Editor's Note: Alzheimer's and other dementias are characterized by a lack of certain vitamins and minerals, folic acid for example. Preventive measures not only include supplementing diets with these vitamins, but also being aware that drugs may deplete the body's vitamin resources. The following article is a good place to start learning about the less well know effects of many pharmaceuticals.

Drug-Induced Malnutrition!

© by Lena Sanchez

Malnutrition is running rampant worldwide caused by foods that no longer contain the proper nutrients. In centuries past the fruits, grains and vegetables contained more and better minerals and vitamins, created and absorbed from the ground they were grown in. As farmers dropped normal rotations of ground-building crops, the nutrient content dropped to about one-tenth of the past nutrients. But another danger looms large in the malnutrition arena, and, when added to the lack of nutrients in our foods, it creates a HUGE pool of of illnesses.

Some commonly prescribed drugs cause severe nutritional deficiencies all by themselves. Nearly every man-made drug takes a heavy toll in unwanted and dangerous side effects with malnutrition being the most common. The following medications and chemicals contribute to malnutrition and chemical toxicity and set the stage for serious illnesses:

• Diuretics for high blood pressure wash potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc and vitamin B2 right out of your body with the water. Even more alarming is the report from the National Institute of Health (November 1998). Their researchers stated that diuretics increase the risk of kidney cancer.

• Cholesterol-lowering medications deplete many vitamins; B2, C, D, niacin, folic acid, biotin as well as the minerals; calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and several trace minerals.

• Estrogen-replacement drugs , such as Premarin, can leave you deficient in all the B Complex vitamins and vitamin C, as well as magnesium and zinc, two important heart-healthy minerals.

• Antacids steal from your tissues important life altering vitamins A and B1, folic acid with the minerals calcium, copper, iron and phosphorus. Antacids like Rolaids or Maalox can weaken bones by hindering mineral uptake.

• Antibiotics deplete numerous vitamins: B2, C, D, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and the minerals, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. At the same time, they kill the good flora that keep our intestines healthy, create an inability to absorb the nutrients we do consume, make waste elimination very difficult, and create the atmosphere for yeast growth.

• Shampoos and conditioners are often created from a variety of chemicals, but a couple that have drawn attention in the last decade are DEA and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS). When these chemicals are absorbed into your bloodstream, they create changes in hormonal systems that in turn create an environment for cancer and other diseases.

• Chlorine in our municipal water systems is linked to cancers of all types, with bathing in chlorinated water being worse than drinking chlorinated water. Neither is healthy! Bottled water still contains chlorine, so don't feel that you are safe just because you drink bottled water.

• Anti-inflamatories (NSAIDS) stop the production of good prostaglandins that promote healing of the joints and cartilage. The lack of prostaglandins causes further damage to your joints and muscles and creates an environment for arthritis and other bone and joint damage.

• Oral contraceptives can result in a folate deficiency!

• Aspirin taken on a regular basis by an arthritis or heart patient depletes the body of iron. In addition, aspirin can disintegrate the stomach lining, hindering digestion of anything put into it!

• Then comes the champion killer! Cortisone ! Cortisone is a steroid hormone produced naturally by our adrenal glands. It helps the body store glucose, an energy-food source. It helps the body regulate its use of fats, salts and blood and helps the body deal with stress. The synthetic form of cortisone is called prednisone.

Doctors use cortisone because it is a powerful drug for reducing swelling. Available as a pill or injected directly into joints, cortisone is a magic little potion that stops pain right now. However, it does not address the underlying problem that has created the swelling and problems.

What does cortisone/Prednisone do to you?

First it masks the pain but does nothing to treat the cause of the pain.

Second, ongoing use begins wearing away and eroding the naturally smooth bone surfaces that glide against each other at joints and sets you up for bigger problems later.

Giving your body cortisone sends your adrenal gland wrong signals, making it wonder what to do next and over prolonged time will shut it down from that confusion. Then come the mood swings, the weight gain caused from a voracious appetite created by the cortisone/Prednisone. Kidneys struggle to keep up the filtration needed to washout the chemicals; the liver is overworked and may end up with Hepatitis or cirrhosis.

• Prozac (fluoxetine) can decrease the appetite in some while increasing the appetite in others and depleting the system of more nutrients than I have space to list here! Judging from the myriad of side effects probably just about every nutrient! I watched devastating things happen to patients after Prozac came on the market, yet until I looked at the drug company's website I didn't know the half of it. This is one scary prescription!

My point? Your medications may be creating more illness for you! What to do?

• Do some research and try natural treatments.

• Try taking care of the area of the body that is causing the problem.

• Proper eating, exercise, supplementing with minerals, vitamins and herbs can create a healthy body!

• Stop being lazy and letting someone else determine whether you are healthy or ill.

Lena Sanchez is the author of Handbook Of Herbs To Health & Other Secrets , Antibiotic Alternatives To Preventing Mega Bacteria, and Dangers & Secrets Doctors Refuse To Tell You . Find these books online at http://www.antibiotic-alternatives.com Lena is the editor of the ezine Natural Environmental Health Facts & Your Home Business Coach. Subscribe here:
anehfacts-subscribe@envirodocs.com

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