But of course. The major contributors to sickness are the meat, milk and dairy industries both "short term" health problems (E-coli, salmonella, listeria, herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, etc.) as well as "long term" health problems (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc.). Then there are those who are in the business of milking the sick for all they can afford (and them some)... the surgery-chemo-radiation-drug pushing doctors, the streptococcus-loaded diet-drink/dairy-food pushing short-of-nurses hospital systems, and their comrades in the "banking big bucks all day long" crowd... the drug and pharmaceutical companies. But of course they have help from senior and other key government employees working for the DHHS/FDA, USDA, and EPA (among others), along with those in congress who accept PAC money and other favors from those who pollute, sell unhealthy substances, and make big bucks from the sickness industry... to shepherd favorable legislation on their behalf.

    Ever notice how many health-promoting items are not funded by health insurance and other programs? More is said about exercise and fitness... but that is excluded. More is said about eating better (less fatty foods, more fruits and veggies)... but the USDA continues to foist evermore milk and dairy products on the poor and school lunch programs. How many insurance plans will cover the cost of recovery from habit-forming substances such as tobacco and illicit drugs? Do you know of any insurance companies that will pay for herbs or vitamins?

    No... none of the above are a part of the wellness industry. Instead, they ARE the sickness industry that is geared to keep you on the pills, shots, and other dictates of "medical practice"... until death do you part. Then the mortuary companies will fight over what little remains of your estate.

A major part of the above problems that plague the sickness industry is a pronounced lack of "truth in labeling".

    Excluding the products that get us sick... the sickness industry (doctors, hospitals, drug companies) comprise ONE SEVENTH of America's economy... around 1.3 TRILLION dollars.

The wellness industry?

    This is a new industry... which began in earnest around twenty years ago. These are the exercise and fitness folks (but there is a lack of regulation, often poor business ethics which often taint some products and services), the herb and vitamin industries (also plagued by lack of adequate laws, regulations and monitoring), the drug industry backed and FDA approved CODEX (designed to make all herbs and drugs "by prescription only" in useful amounts) and of course, there are the "miracle cures" that purport to cure cancers and all manner of other human afflictions. All some of these ploys might do is provide a glimmer of hope... along with perhaps a bit of "placebo effect".

    Don't take me wrong... I am all for exercise and fitness, herbs, and vitamins, in addition to a more healthy diet.

    I submit that the greatest improvement to be made from poor health to better health will be realized by eliminating the CAUSES of such poor health... diets rich in animal fats, cholesterol, toxins, allergens, and carcinogens.

    That means no meats, no milk, no dairy, no processed foods, no fake stuff, no sodas, no pasteurized stuff, no irradiated stuff, etc.

A major part of the above problems that plague the wellness industry is a pronounced lack of "truth in labeling"

    That necessitates a switch to fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and lots of clean water (I have heard that reverse osmosis is the best).

    Think the deck is stacked against you? Not really. You are the consumer.... demand of your supermarkets offer fruit and vegetables from plants that are NOT genetically engineered, NOT picked green but rather vine ripened, and NOT sprayed with preservatives, waxes or other "stuff".

• Don't buy meats, milk and dairy.
• Don't buy fake stuff like Olean/Olestra, aspartame, acesulfame-K, MSG (by any of its 30 names), etc.
• Don't buy processed foods (TV dinners, pot pies, pizzas, etc.)
• Don't buy sodas and other non-nutritious beverages, including pasteurized fruit and vegetable juices.
• DO buy all manner of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, legumes and serve all LIVE and nutritious foods.
• DO create your own plant milks (for home-made cereals and soups, etc.).
• DO create your own plant-based protein substitutes for meats.
• DO buy an excellent water cleansing system.

   Perhaps with these changes you will be able to realize the projected 140 years of healthy and productive life they say is possible... instead of spending ten or so years dying at half that age (or younger).

    Thousands of substances cause cancer. A vast number of them are in meat, milk, dairy and processed foods. The more natural (read that fresh from an organic farm) the better.