Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. 2013-05-18T14:08:28-04:00Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/index.php?author=suzy-cohen-rphCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. Good old fashioned elbow grease.5 Reasons to Take Astaxanthin Every Daytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.27509102013-02-28T15:29:33-05:002013-04-30T05:12:01-04:00Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/Astaxanthin, dubbed the "king of the carotenoids" is red, and is responsible for turning salmon, crab, lobster and shrimp flesh pink. In the animal kingdom, astaxanthin is found in the highest concentration in the muscles of salmon. Scientists theorize astaxanthin helps provide the endurance these remarkable animals need to swim upstream. For humans, astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant with broad health implications and unlike other antioxidants, such as beta carotene, zeaxanthin, vitamin E, C, D and selenium, astaxanthin never becomes pro-oxidant in the body. [23, 24, 25, 26]
Astaxanthin has been discussed by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Joe Mercola and recommended by many health experts, including myself. I take 12 milligrams every morning. I'd like to clarify one myth now: Krill supplements contain trace amounts of astaxanthin, not nearly what you need to achieve the therapeutic benefits discussed today. Here are five reasons to take astaxanthin supplements every day:
1. Astaxanthin Can Help Relieve Pain and Inflammation
Astaxanthin is a potent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, blocking different chemicals in your body that make you scream "ouch!" More than that, astaxanthin reduces the inflammatory compounds that drive many chronic diseases. Even though it's 100 percent natural, astaxanthin works like some prescription analgesics, but without the risk of addiction, GI bleeds or heartburn. More specifically, astaxanthin blocks COX 2 enzymes just like Celebrex, the blockbuster drug prescribed for osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain and monthly dysmenorrhea. [1] In fact, astaxanthin works well with Celebrex -- it would be wise to take both together if you want to and if your doctor approves of astaxanthin.
Natural astaxanthin not only affects the COX 2 pathway, it suppresses serum levels of nitric oxide, interleukin 1B, prostaglandin E2, C Reactive Protein (CRP) and TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and all of this has been proven. [1] Natural astaxanthin was shown to reduce CRP by more than 20 percent in only eight weeks; there is not a prescription drug I know of that does that! [21] Even the American Heart Association claims CRP is a key indicator of heart disease. [22]
2. Astaxanthin Helps Fight Fatigue
Astaxanthin provides excellent recovery from exercise. [17] Just like salmon making the heroic upstream swim, astaxanthin can help athletes do their best. Pure natural astaxanthin is indicated for recovery of muscles, better endurance, enhanced strength and improved energy levels. [18, 19, 20]
3. Astaxanthin Supports Eye Health
Remember the famous song, "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone..." Well, I associate that song with astaxanthin. It has the unique ability to cross through a barrier and reach your retina. Well-designed clinical trials have shown that astaxanthin helps diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, eye strain and fatigue and seeing in fine detail. There are well-designed positive human clinical trials supporting eye health. [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
4. Astaxanthin Cleans Up the Cells
Astaxanthin is in a class of its own when it comes to antioxidant coverage, because it filters into every cell of the body. Its unique molecular lipophilic and hydrophilic properties allow it to span the entire cell, with one end of the astaxanthin molecule protecting the fat-soluble part of the cell and one end protecting the water-soluble part of the cell. You might think of it as giving your cell a full-body hug!
Natural astaxanthin is exceptionally powerful in singlet-oxygen quenching. A 2007 study analyzed several popular antioxidants and their antioxidant power. [10] This study found astaxanthin was 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C, 800 times stronger than CoQ10, 550 times stronger than green tea catechins and 75 times stronger than alpha lipoic acid.
5. Gorgeous Skin and Sunscreen Protection
Astaxanthin has been shown to protect the body's largest organ. The studies are clear and consistent and show excellent results for helping with skin moisture levels, smoothness, elasticity, fine wrinkles, and spots or freckles. [12]
I have fair skin that tends to freckle, so I take astaxanthin, in part because it reduces damage caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In fact, if you get a sunburn, which causes inflammation, astaxanthin penetrates the skin cells and reduces UVA damage. Think of it as an internal sunscreen. Other than skin benefits, I love astaxanthin because it relieves my minor aches and pains from yoga, dance, hiking, kayaking and whatever else I get into in the name of fun!
Best Astaxanthin Sources
Wild Pacific salmon, especially sockeye salmon, have the highest astaxanthin content. However you'd have to eat about 6 ounces (165 grams) daily to get a 3.6 milligram dose. [11] Since studies show that doses greater than that provide anti-inflammatory benefits, I always suggest an astaxanthin supplement.
Shop wisely, because you want to make sure that your particular brand has undertaken all the special precautions to harvest it properly, purify it, encapsulate it and protect its potency right up to the expiration date on the bottle. You can find astaxanthin supplements by many makers at health food stores nationwide.
1. Lee SJ, Bai SK, Lee KS, Namkoong S, Na HJ, Ha KS, Han JA, Yim SV, Chang K, Kwon YG, Lee SK, Kim YM. Astaxanthin inhibits nitric oxide production and inflammatory gene expression by suppressing I(kappa)B kinase-dependent NF-kappaB activation. Mol Cells. 2003 Aug 31;16(1):97-105. PubMed PMID: 14503852.
2. Kearney PM, Baigent C, Godwin J, Halls H, Emberson JR, Patrono C. Do selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors and traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the risk of atherothrombosis? Meta-analysis of randomised trials. BMJ. 2006 Jun 3;332(7553):1302-8. PubMed PMID: 16740558; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1473048.
3. Belknap SM. NSAIDs were associated with increased risk for mortality, regardless of time since first MI. Ann Intern Med. 2013 Jan 15;158(2):JC10. doi:
10.7326/0003-4819-158-2-201301150-02010. PubMed PMID: 23318332.
4. Iwasaki Tsuneto, Tahara Akihiko. Effects of Astaxanthin on Eyestrain Induced by Accommodative Dysfunction. Journal of the Eye VOL.23;NO.6;829-834(2006)
5. Nagaki Y., Hayasaka S., Yamada T., Hayasaka Y., Sanada M., Uonomi T. Effects of Astaxanthin on accommodation, critical flicker fusion, and pattern visual evoked potential in visual display terminal workers. Journal of Traditional Medicines 2002: 19 (5), 170 - 173.
6. Nagaki Yasunori et al. The Effect of Astaxanthin on Retinal Capillary Blood Flow in Normal Volunteers. Journal of Clinical Therapeutics & Medicines Vol.21;No.5;537-542(2005)
7. Sun Z, Liu J, Zeng X, Huangfu J, Jiang Y, Wang M, Chen F. Protective actions of microalgae against endogenous and exogenous advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Food Funct. 2011 May;2(5):251-8. doi: 10.1039/c1fo10021a. Epub 2011 Apr 21. PubMed PMID: 21779563.
8. Ishida S. Lifestyle-related diseases and anti-aging ophthalmology: suppression of retinal and choroidal pathologies by inhibiting renin-angiotensin system and inflammation. Article in Japanese: Nihon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi. 2009 Mar;113(3):403-22; discussion 423. Review. Japanese. PubMed PMID: 19348185.
9. Liao JH, Chen CS, Maher TJ, Liu CY, Lin MH, Wu TH, Wu SH. Astaxanthin interacts with selenite and attenuates selenite-induced cataractogenesis. Chem Res Toxicol. 2009 Mar 16;22(3):518-25. doi: 10.1021/tx800378z. PubMed PMID: 19193053.
10. Nishida Y. et. al, Quenching Activities of Common Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants against Singlet Oxygen Using Chemiluminescence Detection System.
Carotenoid Science 11:16-20 (2007)
11. Iwamoto T, et al. Inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation by astaxanthin. J Atherosc Thromb 2000;7:216-22.
12. Camera E, Mastrofrancesco A, Fabbri C, Daubrawa F, Picardo M, Sies H, Stahl W. Astaxanthin, canthaxanthin and beta-carotene differently affect UVA-induced oxidative damage and expression of oxidative stress- responsive enzymes. Exp Dermatol. 2009 Mar;18(3):222-31. Epub 2008 Sep
13. Yamashita, E. Beauty From Within: A Synergistic Combination Of Astaxanthin And Tocotrienol For Beauty Supplements (2002) Cosmetic Benefit of Dietary Supplements Containing Astaxanthin and Tocotrienol on Human Skin. Food Style 21 6(6):112-17.
14. A novel micronutrient supplement in skin aging: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Volume 4 Page 277 - December 2005
15. Suganuma K, Nakajima H, Ohtsuki M, Imokawa G. Astaxanthin attenuates the UVA-induced up-regulation of matrix- metalloproteinase-1 and skin fibroblast elastase in human dermal fibroblasts. J Dermatol Sci. 2010 May;58(2):136-42. Epub 2010 Feb 18.
16. Arakane Kumi. Effect of Antioxidant to Inhibit UV-Induced Wrinkles. Journal of Japanese Cosmetic Science Society Vol. 27;No.4; 298-303(2003).
17. Aoi, et al, 2003. Astaxanthin limits exercise-induced skeletal and cardiac muscle damage in mice. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2003 Feb;5(1):139-44.
18. Curt L. Malmsten and Åke Lignell. Dietary Supplementation with Astaxanthin-Rich Algal Meal Improves Strength Endurance. A Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study on Male Students. Carotenoid Science, Vol.13, 2008 ISSN 1880-5671.
19. Aoi W, Naito Y, Takanami Y, Ishii T, Kawai Y, Akagiri S, Kato Y, Osawa T, Yoshikawa T. Astaxanthin improves muscle lipid metabolism in exercise via inhibitory effect of oxidative CPT I modification. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Feb 22;366(4):892-7. Epub 2007 Dec 17.
20. Ikeuchi M, Koyama T, Takahashi J, Yazawa K. Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on exercise-induced fatigue in mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Oct;29(10):2106-10.
21. Gene A. Spiller, PhD, Antonella Dewell, MS, RD, Sally Chaves, RN, Zaga Rakidzich. Effect of daily use natural astaxanthin on C-reactive protein. Health Research & Studies Center, Los Altos, CA. Study Report, January, 2006.
22. Pearson, Thomas; Mensah, George, et al. Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease: application to clinical and public health practice: A statement for healthcare professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association.2003 Jan 28; 107(3) :499-511.
23. Beutner, S., Bloedorn, B., Frixel, S., Hernández Blanco, I., Hoffmann, T., Martin, H.-D., Mayer, B., Noack, P., Ruck, C., Schmidt, M., Schülke, I., Sell, S., Ernst, H., Haremza, S., Seybold, G., Sies, H., Stahl, W. and Walsh, R. (2001), Quantitative assessment of antioxidant properties of natural colorants and phytochemicals: carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols and indigoids. The role of β-carotene in antioxidant functions. J. Sci. Food Agric., 81: 559-568. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.849.
24. Spallholz JE. Free radical generation by selenium compounds and their prooxidant toxicity. Biomed Environ Sci. 1997 Sep;10(2-3):260-70. Review. PubMed PMID: 9315319.
25. Koren R, Hadari-Naor I, Zuck E, Rotem C, Liberman UA, Ravid A. Vitamin D is a prooxidant in breast cancer cells. Cancer Res. 2001 Feb 15;61(4):1439-44. PubMed PMID: 11245448.
26. Pearson P, Lewis SA, Britton J, Young IS, Fogarty A. The pro-oxidant activity of high-dose vitamin E supplements in vivo. BioDrugs. 2006;20(5):271-3. PubMed PMID: 17025373.]]>Acid Reflux Medications Are Big Drug Muggers Causing Many Side Effectstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.25224662013-01-28T13:40:40-05:002013-03-30T05:12:01-04:00Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/
For many years, only adults took these drugs, but today, well-meaning parents have placed their babies and toddlers on acid blockers, per doctors orders. Why? Because for example, the baby spits up, or cries after eating, and the pediatrician recommends an acid blocker. Did you know that sometimes the problem is related to improper size on the nipple on the baby's bottle? It can cause gasping and gagging as too much air is swallowed while the baby eats, so I wonder if your baby is taking a drug he doesn't need. Just a thought. The point here is, a growing number of our population is taking a medication that causes some side effects. I'd like to offer protection.
Meet the Medications
There are three types of medications that suppress acid. The PPIs shut down the proton pumps in the stomach, and a couple of examples are Prilosec and Prevacid. The H2 antagonists block histamine receptors in stomach cells that normally make acid, and examples of these include Zantac and Pepcid. Antacids work locally, just for a few hours, and some examples include Tums, Maalox and Mylanta. Regardless of what medication you take, it can be a drug mugger of essential nutrients, thus causing all sorts of side effects. Take a look at all of the potential side effects resulting from nutrient depletion, which might (if they go unrecognized) get you diagnosed with a new disease:
Folate -- In order for vitamin B9 (folate) to be absorbed from your intestine, the pH in your gut must be between 5.5 and 6.0. [1,2] So it makes sense that depletion with H2 antagonists happens because pH increases in the gut. A deficiency of folate in the body may cause or exacerbate atherosclerosis, confusion, depression, irritability, pale skin, and megaloblastic anemia.
Iron -- Iron deficiency has been noted with cimetidine (an H2 antagonist). The reduction ranges from 28 to 65 percent with single doses of 300 to 900 mg and depletion occurs because gut pH increases. [3, 4] You may think "no big deal," but iron deficiency can lead to chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, paleness, heart palpitations, dizziness, anxiety, symptoms that might be labelled as obsessive-compulsive, hair loss and muscle twitching.
Vitamin B12 -- B12 is glued to protein, and your gastric acid is needed to release B12 from the protein so you can absorb it from the gut. B12 deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, confusion, depression and neuropathy. [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] It may cause psychiatric and dementia-like symptoms. Just remember, stomach acid is needed to unglue the vitamin B12 from the protein molecule in order for it to be fully absorbed. [28, 29, 30, 31] Reduced secretion of gastric acid and pepsin, which occurs with H2 blocker usage, can reduce absorption of protein-bound (dietary) vitamin B12 but not supplemental vitamin B12. [34-41] Simply put, acid blockers prevent you from getting B12 out of your food.
Magnesium -- Reports of hypomagnesemia have occurred with long-term PPI use (greater than 1 year); these drugs block the active transport of magnesium in the intestine, causing low magnesium and resulting in serious pathophysiology including cardiac arrhythmia, muscle spasms, tetany, hypocalcemia, epileptic convulsions (seizures), hypoparathyroidism, depression. [See references 8-19 below, 12-23] There's a blood test available to determine your red blood cell (RBC) levels of magnesium.
Vitamin A -- Beta carotene forms vitamin A in the body, but beta carotene itself is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract very well in the presence of omeprazole (a PPI drug) because of the higher pH. [24] Supplementation with natural beta carotene or plain vitamin A may be necessary especially if you have: dry eyes, color blindness, peeling nails, dry hair, dry skin, grey spots in the eyes (Bitot's spots), night blindness and impaired immunity.
Calcium and Zinc -- These minerals have to be solubilized in water in order to be fully absorbed, and the solubility of minerals is dependent on having an acidic pH in the stomach. A reduction of calcium or zinc can have profound effects on the body, increasing risk of osteoporosis. There is a higher risk of fractures among takers of certain acid blockers. [42]
Probiotics (Lactobacillus) -- Gastric ulcer patients show bacterial overgrowth in the jejunum and fat malabsorption after omeprazole treatment. [26] The bacterial over-growth included anaerobes and aerobes and is more than likely associated with a drug-induced shift to neutral pH. Also, probiotics protect against bacterial adhesion of Helicobactor pylori, the organism known to cause ulceration. [27] Having poor gut integrity due to low probiotic status can affect immunity, levels of energy and weight. Signs that you may not have enough of these friendly organisms in your mucosal barrier include urinary tract infections, mouth sores/ulcers, gas, constipation/diarrhea, digestive pain, inflammatory bowels and food sensitivities.
Vitamin D -- Activation of vitamin D occurs partly in the stomach, and then in the liver. If the acid is reduced in the stomach, complete activation does not occur. Data suggests that cimetidine treatment affects vitamin D levels because one month after cessation of therapy, D levels rose significantly. [32, 33] Vitamin D is important for a happy mood and to prevent infections.
1. Russell RM, Golner BB, Krasinski SD, et al. Effect of antacid and H2 receptor antagonists on the intestinal absorption of folic acid. J Lab Clin Med 1988;112:458-63.
2. Russell RM, Golner BB, Krasinski SD, Sadowski JA, Suter PM, Braun CL. Effect of antacid and H2 receptor antagonists on the intestinal absorption of folic acid. J. Lab Clin Med 1988 Oct;112(4):458-63.
3. Skikne BS, Lynch SR, Cook JD. Role of gastric acid in food iron absorption. Gastroenterology 1981;81:1068-71.
4. Sturniolo GC, Montino MC, Rossetto L, et al. Inhibition of gastric acid secretion reduces zinc absorption in man. J Am Coll Nutr 1991;10:372.
5. Termanini B, Gibril F, Sutliff VE, et al. Effect of long-term gastric acid suppressive therapy on serum vitamin B12 levels in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Am J Med 1998;104:422-30.
6. Bellou A, Aimone-Gastin I, De Korwin JD, et al. Cobalamin deficiency with megaloblastic anaemia in one patient under long-term omeprazole therapy. J Intern Med 1996;240:161-4.\
7. Saltzman JR, Kemp JA, Golner BB, et al. Effect of hypochlorhydria due to omeprazole treatment or atrophic gastritis on protein-bound vitamin B12 absorption. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:584-91.
8. Marcuard SP, Albernaz L, Khazaine PG. Omeprazole therapy causes malabsorption of cyanocobalamin. Ann Intern Med 1994;120:211-5.
9. Carpentier JL, Bury J, Luyckx A, et al. Vitamin B12 and folic acid serum levels in diabetics under various therapeutic regimens. Diabete Metab 1976;2:187-90.
10. Ruscin JM, Page RL, Valuck RJ. Vitamin B12 deficiency associated with histamine-2-receptor antagonists and a proton-pump inhibitor. Ann Pharmacother 2002;36:812-6.
11. Force RW, Meeker AD, Cady PS, et al. Increased vitamin B12 requirement associated with chronic acid suppression therapy. Ann Pharmacother 2003;37:490-3.
12. Safety Alert. Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs (PPIs): Drug Safety Communication - Low Magnesium Levels Can Be Associated With Long-Term Use. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, March 2, 2011. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm245275.htm
13. Mackay JD, Bladon PT. Hypomagnesaemia due to proton-pump inhibitor therapy: a clinical case series. QJM 2010;103:387-95.
14. Kuipers MT, Thang HD, Arntzenius AB. Hypomagnesaemia due to use of proton pump inhibitors--a review. Neth J Med 2009;67:169-72.
15. Cundy T, Dissanayake A. Severe hypomagnesaemia in long-term users of proton-pump inhibitors. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2008;69:338-41.
16. Doornebal J, Bijlsma R, Brouwer RM. [An unknown but potentially serious side effect of proton pump inhibitors: hypomagnesaemia]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2009;153:A711.
17. Epstein M, McGrath S, Law F. Proton-pump inhibitors and hypomagnesemic hypoparathyroidism. N Engl J Med 2006;355:1834-6.
18. François M, Lévy-Bohbot N, Caron J, Durlach V. [Chronic use of proton-pump inhibitors associated with giardiasis: A rare cause of hypomagnesemic hypoparathyroidism?]. Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 2008;69:446-8.
19. Broeren MA, Geerdink EA, Vader HL, van den Wall Bake AW. Hypomagnesemia induced by several proton-pump inhibitors. Ann Intern Med 2009;151:755-6.
20. Hoorn EJ, van der Hoek J, de Man RA, et al. A case series of proton pump inhibitor-induced hypomagnesemia. Am J Kidney Dis 2010;56:112-6.
21. Regolisti G, Cabassi A, Parenti E, et al. Severe hypomagnesemia during long-term treatment with a proton pump inhibitor. Am J Kidney Dis 2010;56:168-74.
22. Cundy T, Mackay J. Proton pump inhibitors and severe hypomagnesaemia. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2011;27:180-5.
23. Fernández-Fernández FJ, Sesma P, Caínzos-Romero T, Ferreira-González L. Intermittent use of pantoprazole and famotidine in severe hypomagnesaemia due to omeprazole. Neth J Med 2010;68:329-30.
24. Tang G, Serfaty-Lacrosniere C, Camilo ME, Russell RM. Gastric acidity influences the blood response to a beta-carotene dose in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996 Oct;64(4):622-6.
25. Sturniolo GC, Montino MC, Rossetto L, et al. Inhibition of gastric acid secretion reduces zinc absorption in man. J Am Coll Nutr 1991;10:372.
26. Shindo K, Machida M, Fukumura M, Koide K, Yamazaki R. Omeprazole induces altered bile acid metabolism. Gut. 1998 Feb;42(2):266-71.
27. Lam EK, Yu L, Wong HP, Wu WK, Shin VY, Tai EK, So WH, Woo PC, Cho CH.Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG enhances gastric ulcer healing in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007 Jun 22;565(1-3):171-9.
28. Salom IL, Silvis SE, Doscherholmen A. Effect of cimetidine on the absorption of vitamin B12. Scand J Gastroenterol 1982;17:129-31.
29. Ruscin JM, Page RL, Valuck RJ. Vitamin B12 deficiency associated with histamine-2-receptor antagonists and a proton-pump inhibitor. Ann Pharmacother 2002;36:812-6.
30. Force RW, Nahata MC. Effect of histamine H2 receptor antagonists on vitamin B12 absorption. Ann Pharmacother 1992;26:1283-6.
31. Force RW, Meeker AD, Cady PS, et al. Increased vitamin B12 requirement associated with chronic acid suppression therapy. Ann Pharmacother 2003;37:490-3.
32. Odes HS, Fraser GM, Krugliak P, Lamprecht SA, Shany S. Effect of cimetidine on hepatic vitamin D metabolism in humans. Digestion. 1990;46(2):61-4. PubMed PMID: 2253823.
33. Bengoa JM, Bolt MJ, Rosenberg IH. Hepatic vitamin D 25-hydroxylase inhibition by cimetidine and isoniazid. J Lab Clin Med. 1984 Oct;104(4):546-52. PubMed PMID: 6481217.
34. Ruscin JM, Page RL, Valuck RJ. Vitamin B12 deficiency associated with histamine-2-receptor antagonists and a proton-pump inhibitor. Ann Pharmacother 2002;36:812-6.
35. Force RW, Nahata MC. Effect of histamine H2 receptor antagonists on vitamin B12 absorption. Ann Pharmacother 1992;26:1283-6.
36. Force RW, Meeker AD, Cady PS, et al. Increased vitamin B12 requirement associated with chronic acid suppression therapy. Ann Pharmacother 2003;37:490-3.
37. Aymard JP, Aymard B, Netter P, et al. Haematological adverse effects of histamine H2-receptor antagonists. Med Toxicol Adverse Drug Exp 1988;3:430-48.
38. Belaiche J, Zittoun J, Marquet J, et al. Effect of ranitidine on secretion of gastric intrinsic factor and absorption of vitamin B12. Gastroenterol Clin Biol 1983;7:381-4.
39. Salom IL, Silvis SE, Doscherholmen A. Effect of cimetidine on the absorption of vitamin B12. Scand J Gastroenterol 1982;17:129-31.
40. Force RW, Meeker AD, Cady PS, et al. Increased vitamin B12 requirement associated with chronic acid suppression therapy. Ann Pharmacother 2003;37:490-3.
41. Termanini B, Gibril F, Sutliff VE, et al. Effect of long-term gastric acid suppressive therapy on serum vitamin B12 levels in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Am J Med 1998;104:422-30
42. Possible Increased Risk of Bone Fractures With Certain Antacid Drugs". U S Food and Drug Administration. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
For more health news, click here. ]]>Asthma and Arthritis Medications Are Drug Muggerstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.24653522013-01-17T13:00:55-05:002013-03-19T05:12:01-04:00Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/
Surprised? Most people are, and I can say that safely because I've been a pharmacist for 23 years, and I always get the same look when I tell people they need to "marry" their medicine with the right nutrient(s) to minimize or avoid (or reverse) side effects.
Don't believe me? Let's delve a little deeper into this.
Corticosteroids are medications used frequently this time of year and in the springtime for inflammatory conditions and disorders associated with a hyper-reactive immune response. Thus, corticosteroids are well-known for their anti-inflammatory and and immunosuppressant activity on the body. The most commonly-prescribed medications in this class include prednisone and hydrocortisone, and as an aside, these drugs are also classically used for various autoimmune disorders like lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Methylprednisolone is another corticosteroid that is sometimes used.
Corticosteroid treatment has been associated with many side effects. The most noted is increased loss of bone mineral density, causing a predisposition to osteoporosis. It is a proven fact that calcium is needed for healthy bones, and studies show that corticosteroids can suppress calcium absorption, as well as increase calcium excretion. In 1998, a study showed that low dosages (10 mg per day) of prednisone led to a reduction in osteocalcin, P1CP (Propeptide of Type 1 Procollagen) and alkaline phosphatase, as well an increase in the urinary excretion of calcium. Bone formation decreased, whereas resorption remained unchanged (or decreased slightly). Clearly, corticosteroids have a negative impact on bone metabolism. [1]
Corticosteroids also interfere with calcium through an indirect mechanism, by interfering with the body's ability to activate vitamin D and thus, increase risk of bone loss. Giving cortisone produces a decrease of net calcium absorption (under active transport conditions) via two different mechanisms: by depressing vitamin D-dependent calcium absorption and also by increasing vitamin D-independent calcium back flux. [8]
Calcium deficiency shows up with such symptoms as neuropathy (numbness or tingling in the hands and feet), convulsions, cardiac irregularities, bowel problems and osteopenia, as well as osteoporosis. Those last two lead to fractures in susceptible folks. People on corticosteroids would likely benefit from a high-quality form of calcium to replenish what the drug mugger stole.
Starting to believe me yet?
There is also evidence to suggest that corticosteroids may reduce serum magnesium levels. A study with 95 patients suffering from chronic airway obstruction displayed reduced magnesium levels after receiving long-term oral corticosteroid therapy. The amount of magnesium depletion was greater with prolonged usage. [2] Do you know what happens to you when you develop a deficiency of magnesium? It isn't pretty, but luckily it's easy to correct. Magnesium deficiency leads to constipation, body odor, insomnia, migraines or headaches, widespread body aches, weakness, chronic fatigue, nausea, cardiac arrhythmias of all sorts, and possibly a heart attack in severe cases. It causes depression, tearfulness, irritability, and suicideal ideation. It can contribute to pancreatic difficulties and diabetes. If you know of anyone who has been taking corticosteroids, either by mouth, or inhaled, and they have any of the symptoms related to calcium or magnesium deficiency, it's due -- at least in part -- to the drug-nutrient depletion effect, what I affectionately call the "drug mugger" effect.
The subject of mineral depletion and corticosteroid use is not limited to calcium and magnesium. There are studies to indicate that other minerals are affected by these medications. In fact, both animal and human studies point to a potassium depletion associated with steroid medications. [3, 4] According to the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, "Oral or parenteral administration of glucocorticoids (prednisone 5 to 2,000 mg/d) was a significant risk factor for hypokalaemic events."
Hypokalemia refers to the condition of low potassium. The hypokalemic effect appears to be dose-dependent and more significant with long-term usage of these medications. [3]
Zinc and copper are two other nutrients that are depleted during corticosteroid use treatment. This was first seen in a study in patients with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) in 1989. The mechanism by which this occurs appears to be due to enhanced urinary excretion of zinc and copper. [5] Plasma zinc levels are commonly reduced in this patient population, but the levels will plummet further with only 10 mg prednisone daily. In 1993, researchers who conducted a study published in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology stated, "Conversely, plasma zinc was found to be lower in RA patients taking NSAIDs and/or steroids." This comment further supports the notion that corticosteroids may impact plasma zinc levels. [6]
Even though we do not thoroughly understand the mechanism of action by which selenium is depleted, there is a study from 1987 showing that corticosteroid use will significantly reduce selenium stores. It appears that the higher dosages of 20-60 mg prednisolone per day can suppress plasma selenium levels in some patients -- those with rheumatoid arthritis were the ones studied. [7] Selenium is an important mineral antioxidant that supports thyroid, prostate and immune system health.
Vitamin D may be affected by corticosteroid therapy. It is useful to include calcium and vitamin D supplements in the patient population taking these anti-inflammatory drugs to counteract steroid-induced osteoporosis. [8, 9, 10, 11, 12] A deficiency of vitamin D can exacerbate problems for those with autoimmune disorders, and low D reduces our ability to fight infections. Low D has also been tied to a higher incidence of many cancers, including those of the prostate and breast. [13]
In summary, the drug nutrient depletion effect is well-documented, even though most consumers do not know about it. The best thing to do is to ask your doctor about taking a supplement that contains all these minerals, so as to restore healthy levels of these minerals. Products such as Hawaiian Spirulina, Trace Minerals, and Multi-Mineral supplements are sold by various makers at health food stores worldwide.
1. Lems WF, Van Veen GJ, Gerrits MI, Jacobs JW, Houben HH, Van Rijn HJ, Bijlsma JW. Effect of low-dose prednisone (with calcium and calcitriol supplementation) on calcium and bone metabolism in healthy volunteers. Br J Rheumatol. 1998 Jan;37(1):27-33.
2. Rolla G, Bucca C, Bugiani M, Oliva A, Branciforte L. Hypomagnesemia in chronic obstructive lung disease: effect of therapy. Magnes Trace Elem. 1990;9(3):132-6.
3. Widmer P, Maibach R, Kunzi UP, Capaul R, Mueller U, Galeazzi R, Hoigne R. Diuretic-related hypokalaemia: the role of diuretics, potassium supplements, glucocorticoids and beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists. Results from the comprehensive hospital drug monitoring programme, berne (CHDM). Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1995;49(1-2):31-6.
4. Shenfield GM, Knowles GK, Thomas N, Paterson JW. Potassium supplements in patients treated with corticosteroids. Br J Dis Chest. 1975 Jul;69:171-6.
5. Peretz A, Neve J, Famaey JP. Effects of chronic and acute corticosteroid therapy on zinc and copper status in rheumatoid arthritis patients. J Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis. 1989 Jun;3(2):103-8.
6. Milanino R, Frigo A, Bambara LM, Marrella M, Moretti U, Pasqualicchio M, Biasi D, Gasperini R, Mainenti L, Velo GP. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1993 May-Jun;11(3):271-81.
7. Peretz A, Neve J, Vertongen F, Famaey JP, Molle L. Selenium status in relation to clinical variables and corticosteroid treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 1987 Dec;14(6):1104-7.8. Yeh JK, Aloia JF, Semla HM. Calcif Tissue Int 1984 Sep;36(5):608-614.
10. Chesney RW, Mazess RB, Hamstra AJ, DeLuca HF, O'Reagan S. Reduction of serum-1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3 in children receiving glucocorticoids. Lancet. 1978 Nov 25;2(8100):1123-5.
11. Nuti R, Vattimo A, Turchetti V, Righi G. 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol as an antagonist of adverse corticosteroid effects on phosphate and calcium metabolism in man. J Endocrinol Invest. 1984 Oct;7(5):445-8.
12. Lund B, Andersen RB, Friis T, Hjorth L, Jørgensen FS, Norman AW, Sørensen OH.Effect of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on intestine and bone in glucocorticoid-treated patients. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1977 Dec;7 Suppl:177s-181s.
13. Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, Recker RR, Heaney RP. Vitamin D and
calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Am J
Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1586-91. Erratum in: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008
Mar;87(3):794.
For more health news, click here. ]]>Exhausted? Here's My Script for Stress by America's Pharmacisttag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.13677532012-04-10T13:39:58-04:002012-06-10T05:12:01-04:00Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/
First, remind yourself that what you are doing for others is a blessing, for there is no greater gift than giving, but you must learn to receive as well. If you don't, your body's pilot light (adrenal glands) will burn out, and you will become useless to everyone.
Steroids are common in the treatment of adrenal fatigue. Hydrocortisone has been around a long time, and it is my favorite "corticosteroid" drug because it is the same hormone that your adrenal glands make which is called cortisol. Other prescriptions steroids are completely alien to the human body, yet frequently prescribed.
Because you burn the candle at two ends, you likely have low cortisol, so the drug hydrocortisone serves to temporarily rescue you. Have respect for it, because long-term or inappropriate use can suppress the immune system, affect your mood and cause many side effects. It interacts with many drugs. You can't take it if you have any fungal infection. With all that said, it can be a lifesaver if a person truly needs it. Here is my script for stress. Please discuss supplement changes with your physician to make sure it's right for you:
1. Set boundaries. I love the power of no. It's a complete sentence, and with practice, it will free you of unnecessary time-consuming tasks that are depleting you. Saying no has no side effects! You may feel like it is a bit "selfish" to not assist everyone who asks you for help, but prioritizing your health will allow you to offer more to others, for a longer time. Feeling poorly (and developing a serious illness, which is where you are headed on your current path) will not help anyone, trust me. When I thought about it, I realized that I was over-committing myself because I was simply seeking love, so by helping everybody all of the time, I felt I was more lovable. You are chasing your tail, and this kind of thinking will not serve you.
2. Licorice solid extract by Wise Woman Herbals. This is a supplement that your health food store can order, or you can find it online. This is a natural herb used by holistic doctors, and yet it's sold without prescription. Licorice has potential to increase blood pressure, so it's not for everyone. The ancient herb contains glycyrrhizinic acid and has uses for people with attention deficit, hypoglycemia, mood swings, fatigue and brain fog. There are other brands available, I just happen to like this particular one because of the purity and flavor. The caveat is that long-term use may cause electrolyte disturbances or lower testosterone in men.
3. Ashwagandha by Organic India. These are very good brands of an herb that is well known to nourish the thyroid gland, immune system and adrenals all at once. I've written about ashwaganha herb before, and those articles are archived at my website.
4. Cortrex by Thorne Research. You may have to ask your doctor to order this since it's physician-formulated. It contains genuine adrenal glandulars along with licorice root, vitamin C and pantothenic acid among other adrenal-supporting nutrients. I tried this for a week before writing this column and definitely felt more get up and go. Folks, Cortex contains a real hormone (30mg bovine adrenal hormone) so I insist you ask your doctor. You may find similar products at health food stores.
5. Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) by Gaia Herbs. An adaptogen that helps a person cope with stress, and improve energy and athletic performance. There are certainly other good brands, I only mention Gaia because they are free of adulterants and non-beneficial ingredients found in other imported brands. This is a good choice for most people and much preferred over Panex Ginseng, which can be too stimulating in some folks.
6. AdrenaStim by Apex Energetics. This is a cream you apply to your skin that contains licorice root, Siberian Ginseng, oat extract, Tyrosine and about 10 other ingredients. It's sold without prescription; however, Apex Energetics only sells through physicians, so ask your health care practitioner to order it for you or look online. So gentle for those who are sensitive to oral supplements or have a delicate system, it has the same adaptogenic and supportive properties of oral supplements, but it is not overly stimulating.
Now that I've provided my script for adrenal stress, I want to remind you of one important fact. You only get one body, so don't wear it out! And my message to mothers in particular, please remember that your little girls are watching you, and we always teach by example. What better example can you give to your daughter than to love yourself, and rest a little more. Would you be proud of her if she followed in your footsteps? What would you say to her?
One of my friends was so unhappy and stressed in his life situation. He wanted to change jobs, he wanted a more loving partner and wanted out of his relationship. He wanted to use his life's savings to do a few things on his bucket list. He was afraid to make any changes because people depended on him. I am not in judgement of what he did (or didn't do) but I can tell you that he suffered a terrible automobile accident and is now disabled. Who knows what his life would have been like if he made the changes that improved his life, and reduced his stress. People will rise to the level of expectations. Life is short. Expect more.
For more on personal health, click here. ]]>Prepare Yourself in Case of Emergencytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.9387672011-08-27T01:30:46-04:002011-10-26T05:12:01-04:00Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/
1. Have a written list of all your medications that includes dosage, directions, your local pharmacy and physician and their phone numbers. Include both the generic and brand names. Pharmacies can actually print you a comprehensive list, but make sure it's current. This takes pharmacies some time, it can range anywhere from a few minutes, to a day or two, depending on how busy they are.
2. You want to be able to grab your medications and dietary supplements, and go! I suggest you buy a toiletry or make-up bag today, and store a 10-day supply of medications in it. Just leave it in the cabinet in case you ever need to make a quick exit. Make sure your name is in the bag so it can be identified as yours. Only store important medicine, like those used for epilepsy, blood pressure, pain, heartbeat rhythm, asthma, migraines, diabetes and so forth. If you don't know why you take a particular medicine, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist. Keep the drugs in their original pharmacy container. This is really important. Rescuers and relief team members may dispense your medications to you, so it must be correctly labelled. Include a water bottle so you can take your medicine when needed, a flashlight and a spare set of eyeglasses. A little first aid kit would be wise to have.
3. If you take refrigerated medications like insulin, then you have two options. Option one is to buy a little ice pack and keep it frozen, preferably in a sealed baggie. That way, when the power goes out, grab the ice pack from your freezer, drop it in that toiletry or tote bag, and go. Option two is to purchase a ready-made cooling case, usually sold in the diabetes section of your pharmacy, and online. This stores insulin, and some might fit antibiotic suspensions, suppositories, growth hormone or epoetin (Procrit, Epogen). Two popular cooling cases are made by Frio and Medicool. These are great for regular travel too.
4.If you live in a region where fires are common, keep a 10-day supply of medications in a fire safe box. It's not a bad idea for anyone to do this. I did a quick search on the Internet and found two companies, Sentry and First Alert, that sell boxes which are both fire safe and waterproof. Another consideration is to purchase a little plastic waterproof container. Look in the boating section of your sporting good store.
5. If you are prone to floods, or live in a hurricane zone, water purification tablets aren't a bad idea. They use chlorine dioxide to destroy microorganisms within 15 minutes, killing Giardia, Cryptosporidium and other pathogens. Hikers and campers often carry these. One popular brand is Katadyn Micropur tablets. These tablets are usually available at places like REI sporting good stores and online. ]]>Abnormal Heart Rhythm? The Heart-Talk You and Your Doctor Need to Havetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8546192011-05-02T08:26:25-04:002011-07-02T05:12:01-04:00Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/
These may or may not work, depending on your type of heart disease and arrhythmia. If you've been told you have a benign arrhythmia, or pacemaker syndrome, junctional dysrhythmia, sick sinus syndrome or some other arrhythmia, it's possible that your doctor has offered to fix it with ablation or a pacemaker. If you're symptoms are severe, this could absolutely help you, but depending on the condition, your mild arrhythmia might just make you lightheaded, dizzy or fatigued. Many people wonder if they should undergo the procedure. It's definitely something to think about if your symptoms are mild or unnoticeable.
I always feel a second opinion is in order, and perhaps you need to see an "electrophysiologist" which is a a cardiologist who specializes in electrical disturbances of the heart. You may also need to see a neurologist to rule out whether the rhythm disturbance is related to your vagus nerve or some other aberrant nerve problem. I insist that you figure out WHY you have the arrhythmia. They may be "benign" in the sense that they haven't caused cardiac arrest, but they're not benign when it comes to quality of life.
The standard of care in America includes ablation which is sort of like 'burning' one of the nodes in your heart, and installation of a pacemaker which forces your heart to beat in perfect rhythm. For sure, some people benefit from these procedures, but they do not improve mortality rates for everyone. Personally, I wish that testing RBC magnesium was routinely done before performing all the procedures. A deficiency of magnesium is a contributing factor in heart attack and it's often given IV to resuscitate a person whose flat line -- that's how important it is! Sometimes you can fix an arrhythmia with magnesium alone as many holistic physicians will attest.
I just bang my head trying to figure out why it hasn't become the "standard of care" to determine underlying cause of heart disease before all the irreversible or invasive procedures like ablation, angioplasty, stenting and pacemakers! No doubt in my mind, these have procedures have a place and can save lives, but is it ever wrong to check for simple imbalances of essential minerals, amino acids and so forth?
It's really hard to cure arrhythmias, when you don't know what the trigger is. There are a number of reasons that one may experience arrhythmias such as nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, stress, candida albicans, infections and even medications. The condition of hyperthyroidism could cause it, as can dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. All of these factors come into play, and should be considered as possible causes before invasive procedures are done.
There are also medications that can cause abnormal heart rhythm, including anti-anxiety medications, antibiotics, antidepressants, breathing medications, cough and cold remedies and statin cholesterol drugs. Please refer to page 165 of my book, "Diabetes Without Drugs " for a complete list of drugs that cause abnormal heart rhythm, as well as Chapter 8 of that book, on Heart Disease.
Let me tell you why I've become so passionate about this. Recently, I went to the cardiologist with a friend of mine who had been experiencing a benign arrhythmia for two years. Before the visit that I attended, my friend had been tested thoroughly with a stress test, ultrasound, EKG and Holter monitor. It's the next visit that I went to, where he was offered the ablation/pacemaker procedure by his cardiologist. He did not immediately opt for that since he is a curious sort and wanted a few opinions. On my recommendation, he saw a functional medicine physician afterward, who ordered a blood test to evaluate his micronutrient status. Lo and behold, he was found to be deficient in taurine and magnesium.
Taurine is a natural amino acid, and magnesium is a mineral, both of these were purchased at the health food store along with an herbal supplement of hawthorn extract. His heart sank into a near-perfect rhythm within two weeks, after suffering for almost two years. Had he gone for the ablation procedure, he would have become pacemaker dependent and the underlying deficiencies would have gone undetected. In this particular case, it would have literally left him a ticking time bomb, pacemaker and all because the deficiencies would have gone uncorrected and the pacemaker would have masked his poor nutritional status and declining health. The first cardiologist wanted to hear nothing of this discovery. Shame on him for not wanting to learn!
I understand that some doctors believe natural dietary supplements to be "snake oil" and in fact, some of them are. But when a patient looks their doctor straight in the eyes (and has been to hell and back for years with frightening arrhythmias) and tearfully tells him that he's virtually cured with dietary supplements that total less than $20, you would think this would spark some interest on the part of the physician. Truly caring physicians would have taken 10 seconds to jot down the name of the two nutrients to look up later and see just what it was that cured his patient. To be dismissed like that made my friend feel that this particular doctor didn't care about him at all. It made me downright mad to hear this, and the doctor didn't even know who I was, what I did for a living or that I would one day write about his cavalier attitude.
Let me share more about some heart-healthy nutrients so you can discuss them with your cardiologist:
Aged Garlic Extract by Kyolic: A recent UCLA study found that this supplement slows and may even reverse atherosclerosis, even in people with moderate plaque build up. Aged garlic is a rock star when it comes to heart health. When you go to the health food store, you will see about a dozen different Aged Garlic products made by Kyolic. Kyolic is the only manufacturer of aged garlic, which is a much more effective (and scientifically-backed) form of garlic than formulas which contain just "allicin" or "alliin" for example. These products only contain a standardized extract of one or two components of garlic and this does not do the job the way aged garlic does, the whole herb. Kyolic has over 650 scientifically peer-reviewed papers on it and is the most frequently used brand in clinical trials of garlic.
There are two products that I think are good when it comes to the heart specifically. The first one is called "Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract" which uses 100% organically grown garlic bulbs and they are aged using a unique extraction process to eliminate odor (what the company calls "sociable garlic" because it's odorless.
Take two capsules twice-daily with food. The other product is called "Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract Blood Pressure Health, Formula 109" and this is a blend of the same Aged Garlic plus nattokinase (a natural enzyme that thins the blood and could help prevent stroke/heart attack) as well as SunTheanine which is a brand of L-theanine (an extract of green tea) that slows down heart rate. You can take two capsules twice-daily with food for this supplement too.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): This antioxidant lives in the heart and generates a spark of ATP, or energy. It stabilizes your heart beat by maintaining sinus rhythm. It prevents and may reverse symptoms of congestive heart failure. Your heart can't survive without CoQ10. You can now buy the active form of this nutrient as "ubiquinol." Statins and blood pressure pills are drug muggers of this nutrient. You should refer to my Drug Muggers book to read the chapter on CoQ10 and see over 200 drugs which steal it. For pennies a day, you can put back what medication stole. There are hundreds of studies to support the benefit of CoQ10 on heart muscle function and it's ability to improve heart failure symptoms.
Dr. Peter Langsjoen, a pioneer in the field of cardiac research and CoQ10 found that 51 percent of patients were able to stop one to three antihypertensive medications after four and a half months of starting CoQ10 therapy. The dosage of CoQ10 varies widely, and since there are few if any adverse events, it's okay to play around with the dose. Give it a week or two before upping your dosage. It ranges from 50 mg-200 mg daily (in divided doses so you could easily do 50 mg four times a day, or 100 mg twice daily, etc.) You could also take a lower dose if you get the more active body-ready form of "ubiquinol" and take about 100 mg daily.
L-carnitine: Works in tandem with CoQ10, this amino acid helps prevent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). If you can find "Propionyl L-carnitine" this version targets the heart. Carnitine is a potential treatment for intermittent claudication. A large, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial used Propionyl L-carnitine in 271 heart failure patients, while placebo group (266 patients received an inactive supplement. Exercise tolerance was improved in the heart failure patients who received the carnitine. Dosage varies between 1,000 -- 3,000 mg per day in divided dosages.
Taurine: The most abundant amino acid in the heart, it improves contractions, maintains potassium levels in the heart and dampens down the sympathetic nervous system. It is directly involved in heart rhythm and may help with PACs, PVCs, pauses and tachycardia. Aspartame is a drug mugger of this nutrient. Low taurine levels are observed in patients who have had a heart attack so it stands to reason that a deficiency could be contributory, at least to some degree. Taurine levels may drop to one-third normal levels after ischemia/necrosis. Taurine protects the heart by stabilizing membraines, reducing free radicals and this protects the starving heart from reperfusion-induced arrhythmias too. Docs in hospitals have used IV taurine to prevent arrhythmias caused by digitalis drug. Buy taurine at any health food store, take anywhere from 500 mg-3,000 mg per day. Some studies suggest more is okay but with any good thing (especially if you combine with other heart-healthy supplements or medications) using the lowest effective dose is best.
Physicians and consumers who want a little more information about taurine can read about some case studies regarding the "Elimination of Cardiac Arrhythmias using Oral Taurine with L-Arginine, Stabilization of the SinoAtrial Node."
Magnesium glycinate or "chelate": If you have Afib, you are likely mag deficient! The use of magnesium is helpful because it lowers blood pressure, reducing risk of stroke, plus it functions in the electrical circuitry of the heart. It's useful for people with angina and atherosclerosis. Conventional blood tests will be normal, don't bother. It's the intracellular level you want, so ask for a "RBC magnesium" level. It could take six months to normalize, shoot for 600mg-800 mg daily, and work your way up. If oral supplements bother you, apply Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil to your skin. This is a topical form of magnesium and it goes right through the skin into your bloodstream bypassing the gut.
Arginine: You can't talk about coronary artery disease without the mention of this amino acid, which works in tandem with taurine. Arginine widens the blood vessels, allowing for more blood flow throughout the body. Those two together could be of tremendous benefit for someone with cardiac arrhythmias. There is some information on the Internet about how one should NOT take arginine if they have had a heart attack, but I explain in my Diabetes Without Drugs book why this study is so incredibly flawed and why I believe it's okay to use arginine to reduce risk of a second heart attack (of course with your cardiologists approval). This is thoroughly explained in my book. I hate how the media jumps on one study and scares people away from nutrients that might otherwise save (or extend their life), and certainly improve quality of life (reduce those painful, scary angina attacks). Follow label directions. Argininine is sold widely in the U.S., sometimes under the brand name Perfusia, made by Thorne Research.
Ribose: A naturally occurring sugar that the body uses to make ATP, your energy molecule. Ribose improves blood flow and provides much-needed oxygen to the heart. Ischemia may cause the heart to lose up to 50 percent of energy. The problem is that even if blood flow and O2 levels are restored to normal, it takes a week to 10 days to rebuild cellular energy and to normalize cardiac function, so basically, your heart could be starving for days, even after the ischemia (stubborn angina) attack. When peole with CAD (coronary artery disease) are given D-ribose, symptoms improve faster. Dr. Stephen Sinatra spearheads a lot of the work on ribose. Ribose can't really be measured, so it's not something you can evaluate in a person, even with micronutrient testing, but this doesn't mean it can't help you. It's specifically good for people with fatigue (heart disease or not) because ribose is food for the mitochondria (which makes energy).
Patients with heart disease on drugs intended to increase the contractile strength of their heart are also good candidates for D-ribose. These drugs, known as inotropic agents, make the heart beat harder. This places considerable strain on the heart's ability to supply enough energy to support the extra metabolic stress. Long-term treatment with these agents drains the energy reserve, essentially running the heart out of energy. Patients with heart failure, chronic coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathy should take D-ribose to offset the energy-draining effects of inotropic drugs such as digoxin. Research shows that supplementation reduces the energy drain without any negative impact on the activity of the drug. People who are weak, or constantly fatigued or short of breath could benefit, and naturally, this includes those with congestive heart failure. I buy the Jarrow brand, it's a powder so I can gauge my dose better, and use it in smoothies. It tastes great. The dosage for this is one to three scoops per day.
Fish Oils: There are books on the subject! This is a no-brainer, helps reduce inflammatory compounds in the body, reduce triglycerides and regulate production of cholesterol. Studies repeatedly show that fish oils can decrease arrhythmias (which can lead to sudden death), decrease the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque and slightly reduce blood pressure. In 2002, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement called "Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease" which discussed the positive benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease. Dosage varies widely, from 500 mg-5,000 mg daily! With food of course. A typical dose is 500 to 1,000 mg one- to three-times daily. These may thin the blood so be careful if mixing with anticoagulants (ask your doctor) and also, if you'd like a vegetarian source, you have that option. I've been taking plant-based oils, Dr. Ohhira's Essential Living Oils for the past year and enjoying the effects of this brand, it's sold in health food stores nationwide.
There are various tests available today, among the best, the Cardio/ION by Metametrix and the NutrEval by Genova Diagnostics. There is no excuse for a doctor to NOT order these tests for you, since they are returned with a complete interpretation and the labs are staffed with scientists and physicians to help your doctor learn and recommend specific nutrients for you. FYI, it costs your doctor nothing to order these tests and your insurance may even cover a portion. For more on that, refer to their respective websites above.
This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. The products listed above are for nutritional support only and are not intended to cure, prescribe, diagnose, or replace proper medical advice. Please check with your nutritionally aware doctor or cardiologist. If you are having a serious medical problem, please seek proper medical attention.
]]>Are Your Meds Robbing Your Body Of Key Nutrients?tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.8371592011-03-21T08:59:03-04:002011-05-25T18:40:24-04:00Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs help millions of people with diseases and chronic conditions, but did you know that in the process, these medications can also deplete the body's natural stores of vitamins, minerals, and hormones, causing uncomfortable and unpleasant side-effects and even new diseases?
The drug-induced nutrient depletion suppresses the very nutrients that you need to keep energy levels high, fend off infections, and remain healthy. I call these medications "Drug Muggers," and it's essential to replenish what a drug mugger steals from your body in order to feel your best.
Let's first talk about taking medicine, since millions of Americans do. Taking medicine means that you are being robbed of essential nutrients because drugs have the ability to rob your body's stores of vital life-sustaining nutrients. When a drug robs your body of a nutrient you will experience another effect of that drug, something you call a "side effect." Side effects are often the reason that people don't stay compliant with their medication regimen. They become so miserable that they have to stop taking the drug, against their physician orders. If you need your medicine (or if you want to stop it) then that decision is between you and your doctor. I'm not getting in the middle of that.
My highest desire is to help people find their side effect solution. If you have to take medicine, then you should know how to "marry" it with the essential nutrient that it steals, so you can minimize or eliminate uncomfortable and unwanted side effects.
You probably didn't know that drugs could deplete nutrients or "mug" them as I say, but I bet you have experienced the drug mugging effect first hand. Everyone who has taken a medicine and felt a side effect knows exactly what I'm talking about. The classic example is antibiotics -- they are drug muggers for your normal intestinal flora and when they rob your gut of these 'friendly bacteria' you develop side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, indigestion and nausea. As the natural healthy environment in the gastrointestinal tract gets destroyed by the antiobiotic because they can't distinguish the good bacteria from the bad bacteria, then you get more uncomfortable side effects.
Women may develop a vaginal yeast infection and men could get jock itch. It's all because of the drug mugging effect of antibiotics, these drugs mug probiotics. One way to avoid these side effects is to take probiotics in-between each antibiotic dose. Start taking the probiotics on the day you begin your antibiotic, and for 10 days after you finish your course of therapy. It's okay to stay on these indefinitely as far as I'm concerned. Probiotics are rock stars when it comes to protecting you from infection and improving digestion and regularity.
Another example of the drug mugging effect is statin cholesterol drugs, such as Zocor, Mevacor, Lipitor, Crestor or Pravachol. These medications are capable of mugging your body of Coenzyme Q10 (also called CoQ10). When your body is robbed of CoQ10, your muscles pay the price. You may experience side effects such as muscle aches, spasms and muscle cramps. This is because CoQ10 is an antioxidant that is needed to feed your muscles. When you become deficient, your muscle cells basically 'suffocate' so you feel the pain.
Dozens of popular medications mug CoQ10, not just cholesterol reducers. Your heart is a muscle too, so low CoQ10 could affect the heart. Well designed clinical trials have proven that a CoQ10 deficiency can cause heartbeat irregularities, angina and ultimately lead to congestive heart failure. You can supplement with CoQ10, about 100mg twice daily taken without regard to meals. This is widely available at health food stores and pharmacies nationwide.
Let's take a closer look at some of the other popular drug muggers:
Many believe that women who take hormonal replacement drugs or birth control pills could be robbed of B vitamins, iron, selenium, magnesium, zinc and probiotics. A long-term deficiency of these nutrients could cause all sorts of problems including low thyroid, weight gain, hair loss, panic attacks, memory deficit, bone loss, frequent infections and depression not to mention a higher risk for high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack. Instead of taking numerous drugs for all those side effects (which could easily get diagnosed as a new disease if you don't know about drug mugging) you can simply restore the lost nutrients with affordable vitamins and minerals among which include a high-quality B-complex supplement, about 100mg daily, and probiotics.
Alcohol smashes levels of thiamine and glutathione, an important antioxidant for liver function. This leads to liver failure, neuropathy and psychiatric problems. It's easy to supplement with whey protein shakes or with an over-the-counter nutrient called N.A.C. (N-acetylcysteine). This is made by Jarrow, Life Extension, Twinlab and others.
Blood pressure medications and steroids like prednisone are drug muggers of magnesium. It's needed for a healthy, stable mood and for attention span. Without enough magnesium, a person could become irritable, anxious, develop low-attention span (ADHD), melancholy, depression, panic attacks and high blood pressure. Very ironic!
Low magnesium causes pancreatic dysfunction (think diabetes). Magnesium is tough to absorb, and often causes diarrhea. The best way to take magnesium is with blue-green algae, called spirulina. This natural supplement contains an easy-to-digest form of minerals and B vitamins. It contains a lot of healthy magnesium and zinc that work in synergy. Try Spirulina. It is sourced from pristine waters of Hawaii and purified into tasteless tablets as well as powder. Spirulina is also known to help a person nourish the production of thyroid hormone and therefore lose weight faster, and improve hair and nail growth. Lately, there are many fears of radiation from the Japan nuclear crisis, I should mention that there are well-designed clinical trials that suggest spirulina's ability to protect humans from damage caused by radiation.
The number one diabetes drug in the world (metformin) just so happens to be drug mugger of a few nutrients such as CoQ10 and vitamin B12. Low levels of these nutrients can affect the brain causing memory impairment, confusion and depression. Also, the nerves could start to hurt, and neuropathy may develop because B12 protects the myelin which is a coating that protects nerve fibers. If you require metformin for your blood sugar, just "marry" this medication with the two nutrients so you can avoid or minimize the side effect. As to forms of vitamin B12, the best type is called "methylcobalamin" and is widely available by dozens of makers. The CoQ10 can be found easily as well in both health food stores and pharmacies nationwide.
By now, it's probably become clear to you that you can replenish your body's warehouse of nutrients with absurdly inexpensive nutrients that are available over-the-counter. It's so easy to feel better, if you know what to target. There is no need to suffer and spend your days trying to figure out how to feel better. Within weeks, sometimes days, you start to feel better. Now you have knowledge, and knowledge is power.