On Healthy by Nature this week: Stuart Tomc will discuss some exciting news about omega 3 supplements and our armed forces. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has taken notice of the benefits. Be a part of the show: 1-800-281-8255.

NEWS AND VIEWS

“Almost half of Americans took at least one prescription drug per month in 2008, an increase of 10 percent over the past decade, a U.S. study found. One of every five children ages 11 or younger took at least one medication each month in 2008…Among those ages 60 or older, 37 percent used five or more prescriptions per month.” These quotes are from an article in Bloomberg news reporting on findings from the Centers for Disease Control. 90% or more of seniors take prescription drugs and now fill an annual average of 38.5 prescriptions each—roughly twice as many as in 1992. The direct cost of medications represents 16% of the total cost of health care in the US. Source.

My 2 cents: Because many people now fill prescriptions by mail order out of foreign countries and those would not be on the radar, the totals are likely much higher than those quoted. There is also a huge hidden impact on health care costs because of the hospitalizations due to drug side effects. Unfortunately, studies are not done to see the effects of a person taking multiple medications. Because drugs are so often prescribed simply to relieve the side effects of other drugs, there is no reason this accelerating trend is likely to reverse any time soon. That’s unless consumers decide that “enough is enough already” and start seeking natural, logical solutions to the underlying imbalances that cause their symptoms.

RESEARCH

Study: Megadose Vitamins A, B6, C and E plus zinc cut bladder tumor recurrence in half.¹

My 2 cents: I mentioned this study during our recent anniversary show because it had been quoted by a former guest, Michael Janson, MD. Aside from the startlingly positive results, it is noteworthy because he talked about the study during our very first show—in 1997. The study was published in 1994. The lead author contributed to another journal article in 2002 which seemed to express some frustration that more had not been done to follow up the previous exciting findings. The article pointed out the problems of studying each nutrient individually.2 Antioxidants work as a team and I don’t think they should be split up because that is where some of these studies run into trouble. Taking more Vitamin C won’t make up for inadequate Vitamin E. Likewise, beta-carotene by itself is not anywhere near as safe and beneficial as a carotene complex. He also said “There is a mistaken notion that simply because an agent is naturally occurring, it cannot be as beneficial as taking a substance synthesized in the laboratory.” Well, Amen to that.

HEALTH HINT

If a child’s ears (or yours) turn red after exposure to a food, drink or environmental agent, Dr. Doris Rapp the famous allergist, says that is a clear clue to sensitivity. Likewise, if the nose runs, there is coughing or a change in handwriting, do more investigating. The body talks to us if we can just listen.

Don’t suddenly stop medications. Consult your health practitioner. This newsletter is educational and not a substitute for professional advice.

My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book : Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

Copyright 2010 Martie Whittekin, CCN

¹J Urol. 1994 Jan;151(1):21-6. Megadose vitamins in bladder cancer: a double-blind clinical trial. Lamm DL, Riggs DR, Shriver JS, vanGilder PF, Rach JF, DeHaven JI.

²Urol Clin North Am. 2002 Feb;29(1):157-68. Chemoprevention of bladder cancer. Kamat AM, Lamm DL.