Ask a Better Question Before Accepting a Medication

In our over-medicated society more and more people want to know: Is there a better way?  After 30 years in the health and fitness industry, working with thousands of people from all over the world, the answer is absolutely, positively YES!

Lets first step back and begin by asking some better questions:

1) If you had a plant that was wilted, then what would you do? Water it, put it in a place that gets more sunlight, and check the quality of the soil – simple steps that everyone gets!

2) If a car was broken down on the side of the road would you begin by taking out the engine or would you begin by checking the battery, tires or oil? We all get this thought process!

3) If you cut your hand, then what happens to your cut in a few days? One thing I have learned over the years (at 54 yrs old I am not a kid anymore) is the human body’s amazing ability to heal itself.

A few years back, while working with a large group of financial advisors, one of the participants approached me after our morning exercise session and asked if he could talk to me privately. He wanted to know what I could tell him about erectile dysfunction (ED). We were both age 52 at the time and I told him I know quite a bit about ED!

My first question to him: How long have you been taking a statin medication to lower your cholesterol? He was astonished that I knew he was on a statin medication without telling me. How did I know this? Statin medications block the production of CoQ10 (a powerful nutrient involved in energy production in every cell in the body) along with blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver. Cholesterol is the backbone of hormones, which are the raw materials for the production of testosterone, along with many other hormones necessary for optimal health.

My second question to him: How long have you been on an acid reflux medication? Again, he wanted to know how I knew this about him. Acid reflux medications leach out many valuable minerals including zinc, and low levels of zinc equal low testosterone! He was shocked his physician never discussed any of these possible side effects with him before prescribing these medications.


For the next 6 months we exchanged emails and phone calls, and I helped him learn how to take his health and fitness to the next level. The entire group returned 6 months later and at the beginning of our meeting people had an opportunity to stand up and share their successes. After a few minutes my guy stands up and starts spilling his guts! (Remember, this is a large group of financial advisors and it is a mixed audience.)

He shares that he has lost 36 lbs, his wife has lost 25 lbs, he no longer has erectile dysfunction, high cholesterol, acid reflux and most importantly has never had a better relationship with his wife!!! You could have heard a pin drop in the room, the emotion was powerful and at the end of his story everyone clapped and many shed tears. At the end of our meeting many of the guys came up to talk with him! (What about me? Where is my love?)

Bottom line: Medications can be extremely helpful and sometimes necessary in a few situations, but we also need to give the body an opportunity to heal itself. Before accepting or using medications, ask your physician a few tough questions:

1) Are there non-drug approaches that I can try first?

2) Exactly what condition is this medication supposed to treat?

3) What is my risk?

4) How much will this medication lower my risk?

5) What is the side effect of this medication?

6) Is it possible to eliminate this medication by making healthier food and exercise choices?


Start slowly by making healthier food and beverage choices, and think about what your medicine cabinet could look like in the future!