3. Statins
Prescribed for managing high cholesterol levels, statins are among the most common medications taken by adults. As of 2012, over 23% of all American adults over 40 reported taking statin drugs (such as Crestor, Zocor, Lipitor, Livalo, Mevacor, and Pravachol) (
4). On a short-term basis, side effects can include headaches, insomnia, muscle aches, nausea, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and rash. But the risks of long-term statin use are even more serious.
Long-term use of statins has been linked to a deficit of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin K2, increase your risk of breast cancer and diabetes and can raise the risk of Parkinson’s disease (
5).
If you have been diagnosed with high levels of LDL cholesterol, talk to your doctor about what you can change at home to help manage your levels naturally.
4. Antidepressants
1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 take antidepressants, according to the CDC (
6). One in ten! And 60% of those people have been taking antidepressants for more than two years in a row. Unfortunately, their side effects are plentiful; they include weight gain, low libido, nausea, problems sleeping, constipation, irritability, and anxiety. But for adolescents and children taking antidepressants, there’s also a heightened risk of suicide. (
7)
It’s crucial to note that antidepressants do work well for some people, but for many people, they simply aren’t an effective treatment. Pay special attention to your body and your wellbeing overall and work with your practitioner to find strategies that help you manage depression. Natural options to consider are exercise, minimizing processed foods and eating a nutrient-dense diet, and natural supplementation such as St. John’s Wort, magnesium and valerian root. Note: do not take yourself off prescription medication without the guidance of your practitioner, and keep in mind that some natural treatments such as St. John’s Wort are contraindicated with SSRI’s.
If you or someone close to you is showing signs of needing help, don’t ignore the red flags. The
Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at any time at 1-800-273-8255 or by chat online.
5. Opioids
While most doctors agree with the appropriate prescription of opioid painkillers for acute pain, opioids are not an appropriate solution for chronic conditions. Moreover, because of their highly addictive nature, even people who are prescribed opioids for a brief time (such as for post-operation recovery) can very easily become addicted and begin abusing their prescriptions. For this reason, there is a growing movement to avoid prescribing opioid painkillers altogether to reduce the risk. (Not to mention short-term side effects such as nausea and constipation).
If you’re preparing for a major surgery, talk to your doctor or surgeon about your recovery options and express your concerns about steering clear of potentially addictive substances. Likewise, if you struggle with chronic pain, it’s important to turn to as many natural solutions as possible to avoid dependence on drugs.
How to Find Alternative Treatment
You should never remove yourself from a prescription without speaking to your medical care provider about it. You can work with your family doctor or a naturopathic doctor to determine a plan to safely wean yourself off of a prescription and replace it with a natural and safer alternative that works for your lifestyle and your body.
Remember that there are many ways to keep your body healthy, and the first thing your doctor suggests is not always the best option for you. Holistic Nutritionist, Alina Islam summarizes it perfectly:
“Remember, just because a particular spice, herb or food does not have corporate-backed research worth millions of dollars, it does not mean there is no scientific explanation behind its benefits. It means there is lack of interest in pursuing the research.”