Tarnicus: *snip*
We are a complex make-up of genetics and environment, and are the product of all of our ancestors. It is very easy for something to work on one person and not another as a result.
skeletonbow: That's pretty much my philosophy as well. I joined the "farmacy" bandwagon about 4 years ago and increasingly ever since and my health has paid off for the better ever since. I never go to the "pharmacy" anymore, by choice. Like you, it's just a personal decision that works for me though I never shove it at anyone else, although I do share info with people who are like minded or indicate interest. I do eat bacon though because... BACON
I used be very dogmatic about things I learned, in particular herbal medicine. I have since learned a lot more through experience, observation, research and communication. The conclusion that makes the most sense to me now is the above statement. The amount of times I have had doctors say to me "this should be doing x" and I say "no it isn't" and they disagree has been countless. I know what works for myself better than anyone else as I have inhabited this sack of flesh for almost 39 years. I don't care what a study says other than to use it as a possibility that something may work, and I will only "know" when I try. Some things that have worked in the past no longer do, and things that haven't worked may work, hence my comment on complexity. The learning still continues :)
Bacon is a perfect example of a difference between us, where we most likely have many similarities :) It was a visit to my mother's cousin's piggery when I was 7 that had me turn vegetarian. I went back to being omnivorous from 16 to 22, and realised that I wasn't living the way I desired, and have been a vegetarian ever since. I have never been a militant vegetarian but have certainly experienced a lot of "you should eat meat" comments, including from my old counsellor.
During our last meeting, she asked me once again if I was eating meat and I stated that I wasn't. She attempted to "should" me, and our conversation explored the nature of listening to one's senses. I told her that the only meat that has ever smelled good to me is my own burning flesh, and if that is the case(playing Devil's advocate) then should I not choose
"long pig" as my meat of choice? Her first response was "But that is against the law" which in no way invalidated my statement about listening to one's senses for choosing what to eat. For the record, I still haven't eaten human :P In a survival situation if plant food was lacking, I would choose insects and grubs first. I am not sure that my digestive tract could handle meat anymore.