As high blood pressure, thyroid problems, and sleep issues are on the rise, the number of prescriptions written to treat these problems are also sky-rocketing. 
On a recent Dr. Oz show, he talks about a few supplements which can be part of a good naturopathic plan to help your body heal itself. These can allow prescription dosages to be lowered, and possibly even become unnecessary.
High Blood Pressure Alternative: Rose Hips
One group of hugely prescribed drugs is high blood pressure medication. Over 144 million of these prescriptions are filled every year. High blood pressure has multiple causes. Minerals are important to relax vessels; when these are low, blood pressure can go up. One natural supplement that can be a helpful part of getting blood pressure down is rose hip powder. Anti-hypertension drugs, commonly known as “water pills,” act by getting rid of more water and salt through the kidneys and urine. Rose hip powder can act as a natural diuretic, which means it helps get rid of excess fluids, too. Rose hips are even shown to help with osteoarthritis.
Dr. Oz suggests taking Rose hips in powder or capsule form twice daily with food.
Rose Hips
Thyroid Disease Alternative: Bladderwrack
Thyroid disease has skyrocketed in the past few years. While no one is sure of the reason, many experts suspect stress, environmental toxins, and increased body inflammation is responsible. More than 80 million prescriptions are given out every year for thyroid disease. One natural alternative to prescription drugs is called Bladderwrack, also known as Seaweed. It is nutrient–rich, and contains a fair amount of Magnesium, Potassium and Micronutrients. Micronutrients are often not found in many other foods we normally eat. The best way to take this is in capsule form, and Dr. Oz suggests you take 600 mg twice a day.
Bladderwrack
Natural Sleep Alternative: Glycine
In 2008, over 56 million sleep medications were prescribed in the US, and most experts believe the stress from worldwide economic challenges have only increased these numbers. While these pills can help us fall and stay asleep, it is known that these medications do not allow the body to fall into the deep phases of sleep that allow for the best health benefits sleep can give us. It is also well known that all of these medications have a risk of dependence and withdrawal effects, which can make them hard to stop using.
One supplement that can help the sleep process is the amino acid Glycine. It is a calming amino acid primarily found in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, dairy and beans. It collects in the pineal gland of the brain, the master gland that produces the sleep hormone melatonin. Glycine helps create positive changes in the brain wave patterns that are associated with deep non-REM sleep. Studies show that it promotes a deeper and faster sleep without causing the foggy morning hangover feeling associated with most drugs and some other natural sleep aids.
Glycine is most commonly found in a capsule or powder form which you can take nightly before bed for a good night’s sleep.
Glycine
If you’re like me and you want a natural alternative to prescriptions, take Dr. Oz’s advice and try these supplements today!
All my best,
Stefani Thionnet
Stay focused and never give up!
