Tell me, what would you think of each of these scenarios? 

Let’s say I put Coca-Cola in the gas tank of my car and had to have it towed and repaired.  Then I kept putting MORE Coca-Cola in my gas tank over and over because after all, the mechanic can fix it. 

Hopefully you’d say, “Um, Sher, why don’t you just stop dumping soda in your tank to begin with?” 

Or let’s say I have a porch railing that is rusting, and I just slather paint on it.  When the rust bubbles back up, I just keep putting paint on it because that hides the rust. 

You’d likely tell me to scrape the rust off first, THEN paint the railing! 

Or what if I slammed my thumb with a hammer, put ice on it to take away the pain and swelling, then slammed it again because after all, the ice will make it feel better. 

You’d probably call the men in the white coats to take me away, as you said, “Stop slamming your thumb, dummy!” 

Well, silly as these examples are, they illustrate the logic, manner of working and effectiveness of most medications. 

Here’s what I mean: 

Cover it up, block it, disable it or fool it! 

Instead of correcting any underlying problems and/or supporting normal healthy body function, medications “work” (and I use that term VERY loosely) by interfering with, stopping or downright destroying one or more of your body’s organs, functions, enzymes or processes to achieve a desired “result.” 

For example, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) alleviate heartburn by shutting down your stomach’s acid secretions so there is less acid to come rising up in your throat.   

But this destroys your digestion (because acid is needed to break down proteins), reduces nutrient absorption (increasing your risk of fractures) and makes you more susceptible to food borne illness.  

And the long-term effects including increasing your risk of kidney disease, heart attack, dementia and death too!  

Statins “work” to lower your blood cholesterol level by shutting down your liver’s ability to make it. 

But playing games with your liver opens up a Pandora’s box of potential side effects including liver failure, increased risk of diabetes, memory loss, kidney stones, GI inflammation, muscle pain, kidney failure, anemia, abnormal heart rhythm and death. 

And antidepressants are arguably some of the most dangerous medications on the planet.  They “work” by preventing your brain from vacuuming up excess serotonin like it’s designed to. 

Sorry, but messing with your brain’s functioning is an invitation for disaster to come knocking.  

Side effects of antidepressants can include fatigue, liver disease, the development of a tic, hostility, suicidal thoughts, sudden heart stopping, seizures, nightmares and blindness!   

In addition, studies have shown that antidepressants can deplete your body’s stores of crucial brain nutrients—CoenzymeQ10 (CoQ10), magnesium and vitamins B2, B6, B12 and folate—which can in turn trigger depression. 

So they worsen the very thing they are supposed to help! 

Stop the madness! 

When you take measures to support your body and help it work the way it’s supposed to, you are naturally decreasing your chances of developing a sickness or disease! 

Now, there will be times where medications are necessary and appropriate, but trust me, we have gone WAY overboard and have thrown healthy habits to the wind while we pop our meds and wait for them to create false health for us. 

Listen, if you want to get on the road to real health and lessen your chances of needing medication, it’s not rocket science. 

Here are the 4 steps you need to take: 

Step 1: Remember you are what you eat 

If you eat processed junk, refined carbs and soda, you can count on living a sickly, medicated existence—it’s a given. 

But the great thing is no matter where you’re starting from, eating better foods will have a positive effect on your health! 

The more you gravitate toward wholesome real foods, the more your body will thank you with things like less constipation, gas and bloating and more energy.   

Eventually as your body becomes “cleaner” and nourished, you can also experience things like better sleep, fewer aches and pains, clearer skin, improved moods and even lower blood pressure! 

If you need guidance on how to enjoy a healthy yet delicious diet, check out my Great Taste No Pain health system. 

In addition to living up to the “Great Taste” promise by giving you a collection of delicious recipes, Great Taste No Pain shows you how to pair your foods together in your meals to promote smoother, more efficient digestion. 

And that means bye-bye acid reflux, IBS, and much more! 

Step 2: Supplement appropriately 

Supplements are meant to help the body along in achieving and maintaining a strong state of health.  Here are some safe, natural alternatives to dangerous medications: 

Acid reflux and heartburn 

If you’re troubled by acid reflux and heartburn a lot and are a slave to Tums or PPIs, Digestizol Max digestive enzyme formula can help turn that around!  Digestizol Max can pinch hit alongside your body’s own enzyme reserves and naturally pave the way for better digestion and no more acid reflux. 

And Gastro BeCalm Blend can help fight H. pylori, the bacteria behind most ulcers!  It’s natural herbal formula also helps ease stomach inflammation and supports sound digestion. 

Aches and pains, high blood pressure 

If aches and pains are your concern and you take NSAIDs, or you’re on dangerous meds for high blood pressure or cholesterol, a deficiency of Omega-3 fats may be the culprit behind your problems, and all the meds in the world can’t change that. 

But a pure Omega-3 fish oil formula like VitalMega-3 can help by addressing the root cause of your problem.  VitalMega-3 provides the soothing, anti-inflammatory fats that your body desperately needs to control inflammation. 

And turmeric (as found in our Optimal Turmeric Blend) is also fast emerging as a superstar pain reliever too! 

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties can help ease the pain associated with inflammatory conditions like arthritis.  As a matter of fact, some studies have shown it to be MORE effective at reducing joint swelling and tenderness than diclofenac sodium—a common arthritis medication! 

Autoimmunity, allergies, heart disease and cancer prevention 

In addition to building strong bones, Vitamin D helps to tame the inflammatory immune reactions associated with autoimmune conditions (like lupus, Crohn’s, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, etc.) as well as allergies, and it protects against cancer and heart disease too! 

Unfortunately, Vitamin D deficiency is rampant in our society today, largely due to our fear of the sun and skin cancer.   

To ensure your body maintains a health-supporting level of this crucial nutrient, Optimum DK formula with FruiteX-B is your ticket! 

Optimum DK formula provides 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D3, as well as vitamins K1 and K2 and the mineral boron, which work together to protect you and support proper immune reactions. 

Step 3: Get regular exercise 

Now, don’t grunt at me!  You MUST get some form of exercise if you want any chance of staying disease and medication-free. 

But you don’t have to run a marathon or go to a gym!  Even brisk walking is helpful.   

There are also DVD programs you can use in the comfort of your own home. 

If your mobility is limited, yoga has been shown to help improve flexibility and fitness.  Swimming is another good choice if you are looking for low-impact activities.   

The important thing is, just do something.   

Step 4: Explore safe, natural healthcare options 

There are many wonderful options out there to help with various aches, pains and physical challenges that don’t involve medications! 

Here are some to consider: 

• Physical therapy 
• Acupuncture 
• Chiropractic care 
• Hypnotherapy 
• Naturopathy 
• Meditation 
• Massage therapy 
• Biofeedback 
• Aromatherapy (check out our line of outstanding Holistic Blends Essential Oils!) 

Instead of getting caught up in the madness of medications and never really feeling better, see what a difference you can make when you help to create health instead. 

To your health, 

Sherry Brescia