This week on NBC news they spoke about Pfizer and the known side effects of Bextra, a Cox 2 Inhibitor, that is similar to Vioxx (Merck and Co.) and Celebrex. It was shown to cause heart attack and stroke in preliminary studies and could cause Steven Johnson Syndrome. It has also been found at times be fatal and very painful skin disorder that can cause skin blisters and sloughs off. Vioxx was taken off the market in 2004 after a study confirmed that it raises heart problems. Pfizer was found guilty and was fined over 3 billion dollars for questionable knowledge that they knew this sister drug could also cause heart problems. Unfortunately, the fine was only 3 weeks of Pfizer’s huge income. They closed the episode by stating that there are over a billion other cases of fraudulent data on other drugs that are being investigated at this time. Celebrex, the same class of drug, is still being prescribed today. Why would this drug be any different? Will you eventually find out that the drug you’re on has new warnings of liver failure, suicide, heart attack and stroke? Why not protect our hearts instead of harm it by some drug with future unknown side effects? The best way to prevent these side effects is to prevent needing that drug.

Start by just cleaning up your diet. As Hippocrates, the father of medicine stated, “Let Medicine be thy food and food be thy medicine”. Too many of us, are not getting enough nutrients from our food. One example of this, is not enough Vitamin K. Studies have shown that Vitamin K, especially the long chain menaquinones (Vitamin K2), can reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease in women and has been shown to have positive benefits for cardiovascular health. Optimal levels of Vitamin D have been shown to also be crucial for many reasons and have been linked to a healthier cardiovascular system. The list can go on. However, the possibility of a having vital nutrients like these can be obtained by shopping in the periphery of the grocery store and staying away from processed foods. Eating foods such as wild salmon, organic eggs, and increasing vegetable intake by greater than 50 percent of each meal contains a significant source of nutrients. I do not feel that there is one specific diet that’s best for all. But I do know that regardless of our issues, following an anti-inflammatory diet instead of the (SAD) Standard American Diet is the way to go.