To the editor:

We talk politics, sports, entertainment and many other items but the most deadly aspect of our lives is seldom mentioned. Our health! Yes, we talk a great deal about politics regarding our medical system but we don’t talk much about the quality of our medical system. Sure there is some wonderful life-saving work being done every day by our medical system but there are also some aspects of our medical system and our food supply that is creating major problems for our health and life itself.

A recent article listed unnecessary surgeries at 60 percent and deaths due to hospital errors at 9 percent. The affects of prescription drugs are handicapping people for the rest of their lives and creating side effects that are devastating. A neighbor is legally blind today from taking Xarelto, which has a side effect of blindness.

Cipro is an antibiotic drug that can cause life changing irreversible nerve and tendon damage. Some have no hope of an active life because of this drug. Unfortunately this is being prescribed frequently when it should only be used in extreme cases.

Opioids are in the headlines now. They were sold as being non-addictive. Deaths due to opioids now exceed automotive deaths. A friend was recently arrested for heroin use caused by his addiction started by Opioids.

The medical system today often prescribes these dangerous drugs without even saying “buyer beware.” One must not think that your prescription is safe because your doctor prescribed it.

Secondly, it is hard to buy food without chemicals today. Preservatives, color and taste are the reasons given but they all have an effect on the body. We are a chemical factory and bad chemicals make for bad bodies. Food is often the reason we have health issues. Again there is no buyer beware with food.

I suggest that health should be at the top of your priorities.

John Benedict

Cape Coral