What You Don't Know Can Kill You

Facts You May Not Know About Drugs and Supplements

There are some obvious causes of toxicity and others are not so obvious.  Our food supply is riddled with pesticides and insecticides that are meant to be deadly poisons for insects; and we, the end consumer, also get a dose of these chemicals.  Non-organic herbal supplements may be treated with pesticides that end up in our medicine cabinets.

Over the counter medication that might temporarily mitigate pain is a common source of toxicity.  The New England Journal of Medicine estimated that at least 103,000 patients are hospitalized per year in the United States for serious gastrointestinal complications due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. The FDA estimates that NSAID’s, (which includes aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen) account for a reported 200,000 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding, 107,000 hospitalizations and as many as 20,000 deaths each year.  The combination of Tylenol and aspirin can cause liver failure.

Synthetic vitamins are also a source of toxicity.  They have little to no benefit due to the low rate of absorption but they also put a burden on the kidneys and liver.

Prescription drugs, such as steroids and hormones are very toxic and should be taken only if there is no alternative and all other options have been exhausted.

Exploring wellness and healing through natural, organic methods is the way of today.  It is important to consider whether the benefits of synthetic drugs and supplements outweigh the risks involved with their consumption.

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