Happy New Year 2025! Let’s welcome a fresh start with a renewed focus on health and wellness. Medications are often crucial for managing chronic conditions like heart disease, arthritis, or digestive issues. However, their long-term use can sometimes result in side effects. As a pharmacist and natural health advocate, I want to share simple, complementary strategies to help you feel your best while sticking to your treatment plan.
Medications are often a necessary part of life when managing chronic conditions like heart disease, arthritis, or digestive issues. While they offer critical benefits, long-term use can sometimes lead to unwanted side effects. As a pharmacist and advocate for natural health, I want to share some complementary approaches to ease these effects and enhance your overall wellness. The goal? To help you feel better and live better while working alongside your existing treatment plan.
Let’s explore natural remedies for common medication side effects and symptoms of chronic conditions. As always, I encourage you to collaborate with your health care practitioner/doctor(s) to ensure these suggestions are safe and appropriate for you.
Common Medication Side Effects and Natural Solutions
Constipation from Painkillers (Opioids) Painkillers, especially opioids, often slow digestion and lead to constipation. While laxatives can provide temporary relief, long-term reliance isn’t ideal.
Natural Alternatives:
- Magnesium citrate: This form of magnesium acts as an osmotic laxative, drawing water into the colon to ease stool passage. It does not get into the bloodstream that well so I don’t recommend this form for bone health, or mood.
- Fiber-Rich Foods: Add ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, oats, and leafy greens to your meals for gentle bowel regularity. You can also take a supplement – one of my favorites is “Sun Fiber.”
- Prunes or Prune Juice: Rich in sorbitol, prunes can help naturally stimulate bowel movements. Read THIS BLOG about prunes because they can help osteoporosis and blood pressure.
- Tip: Stay hydrated and consider herbal teas like senna or peppermint for occasional relief.
Digestive Issues from Antibiotics
Antibiotics disrupt the gut microbiome, often causing bloating, diarrhea, or yeast infections.
Natural Alternatives:
- Probiotics: A high-quality, multi-strain probiotic supplement can replenish beneficial bacteria. Look for strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Did you know that probiotics help you manufacture some of your B vitamins naturally, particularly B12.
- Fermented Foods: Include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi in your diet to naturally restore gut flora.
- Saccharomyces boulardii: This beneficial yeast is particularly effective for antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Take probiotics 2 hours apart from your antibiotics to maximize their effectiveness.
Supporting Chronic Conditions Naturally
- Heart Health For those managing heart disease, omega-3 fatty acids are a superstar supplement.
Natural Support:- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil, walnuts, and flaxseed, omega-3s help reduce inflammation and improve cholesterol levels.
- CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10): This antioxidant supports heart energy production and may mitigate muscle pain caused by statin medications.
- Garlic: Garlic supplements can naturally lower blood pressure and improve arterial health. Discuss proper dosages with your doctor, especially if you take blood thinners or antihypertensives.
- Arthritis and Joint Pain Chronic inflammation from arthritis leads to stiffness and pain, but several natural remedies offer relief.
Consider my supplement Joint Script which contains all 3 of the following ingredients:
- Turmeric (Curcumin): The active compound in turmeric has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Look for supplements with black pepper (piperine) to enhance absorption.
- Boswellia Serrata: Also known as Indian frankincense, this herb reduces joint inflammation and discomfort.
- Collagen peptides: Supplementing with collagen can improve joint flexibility and reduce pain, especially in osteoarthritis. Pair anti-inflammatory foods like salmon, berries, and leafy greens with these supplements for a comprehensive approach.
Interested in my article on natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis? 5 Natural Strategies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Gut Health and Digestive Disorders Chronic digestive issues, like IBS or acid reflux, require gentle support to heal the gut lining.
Natural Support:- L-Glutamine: This amino acid repairs the gut lining and soothes inflammation.
- Aloe Vera Juice: A small amount of pure aloe vera can calm acid reflux and support digestive healing.
- Slippery Elm and Marshmallow Root: These herbs create a soothing mucilage that protects the gut lining. Avoid trigger foods like processed sugars, alcohol, and fried foods while incorporating these natural remedies.
Interested in my article on the gut-brain axis? It can explain how food relates to mood! How Your Gut Flora Contributes to Anxiety and 6 Corrective Steps
Safely Integrating Natural Remedies into Your Treatment Plan
Natural supplements can be incredibly effective, but they’re not without risks. Here are some key considerations:
- Quality Matters: Choose reputable brands with third-party testing to ensure purity and potency.
- Dosage Is Key: More isn’t always better. Follow dosage guidelines and consult your healthcare provider.
- Watch for Interactions: Supplements can interact with prescription medications. For example, omega-3s can thin the blood, and turmeric may interfere with certain blood sugar medications.
Why Natural Remedies Deserve a Place in Your Wellness Plan
Natural remedies can provide gentle, effective support for managing medication side effects and chronic conditions. They allow us to address symptoms holistically, improve quality of life, and sometimes even reduce dependency on medications (over time). However, natural doesn’t mean ‘risk-free,’ so safety, quality, and collaboration with your doctor are essential.
By combining the best of both worlds—modern medicine and natural health, you can take control of your wellness journey. Whether it’s a turmeric supplement for joint pain, probiotics for gut health, or omega-3s for heart support, these tools are here to empower and heal. Your health is worth investing in, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
