A study published in the Annals New York Academy of Sciences entitled Evidence for and Pathophysiologic Implications of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Dysregulation in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome discussed the evidence for HPA axis insufficiency in CFS and FM. They conclude, “Our group has established the impaired activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is an essential neuroendocrine feature of this condition.”

Below is a review of the medical literature demonstrating how natural hormones are superior to their synthetic counterparts. The conclusion is clear that bio-identical hormones are a safe alternative to Premarin and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), marketed as Provera. The natural bio-identical hormones are very different from their synthetic versions, often having completely opposite physical and cellular effects. Thus, it is critical that women be given the information that these natural hormones do not have the negative side effects of the synthetic hormones and in no way pertain to the conclusions reached by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. Natural hormones are a safe and more conservative approach to hormone replacement therapy that does not carry the risks associated with Premarin and Provera.

UK researchers analyzed nine studies involving more than 100,000 patients and found that taking a daily aspirin to prevent heart disease increased the risk of serious stomach bleeds by 30% — but only decreased the risk of heart attacks by 10%. In other words, aspirin did a lot more harm than good. The researchers' conclusion: routine use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks isn't justified.

Last issue we began the discussion of how our health care system has lost its way. Doctors are losing the "Art of Medicine," and the so called "Science of Medicine" has been hijacked by drug company money. Let's look at this issue a bit closer, as it is a critical piece of the problem.