Total Health Management—The Proactive Imperative to Surviving America’s Reactive Health Care System
Dear Reader,
 The following information from Dr. Hyla Cass’s new book, Supplement Your Prescription, addresses the imperative of understanding the deleterious effect prescription drugs can have on our lives. In addition it offers essential information on avoiding serious interaction, as well as making prescription drugs work better for you.
According to Dr. Cass:
“We are taking prescription drugs in increasing numbers. Nearly 50 percent of American adults take at least one prescription medication, and nearly 20 percent take three or more. Over half of sixty-five-year-olds take three prescription drugs or more daily. There has also been a steady and dramatic increase in money spent on prescriptions—nearly $200 billion in 2004. That’s four and a half times the amount spent in 1990.
“The question is, are we healthier for it? Are these new drugs really improvements over older versions? While we hear daily of new drug miracles, more often, it’s the latest debacle: Baycol, a drug for lowering cholesterol, withdrawn because of deaths and transplants due to severe liver damage; Vioxx, for arthritis, withdrawn because of heart disease-related complications; and hormones such as Prempro, once seen as a boon to all post-menopausal womankind, now viewed as posing an unacceptable risk of breast cancer and heart attack.
“How can this happen? As physicians, we take the Hippocratic Oath to ‘first, do no harm.’ This means we pledge not to hurt our patients in any way, including by the treatments we recommend. But here is a staggering figure: almost every single prescription is in some way harmful. Just look at the warnings that come with each drug! So, if you’re going to use a medication, be sure it is the right one for the purpose, use it properly, and do what you can to minimize risks of adverse side effects.
“Among the most ignored side effects, which is quite common and can even be life threatening, is nutrient depletion. That is, most medications will rob your body of essential nutrients.”
Prescription drugs can rob you of the very vitamins and minerals your body needs to overcome your current health condition. Whether you suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic heartburn (GERD), arthritis, diabetes, or depression, the prescription drugs you are taking can actually make your condition worse.
Supplement Your Prescription offers essential information to complement your doctor’s advice. This straightforward, easy-to-use guide explains:
- How drugs interfere with your body’s ability to absorb and use vital nutrients.
- What nutrient depletions and side effects you can expect with the most frequently prescribed drugs.
- Which nutritional supplements and foods can safeguard against nutrient depletion and its health consequences.
- How specific diet changes and nutritional supplements can help you take control of your condition.
- Why it’s important to support your plan with a balanced diet, exercise, and other self-care basics.
- Where to go to find more information to become your own health advocate.
When asked why our doctors don’t warn us about the possible side effects of the drugs they prescribe, Dr. Cass suggests: “Most office visits are short, and time is limited. And the truth is many doctors have very little knowledge about nutrition and how it affects your overall health and well-being. As a result, your doctor is unlikely to tell you how to supplement your prescription.”
Dr. Cass doesn’t suggest individuals should self-medicate. She does, however, stress that we should all become students of our own health and the protocols suggested to enable us to stabilize or cure dysfunctions in our bodies.
We sincerely suggest Supplement Your Prescription be considered an inclusion in any Total Health Management library. Also that you share it with your practitioners, pharmacist and other individuals concerned with achieving and maintaining optimum health.
To learn more about Dr. Cass’ book, please refer to her column, “The Integrative Medicine Perspective,”.
In good health,
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