Prescription medications are often very effective for treating our medical problems. However, one downside of using medication to treat a condition is that it may produce unwanted side effects. Additionally, prescription medications are often not affordable or accessible for many people. Here are six medical problems that respond very well to diet and lifestyle changes. For these conditions, treatment with prescription medication may be totally unnecessary.
1. Anxiety
The conventional pharmaceutical treatment for anxiety disorders is to take an SSRI, or in severe cases benzodiazepenes. Avoid the notorious side effects of these drugs by implementing anti-anxiety lifestyle changes instead. Be sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep every single night. Doing so will reduce your overall stress levels, alleviating anxiety. Cut out caffeine from your diet immediately, as this substance makes the nervous system hyperactive, thus making you more anxious. Regular exercise can also help reduce anxiety levels due to its stress-reducing and endorphin-releasing properties.
2. Depression
Unpleasant side effects are very common with depression medications. It can also be very difficult to find a medication that actually has an effect on you. You can take a shortcut and treat most cases of mild-to-moderate depression with lifestyle and diet changes. Getting plenty of exercise reduces depression, often more than medication can. As far as diet goes, consuming more omega-3 fatty acids may improve depression. You may do so by taking a supplement, or by eating fatty fish at least 2-3 times per week.
3. Type 2 Diabetes
Medications for diabetes are meant to stabilize your blood sugar in the short term. However, they are incapable of curing diabetes or producing a meaningful long-term change. Though your physician will likely be hesitant to say that diabetes can be reversed, research shows that this is the case. Diabetes can be reversed through diet and exercise. Study participants who ate a reduced-calorie diet and exercised for 150 minutes each week saw success. Switching to a sustainably low-carb diet will greatly increase your chances of reversal. Of course, in the meantime, you should still be using your medications until your doctor says you don't need them anymore.
4. Heartburn
All but the most severe heartburn or acid reflux can be cured by changing your daily habits. Here is what you should do: Avoid eating large meals. Divide your daily food intake into at least 3 moderate-sized meals. Four to five smaller meals may help even more. Don’t lie down for at least 2 hours after eating. Cut out foods that exacerbate stomach acidity, including alcohol, chocolate, mint, coffee, and acidic foods such as oranges and tomatoes.
5. High Cholesterol
Why take a prescription cholesterol medication when changing your lifestyle and diet will do wonders not only for your cholesterol, but also all aspects of your health? Contrary to popular belief, do not worry about dietary cholesterol in your foods. Instead, avoid trans fats. Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, such as beans, fruits, legumes, and vegetables. Consume more fatty fish, olive oil, nuts, and spices. If you are overweight or obese, lose at least 5-10% of your body weight. Implement a regular exercise routine. These steps will reduce your LDL cholesterol while boosting your HDL cholesterol.
6. Osteoporosis
If you have mild-to-moderate osteoporosis, or are in danger of developing it, diet and lifestyle changes can make a surprising difference. Eat plenty of calcium and vitamin D. Foods to eat more of include fortified dairy, leafy greens, salmon, mushrooms, beef liver, and egg yolk. Weight-bearing exercises will strengthen your bones further. You should exercise under the guidance of a professional to avoid injury. Because osteoporosis is a serious condition that can lead to major bone fractures, be sure to implement any lifestyle changes under your doctor's guidance. Do not stop taking your medications unless he or she confirms that it is safe.
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