With pharmaceutical advertising urging us to pop a tablet to fix all our woes, it is all too easy to look for a “quick fix” when there are better ways to improve health. Here is a list of the Top 10 medications to avoid. If you are already using one or more of these medicinal “bad guys” then consult with your physician about making some changes. Exercise common sense - don’t just throw them in the bin!

 

  1. Anti inflammatories: (aspirin and ibuprofen) Because they are available across the counter, people think they are “safe”. Many people exceed the recommended dose thinking that if one is good, two will be better. They damage the stomach and intestines, and do long term kidney damage. Increasing Omega-3 fats using fish oil is a better option. There are also natural alternatives – consult a naturopath.
  2. Beta Blockers: These increase the risk of diabetes. Lower your cholesterol levels with sensible diet and exercise instead. Taking psyllium husks regularly will both lower your cholesterol levels and improve intestinal function.
  3.  Statins: These are even worse than beta blockers. More money is spent on prescriptions to combat their side effects than on the drugs themselves. Diet and exercise is the answer. You can’t pop a Big Mac and then pop a pill to “fix” it!
  4. Weight Loss Pills:  Not only do they not work, but they have dangerous side effects. There IS NO QUICK FIX. The only answer is a lifestyle change.
  5. Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: again, the answer lies in diet, not pills. Unless you’re seeing a specialist gastroenterologist it is unlikely that pills are the best answer. Most medications actually make the condition worse. Correct fiber balance is essential. Bran is no longer recommended. It is too harsh. Psyllium husks are more effective. Self medication can be dangerous – not all “natural” alternatives are automatically safe. Consult a trained naturopath. 
  6. Painkillers: like anti inflammatories, they are dangerous because people self medicate, believing that they are harmless. The result is liver and kidney damage, and drug dependencies. Use with great caution, preferably under medical supervision.
  7. Anti Depressants: Used in conjunction with therapy, they can be very effective but they are not meant to be used long term. They can actually make things worse. If they are not being prescribed as part of a holistic course of treatment, then they should be avoided. If you are already addicted, then seek help to come off them.
  8. Diabetes Drugs: If they are not being used in conjunction with lifestyle changes, numerous side effects can result. They should only be used as part of a careful management plan, focusing on improved diet and exercise.
  9. Sleeping Pills: They may knock you out but they don’t result in healthy sleep patterns and are very addictive. They are a useful quick fix for someone undergoing severe stress, but rapidly become dangerous when used long term.
  10. Bone Building Drugs: there is evidence that they actually hasten the onset of osteoporosis. To absorb calcium you need Vitamin D (from sunlight) and a low protein diet. Weight bearing exercise plus dietary changes are safer and more effective.

 

If you have been prescribed one or more of these drugs and have been taking them long term, talk to your physician. If you don’t receive a sympathetic hearing, then consider changing to someone who is more health orientated and not so dedicated to pill pushing!