Are Over The Counter Drugs Safe? Surprising Side Effects and Safer Alternatives
Medications and health products that can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) at a pharmacy are assumed to be safe, but these products do carry the risk of side effects and health risks, especially when not used as recommended. The Drug Abuse Warning Network estimates that of the 2.1 million drug abuse emergency room visits, 27.1 percent involved nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals including prescription or OTC medications, and dietary supplements. Many people believe since these products are “over-the-counter,” that makes them safe.
That is not necessarily the case. Many OTC products have potential health risks, including side effects that impact heart health.
Sherry Torkos award winning pharmacist and author of Saving Women’s Hearts, has identified some of the most commonly used OTC product categories, some surprising side effects associated with these drugs, and smart alternatives to stay safe
1. Analgesics : Pain and discomfort from lifting, exercising, leg cramps and everyday life are often treated with over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Up to 70 percent of the population in Western countries use analgesics regularly, primarily for muscle and joint pain. These drugs, while safe for some, can cause serious side effects, such as liver and kidney damage, ringing in the ears, stomach bleeding, rebound headaches, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Safer alternatives include curcumin and products that contain BioCell collagen. Curcumin helps reduce inflammation. BioCell collagen is a clinically studied form of collagen that helps to improve joint health and mobility. It is unique from other collagen products in that it is easily absorbed and gets to the target area. BioCell collagen is also great for the skin and has been shown to improve hydration and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
2. Decongestants: These drugs are used to relieve congestion due to colds, allergies and sinus/ear pressure when flying. OTC decongestants carry the risk of serious side effects such as racing heart, increased blood pressure, insomnia, thinning of the delicate nasal lining, and worsening of health problems such as glaucoma and prostate disease. A safer way to relieve congestion is to use a nasal wash (neti pot) with essential oils such as eucalyptus to dissolve mucus and moisturize nasal passages. To relieve sinus congestion when flying swallow frequently, chew gum or suck on hard candy and try yawning big. Swallowing or yawning opens the eustachian tube and allows air to flow into or out of the middle ear, keeping the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum equal.
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Foods Banned in Other Countries, But Allowed in the U.S.
Did you know many foods you eat are banned in other countries? Here are five foods banned in various countries, but still allowed in the U.S.
#1 Farm Raised Salmon
Farm raised salmon are raised on a diet of grains, antibiotics, and synthetic chemicals not shown to be safe for human consumption. Farm raised salmon has been banned in Australia and New Zealand. Stick to wild salmon whose pinkish-red color comes naturally from carotenoids in their diet for heart healthy omega 3’s.
#2 Trans Fats
There are both naturally occurring and artificial trans fats. The majority of trans fats we consume are artificially produced during the industrial process to make liquid oils more solid (ie partially hydrogenated oil). Trans fats extend shelf life and enhance food flavor and texture. Trans fats are linked to increased heart disease risk. Banned in Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland. US companies have until 2018 to remove trans fats from their products.
#3 Artificial Colors Dyes
Thousands of preservatives, colors, and flavorings are added to US food. Artificial colors, such as yellow 5, yellow 6, and red 40, have been linked to behavior problems, as well as cancer and birth defects in lab animals. Banned in Norway and Austria. Most foods in the European Union containing food dyes must include a warning notice.
Enjoy the Holidays WITHOUT Trans Fats
Guest post provided by Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS aka “The Nutrition Myth Buster”.
So you’ve decided to eat healthy over the holidays. This year, you’re going to buck the trend and avoid that typical six-pound weight gain. What’s more: This year is the year to really get into shape, and take your overall health and vitality up a notch.
But now? With so much contradictory advice out there – paleo, raw foods, vegan, high protein, low fat, and my own recently published high-fat program (“Smart Fat: Eat more Fat, Lose More Weight, Get Health Now!”) – no wonder consumers are confused!
But there’s one thing every single health professional agrees on, no matter where they stand on the nutritional advice spectrum: Cut out the trans fat.
What are trans fats?
Trans fats are an artificially produced kind of “frankenfat” blamed for an estimated 20,000 heart attacks annually, and another 7,000 heart disease deaths. And they are a serious public health concern. They’re made by artificially forcing hydrogen atoms into unsaturated fat, forming a kind of mutant fat which is great for the shelf life of processed foods, but not for the life of the humans who consume it.
The ironic part is that the reason we put trans fat in our diet in the first place was an ill-conceived attempt to get saturated fat out. The irony is that the saturated fats we banished from our diet are turning out to be either neutral or beneficial, while hydrogenated vegetable oils (trans fats) are just plain bad news.
How can trans fats get hidden inside “zero trans fat” foods?
The FDA is now calling for the elimination of trans fats from the food supply over the next three years. But big commercial food manufacturers are a crafty bunch. Seeing the writing on the wall, Big Food began lobbying for loopholes in the regulations years ago. Sure enough, they got one. And it’s a doozy.
Vitamin C to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Individuals with high fruit and vegetable intake have a 15% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 20% lower risk of early death when compared to those who rarely eat fruit and vegetables, according to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers state this reduced risk of heart disease and early death for regular fruit and vegetable consumers is related to a high concentration of vitamin C in the blood.
The role of vitamin C in heart disease
- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant enhancing the body’s response to free radicals and protecting the arteries from oxidative damage.
- Vitamin C enables collagen synthesis in arterial wall connective tissue, strengthening blood vessel walls. Weakened collagen makes it easier for oxidized LDL and the inflammatory process to gain a foothold and plaque formation.
- Vitamin C increases nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator increasing the arteries ability to widen and reduce blood pressure.
Vitamin C also…
- Aides in wound healing
- Boosts the immune system by increasing white blood cells and interferons
- Slows gum disease
- Aids carnitine synthesis
- Reduces leukotrienes production (factor in allergic reactions)
- Increases fertility
- Aids regeneration of vitamin E
- Enhances iron absorption
- Plays a role in serotonin production (a neurotransmitter impacting mood and appetite)
- Reduces incidence of cataracts
- Acts as a diuretic
- Decreases bruising
Vitamin C in your diet
The body cannot make vitamin C, which means you must consume vitamin C in either foods or supplements. I encourage you to increase your intake of fruit and vegetables to boost your vitamin C intake daily.
Some foods rich in vitamin C include red sweet peppers, turnip greens, broccoli, red cabbage, strawberries, spinach, oranges, mangos, cantaloupes, and raspberries.
Causes of vitamin C deficiency
Be especially aware if you have any of the following conditions or take any of the following medications. They promote vitamin C deficiency:
- Antibiotics
- Stress
- Aspirin
- Painkillers
- Sulfa drugs
- High fever
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cortisone
- Birth control pills
- Smoking
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it leaves the body quickly. You should consume foods rich in vitamin C throughout the day.
Be sure to access the free ecourse “How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps” at http://lowercholesterolwithlisa.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Health Pro for HealthCentral
Image courtesy of Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
8 Steps to Prevent a Holiday Heart Attack
Good food, laughter, and quality time with family. A picture perfect holiday season, right? Well, that is Hollywood’s version anyway. Holidays tend to spike stress levels for many.
Finding just the right gift. Preparing for company. Long hours cooking. Then hours of clean up. Late nights socializing. Long days on the road. Hazardous travel conditions.
Holiday activities trigger a spike in cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack. There is about a 5% increase in heart-related deaths during this season according to a 2004 study published in Circulation.
Take steps this holiday season to counteract the extra stress you know lies ahead.
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Has laser eye surgery ever been linked to heart problems?
This guest post is provided by Phoebe Damien, content marketer who works in AcceleRank Web Solutions. A teacher by day and a blogger by night, Phoebe is helping businesses with content marketing. A blogger and a runner, Phoebe is also a vegan.
Few surgeries if any are completely safe, especially if you have some kind of heart problem. You might not even consider it as you lay down to get your eyes fixed, but is it possible that your laser eye surgery could cause you to suffer a heart attack?
Low risk but not entirely safe
Cataract and other types of eye surgeries are known to have very low risks of complications. This however does not mean that they are entirely safe. It is possible, although unlikely, that the stress of the laser eye surgery might lead the patient to suffering a heart attack. It is best for the patient to attend a consultation with a specialist.
Likewise, surgeons at Optilase will always do their best to screen the patients prior to the surgery in order to see if there are any risks to be considered. But even if they were able to find a problem with regards to the matter, there is nothing much that they can do in order to lower the risks of suffering a heart attack during the surgery. Here is a good thing about it though; these kinds of surgeries only require a local anaesthetic to numb the eyes – in fact it is not a very long procedure. Before patients undergo this kind of surgery, they will need to do routine testing before it is time to repair their eyesight.
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