386 DIND Examples [19 Sept 2016]

Last week I wrote about drug-induced nutrient depletion (DIND) but didn’t have room to list many examples. So this week I’ll look at some of the more common drug categories and the nutrients that they deplete:
• Antibiotics (Penicillin, erythromycin, azithromycin) – calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, biotin & K, beneficial gut bacteria
• ACE inhibitors – zinc, sodium
• Antacids – B12, folic acid, iron, zinc, D, magnesium
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – glutathione, B12
• Antidepressants, Tricyclics – CoQ10, B12,
• Antidepressants, SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil) – folic acid, melatonin
• Beta Blockers – CoQ10
• Birth Control Pills – folic acid, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, zinc, selenium
• Bronchodilators - potassium
• Calcium channel blockers - potassium
• Corticosteroids (Prednisone) – calcium, magnesium, folic acid, potassium, D, selenium, zinc
• Diuretics, Loop (furosemide) – calcium, magnesium, potassium, B1, B6, C, zinc
• Diuretics, Thiazide – magnesium, potassium, zinc
• Diuretics, Potassium Sparing – folic acid, coQ10, calcium, iron, zinc, C
• Estrogen hormone replacement – B6
• Metformin – B12, folic acid, magnesium, CoQ10
• NSAIDs – folic acid, iron, potassium, vitamin C
• Resins cholesterol drugs – beta-carotene, folic acid, A, D, E & K
• Statins – CoQ10, copper, selenium, zinc
• Thyroid hormone (Synthroid) – calcium

This isn’t a comprehensive list and may not have mentioned your particular prescription or OTC drugs. It’s still a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist, refer to a book on the topic, or find a good reference site on the internet.

Sources:
ND Notes (2)2
drwhitaker.com

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

385 Drug Induced Nutrient Depletion [6 Sept 2016]

I first wrote about drug-induced nutrient depletion (DIND) seven years ago in September 2009 (#29). A recent article on the topic in ND Notes (2)2 reminded me of the importance of this topic. The article states that over a thousand commonly prescribed drugs, and many OTC drugs, can deplete us of essential nutrients.

It is estimated that DIND is responsible for up to 30% of drug side effects. Seniors are particularly at risk for DIND – they take more prescription drugs, metabolize the drugs more slowly, and have less efficient digestive systems to start with.

Drugs deplete nutrients in several different ways. Antibiotics change the microflora in the gut which can lower the production and assimilation of several vitamins like K and B12. Some medications block the production in our body of an essential nutrient, such as statins blocking coenzyme Q10. Some, like Ritalin, suppress appetite which reduces the consumption of food (and nutrients); others induce hypoglycemia which causes cravings for sugar. Diuretics increase the excretion of certain minerals like potassium, magnesium and zinc. Ant-acid drugs make the stomach too alkaline to properly digest protein and certain vitamins and minerals. Some weight-loss and cholesterol-lowering drugs bind to, and then excrete, fat in the digestive tract, taking fat soluble vitamins and folic acid with it.

Some DINDs are well known and a prescription often is accompanied with a balancing prescription, like diuretics and potassium. The depletion of CoQ10 with statins resulting in muscle pain is catching on and knowledgeable doctors will recommend supplementation with a prescription. Many others however are missed completely, and too often another drug is prescribed for the side effects of the first, compounding the problem.

There isn’t room here for a comprehensive list of DINDs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist, get a book like the one by Pelton and LaValle I discussed in 2009, or find a good reference site on the internet. (One I found is by Dr. J. Whitaker).Then look up your drug(s) to see what nutrients you need to be replacing. Maybe those pesky side effects that make you want to flush the pills down the toilet can be easily remedied with appropriate supplementation, allowing you to remain compliant with your meds and, hopefully, healthier.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

382 Supplement Safety [15 August 2016]

Over the past year there have been several major news reports in The United States and Canada questioning the regulation, safety and efficacy of health supplements. The first was CBC’s Marketplace which reported in November 2015 that certain fish oils, vitamin C, and protein shakes did not meet their label claims. However after retesting it was discovered that the original lab tests were incorrect and there were in fact no problems with the products.

In March 2013 the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report on adverse events from supplements. Since 2008 the FDA has required supplement manufacturers to report any adverse effects from their products. Between 2008 and 2011 there were 6,307 serious (e.g. requiring a hospital visit) adverse event reports (AERs) for supplements (average 1,577 a year). The same report estimated over half (68%) of Americans use supplements, so this is amazingly low from 157 million supplement users over 4 years (1/100,000 users). During the same period there were 1,736,437 AERs from pharmaceutical drugs, with fewer (only 48%) of Americans using them (average 434,100 per year or 1/253 users). In 2008 alone there were 26,517 AERs for vaccines and 526,527 AERs for approved pharmaceutical drugs.

The nature of the supplement AER’s were generally less serious than for drugs. 21% were for accidental ingestion by children (whose parents took them to the hospital as a safety precaution). Of the remaining AERs, 35% were from energy and weight loss products. Many of these contain caffeine which resulted in heart palpitations, prompting a visit to the hospital where they were examined and sent home. Deaths from supplements are very rare, less than one a year, in contrast with pharmaceuticals which kill over 100,000 Americans each year – more than from motor vehicle accidents!

While this data shows the overwhelming safety of supplements compared with drugs, I don’t want to leave the impression that supplements should be used carelessly. Balance is essential with many nutrients, especially vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Choose quality reputable brands, use only what you need, do your own research, and get advice from knowledgeable professionals.

Sources:
CBC MarketPlace documentary
GAO report
Health Impact News: GAO report critique
Mercola: Consumer Reports article critique

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.