Why Senior Citizens turn into Chemical Waste Dumps

Sorry - that sounds a bit harsh. But darn it, I believe it! Many of the seniors I know are taking so many pills every day, and looking worse all the time, that I fear for their lives.

Last week I thought I had the reason. I was talking with a neighbor about a herbal spray I'd found that really seems to cure cuts and other skin problems in a hurry. He said he wasn't into herbs - he'd had enough of that when he was a kid.

Instead, he uses whatever drugs his doctor prescribes. Thankfully, he isn't taking too many, so he still has energy and looks to be in good health. But many of my other friends do not.

It occurred to me then that many of our older citizens have seen fantastic advances in medicine during their lifetimes - and have grown to trust and believe in doctors and the pills they prescribe. Somehow that trust has kept them from noticing that a good number of today's medications can be deadly.

Then today I learned of a second, more serious reason why Americans are turning to pharmaceuticals when they'd be healthier with natural supplements, herbs, Bach Flower Essences, and even better nutrition.

It's the money.

Not the money that big pharm is raking in - the money that seniors on fixed incomes just plain don't have.

Medicade and other insurance programs will pay big bucks for prescription drugs, but they won't pay a dime for a bottle of CoQ10, or a quart of mangosteen juice.

I talked with a woman today who told me she pays from $1 to $3 each for her prescriptions - some of which would cost her as much as $300 if she didn't have insurance. She said the over-the-counter drugs she takes cost about $30 per month, and she can barely afford to use them. She tried Goji juice, and it did make her feel better if she took 2 or 3 ounces a day, but she simply can't afford it.

I understand why big pharm wants people hooked on drugs - it's money in their pocket. But why are insurance companies and Medicade unwilling to provide a cheaper, safer alternative? They'd save money, and perhaps even help people regain their health.

Could be they're controlled by big pharm. What do you think?

Yours for pharm-free health,

Marte

Feeling better than ever before

Today I had company - company with a headache. He asked me if by chance I had a sinus pill in the house and I went to the cupboard to get one - and had a devil of a time finding it!

Not very long ago, I made sure there was a full box there, because I practically lived on the things. But when I thought about it today, I couldn't remember the last time I had looked for one. I also kept antihistamines, because I never knew when I'd eat, touch, or smell something that would give me a crushing headache.

I still have a few allergies, and still have my antihistamines, but I don't need them very often. I don't even need an aspirin very often.

What's the difference now? Why, after nearly 60 years do I suddenly not need these remedies?

Several things have probably brought me to this state.

• I walked away from a job that had become a heavy burden. While I had loved it at one time, things had changed. It wasn't fun any more because it had become cutthroat. I'm now doing work that I love - copywriting, meeting people all over the world through the power of the internet, and writing about products and services I believe in.
  
• I started practicing the kinds of things you read in "The Secret." I'm not as dedicated as most who practice it, but I focus on thinking about the things I want rather than the things I don't want, and expecting good in my life. I also practice thankfulness for all I have and for the good things that come into my life every day.
  
• I started drinking mangosteen juice. The more I read about it, the more fascinated I become. I know, medical science says it just can't be as good as they say, but that's only because it doesn't fit their mold. And besides that, it's a fruit - big pharm can't patent it, so of course they'd say it doesn't work. But the people who use it know it works.
  

Do you feel good? Or do you need to make some of the kinds of changes I made?

I want you to know that you don't have to change everything. You don't have to give up everything. I still smoke, I still drink beer and coffee, and I eat what I want. I'll admit that I don't "want" processed foods - the list of chemicals in them makes me cringe - but I haven't given up bread or eggs or meat or any of the unprocessed foods that some think are so harmful.

Think about it. And if you aren't feeling good, start working on ways to make some changes. And start looking into mangosteen and the other "super fruits" that can speed you to health.

Yours for good health,
Marte