I recently watched a documentary on television about children and medications that were prescribed for their ailments. In most of the cases, none of the children got better. As a matter of fact, over 80% of them had two to three side effects as well. I am appalled at the over usage of adult medication in our children. Unfortunately, there are small amounts of pediatric medications available for doctors to prescribe. I urge parents to investigate other treatments, i.e., non-medication treatments such as supplements from reliable sources and of course, better nutrition and eating habits.

According to a recent study published in Chest, the use of antibiotics in the first year of life is associated with an increased risk for asthma at age 7. Antibiotics destroy non only disease-causing microbes, but also those that are helpful to the developing immune system. At the end of the study, they found that the more frequent the antibiotic use, the higher the risk of asthma. Three to four courses of medicine conferred a 30 percent  and more than four courses of antibiotics increased the risk by almost 50 percent.

We must also consider the damage to vital organs at this young age. Most of us read about the side effects of the medications, but very few of us know or are even concerned about the nutrient depletion of the drug. In other words, what nutrients are medications taking out of my body? I personally consult and use several publications that give a list of the nutrients that are depleted when taking medications. In the case described here - antibiotics  - acidophilus, bifidus, and FOS are depleted. Please keep your children healthy and if they do have a sickness consider some safe alternative approach.

As always, I am committed your goood health.
Gill Weise, your pharmacist naturally.