A new survey says Americans are taking more prescription drugs than ever. The drugs leading the parade are cholesterol-lowering statins for older people, asthma medicines for children, antidepressants for middle-aged adults, and central nervous system stimulants for adolescents.

Over the last 10 years or so, those taking 1 drug increased from 44 percent to 48 percent, 2 or more drugs from 25 percent to 31 percent, and 5 or more drugs from 6 percent to 11 percent, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In 2008, Americans spent more than $234.1 billion on prescription drugs, more than double the total in 1999, and those with prescription drug insurance were 22 percent more likely to use prescription drugs than those without insurance.

The study also found that a chilling 20 percent of children were on prescription drugs in the month prior to the survey. An astounding 90 percent of seniors were on at least 1 drug, while 76 percent used 2 or more and 37 percent used 5 drugs or more.

The report claims that all the increases reflect the chronic diseases common at those ages. For example, the higher drug use among seniors reflects the many chronic diseases of aging. But the report added that multiple medications can lead to harmful drug interactions and increased healthcare costs.

The saddest part of this is that many conditions for which Americans gobble prescription drugs can be prevented or treated with better nutrition and appropriate Chiropractic and Acupuncture treatments.

SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db42.htm