As part of the healthcare debate, I hear regular interviews with healthcare industry representatives who claim that there is no epidemic of childhood mental health problems (autism, ADHD, eating disorders, depression….) and there is no epidemic of cancer. On the contrary, the apparent epidemic is really just a result of improved medical care. Today we have tests and treatments to make people healthier and as a result are diagnosing problems more frequently.

Do you have cancer? Aren’t you pleased to know that if you had been alive 100 years ago you wouldn’t have had cancer? Your symptoms would have been dismissed as normal aging! Three of four grandparents in my nuclear family have had cancer. One of them has had two separate types of cancer. Who is alive today without a parent or grandparent in the family with cancer? This is supposed to be a result of longer life expectancy and better detection? Nonsense!

Far more tragic, the epidemic of childhood mental health problems is relegating millions of children to a lifetime of reduced expectations. Marginally functional adults profoundly weaken our society as a whole. Many adults in my wife’s family teach in the primary schools and many teach special education classes. The need for special education is stretching the resources of school districts nation wide. This is not about over diagnosis. Educators dislike labeling and segregating children and make every effort to keep children in the mainstream. Despite their best efforts, enrollment in special education classes is relentlessly rising.

Mainstream medicine has no incentive to call attention to this epidemic. Many kids in special education classes start taking multiple drugs early and provide a steady stream of income to doctors and drug companies for decades. The medical industry now depends upon a steady supply of these children to meet their payrolls.

Vitamins are not a reliable cure for cancer, childhood mental health problems, or many of the other epidemics associated with modern life. Most of these problems, however, are correlated with cavities. Vitamins do prevent cavities. Read more here andhere.

Don’t believe medical industry spokesmen claiming that modern medicine is saving us from problems that we were doomed to have because of genetic vulnerabilities. The vast majority of individuals have fantastic genes entitling them to a long and healthy life. The problem is usually with diet and toxins in the environment. The most important components of the diet are the four vitamins associated with deficiency diseases – vitamin C, vitamin D, niacin, and thiamine. If you are looking for good doses to start with, click here.

Today’s children are entitled to a long and healthy life unencumbered by drugs, tests, procedures, and doctor visits. If you’re concerned about the health of children in your family, there is much to gain and almost nothing to lose by providing them with ample doses of vitamin C, vitamin D (from sunshine is safer than from supplements), niacin, and thiamine.