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Nutrients Depleted by Common Pharmaceutical Drugs
Move over Rolaids and Tylenol. Step aside Tums and Seldane. If you spell relief D-R-U-G-S, you might want to consider the effects of doing so.
First there are the obvious side-effects of drugs. The pharmaceuticals that millions of people turn to for relief from pain, inflammation, and other symptoms are not only causing side effects, they are actually damaging the health of many people. Drug side effects are the third leading cause of death. By some estimates six thousand people die every year from “simple” non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These commonly-used drugs can contribute to congestive heart failure, kidney disease, suicidal depression, cataracts, ulcers, macular degeneration, hearing loss, tinnitus, memory loss, fatigue, liver disease, and many other health concerns.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also deplete your body of much-needed vitamins and minerals required for your body’s basic functions. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, and the countless others on the market can deplete your body of Vitamin C, folic acid, iron, zinc, and other essential nutrients. These nutrients are needed to keep your immune system strong, heal tissues, maintain cellular integrity, build healthy blood, heal wounds, and nourish skin and hair.
Here are some of the common types of drugs and the nutrients that they often deplete:
Pharmaceutical Drugs and Nutrients They Can Deplete
Pain-Killers
Drug Names: Acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, and Nabumetone
Nutrients That Can Be Depleted: Vitamin C, folic acid, iron and zinc.
Birth Control Pills
Drug Names: Micornor, Triphasil, Ovral, and Ortho Novum Pyridoxine
Nutrients that Can Be Depleted: (Vitamin B-6), folic acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin C, magnesium and zinc
Steroids (Corticosteroids)
Often used for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, skin disorders, and immune disorders
Drug Names: Prednisone, hydrocortisone, desamethasone, beclomethasone, triamcinolone
Nutrients that Can Be Depleted: Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, zinc and potassium
Antidepressants
Drug Names: Amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine
Nutrient that Can Be Depleted: Coenzyme Q-10
Hormone Replacement Therapy/Estrogen Replacement
Drug Names: Premarin, Climara (estradiol), Estraderm
Nutrient that Can Be Depleted: Vitamin B-6
Beta Blockers
Drug Names: Propranolol, timolol
Nutrient that Can Be Depleted: Coenzyme Q-10
Acid Blockers
Often used to relieve irritation and pain from gastric acid
Drug Names: Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Ranitidine
Nutrients that Can Be Depleted: Folic acid, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, Copper and Iron
Antibiotics
Drug Names: Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Penicillin
Nutrients that Can Be Depleted: Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine), Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C, and bowel flora
Obviously, sometimes drugs may be necessary. But it is important to know the ramifications of taking them, and in the case of nutrients depleted, to replenish the body’s stores.
Of course, you should never stop taking a drug that has been prescribed by a doctor without his or her guidance. Before you stop using any drug, it is important to see your physician. Sudden discontinuation of some prescription drugs can cause severe health problems so it is important to work with a physician if you choose to stop using any medication. And, remember, there are thousands of drugs. New ones are coming onto the market all the time. The above chart is just a sampling of the drugs currently available, some of their common names, and the nutrients they can deplete.
Michelle Schoffro Cook, RNCP, ROHP, DAc, DNM, is a best-selling and six-time book author and doctor of natural medicine, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, and The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan. Learn more at: www.TheLifeForceDiet.com.
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19 comments
add your comment »Unfortunately, I have met many drugs where the "cure" was not worth the "side effect".
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I had the misfortune of getting a scratch on my arm from gardening which developed into cellulitis. It was agony and the infection took less than a couple of hours to travel up my arm to my shoulder. I was hospitalised & was on some pretty heavy duty antibiotics after fever took over and I was extremely ill. 5 days later, all was well. Quite a few weeks later I was diagnosed with megaloblastic anaemia due to a folic acid deficiency - most likely caused by the antibiotics which depleted my stores. I have to say however, I would rather have ended up in the position of having to take a supplement for a few weeks than have died a miserable agonising death from a small puncture wound. Whilst I agree we need to take care with pharmaceuticals and take personal responsibility for our health & become knowledgeable about what we are taking, the costs and benefits of everything we do must be weighed carefully and not cast aside due to sweeping assumptions about all pharmaceuticals in all instances.
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Current estimates are that 62 to 68 percent of North Americans take "alternative" medicines and therapies (including herbs, botanicals, vitamins, minerals and homeopathy). The growth in this industry has increased unabated for over a decade. Although the media is full of reports on nutritional supplements, many consumers (and unfortunately many physicians and other health professionals) don't understand that some medications can. reduce absorption (and even cause depletion) of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes crucial for good health.
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Pam, Discontinuing certain pharmaceutical drugs suddenly can cause death. My article is intended to empower readers to take charge of their health. It is important that people consult with their doctors before coming off certain medications to avoid any potential problems caused from doing so.
Doctors are definitely not gods, but in both the US and Canada, we've allowed legal systems where only medical doctors can advise someone to stop taking drugs. Even a naturally-minded doctor who is not an MD cannot advise anyone to stop taking any drug.
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The pharmaceuticals that millions of people turn to for relief from pain, inflammation, and other symptoms are not only causing side effects, they are actually damaging the health of many people. Drug side effects are the third leading cause of death.
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Synthetic medications are, far too often, treating the symptoms that resulted from side effect of these medications in the first place. It creates a perpetual cycle. Anti-depressants are a huge one. Let's say you have a hormonal imbalance that is causing depression. The physician prescribes an anti-depressant and you start feeling better for a while but as the medication influences the "natural order" of your hormones and your body, you require a strength increase or some other adjustment. The doctor adjusts the dosage, the cycle of influence on your balance all adjusts by becoming further from normal and the cycle goes on and on. Of course coming off these medications should be slowly! Because the natural order of your body has become so much further from normal through treatment with synthetic medications. I suffered with depression and fatigue for a few years before I found out my hormones and neurotransmitters were completely out of balance. I found a physician who specializes in natural hormone therapy and have felt so wonderful since. I have stopped the cycle of treating symptoms...now I am treating the problem creating the symptoms and imagine that...it works! :)
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Bottom line, natural herbs, vitamins and homeopathy as well as nutrition BUILDS or REBUILDS health, while drugs destroy health and the immune system long term.
That goes for vaccinations with heavy metal preservatives too..
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Thank you for this helpful information.
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Pam H ~ YES, it is very important to speak with your doctor before getting off of any prescription drug! Stopping some drugs, such as anti-depressants, for example, can cause stroke, congestive heart failure, even death. I know, I was on a terrible anti-depressant/anti-anxiety med for over 6 years. It took me 2 whole months to discontinue it during which I experienced HORRIBLE withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold-turkey at the dose I was taking could have killed me.
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Have you ever heard of probiotics... Qivana has a unique system that is all natural and will clear the toxins out of your body. It also improves your health and helps build your immune system. For more information on this wonderful product go to
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I will be 50 this year and it has greatly improved my health... I believe if you find something good it is your duty to pass it on.
If I can help 1 person today it has been a great day.
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