Although only a matter of one percentage point, the number of insured Americans taking prescription drugs for chronic conditions has now surpassed half, according to a mid-May Associated Press story.

From 2003 to 2006, 50% of Americans fell into that category. Now, 51% regularly take one or more prescriptions, the AP says.

The most commonly used drugs were those for lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol. Experts in the story attributed some of the increased prescription use to health problems stemming from obesity, as well as to the continual advertising of prescription drugs.

An early April story at Enzyme Experts explains that Vytorin, for the treatment of high cholesterol, failed to reduce heart disease risk in a clinical trial, according to a March 31 CBS/Associated Press story.

Another story from CNN said the use of Vytorin and Zetia, a component of Vytorin, significantly increased in the U.S. when they were featured in a $200 million advertising campaign. Sales were four times lower in Canada, where drug ads aren’t allowed.

Several other pharmaceutical drugs, as explained at Enzyme Experts, have shown poor or dangerous results.

Somewhat disturbing in the mid-May AP story was an estimate that about 1.2 million U.S. children are taking medications for type 2 diabetes, sleeping problems and stomach concerns – all of which were described as “adult conditions.”

At young ages, it’s probably not a good idea to expose children, or adults for that matter, to the risk of dependency on sleeping pills, as well as to the side effects of antacids and acid blockers.

Drugs that inhibit natural acid production are associated with increased risk of hip fractures, likely because calcium is not sufficiently absorbed, according to a story from MSNBC. In addition, restrained acid production could increase the risk of intestinal infection and bacterial overgrowth in the stomach and small intestine. According to MSNBC, the overgrowth of bacteria in the stomach could lead to pneumonia, vitamin B12 deficiency and stomach cancer.

Antacids, such as Tums and Rolaids, can cause problems with protein digestion and vitamin B12 absorption. Long-term use can interfere with absorption of other nutrients, including iron and calcium.

For safe, natural and nonaddictive support, WellZymes™ Sleep Enhance or any digestive enzyme supplement in the WellZymes™ line would make excellent alternatives to prescription drugs. Enzyme-based digestive supplements help address the root cause of stomach problems – improper digestion – rather than mask symptoms.

And as an alternative to blood pressure- and cholesterol-lowering drugs, WellZymes™ Cardiovascular Health provides herbs, nutrients and enzymes for maintaining healthy blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. From your health care practitioner, be sure to ask about BioSET™ Vascular Maintenance,™ which is indicated for high blood levels of cholesterol and/or triglycerides.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 8:01 pm and is filed under Enzymes Inc..

Tags: high blood pressure, prescription drug use, cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, sleep, antacids