Somewhat OT - If you take meds

http://www.invitehealth.com/Drug-Induce ... etion.html

Of course, always check with your doctor before taking anything.

49er

PS - I know this information is from a site that sells various supplements so understandably, you might think this would be biased. But I have seen this same information elsewhere.

Thank you for that list! It explains things from the past and I'll watch for others in future.

Julie wrote:Thank you for that list! It explains things from the past and I'll watch for others in future.

You're welcome Julie.

I just find it so frustrating that doctors seem to be ignorant about this. Maybe medication compliance rates would be alot higher if people were counseled ahead of time as to what to take since that would increase the chances of reducing adverse side effects.. If the doctor doesn't have time to do this which is understandable, they need to refer patients to someone who can. By the way, I am not sure pharmacists would be much better in this area although of course, i could be wrong.

49er

Thank you, 49er.
I have bookmarked the list.

Not sure what happens in the U.S., but scripts here come with notes re dosage, side FX, etc. etc... and would it really be so hard for pharmacists to include that list as a standard thing too? I think I'll suggest it to my place and see what they say. It can give people a chance to ask if taking supplements along with the meds (or after finishing them up) would be a good idea or not.

Julie wrote:Not sure what happens in the U.S., but scripts here come with notes re dosage, side FX, etc. etc... and would it really be so hard for pharmacists to include that list as a standard thing too? I think I'll suggest it to my place and see what they say. It can give people a chance to ask if taking supplements along with the meds (or after finishing them up) would be a good idea or not.

Pretty much the same deal in the US. Just tried to speak to a pharmacist on the phone but obviously, I called at a bad time so I will just stop by to make the suggestion. Maybe if I speak in the language of increasing patient compliance, they will listen.

Sadly, most of the medical profession regards anything involving a nutrient as voodoo (apologies to any practitioners of the religion). They seem to forget that we need to eat for ... a reason maybe?

Unless, of course, they see an opportunity to ban us from eating anything that tastes good or has pleasant side effects.

This is very interesting. I saw a couple mention melatonin. I know we often say meds can affect sleep. Surely depletion of melatonin could adversely affect sleep. I went out and searched around a bit trying to find a list NOT from a site selling supplements. Why isn't this information on major mainstream medical sites? Or maybe I just didn't see it. If anyone finds it out there, please let me know. The information is so useful I'd like to share it, but I'd like to see some info substantiating the claims.

kteague wrote:This is very interesting. I saw a couple mention melatonin. I know we often say meds can affect sleep. Surely depletion of melatonin could adversely affect sleep. I went out and searched around a bit trying to find a list NOT from a site selling supplements. Why isn't this information on major mainstream medical sites? Or maybe I just didn't see it. If anyone finds it out there, please let me know. The information is so useful I'd like to share it, but I'd like to see some info substantiating the claims.

kteague,

As always, you are asking some great questions. I have some thoughts as to why this isn't on mainstream sites which is pure opinion and nothing more.

Doctors are very well intentioned but in my opinion, it is hard for them to believe that drugs cause side effects. Or if they prescribe something short term, they think some of common risks associated with them long term aren't going to occur short term when some of us med sensitive folks would beg to differ. As a result, it they don't think about drugs causing side effects, it isn't going to occur them that they may deplete nutrients.

One possible exception is that there are some doctors who advise their patients to take probiotics along with antibiotics. But even this isn't widespread advice and I definitely wasn't told to do this when I go on them prophalactically after my septoplosty.

Even if this information isn't substantiated on mainstream sites, it seems to me that if drugs create imbalances in the system in an attempt to alleviate a particular problem, this would happen. Of course, I totally admit this is a very simplistic explanation and perhaps someone with a medical or scientific background could chime in.

Regarding mainstream folks who are saying the same thing, I don't think you're going to find this information on a place like webmd. But these sites might be helpful:

http://www.drugmuggersbook.com/drugmuggersbook/index

Yup, she is selling a book but she is a pharmacist and does offer a 21 day trial period.

http://www.medicationsense.com/index.php

Run by a mainstream physician who doesn't really discuss how drugs deplete nutrients. But he has some great information on using nutrients instead of drugs to for various problems.

Perhaps the information I previously saw was on health supplement sites because right now, this is the best I can do. But I will keep looking.

49er

PS - Just found these sites:

http://www.granbypharmacy.com/uploads/7 ... -chart.pdf
http://nutritionreview.org/2013/04/prac ... depletion/ - Physician who wrote it sells supplements but still worth reading.
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr= ... de&f=false - Book mentions there is a discussion of drug induced nutrient depletion although there is no immediate access to the information.
http://integrativerxpharmacy.com/drug-i ... 40709b.pdf - By an integrative pharmacist. Very informative

For various reasons, I have been switched to Cardizem from Bystolic. When I asked the cardiologist if it depleted any nutrients, she looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. According to the link I provided, it depletes Vitamin D so I at some point, I will get a vitamin D test to make sure my level is staying up.

49er

I am aware of several physicians who have written books that included this topic. The most prominent is cardiologist Steven Sinatra. He talks frequently about statins that reduce Co Q10, and suggests that they ar greatly over prescribed.
Another is Russell Blalock.
I am very aware of this concept and appreciate the list.

bwexler wrote:I am aware of several physicians who have written books that included this topic. The most prominent is cardiologist Steven Sinatra. He talks frequently about statins that reduce Co Q10, and suggests that they ar greatly over prescribed.
Another is Russell Blalock.
I am very aware of this concept and appreciate the list.

Thanks bwexler. I am definitely familiar with Sinatra's site and love it. Didn't realize Dr. Blalack had covered this area so I will have to check out what he has said.

I just continue to be incredulous that this area is greatly neglected by mainstream physicians. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Darth Lady wrote:Sadly, most of the medical profession regards anything involving a nutrient as voodoo (apologies to any practitioners of the religion). They seem to forget that we need to eat for ... a reason maybe?

Unless, of course, they see an opportunity to ban us from eating anything that tastes good or has pleasant side effects.

Off topic, but your screen name and user pic are both amazing!

Thankyou for this list 49er. I keep having chronically low B12 levels and queried my doctor and health professionals why, they couldn't tell me why and said to eat more red meat. I told them I eat far more red meat than what I should and my iron levels are always perfect.

This list has proven what I've always suspected, some of my medication has interfered with my absorption of B12

mgaggie wrote:Thankyou for this list 49er. I keep having chronically low B12 levels and queried my doctor and health professionals why, they couldn't tell me why and said to eat more red meat. I told them I eat far more red meat than what I should and my iron levels are always perfect.

This list has proven what I've always suspected, some of my medication has interfered with my absorption of B12

You're very welcome mgaggie but once again, I am incredulous at the ignorance of medical professionals regarding this issue. I want to scream "WHAT DON'T YOU BLEEPING UNDERSTAND?"

By the way, one site suggested that my new med, Norvasc, causes potassium to be depleted. Since it seems that drinking 3 cups of high potassium tomato juice keeps my heart rate at a normal level, is this an issue? Will ask cardiologist when I see her tomorrow.