You probably know by now that the more widely prescribed a drug is, the more skeptical I am about whether it's such a good idea. One member of the top 10 most prescribed drug classes in particular has done nothing to change my mind. It comes with a number of side effects and risk factors, and researchers have recently identified a new one: kidney disease.

I've been preaching against the use of calcium supplements to strengthen bones for over 20 years. And I'm sure that I'm not the only doctor who reads the literature. Despite that, I still have one woman after another come in to see me whose doctor has put her on calcium supplements to "help strengthen your bones."

Are you worried about balance, posture, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, bursitis, or tendonitis in your Achilles tendon? If you're worried about any foot issues, there's a simple step you can take to help lower your risk of suffering from these issues. You don't need fancy equipment or a gym. You literally just need to take steps in the right footwear. But you might be surprised about the type of footwear I'm talking about.