"Do I Really Need All These Pills?"

Two years ago, Ron Gerhart, in his late 50s and newly retired from the world of advertising, was taking prescription pills for both high blood pressure and high cholesterol. His doctor had recently doubled his daily dosage of Lipitor from 40 to 80mg.

Lots of medications, but little to cheer about. The extra Lipitor made his muscles ache. He was overweight.

And he just felt crummy. He wasn’t sleeping well. He was becoming less and less active, and asking himself: “Is this the way life’s going to be? Do I want to live my retirement years not feeling well?”

Baby Boomer Health

Plenty of others in Ron's generation, the 78 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964, have been asking themselves the very same questions as they enter their 50s and 60s paunchier, more fatigued, and more medication-strapped than they'd ever thought they'd be.

But this generation, who acquired more education than any previous generation, who grew up questioning the status quo and searching out alternatives, is once again spurring societal change. Many are asking: Are medications my only option? Is there a better, cleaner way to fend off chronic disease? Stay vibrant and healthy? Or can I at least reduce the dosages I'm on?

All good questions, especially considering recent bad news about prescription meds like Avandia, the diabetes drug, and Zetia (also found in Vytorin), the cholesterol reducer.

Side Effects

And the fact is: All drugs carry both risks and benefits. Beta blockers, for example, may make blood sugar and triglycerides more difficult to control, and may cause fatigue, weight gain, Type 2 diabetes, loss of motivation to exercise, depression, and impotence.

Statins' potential side effects include liver problems and muscle pain which, in its most severe manifestation - albeit rare - can lead to severe muscle breakdown and release of a muscle protein (myoglobin) that can cause kidney failure.

Some diabetes medications may cause excessively low blood sugar, liver damage, and heart failure.

That's why for many nationwide lifestyle alternatives are looking better and better. Exercise, diet, and other lifestyle changes, several studies have affirmed, are potent weapons in the war against this nation's epidemic diseases, including the #1 killer heart disease.

Consult With Your Physician

Of course, it's always vital to consult with your physician at home or at the Pritikin Longevity Center before making any changes in pills. "When it comes to medications, individualization is essential," cautions Dr. Ron Scheib, Medical Director at Pritikin.

"Each patient must work closely with his or her doctor. Yes, in our current health care system toxicity is a major problem, as is overuse of drugs, but the worst case scenario would be discontinuation of a drug followed by a significant event like a heart attack or stroke."

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