Morris is my neighbor and a good friend. He’s ninety years old—sharp, active, and proud of his independence.

When Morris found out that I was an alternative medicine practitioner, he was excited to tell me a story. About ten years ago, he switched doctors. At his first visit, he brought in a large bag filled with his medications—nearly twenty-five pills he had been taking every day.

The new doctor sat with him, went through the list carefully, and then said something Morris never forgot.

“Throw most of these away,” the doctor told him. “You only need two.”

Morris told me this story with a big smile. He was proud to say that ten years later, he’s still only taking those same two medications.

Over the years, I’ve heard many stories like this.

When Pills Pile Up

To be clear from the start: some medications are absolutely necessary and lifesaving. Insulin, seizure medications, thyroid hormone replacement, transplant medications—these are not optional.

In fact, I once had a patient ask me if I could help her get off her thyroid medication. I told her plainly: “Your body isn’t making thyroid hormone, and that medication is replacing something essential. So please do not stop taking it.”

But many other medications fall into a different category.

What often happens is this: a patient comes to a well-meaning doctor with a complaint—constipation, anxiety, pain, poor sleep, acid reflux, depression. Wanting to help, the doctor prescribes a medication.

Then another symptom appears. Another pill is added.

Before long, the patient may be taking one medication for constipation, one for anxiety, two for pain, one for sleep, one for depression, one for acid reflux—and the list keeps growing.

For many people, the idea of reducing medications can feel scary—even when they suspect they may not need all of them.

This pattern has a name—and it’s more serious than most people realize.

Polypharmacy: When Medications Interact

Polypharmacy means taking multiple medications at the same time, often prescribed by different doctors, without anyone fully tracking how they interact.

This matters because medications are not harmless candies.

Research shows:

• Many adults over 65 take five or more medications daily
• The risk of side effects rises sharply once people are on multiple medications
• Polypharmacy is associated with increased risk of falls, confusion, liver stress, and kidney injury

Even when each medication is prescribed with good intentions, their combined effects can create new problems—sometimes worse than the original complaint.

Pills Don’t Treat the Root Cause

Another issue is that many medications manage symptoms, but don’t address why the problem developed in the first place.

As many of you know from reading other articles in this series, issues like pain, anxiety, reflux, blood sugar problems, and high blood pressure are often deeply connected to diet, lack of sleep, insufficient movement, and chronic stress.

When these root causes are addressed, symptoms often improve—and the need for medication can sometimes be reduced.

This is especially true for conditions related to metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain. I discuss this connection more deeply in other articles in this series.

Why Coordination Matters

Another key point Morris’s story highlights is this: doctors are often not coordinating all your medications.

Primary care doctors, specialists, and urgent care physicians may each prescribe something—without seeing the full picture. That’s why Morris’s new doctor was able to simplify his medication list so dramatically just by reviewing it carefully.

This isn’t negligence. It’s a problem with the system.

A Smarter Approach

If you’re taking multiple medications, here are some practical steps to consider:

• Keep a complete, up-to-date list of all medications and supplements
• Review that list periodically with one primary physician
• Explore lifestyle changes—diet, sleep, movement, stress reduction—that address root causes
• Ask whether any medications are still necessary or could be adjusted

For many people, improving diet—especially moving toward a whole-food, plant-based pattern—can support weight loss, improve blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and reduce cardiovascular risk. This alone can sometimes lead to fewer medications over time.

A Very Important Reminder

Never stop a medication on your own.

Always speak with your prescribing physician before making changes. Stopping certain medications abruptly can be dangerous.

Equally important: if you do make positive lifestyle changes—such as changing your diet or starting an exercise program—tell your doctor. Improvements in blood sugar or blood pressure may require medication adjustments to avoid side effects.

The Takeaway

Pills have their place. Many save lives.

But more is not always better.

Being thoughtful about medications—what you take, why you take them, and whether they’re still needed—is an important part of protecting your long-term health.

As Morris’s story shows, sometimes the healthiest move isn’t adding another pill—but carefully taking a few away.

Until next time, stay well—and keep advocating for your own good health. And like Morris, keep smiling.