Medical knowledge is increasing and is getting more refined. The fact that treatment modalities are altered to include such findings can only be positive. I am pretty sure that a MD with an ulcer got exactly the same advice as the rest of us. It simply was what was understood at that time. Then again, lifestyle has an effect on disease development and progression, if an MD cannot tell a patient that they are overweight (when they are massively obese) then this is plain insane (same goes for smoking).
There is a difference when you take a drug for an existing conditions which you must treat right now or when you are trying to prevent something long term. In the latter case the dosages are generally much smaller and drugs must be taken for a very long time (while having no symptoms of any kind) before one can even evaluate the benefit vs long term risks, in addition a large number of subjects are needed.

I would want to know what is available and have the option of making a choice, while knowing that there are no totally harmless drugs and this includes many vitamins and supplements.

M