About half of the population currently uses at least one prescription drug. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) reports that more than 40 percent of people 65 and older take 5 or more medications and more than a third of them will suffer an adverse drug event each year.  This is in part due to age-related physiological changes and multiple health problems, but can also be the result of clinicians not evaluating if every prescription is still needed.

The four most prescribed drugs in order are vicodin, statins, hypertension medications, and synthoroids.  Here are some natural alternatives to the common disorders these prescription drugs treat:

1. Pain control: Vicodin, the most commonly prescribed medication is a commonly used pain killer. It is a combination of Hydrocodone and acetaminophen - a potent pain-blocker, and a pain and inflammation reducer. Together the two compounds form a very effective pain-killer that is prescribed to control moderate to severe pain from dental surgeries to sports injuries.  Although the medication can reduce pain over time one can develop tolerance, this mean that a larger dose is required to control the same level of pain. Additionally taken in large doses the medication can result in liver dysfunction, and addiction.

Alternative methods to control pain should be explored to reduce once dependence on these medications. One example is acupuncture. The stimulated muscle sends a message to the CNS causing the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that block the message of pain.  Acupuncture is endorsed by the American college of rheumatology, to control pain from chronic conditions.  It can also be used for:

·         Dental pain

·         Headaches

·         Tennis elbow

·         Fibromyalgia

·         Carpal tunnel syndrome

2. Statins and hypertension medications:  A large proportion of the population relies on medications to control blood pressure and high cholesterol. Statins prevent your liver from making cholesterol by blocking a necessary enzyme. Hypertension medications tops 144 million each year. Diet and exercise are key to decreasing ones need for these medications.

Diet focused on increasing fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy foods.  You should limit sugar sweetened foods, red meat and added fats.  A low sodium diet can result in an even greater reduction.  A healthier diet also results in lower cholesterol.  Some key cholesterol lowering foods are:

• Fatty fish
• Walnuts
• Oatmeal
• Oat bran

3. Synthroid/levothyroxine: is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat patients with low thyroid hormone. Symptoms of hypothyroid: decreased energy, cold sensitivity, brittle hair, dry skin, constipation, weight gain, depression.  While the majority of cases of hypothyroid in the United States are due to autoimmune attack of the thyroid gland, world-wide iodine deficiency plays a large role.

Because iodine cannot be stored for long times in the body, tiny amounts must be consumed regularly, but food grown in iodine poor soil will not provide sufficient dietary iodine. Most people, however, are able to meet their iodine requirements by eating seafood, seaweed, iodized salts and plants grown in iodine-rich soil.