Yuliya Klopouh, Pharm.Ph.D.
(Nutrition Consultant in Baltimore)
Dr. Yuliya Klopouh, the founder of The Orpheus Health Clinic and a specialist in nutrition consultations. My career as a Doctor of Pharmacy teaches me to believe that disease treatments begin with disease prevention! This is my credo and I live by it as I help my patients stay healthy before they experience the signs of a disease.
There are about 900 drugs and fixed-drug combinations used in the U.S. today. With 400 prescription medications can deplete essential nutrients leaving you vulnerable for many diseases including death
We are taking prescription drugs in increasing numbers. Nearly 50 % of American adults take at least one prescription medication, and nearly 20 % take 3 or more!
But are we healthier because of it?
Are these new drugs really improvements over older versions? While we hear daily of new drug miracles, more often, it’s the latest debacle: Baycol, a drug for lowering cholesterol, withdrawn from the market because of deaths and transplants due to severe liver damage; Vioxx, for arthritis, withdrawn because of heart disease-related complications.
Among the most ignored side effects, which are quite common and can be life-threatening ☠️ are nutrient depletions. Most medications will rob your body of essential nutrients.
What can you do to prevent these detrimental side effects of the prescriptions medications?
Here's two minutes video clip with a British doctor who decided to give up all medication!
All drugs causes nutrient deficiencies but here's just the top 10 Drug-Induced Nutrient Deficiencies:
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Blood Sugar Control Medications
(Oral Antidiabetic Drugs), such as Metformin (Clucophage® and Glucovance®)
This drug is the most popular oral anti-diabetic drug in America.
Metformin
Nutrients depleted
Metformin depletes Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid. It reduces a substance called intrinsic factor in the stomach, which is needed for good absorption of B12 by the small intestine. The longer the drug had been used and the higher the dose, the greater the drop in B12. Metformin may also deplete the body of the antioxidant and cardiovascular protector coenzyme Q10.
Daily Supplements: Take vitamin B12 ( 200-1,000 mcg, Folic acid 400-800 mcg, and CoQ10 30-200 mg)
Metformin: One of the most prescribed diabetes drugs (cheapest diabetes drugs) and is a lot more dangerous than we've been told! (One minute with Fox News)
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Drugs for High Cholesterol
(Cholesterol-Lowering Medications), such as Statins: Lipitor®, Zocor®, Crestor®, and Pravachol®
At this time, about 36 million Americans have cholesterol counts high enough to make them candidates for statin therapy.
Statins
Nutrients Depleted
Statins deplete the body of CoQ10, causing severe side effects. The consequences of this deficiency are broad. It can translate to:
a) Heart Failure: Deficiency in CoQ10 makes the heart less able to do its job, leading to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). CHF happens when the heart becomes too weak to efficiently pump blood through the whole cardiovascular system. Blood backs up and fluid accumulates in the lungs and throughout the body. Every year more and more people die from CHF. Could CoQ10 depletion from statin therapy have played a role in this dramatic increase?
In fact, CoQ10 is considered to be the most valuable nutrient in patients with heart failure. Studies have shown an increased risk of heart failure in statin users, and this is likely related to the CoQ10-depleting effect of the drugs. It’s essential to add the nutrient back in to help avoid this serious weakening of the heart’s pumping power.
b) Muscle Pain and Weakness: this side effect is an obvious sign of CoQ10 depletion.
The good news is that CoQ10 is easy to supplement. In addition to protecting you against these side effects, this nutrient will improve your overall health as well but I do recommend CoQ10 Zero crystal. (Because regular CoQ10 supplement crystallizes at 37 C, which is internal human body temperature and you don't want that in your body.)
Daily Supplements: Take 100-300 mg of CoQ10 Zero Cyrstal from Looking Vibrant.
Product link: https://lookingvibrant.com/collections/shop/products/coq10-zc50-zero-crystal-the-smallest-capsule
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Drugs for Hypertension
Beta-Blockers: atenolol (Tenormin®), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL®), and propranolol (Inderal®)
Beta-Blockers are one of the oldest and safest classes of antihypertensive drugs. They lower blood pressure by reducing the force and speed of the heartbeat.
Nutrients Depleted
Beta Blockers deplete CoQ10 and reduce the production of a hormone called Melatonin. By blocking beta receptors, these medications may also block the action of an enzyme needed to make this hormone, which is produced at nightfall and promotes sound sleep.
Needed Supplement: Take 100-300mg CoQ10-ZC50.
Product link: https://lookingvibrant.com/collections/shop/products/coq10-zc50-zero-crystal-the-smallest-capsule
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Diuretics Drugs
Furosemide (Lasix®) and Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ®
This class of drugs is used to reduce Blood pressure by moving fluid out of the body by an action on the kidney.
Nutrients depleted
These drugs deplete Calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins C, B1 and B6, and Zinc.
Daily Supplements: Take a well-balanced, complete multivitamin supplement containing key nutrients such as Your Daily Foundation Multi Liquid Vitamins Contains Over 200 Vegetarian Ingredients.
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Drugs for Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Antacids (Maalox, Mylanta), H2 blockers (Pepcid®, Zantac®), Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) – Nexium®, Prevacid®, Protonix®, and Aciphex®
These drugs are powerful acid-reducing medications. They reduce stomach acid and cause lots of side effects related to an acid blockade. Several studies have shown that the use of acid-suppressing drugs us linked to increased risk of a certain type of pneumonia. Why would this be?
Stomach acid kills all kind of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that could cause dangerous diseases if let to pass further in the body. Suppressing acid production, then, reduces this natural bodily defense against hazardous “bugs”. Protein digestion is also impaired in patients taking Antacids and PPIs. They may benefit from the supplementation of pre-digested protein, such as Whey protein.
Nutrients depleted
Acid-suppressing medications deplete vitamin B12 (this, cause anemia), Whey protein, vitamin D, and calcium.
Daily Supplements Protocol Recommended;
Vitamin B12, Calcium (1,000- 1,200mg), Omega-3 fatty acid (1,000-2,000 mg) and high quality broad-spectrum probiotic.
Products links:
https://lookingvibrant.com/products/raw-d3-vegetarian-k2
https://lookingvibrant.com/products/vitamin-b12-nano-pure-methylcobalamin-2500mcg
https://lookingvibrant.com/products/extra-virgin-100-norwegian-salmon-oil
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Prescription medications for Constipation
Mineral Oil, Lactulose (Enulose®), Miralax and Senna (Senokot®)
These products work mostly by helping retain water in the stool and increasing the motility of the GI tract to remove stool from the body. None of these drugs are recommended for any more than short-term use and can cause diarrhea, nausea, and black, tarry stools
Nutrients depleted
Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A, D, E, and K. Also, deplete Vitamin B12, Calcium, Iron and Zinc.
It is believed that many Americans are borderline Zinc deficient, drugs or no drugs, and even a small depletion can worsen pre-existing deficiency. Symptoms of low Zinc level are acne, joint pain, menstrual problems, poor immunity, and brittle hair.
Needed Supplements: Broad Spectrum Probiotic (daily), Omega-3 fatty acids (1,000 mg), Calcium (1,000-2,000 mg) and 500mg of Magnesium, Zinc (25-50mg)
Wholefood Vegetarian liquid Multivitamin with over 200 nutrients Product link: https://lookingvibrant.com/collections/shop/products/your-daily-foundation-apex-45-days-supply-china-free-non-gmo-and-bpa-free-bottle-product-video
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Antidepressants Drugs
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Celexa®, Lexapro®, Zoloft®, Paxil®, and Prozac®
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. They work by making serotonin more available in the synapse; so instead of being picked by the cell and broken down, the serotonin molecule gets to connect with the same receptor several times. The net effect is an increase in the neurotransmitter’s feel-good effects.
SSRIs cause multiple side effects and nutrients depletions.
Nutrients depleted
Melatonin- based on human studies, melatonin changes after antidepressant use may be due to the pharmacological action of SSRIs on melatonin secretion. SSRIs are also known to deplete sodium which may lead to severe neurological changes.
Needed supplements: Well-balanced Multivitamin/Mineral, specifically, group-B vitamins, Co Q10- 100-300 mg daily, Folic Acid 800mcg daily, SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) – 200mg twice daily, Omega-3 fatty acids (1,000 mg daily) (Your Daily Foundation multivitamin plus Norwegian Salmon oil is recommended)
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Drugs for Birth Control
Oral Contraceptives are highly effective, no doubt, but they increase the risk of breast and cervical cancers and of cervical dysplasia, the precancerous condition the doctor looks for when doing a Pap smear. Oral contraceptives also increase the risk of heart attacks and blood clots. Low sex drive on the pill? It’s caused by low testosterone which in turn, is caused by synthetic hormones. Depression on the pill? It’s due to depletion of vitamins C and B6, needed to make neurotransmitters.
Nutrients Depleted
Calcium, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Vitamins B2, B6, B12, vitamin C, and Zinc.
Daily Supplements: Calcium 500 mg, Folic acid 400-800 mcg daily and Magnesium 400mg-600mg daily, Well Balanced/complete Multivitamin /Mineral preparation containing sufficient amounts of B vitamins as well as vitamin C (1,000 mg) and Zinc (25-50 mg)
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Antibiotics Drugs
(Augmentin®, Keflex®, Cipro®, Bactrim®, etc)
More often than not, lots of people these days rely on antibiotics as a “magic bullet” for recovery. While in some situations, the use of antibiotics is appropriate and clinically justified, in other situations, they are simply not necessary and often given to people just to “prevent secondary infection”. In the process of taking antibiotics without a true indication, you deplete your body of several important nutrients, known as “good” probiotic bacteria that help maintain immunity and gastrointestinal health.
Nutrients Depleted
Biotin, Inositol, ALL major vitamins (water and fat soluble), calcium, folic acid (especially, Bactrim®) and potassium (mostly, Augmentin® and Keflex®)
Daily Supplements: the doses of magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium contained in a good multivitamin should cover your needs for these nutrients during a course of antibiotic therapy. You may need to restore other nutrient depletions by taking the following:
* B-Complex vitamins,
* Inositol (100-1,000mg),
* Probiotics (choose the products that contain at least one billion live organisms per daily dose).
One week of Antibiotics treatment kill beneficial bacteria in the gut for two full years. Therefore, you must replenish these “good” bacteria with good Probiotics to prevent future infections and GI problems.
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Pain Medications
(Tylenol®, Percocet®, Motrin®, Naproxen®, Indocin®)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a drug that reduces pain. It is implicated in tens of thousands of cases of liver damage, including deaths, every year, and is the single largest contributing factor to liver failure that requires liver transplants.
This drug is included in many multi-drug, over-the-counter (OTC) combinations, and taking even slightly more than the recommended amount can seriously damage your liver.
Nutrients Depleted
Folic Acid (Motrin, Naproxen), Vitamin C, Zinc, and Glutathione (that prevents liver damage)
Daily Supplements: N-Acetyl-Cysteine- 600-1200 mg (precursor to glutathione) can prevent liver damage.
Vitamin C > 3 g/day (300mg) extends protective effects of N-acetyl-cysteine
Selenium 200 mcg/day.
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Osteoporosis Medications Drugs (Fosamax®, Actonel®)
These medications are called bisphosphonates. They are widely prescribed to prevent and treat osteoporosis and to prevent fractures. Fosamax and Actonel slow bone loss.
Nutrients depleted
Because bisphosphonates push calcium into the bones, blood levels of this mineral, which also plays a role in muscle contraction and relaxation, can be depleted if dietary intake is too low. Essentially, these bone-building drugs have a calcium-depleting effect.
Daily Supplements: Take complete Multivitamin / Mineral containing calcium, magnesium, boron, vitamin D and vitamin K to ensure that you have enough of these minerals to fulfill all their roles in the body. Any woman approaching or at menopause should use these supplements, plus a couple more to really get ahead of the curve and prevent osteoporosis.
Every young woman needs to be aware that her young years are crucial for building optimal bone mass. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of young women are already at risk for developing osteoporosis later in life because they have failed to build up their bones. Exercise, calcium/magnesium/vitamin D3 with K2, and a good diet are crucial in the teens and early twenties.
In Conclusion
Be aware of the power of prescription medications, both can mostly help in managing some diseases but also can harm you.
By educating yourself about possible nutrient depletions, you will be in the best position to take advantage of the positive effects that medications can provide for you.
In addition, I recommend supplementing accordingly using premium quality supplements, beyond just the level of the depletions, you will be giving yourself a chance for true healing and optimal health. You deserve it...
Before you rush to purchase your next supplements!
The New York Attorney General conducted an investigation on supplements sold at major national retailers — GNC, Target, Walgreen, CVS, Wal-Mart and found that 4 out 5 supplements tested didn't contain the DNA from plant species listed on labels😖
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.