Reader comments
High prescription use is mixed bag

I cannot accept that the only/best solution to any health problem is to lose weight and exercise more. If that were true our grand parents and great grandparents would have had longer lifespans that we have now. They worked harder, exercised more and ate healthier than we do today if you believe all the chatter on main stream media. More people are taking more prescription drugs because they work. They are helping individuals to live longer and more productive lives or they would not be prescribed and used. Give the average consumer enough respect for their intelligence to not continue to ask for and take medication if it does not help them feel better and be more productive.

Our grandparents "ate healthier than we do today?"

You're kidding, right?

Not cutting the fat from the meat and not pouring the grease from the cut is healthy? They told us "that's where the TASTE is."

Sorry, care usa - I don't think so.

Local produce, growing your own food, fresh picked from your own garden. All the buzz words we hear today about how being a locavore(sp?) is better than going to the market.

This article is the result of the big Pharma kool aid. This country is grossly overtreated for a variety of ailments and conditions. Moreover, because of advertising pressure, inexpensive, effective first line medications are not used because Dr's and patients both think newer is better. It's usually just more expensive.

Big Pharma has discovered inventing new conditions they claim are susceptible to their patented medicines creates profits. They advertise more than they research for new drugs.

New book -- NY Times rates it the # 1 economic as well as healthcare pick for last year: Overtreated by Shannon Brownlee. Overtreating is one of the primary causes of the problems with our health care system.

Same topic another new book by Melody Peterson examines the pharmaceutical industry inside and out. OUR DAILY MEDS BY Melody Peterson points out that the US consumes more total prescription medicines than a list of more than a dozen populous countries. Astounding! Watch The Bill Moyers Journal (PBS TV show)interview with her at the PBS website (look it up -- it's EZ) Date of program May 16, 2008.

Out media continues to fail to inform us adequately on truly important issues.

I think that overall good health is made up of 25% rest, 25% diet, and 25% exercise. But there is another 25% that is hard to explain and define. It's a combo of environment, toxins, quality of life, access to good nutrition, and attitude. It's this last 25% where I think prescription drugs can help and I've seen drugs help lots of loved ones.

Sometimes in the Mormon culture we get so fixated on diet, exercise, and rest, that turning to pharmaceuticals is frowned upon. But they definitely have their place in society today. Just remember, moderation in all things.