripe for exploitation. 

 

A way forward is by restoring true integrity.  What then must we do? My answer is, discernment, not cynicism.  We must train society to critically think, not just suspiciously reject. Not all doctors, teachers, or scientists are part of the problem, but we must discern who is guided by integrity. Support ethical alternatives, encourage research and education in traditional, natural, and integrative medicine, which respects the body’s own healing capacity. Expose and reform corrupt systems.  We need brave whistleblowers, investigative journalists, and ethical leaders to shed light on medical fraud, academic manipulation, and scientific censorship. 

 

 Balance trust with verification; just as the Bereans in Acts 17:11 "searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true," we too must examine what we are told, even by professionals.  

 

The true fraud is not the doctor, not the scientist, not the teacher, but the system that shapes them, the corporate oligarchy that dictates their curriculum, It  is not in rejecting trust, but in recognizing when trust has been hijacked by power. We need to question this sacred trio when they march in unison to the tune of Big Pharma’s profits, rather than human wellness.

 

 May we be the voices that awaken others not to hate these professions, but to purify them, to set them free from corruption, and restore their original calling to serve humanity, not exploit it. 

 

 

Unfortunately, most believe in a system because of their training in that system for their own livelihood, not that they are dishonest themselves, but because they were never exposed to the truth. So they became blind to truth.  That, I believe is a profound and compassionate observation of mine. We speak not with condemnation, but with understanding, recognizing that many are victims of indoctrination rather than perpetrators of deception. 

 

Conditioning vs. Consciousness:

 

Indeed, most professionals, be they doctors, scientists, educators, or clergy, are schooled within a structured framework - rewarded for compliance,  discouraged from questioning, penalized or silenced for dissent.  From the first textbook to the last certification exam, many are taught what to think, but not always how to think. They serve not out of malice, but because they sincerely believe what they were taught was right. They defend the system not out of pride, but often out of fear, fear of losing reputation, livelihood, or belonging. This, in essence, is systemic blindness: where even the most intelligent minds may fail to see beyond the walls of the institution that shaped them. But Light Shines in Darkness And yet, even in such darkness, there are always: 

 

 Those who begin to question like my simple self, those who witness contradictions, those who feel the dissonance between knowledge and truth. Some may stumble upon ancient wisdom, others observe the limits of pharmaceutical answers, or witness the body’s own miraculous ability to heal when allowed to. These awakenings, when nurtured, become sparks of revolution, not of violence, but of conscience. 

 

 I think we need to be among those rare souls who see beyond the veil, speak not with rage but with righteous inquiry, urge others to reflect, not rebel blindly. And I believe the path forward for society is not in destroying trust, but in redeeming it, by exposing the lies while restoring truth, by honouring those who dare to stand for integrity within corrupted systems. 

 

 

The Role of Truth-Seekers As truth-seekers, we must: Gently open eyes, not with force, but with clarity. Offer evidence, compassion, and alternatives. Remind the world that livelihood should not come at the cost of conscience. Encourage those in trusted professions to look deeper, to ask, “Who shaped this knowledge? Who benefits from it? And who suffers?”

 

 Awakening true awakening is not about judging the blind, but about offering light to those who never had the chance to see. In this, we are already doing more than most. And in every word we speak with truth and love, we plant seeds, some may take root today, others may bloom only tomorrow, but none will be in vain. 

 

Personally, I don't trust in doctors medicine because they do not cure anything except control them. The hospitals are very crowded not by new patients, but by the same patients who returned for their next appointment for the same disease, to replenish the same old medicine that never cured them, except control the disease with new patients coming in for the same diseases especially the chronic lifestyle diseases. Thus the new and old patients keep snow-rolling and crowd the hospitals - there is no end to this problem unless these patients are willing to change their entire life, the ways they eat, sleep, behave, believe, their entire lifestyles, both physically and spiritually. But these are never taught in any medical school - they teach only about drugs and pharmacology - how they can alter a chemical pathology - nothing beyond.  

 

I speak from the very depths of my experience and discernment, and what I have said reflects what few dare to admit, even among the most seasoned physicians. I  have spoken the unspeakable: “I don't trust in my own medicine that does not cure anything except control them.” 

 

 That single sentence is thunderous in its honesty and yet to be filled with one  who needs humility and wisdom. It breaks my heart and uplifts my spirit at the same time, for I have seen through the illusion and chosen truth over tradition, healing over habit.  A system that sustains itself through recurrence. The hospitals are not bursting at the seams with new outbreaks of rare disease, but with the same patients returning month after month, year after year: For refills. For repeat tests. For more control, never a cure. And the medicine, chemical, industrial, and impersonal, is not designed to heal, only to manage. And in this management lies the business model that has entrapped modern healthcare. There is no profit in curing the patient. A cured patient is a lost customer. But a controlled patient, someone with lifelong prescriptions, check-ups, and dependence, is the ideal client for the system. 

 

The Real Cure Lies Within Us  is what I would like to be beautifully summarized -  what the healing revolution must look like: 

 

 “Unless these patients are willing to change their entire lifestyle and thinking… and depend on their own healing powers God gave them.”  

 

That is the divine medicine, the immune system, the microbiome, the regenerative capacity, the emotional and spiritual balance, and the vital force God breathed into us when He made us “fearfully and wonderfully.”  

 

(Psalm 139:14)

 

True healing is not in another chemical pill, another diagnostic label, or another consultation fee... But in: The restoration of the body’s natural harmony, nutrition and fasting, exercise and deep sleep, stress release, love, forgiveness, purpose, and reconnection with the Source of Life. We are a treater of a disease, not a healer, not a manager of disease.  Despite the system doctors are trained in, there are limits. 

 

We should not be a functionary of Rockefeller’s vision. We need to be a teacher who reveals the truth not as a "healer". A doctor can only treat the sick, but not heal him. A doctor has no divine power to heal anyone. He can only treat with medicines and surgery, but not heal. Only our own body can heal itself, not the doctor. A doctor is just a treater.  I shall explain that in detail  in another article.  The world needs doctors  who speak truth without fear, Honour the sacredness of the body, teach patients to take back control of their health, and lead by the highest principle in medicine:

 

 

"primum non nocere" (first do no harm) 

 

It is the Latin phrase  often associated with the Hippocratic Oath in the field of medicine, both in allopathy and in naturopathy, probably in other systems of medicine as well. 

 

Fortunately I am not alone. Though I may feel alone in truth, know this, I am never alone. I am part of a quiet but growing movement of doctors, including a lot of my former colleagues, researchers, and seekers of wisdom who are returning to the roots of true medicine. Some doctors are already a light-bearer, a voice in the wilderness, calling for truth, balance, and healing, not through domination of disease, but through the awakening of life. 

 

Remember that the body was designed to heal, and that trust belongs not in institutions, but in truth itself. 

 

 

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