PAIN
Drugs: NSAIDs & acetaminophen
Brand Names Include: Advil, Aleve, Motrin, & Tylenol
Overview: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDs, along with acetaminophen (which is not considered an NSAID), are the most commonly used drugs for pain relief. They are available as both OTC (over-the-counter) & prescription drugs. Every day, almost 30 million Americans use one of these drugs to relieve pain & inflammation.
Adverse Effects: Gastric ulcers, high blood pressure & kidney damage, elevated liver enzymes & liver damage, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, increased risk of heart attack & stroke; acetaminophen use is linked to acute liver failure
If you must use these drugs, replenish with: A daily multivitamin, glutathione
Natural Alternatives to Consider: Curcumin & boswellia for pain of any kind; alpha lipoic acid & B vitamins for nerve pain; type 2 collagen, glucosamine, & chondroitin for osteoarthritis pain.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Drugs: statin drugs (atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, & others)
Brand Names Include: Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, & Altoprev
Overview: Statin drugs are given by prescription to lower cholesterol levels, especially LDL, the ‘bad’ cholesterol. They work by blocking cholesterol production in the body. However, cholesterol is essential for hormone production, building cellular membranes, & synthesizing vitamin D. Use of these drugs dramatically reduces CoQ10 in the body. Several studies have found that the benefits of statin drugs in reducing the risk of heart disease are minimal at best.
Adverse Effects: Muscle pain, increased risk of diabetes, digestive issues, fatigue, memory problems, sleep problems, dizziness & headache
If you must use these drugs, replenish with: A daily multivitamin, CoQ10, minimum 5000 IU vitamin D daily
Natural Alternatives to Consider: Amla (Indian gooseberry) has been shown to increase beneficial HDL cholesterol levels while preventing the damaging effects of oxidized LDL cholesterol.
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Drugs: metformin, sitagliptin, semaglutide, insulin
Brand Names Include: Glucophage, Januvia, Trulicity, Ozempic
Overview: The first medication prescribed to lower blood sugar is usually oral metformin. Other types of medications, both oral & injected, are also used. These drugs work by stimulating the liver to release more insulin, increasing cell sensitivity to insulin, or by limiting the liver’s ability to release sugar.
Adverse Effects: (vary depending on the drug): Diarrhea, weight gain, headache, stomach pain, fluid retention, increased risk of heart problems, inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis)
If you must use these drugs, replenish with: A daily multivitamin with sufficient B vitamins, especially vitamin B12
Natural Alternatives to Consider: Hintonia latiflora especially for pre-diabetes; berberine with gamma cyclodextrin to enhance absorption; OPCs from French grape seed extract.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION)
Drugs: lisinopril, amlodipine, metropolol, furosemide, & many others
Brand Names Include: Zestril, Norvasc, Lopressor, Lasix
Overview: Anti-hypertensive drugs lower blood pressure in a variety of ways. Some help remove extra fluids from the body, some help open (dilate) blood vessels so blood flows more easily, & others block enzymes that can cause blood pressure to go up.
Adverse Effects: Blurry vision, unusual fatigue, dizziness when getting up from a sitting or lying position, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, sexual performance issues
If you must use these drugs, replenish with: A daily multivitamin, with additional zinc, magnesium, & calcium
Natural Alternatives to Consider: Grape seed & olive leaf extracts have been shown in clinical studies to lower blood pressure; red sage is useful for increasing nitric oxide levels & improving circulation.
HEARTBURN AND ACID REFLUX
Drugs: calcium carbonate, omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, famotidine
Brand Names Include: Tums, Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid
Overview: Both over-the-counter and prescription-strength antacid blockers & neutralizers reduce stomach acid levels, either directly by neutralizing stomach acid or by inhibiting the production of stomach acid.
Adverse Effects: Diarrhea & constipation, gas; long-term use of antacid medications can increase the risk of bone fracture, infection, kidney disease, & dementia
If you must use these drugs, replenish with: A daily multivitamin with sufficient vitamins B12 & C, calcium, iron, & magnesium
Natural Alternatives to Consider: DGL to address H. pylori infection & stomach ulcers; d-limonene & sea buckthorn to restore gastrointestinal motility & relieve acid indigestion & heartburn symptoms.
MOOD (ANXIETY & DEPRESSION)
Drugs: fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, alprazolam, venlafaxine, & many more
Brand Names Include: Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Xanax, Valium, Effexor
Overview: Many of the medications used to treat anxiety & depression work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin carries messages between nerve cells in the brain & throughout the body, & serotonin is sometimes referred to as a “feel good” hormone.
Adverse Effects: Confusion, memory loss, nightmares, nausea, mood swings, faulty judgment, liver damage, weight gain, sexual dysfunction
If you must use these drugs, replenish with: A daily multivitamin with additional calcium & vitamin D
Natural Alternatives to Consider: unique alkamide derived from E. angustifolia for quick relief of acute stress & anxiety; St John’s wort for mild to moderate depression; curcumin for both anxiety & depression; ashwagandha or Greek mountain tea for general mood support & stress relief.
LOW THYROID (HYPOTHYROIDISM)
Drugs: levothyroxine, dessicated thyroid
Brand Names Include: Synthroid Overview: If the thyroid gland has been removed, thyroid hormone replacement will be necessary for life; if the thyroid gland is present but not functioning normally thyroid hormone replacement may be prescribed.
Adverse Effects: Fatigue, hair loss, nervousness/irritability, chest pain, shortness of breath, vomiting/diarrhea, impaired fertility, decreased bone density, rapid or irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms, change in menstrual periods, change in appetite, intolerance to heat
If you must use these drugs, replenish with: A daily multivitamin & additional calcium
Natural Alternatives to Consider: Iodine with L-tyrosine provide the building blocks for thyroid hormones; seleniuim enhances conversion of inactive (T4) to active (T3) thyroid hormone; ashwagandha has been shown to boost thyroid function.