Dear Dr. Gott: I'm a 56-year-old male in good health and have a basic question for you. When does one stop prescription drugs and replace them with supplements and vitamins? Here is my case.

My current medications are fenofibrate, Lipitor, omeprazole, Toprol, sertraline and warfarin. I went to a holistic doctor for a look-see and his opinion was to stop all drugs except the Toprol and start using supplements and vitamins for the rest.

Please give me your general opinion. I was also told that my medications are actually harmful to my health.

Reply: Well, your question is straightforward, but the answer isn't an easy one. Let's consider your drug regimen. Fenofibrate and Lipitor are medications prescribed for high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Omeprazole is used to treat heartburn and symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Sertraline is an antidepressant. Toprol is a beta blocker for control of hypertension, angina and heart failure. Warfarin is an anticoagulant.

As a general rule, prescription drugs are considered to be superior to supplements. They are also more expensive and more likely to carry side effects. I interpret this is what you are referring to when you indicate your medications are harmful to your health.

However, this could also be the case with supplements taken unnecessarily or in excess. More is not better, especially in this regard.

The real question here is why you chose to leave your doctor to see someone in a holistic practice. I can only assume either you weren't seeing any improvement, or you simply decided to take another route in regard to your health.

In any case, it was wise of the second doctor to recommend you continue with the Toprol. You haven't shared your medical history with me; however, I would guess you either have high blood pressure or a cardiac condition that requires prescription intervention.

I would hate to have you discontinue something if doing so were to contribute to a worsening, serious medical condition. When it comes to cholesterol-lowering drugs, alternatives include cinnamon, niacin, plant sterols and stanols, and a host of other possibilities. Not all have been proven in scientific studies to be helpful.

Heartburn can be offset by chewing almonds, and depression might be controlled with St. John's Wort. Supplements can and do work.

And sometimes they work without the side effects so common with prescription drugs. There are alternative choices a person can make – ideally with the help of his or her primary care physician.

People today want and often demand to be in control of the drugs recommended for them. I respect them for taking charge of their health issues.

As such, I suggest you discuss your situation with your family doctor, who is a better judge of your needs than am I. Be frank regarding your preference of a holistic approach.

If your physician is unyielding, make sure you understand and agree with the reasons behind his or her decision. Perhaps a compromise is in order.

You should and need do what is right for you. Naturopathy may not be appropriate in your case.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Reports 'Compelling Home Remedies' and 'More Compelling Home Remedies'. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and a cheque or money order for $2 for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of 'Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet' and 'Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook'. Contact him c/o United Media, 200 Madison Avenue, fourth floor, New York, New York 10016.