When you need drugs, they are priceless. But too often, we pop pills instead of using discipline to dig our way out of bad habits such as the American addiction to fat-laden, starchy, sugary foods.

Consider statin drugs. Since their introduction 25 years ago, they have become the highest selling class of drugs in the world.

If you truly need them for cholesterol reduction, statins can be lifesavers.

However, millions of people who do not have heart disease, but are at risk for it, choose to take statins instead of disciplining themselves to eat right, exercise and lose weight. This is foolhardy for two reasons.

First, a low cholesterol number won’t do you any good if you are overweight and remain at risk for high blood pressure and diabetes.

And second, we are learning more about the potential side effects of statin drugs, which include diabetes, muscle fatigue, and cataracts.

This is true also for high blood pressure. If you’ve just been diagnosed, getting your blood pressure under control is critical, and medications can play a role in that.

But changing your lifestyle, including a healthy diet, regular walking, and cutting out salt, can result in naturally lowering your blood pressure.

As a result of these lifestyle changes, you may be able to eliminate the drugs, or at least reduce the number you have to take.