Drug Nutrient Depletion

Derrick M. DeSilva, Jr. M.D.
(Dept.of Complimental Medicine, Perth Amboy, NJ.,Past Pres. American Nutraceutical Assoc.)
The statistics on the use of prescription medications in this country are staggering. Approximately 60% of people over the age of 65 are on at least one prescription drug. Every single medication will deplete the body of various nutrients. There is virtually no exception to this statement. Even the over the counter medications will deplete the body of various nutrients. If this is the case. What impact do we really have, when we as physicians, prescribe medications and don’t replace/replenish the nutrients that are lost from the drugs?

It has been my contention that three important questions must be asked and answered:
1. Is it the disease itself that is causing the complications of the disease?
2. Is it the drugs that are causing the complications?
3. Is it the depletion from the drugs that is causing the complications of the disease?

One of the best examples of Drug Nutrient Depletion are the nutrients that are depleted from Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The nutrients depleted are Vitamin B-6 and Magnesium. It is well known that these two nutrients are critical for heart health. If these two nutrients are depleted the risk of heart related complications may increase. This is now a well-known fact in all the literature, and the list goes on and on. My issue is not with the use of prescription medications. My issue is that with every prescription we write, we as physicians have a responsibility to inform our patients that they must replace the nutrients that are lost as a result of the use of the drug.
I have many more examples of all the prescription medications and what nutrients must be replaced.
The question still remains, is it the drug, is it the disease, or is it the depletion that produces the complications of various diseases?

Premise

• Every Pharmaceutical we ingest will deplete the body of various nutrient(s) based on the Pharmaceuticals mechanism of action.
• Result..??.. Is the progression of disease due to the progression of the disease itself or a result of the depletion of various nutrients from the body.

HRT:

• Nutrients Depleted
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin B-6

Complications from Depletion:

• Magnesium
  • Weakens muscles and nerves
  • Twitching
  • Depression
  • HTN
    Heart Disease
  • Cardiac Arrhythmias
    75% of US population is deficient in Magnesium
• Vitamin B-6
  • Fatigue, CFS, water retention, irritability, including PMS symptoms
  • Sleep disturbance
  • ?? Heart Disease

Cardio-Vascular Meds:

• Digoxin/lanoxin
  • Nutrients Depleted
    • Calcium
    • Magnesium

Complications:

• Calcium
  • Osteoporosis
  • Cardiac Arrhythmia
  • Muscle Cramps, Arthralgias
  • Tooth Decay
    Sleep Disturbance

Cardio-Vascular Meds:

• Beta Blockers
  • Nutrient Depleted
    • CoQ-10

Complications:

• CoQ-10
  • Fatigue.including symptom such as Asthma, Allergies, Respiratory disorders
  • Periodontal disease
    Cardiac dysfunction

Cardio-Vascular Meds:

• Potassium Supplementation
  • Nutrient Depletion
    • Vitamin B-12

Complications:

• Anemia.-Neuropathy
• Infertility
• Improper digestion and metabolism of food

Thiazide Diuretics:

• Nutrients Depleted
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Zinc
  • Sodium

Complications:

• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Vital fluid balances
• Zinc:
  • Slows wound healing
  • Impaired sense of smell and taste
  • Impairs Immune Systems

Diuretics:

• Nutrients Depleted
  • Folic Acid
  • CoQ-10
  • Calcium

Complications:

• Folic Acid
  • Fatigue, anemia, birth defects
  • Depression, anxiety, cervical dysphasia
• -?? Heart disease
  • CoQ10
  • Calcium

Loop Diuretics:

• Lasix, Bumex
  • Nutrient Depleted
    • Vitamins B-1
    • Magnesium
    • Vit. B-6
    • Potassium
    • Zinc
      

Complications..

• Vit. B-1 (Thiamine)
  • Inhibits production of HCI
  • Interferes with starch metabolism
  • Learning disabilities (ADD-ADHD)

Ulcer Medication:

• H2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Nutrients Depleted
    • Vitamin B-1
    • Folic Acid
    • Calcium
    • Vit. D
    • Zinc
    • Iron

Ulcer Medications:

• Proton Pump Inhibitors.. Pepid, Axid etc.
  • Nutrients Depleted
    • Vit. B-12

Cholesterol Drugs:

• HMG-Co-A Reductase Agents
  • Nutrients Depleted
    • CoQ-10

Aspirin:

• Nutrients Depleted
  • Vit. C.
  • Folic acid
  • Iron
  • Amino acids/Proteins

NSAIDS:

• Nutrients Depleted
  • Folic acid

Diabetic Meds:

• Nutrients Depleted
  • CoQ-10
  • Vit. B-12

Anti-Depressants:

• Nutrients Depleted
  • CoQ-10
  • Vit. B-12

Antibiotics:

• Nutrients Depleted
  • Gut flora (Leaky Gut Syndrome)

What’s the Moral of the Story?

If you have been taking perscription medication the nutrients that are lost need to be replaced.

Five Basic Essentials:

• Water
• Nutrients
• Exercise
• Sleep
• Prayer……