10 Natural Alternatives to Popular Prescription Drugs
Consider these clinically proven natural alternatives
February 2, 2016 | By Gale Maleskey, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Expert
natural drugsThis article originally appeared on Live in the Now.
All too often, people are made to believe that they have no options when it comes to taking a drug. If your doctor says you need a drug for a serious health problem, you might think it’s the only thing you can do. You may feel frightened at the prospect of going against your doctor’s recommendations and seeking out alternatives.
Drug safety is becoming a major concern among many health professionals. Reports to the FDA of serious adverse drug events, including deaths, have more than doubled in recent years. This is more than enough reason to do a little of your own research before you get that prescription filled.
Learn about the adverse side effects associated with the drug and seek out some secondary advice as to whether the risks outweigh the benefits. Consider what lifestyle changes you could make to improve your health and investigate some natural alternatives which may help you avoid taking prescription drugs.
With that in mind, these drugs have clinically proven natural alternatives worth trying:
#1: Ibuprofen vs. Glucosamine
NSAIDs like Celebrex, aspirin and ibuprofen do reduce the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis, but they can irritate your stomach. There is concern that, over time, they can make osteoarthritis worse by blocking the repair process. They have been found to actually retard the growth of cartilage.
Glucosamine, an amino sugar that is a constituent of cartilage, is comparable to ibuprofen for symptom relief, although it takes 4-8 weeks to work. What’s more, it seems to stimulate cartilage-building cells called chondrocytes. People taking glucosamine for up to three years had less knee joint degeneration, less joint space narrowing and significant symptom improvement when compared with placebo. An analysis of several studies suggests that glucosamine might reduce the risk of osteoarthritis progression by up to 54%.
#2: Ambien vs. Melatonin
Ambien can be a great help for people who need it. But like other pills in its class, it creates dependence — you end up unable to sleep without it. And it has troubling side effects, such as amnesia, daytime drowsiness, headache and dizziness.
Melatonin is the most studied natural remedy for insomnia. It is a hormone synthesized in the brain’s pineal gland that regulates the body’s sleep patterns. Melatonin production is influenced by day/night cycles. Light inhibits melatonin secretion and darkness stimulates secretion.
Melatonin is useful for older people with insomnia, blind people, jet lag and those in withdrawal from prescription sleep medication. Unlike most prescription sleep aids, melatonin has absolutely no risk for dependence. It is not habit-forming.
#3: Restasis vs. Fish Oil
Restasis is the immune-suppressing and inflammation-suppressing drug cyclosporine in an eye-drop form. It’s used for chronic dry eyes, and works by suppressing the inflammation that disrupts tear secretion. Side effects include burning, redness and discharge.
Getting more omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can help dry eyes. Tears contain oil, but if you don’t have enough oil in your tears, they don’t lubricate well and evaporate too fast. Consuming more essential omega-3s makes your tears oilier. Fish oil also reduces inflammation that can interfere with tear production. Plus, fish oil reduces your risk of developing macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in older people.
#4: Statins vs. Red Yeast Rice
Statin drugs like Lipitor, Crestor and Lovastatin are called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors because they reduce cholesterol by inhibiting an enzyme needed for cholesterol production. Side effects include liver and muscle damage.
Red yeast rice also contains a natural form of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, along with other compounds that help balance cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. Studies show that red yeast rice can significantly lower total and LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides when used consistently for 8-12 weeks. However, not all red yeast rice products are effective. So choose a quality product standardized for its active ingredients.
#5: Neurontin vs. Alpha Lipoic Acid
Neurontin (gabapentin) is an anti-seizure drug that’s become popular for all sorts of pain related to nerve damage, including diabetic neuropathy. Side effects include drowsiness, confusion, dizziness and trouble walking.
Alpha lipoic acid is a water- and fat-soluble coenzyme, naturally produced in the body, involved in energy metabolism. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant. It’s used to improve insulin sensitivity and to treat peripheral neuropathy in people with diabetes. It increases blood flow to nerves, raises levels of antioxidants and makes nerves conduct signals faster.
In one study, when people were switched from 600 mg a day of alpha lipoic acid to Neurontin, they experienced many more side effects and less pain relief. In a group left untreated, 73% developed neuropathic symptoms two weeks after stopping alpha lipoic acid treatment. The authors of this study concluded that alpha lipoic acid is “an effective, safe and cost-effective treatment option for the majority of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.”
#6: Fosamax vs. Calcium and Vitamin D
Fosamax (alendronate) is an osteoporosis drug called a bisphosphonate. It works by inhibiting the work of osteoclasts, bone cells that break down and remove old bone. It has a long list of possible side effects, including stomach ulcers and osteoneocrosis, or death of the jaw bone, resulting in tooth loss, pain and infection.
Calcium and vitamin D can help prevent your bones from reaching the point where you need Fosamax. Long-term calcium supplementation decreases primary fracture rates by 30% to 35% for vertebral bone and 25% for hip bone. It is estimated that 30 years of continuous calcium supplementation after menopause might result in a 10% improvement in bone mineral density and a 50% overall reduction in fracture rates, compared with women who do not take calcium supplements.
Vitamin D is just as vital. Its major functions are to maintain serum calcium within a normal range, enhance intestinal absorption of calcium and stimulate stem cells to become new bone-building osteoblasts.
#7: Prozac vs. Fish Oil
Prozac is a popular antidepressant, an SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor), which means it helps to keep the “happy” neurotransmitter, serotonin, floating around in your brain longer.
Fish oil is a win-win for anyone with depression because it can work by itself for some people, and it can safely help antidepressants work better. It gets incorporated into cell membranes, making them more fluid and responsive to the neurotransmitters that latch on to the cells’ receptor sites. Population studies show that people who eat more fish have a lower risk of depression and suicide.
#8: Donnatal vs. Peppermint Oil
Donnatal is prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome. It is an anti-spasmodic, so it relieves pain and cramping. Side effects include constipation, decreased sweating dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Peppermint oil has long been used to soothe cranky stomachs. It decreases gastrointestinal smooth muscle spasms, reduces abdominal pain, distention and flatulence and decreases diarrhea in 70% to 80% of patients. People with irritable bowel syndrome also often find relief by increasing their intake of soluble fiber and using probiotics for bloating and abdominal pain.
#9: Benadryl vs. Quercetin
Benadryl is a brand name for diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used to treat hay fever and other nasal allergies. It works by blocking receptor sites for histamine, the biochemical that causes the runny nose and scratchy eyes. These receptor sites are found on the cells in your nose, eyes and lungs. The drug’s main side effect is sleepiness. In fact, it is also used in over-the-counter sleep aids.
Quercetin is a compound found in many plants. It is considered a natural antihistamine because it can inhibit release of histamine from certain immune cells. Evidence suggests that quercetin inhibits antigen-stimulated histamine release from mast cells of patients with hay fever. It’s also a powerful anti-inflammatory.
#10: Glucophage vs. Cinnamon
Glucophage (metformin) is a diabetes drug that increases insulin sensitivity. It improves the sensitivity of insulin receptor sites on cells, making it easier for them to “pick up” insulin. This lowers blood glucose levels. Most common side effects include indigestion, headache and diarrhea.
Research suggests that cinnamon also improves insulin sensitivity by making receptor sites on cells “pick up” insulin better. One type of cinnamon in particular, Cassia cinnamon, can lower fasting blood glucose by 18% to 30%. Researchers have also found that taking cinnamon extract can lead to significant increases in lean body mass and a reduction in overall body fat. Cinnamon also has antioxidant properties that can fight aging and help your heart.
Poster Comment:
Some really good info on alternatives to pharmaceuticals.