Big Pharma Going to Poor Counties for Sales

Big Pharma Going to Poor Countries for Sales

Maybe this is the way we can increase America's health compared to the rest of world...

Last year there was a report showing that 51% of Americans were on at least one prescription drug. Astounding!

Imagine what that number would be if we started cooking from scratch more, exercising regularly and had a healthcare system that supported and educated us on these principles. Sure, there would still be prescription drugs, just significantly less.

There is an entire book on Drug Induced Nutrient Depletion, outlining all of the nutrients (ie. B vitamins and magesium) being depleted by our commonly used medications. So in chronic illness the question becomes are we seeing complications like diabetic neuropathy because the diabetes is uncontrolled or because we created B12 deficiency with our intensive drug program.

I just hope the physicians and healers of poorer countries can balance lifestyle improvement and the promotion of health with Big Pharma better than we have.

Beware of the PPIs

http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/news/20090702/stopping-ppis-causes-acid-reflux-symptoms?src=RSS_PUBLIC

A recent study shows that being the powerful acid-suppressing medications like Nexium and Aciphex for a couple months increase the chances of reflux upon stopping them.

I see this all the time. Folks are put on these meds for any type of GI symptom, asthma (which recently was not supported in the literature, but is still used),  or chest pain. They take them for a couple months and when they stop them, instant reflux. So they go back on them, convinced they have reflux and happily go about their life. Unfortunately, they promote increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome), osteoporosis,  and other vitamin/mineral deficiencies.

These can have huge ramifications on health, all from an innocent 2 month trial on "The Purple Pill".

In my clinic, if one of these meds is on the list, our first goal is to get off of it. My experience, supported by this new study is that it's not easy. Generally, big diet change is needed: elimination of gluten, more real foods like fruits and vegetables. Starting probiotics and maybe aloe or DGL licorice can often allow people to wean off the acid-suppressing meds, a huge victory in health promotion.

Moral of the story: If you need a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like Nexium for a reflux-like symptom. Take it for 6 weeks. Meanwhile, take the message from your body that something is not right. Cut out smoking, alcohol, caffeine, processed/refined foods and adopt solid whole foods nutrition and regular exercise. Stop the PPI and enjoy your health.