Rethinking Medication Overload: Are We Taking Too Many Pills?
The article highlights the growing concern of polypharmacy—the simultaneous use of multiple medications—particularly among the elderly. It discusses how, while medications are essential for treating various ailments, their overuse can lead to adverse effects, drug interactions, and increased strain on vital organs. The piece emphasizes the need for a more judicious approach to prescribing and consuming medications.
The Kamikaze Nature of Medications
Once ingested, whether orally or intravenously, medications enter the bloodstream and act systemically. This widespread distribution means that, in addition to targeting specific issues, drugs can inadvertently affect other bodily functions. They may interact with natural peptides, hormones, cytokines, and other active substances in the blood, leading to unforeseen consequences. This indiscriminate action is akin to a kamikaze mission—while the primary target may be addressed, collateral damage is a significant risk. A Kamikaze attack, by definition, is a suicide attack where, while the enemy may be decimated, the kamikaze pilot also vanquishes in the execution. Similarly, medications may target specific ailments but often come with unintended, harmful side effects that affect the body's overall health.
Drug Interactions and Dietary Considerations
A further complication arises when multiple medications are taken concurrently. Drugs can interact with each other, sometimes negating each other's effects or, worse, causing harmful reactions. Additionally, certain medications can interfere with the beneficial effects of a healthy diet, diminishing the positive impact of nutrients and leading to suboptimal health outcomes.
Beyond prescribed medications, most people also consume a variety of supplements and booster pills, adding to the complex biochemical chaos that the body must contend with. These additional compounds can further complicate interactions and increase the burden on metabolic systems.
Just to give what seems like a benign example of non-pharmaceutical interactions to highlight the point, while bananas are nutritious on their own, a key chemical element of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase in them, which is otherwise harmless, can negate the effect of many of the flavonoids and other positive elements in nutritious foods like blackberries by 84%. In other words, by adding bananas to your smoothie, you may as well not have added many of the other often more expensive and nutritious elements. This example closely mirrors what drug interactions in a great many cases do.
Side Effects and Long Term Risks
The side effects of medications often become more pronounced as one ages. Chronic use of pharmaceuticals can lead to muscle atrophy, contributing to conditions such as arthritis, low mood, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's. Autoimmune diseases and Parkinson’s are also linked to long-term medication dependence. In some cases, medications may even contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction—an underlying factor in many cancers. These risks highlight the importance of considering alternatives to pharmaceuticals and focusing on lifestyle interventions that support overall health.
An example from my own experience is that of an acquaintance in his late sixties who otherwise could've been considered the poster child for good healthy ageing, passed away suddenly from a heart attack and stroke, with no forewarning. However, despite his apparent good health, he was battling with prostate enlargement and was taking alpha blockers which relaxes blood vessels to mitigate it. The problem is that an indicated side-effect of this medication is a first-time heart event and/or stroke—that is, a heart attack or stroke in someone who previously may have shown no reason to be concerned about it as was the case here. And although the risk is initially low, it increases significantly with age and length of use.
An analysis at an Indian hospital found that close to 40% of cases were attributed to drug-induced diseases, highlighting the significant impact that medications can have as contributors to health problems.
Organ Strain and the Burden of Elimination
The body's organs, particularly the liver and kidneys, are responsible for metabolizing and excreting medications. Overmedication places an increased burden on these organs, potentially leading to damage or reduced functionality over time. This strain underscores the importance of cautious prescribing and the need to avoid unnecessary medications.
The Role of Physical Activity
Interestingly, the article points out that one of the most effective systemic remedies is muscle activation through physical activity. Exercise promotes the release of the body's endogenous "medicine"—natural compounds that help regulate and maintain health. However, the overuse of medications can compromise this natural healing process, creating a vicious cycle of dependency and diminishing returns.
The KineDek AI-CRT Advantage
Given the above, Vekta Innovations asserts that its KineDek AI-CRT technology amplifies the well-established benefits of "exercise as medicine". While traditional exercise is often considered superior to medications for promoting long-term mental and physical health, KineDek AI-CRT offers a more efficient and effective solution. Its physiological mechanism does not trigger an immune response, enabling the body to maximize these benefits without the usual strain or recovery delays associated with conventional workouts.
This assertion is supported by anecdotal case studies demonstrating remarkable health improvements, including reduced recovery times, enhanced cardiovascular health, and mitigation of chronic conditions. Vekta challenges any interested party to conduct their due diligence to explore and validate these claims.
Vekta does not advocate against taking medication, but as far as possible, medicine should be viewed as a short-term necessary intervention. Once a healthy lifestyle can be adopted, it may mitigate the necessity for taking a cocktail of meds just to fight the effects of ageing and the consequences of lifestyle diseases.
Prostate Health Considerations: Core muscle strength, especially abdominal strength, plays a crucial role in supporting prostate health. Weak abdominal muscles can increase pressure on the prostate, affecting circulation and limiting lymphatic drainage, potentially exacerbating inflammation or other prostate issues. KineDek AI-CRT targets core strength effectively, aiding in circulation and lymph flow around the prostate during activities like walking and breathing, thus contributing to prostate health.
Conclusion
While medications play a crucial role in modern medicine, their overuse poses significant risks. A balanced approach that includes lifestyle modifications, such as regular physical activity, alongside prudent medication use, is essential for optimal health. As the article from The Economist suggests, it's time to re-evaluate our reliance on pills and consider more wholesome approaches to well-being.
References & Further Reading
The Economist: "Too many people take too many pills." economist.com
The Pharmaceutical Journal: "How polypharmacy has become a medical burden worldwide" pharmaceutical-journal.com
Harvard Health: "Are you taking too much anti-inflammatory medication?" harvard.com
Health: "Adding Bananas to Your Berry Smoothie May Make It Less Nutritious, Study Finds" health.com
National Institute on Aging. "The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults." nia.nih.gov
Johns Hopkins Medicine. "Polypharmacy in Adults 60 and Older." hopkinsmedicine.org
Urology Times: "Common BPH medications raise cardiac failure risk." urologytimes.com
PubMed: "Drug-induced diseases (DIDs): An experience of a tertiary care teaching hospital from India" nih.gov
