EXPOSED! The Biggest SCAM in Medicine
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 8, 2018
You can’t turn on the TV these days without seeing a news story or commercial about some new “breakthrough” drug.
This one is going to lower your cholesterol 20%… or that one is going to reduce your stroke risk 35%.
But trust me… these claims are NEVER what they seem.
In fact, they’re based on a statistical SCAM that is being used by drug companies and medical researchers right now.
And learning how to identify this scam is critical if you want to avoid drugs, surgeries, and other procedures you don’t need.
How excited would you be if I told you that you could lower your risk of heart attack or stroke by 1.5%?
Not too excited, I’m guessing.
But what if I told you could lower your risk of heart attack or stroke by 21%?
Now you’re interested, right?
But here’s the thing: Those numbers come from the same study.
No, I’m not using fake math. But the research scientists who wrote the study certainly were.
The scientists in a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine were testing a drug and found it reduced heart risk by 1.5%.
But here’s the key — that number represents the absolute reduction in risk and not a relative reduction.
What do I mean by that?
An absolute reduction in risk shows how much your risk decreases for a certain disease. The drug in this study reduced the risk of heart disease from 7.4% (the general risk anyone has of getting heart disease) to 5.9%.
All you have to do to get the absolute reduction is subtract the general risk (7.4) from the risk with the drug (5.9) and you get a 1.5% reduction.
A relative risk, though, is the change between the two numbers–which you can determine by dividing 5.9 by 7.4 and that equals .79 (or a 21% change).
Guess which number the study authors chose?
Of course, they chose the 21% change–not only does it sound better, they can also advertise a 21% reduction and get away with it.
That 21% is a license to print money for the drug company… even though the study showed this drug doesn’t reduce your heart risk much at all.
This is the biggest scam in medicine. And many… if not most… drugs today are sold based on it.
So the next time you hear about some drug that’s supposed to slash your risk of something by 20%… or 30%… or 40%, just remember this.
Buyer beware. Those numbers aren’t what they seem.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Ease Anxiety with THIS Belly Hack
I’m always encouraging patients to focus on their gastrointestinal health. It’s often overlooked—and well-balanced belly bugs are vital for overall good health. So I’m not surprised that I’ve seen a lot of folks lately who have told me that working on their gut balance has been absolutely LIFE-CHANGING. But it’s NOT in the way you’re...
Is Fish Oil Enough? (What You Might be Missing Out On)
I love talking about the active elements in foods because it highlights the powerful health benefits of those individual ingredients. Take fish oil, for instance. If you search the Living Well Daily archives, you’d likely find THOUSANDS of references to this golden fish extract. Fish oil contains the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and...
The STUNNING Truth About Back Pain
“I feel like I can barely do anything anymore because of my back pain. I’m always taking pain meds. What else can help?” – Ed, Huntsville, AL Hi Ed, Brace yourself. What I’m about to tell you about back pain will no doubt come as a surprise. It might even seem downright unbelievable at first....
FILTHY FACTS About Your Cell Phone
Taking a trip to the bathroom used to be a break from the chaos of daily life. It’s likely at least partially responsible for the nickname restroom. After all, there wasn’t much to do in that room unless you had a magazine to read. But nowadays, for many of us, the restroom is anything BUT...
EAR Test Protects Your BRAIN?
Hearing loss has a habit of sneaking up on folks. Typically, it happens so slowly that you don’t notice it until you’ve lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of hearing. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 8 percent of adults 55 to 64 have disabling hearing loss. That number jumps to 25 percent for people...
Missing "Lucky Penny" Mineral Harms Your Heart
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Some nutrients get all the glory. There are the vitamin A-Listers like C, D, and E. And although minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium might be considered B-List stars, they ALSO get their fair share of attention. But one vital nutrient never gets to walk the red carpet. And that...
Risk of Stroke SURGES 50% Worldwide?!
It’s NOT good news. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed that the chance of having a stroke has skyrocketed by a whopping 50 percent in the last twenty years. According to the WHO, that means your stroke risk is now about one in four. Next time you’re in a crowd, look...
Is Tofu GOOD for You? (The Truth REVEALED)
I often wonder why so many people are passionate about tofu. There’s something about it that triggers strong emotions. Some folks HATE it, while others LOVE it. But is it good for you? Well, it’s complicated. Tofu is a fermented soy product. It tastes bland alone. But it takes on the taste of whatever you...
Bizarre New Cell Phone Risk (Beware)
I sometimes joke with my (adult) kids. “Do you know,” I ask, “that the PHONE you carry around with you all the time can make phone calls?” They laugh and mumble, “Old,” under their breath. I swear the generations who grew up with a cell phone attached to their palm will do almost anything to...
MAILBAG: Crush COPD Symptoms NATURALLY
“Got any natural treatments for COPD?” – Mike, Ann Arbor, MI Dear Mike, Unfortunately, COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, is a common condition. In fact, it’s now the third leading cause of death in the United States. COPD causes the airways to constrict, making breathing difficult or uncomfortable. Persistent coughing, excess mucus production, wheezing,...