Today's headlines discuss the recent study showing 'digestive aid products' like Prilosec, PepcidAC, and other acid blockers (Tums, Maalox etc.), have been shown to be connected to an increase in hip fractures in those over 50 years of age. The reason? As a result of neutralizing acid in our stomachs due to heartburn, gas and other digestive discomforts, the secondary result is that calcium's absorption is decreased--making for weaker bones. The recommendation, according to the study, is that doctors become much more judicious in prescribing these medications and individuals reduce their over the counter purchase of these as well.
You may not be aware of this...but 'digestive aids' are the number two non-prescription drug purchased in this country! After the aspirin/pain killer category, we're popping digestive aids like candy! Watch television for more than one hour and you are almost guaranteed to see some commercial suggesting that you can eat anything you want, no matter how discomforting and then pop a pill for immediate relief. And so, we do! Like lambs to the slaughter, we just go
nonchalantly along, taking these products--all the while assuming all is fine!
But its not fine! This cycle of eating junk food in massive quantities not only has led to a huge obesity epidemic in this country (and let's be real...when 30% of the population is obese--this is an epidemic! If 30% of the population had pneumonia--we'd call that an epidemic, right? Well, then obesity is one too--even if it is one that we create ourselves!), but also a huge increase in diabetes, and a host of other health issues. Parallel this with the rise in health insurance costs (someone has to pay for this!!!!) and you'll see that we have set ourselves up as fools! We've relinquished our bodies as we've allowed ourselves to be conned into lethargy through our diets!
All of you who read this blog and know about Life Puzzle making, know how passionate I am about nutrition and healthy eating! Good nutrition is the cornerstone for the energy you'll need to create a whole and dynamic life! For years I've taught a session called, "In one end and out the other"--a class on what happens after you swallow food and it travels through your digestive track. In that session, I show you how detrimental those 'acid blockers' are to your digestive system and your body. Today's report by these researchers completely validates what I've said for years--that if you disrupt the digestive system by neutralizing acid in the stomach, you'll end up disturbing the whole system--because nutrients that are not broken down in the stomach can't be absorbed later through the small intestine! At the same time, this undigested food ends up in the large intestine and now must be eliminated through bowel movements. But because of what we did up at the top by neutralizing acid--things don't work right at the bottom--so we pop another pill for laxatives!
These drug companies are laughing all the way to the bank on your poor health! They supposedly 'solve' one problem for you at the top of the digestive system but then create another one at the bottom--talk about a fabulous marketing program! Get them coming and going!
Bottom line is, if you're going to have good health you're going to have to stop popping those pills and begin eating a healthy, nutritious diet. I know this is true--I was once a junk food junkie myself--with all the inherent digestive problems that go with that. And I can tell you, no amount of pills can equal the joy of living when you're eating a healthy diet! So, if you're popping these acid blockers...pick up the bottle, throw it away forever and vow instead to make 2007 a year of healthy eating!
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