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.
About Michelle Schoffro Cook
Michelle Schoffro Cook, MSc, PhD, DNM, RNCP, ROHP is an international best-selling and six-time book author, whose works include:
The Phytozyme Cure, The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan, The Brain Wash, and Healing Injuries the Natural Way.
Michelle is a Doctor of Traditional Natural Medicine, Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner, Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner, Holistic Life Coach, Biofeedback Therapist, and Bioenergetic Medicine Practitioner.
She has made , over 1000 media appearances, including: Woman's World, First for Women, Vegetarian Times, Robert Kennedy's Oxygen: Fitness for Women, HELLO! Canada, Glow, YOU: The Owner's Manual Radio Show, The Gary Null Show, Huffington Post, Yahoo! Shine, Gaiam Life, and many others.
She is a regular columnist for Intent.com and Care2.com and the publisher of www.WorldsHealthiestDiet.com. Visit
www.DrMichelleCook.com to learn more about her work.
Great information, Michelle. If people can't or won't find natural alternatives to the pharmaceuticals they're taking or change the lifestyle habits that may be causing the condition in the first place, at least they can abate some of the inevitable damage by using natural supplements or making better nutritional choices. Great step in the right direction!
Thanks Michelle,
I think it's interesting that they call them "side" effects, the effects are as direct as they can possibly be!!
Take care
Noreen.
Thanks for the kind words Creative Evolution and Noreen! You're right–the "side" effects of drugs are the direct result of taking them (not asides).
Wishing you great health,
Michelle
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