Many Americans, on a regular basis, fill themselves with OTC and prescription drugs daily. While taking prescription drugs have many obvious benefits, they also have their downfalls as well.
In the United States, nearly (46.0%) half of Americans take one or more prescription drug on a daily basis.
A research conducted by the Minnesota Board of Aging showed that individuals 65 or older took more medicines than probably realized, and although deemed safe; deplete their bodies on a regular basis of much needed nutrients. With at least 20% of these individuals taking at least five drugs daily, and the remainder taking between 3-4 daily, it’s perhaps no wonder why so many illnesses are caused in our elders to date. Only a small fraction (18.0%) of Americans over 65 don’t take prescription drugs on a daily basis.
Even though most Physicians or Natural Health Practitioners are not licensed or as educated, as they perhaps should be in Pharmacology to society’s standards, a basic rule of thumb could be recommended to individuals consuming such large quantities of prescription drugs.
Individuals should find it beneficial to their health and wellness to supplementing their usage of prescription drugs with nutrient-filled supplements such as Calcium (pref. 350-500 MG), Fish Oil, and consider the benefits of a B-50 complex as their bodies are commonly depleted of many much-needed nutrients.
Examples of prescription, OTC drugs, and their (adverse) effects on the human body and nutrients are as follows:
- Prescription and OTC laxatives depleting the body of necessary nutrients such as Calcium, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, and even Vitamin A.
- Common Antibiotics are known to destroy and break down much needed nutrients in the body such as Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium, your B Vitamins, Biotic, Vitamin’s K, E, C, and even Pantothenic Acid.
- Pharmaceuticals used to treat gout such as Colchicine, deplete the body of, but are not limited to Folic Acid (very important for digestion and fighting bacterium’s), Vitamins B12. D, A, and Iron.
- Be careful when taking pharmaceuticals for cholesterol such as Questran, Colestid, Atromid-S, and Cholestryamine as they commonly are known to deplete the body of nutrients such as, but not limited to; Vitamins K, E, D, A, B12, Folic Acid again, and even Iron. These nutrients are essential to building and repairing bones, muscles, and are important to the functionality of our body.
- Keep in mind the nutrient depletion involved in taking steroid based drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antacids, varying forms of oral contraceptive drugs, barbiturates and sedatives, antidepressant, estrogen replacement and hormonal treatment drugs, amphetamines, and even seizure medications. Interestingly enough, both high and blow blood pressure drugs are also known for their notorious nutrient depleting agents. Conversely, it’s important to research in full not only adverse reactions such as nutrient depletion, but also consider the health effects or dangers of taking supplements that possess unsafe or unruly levels of unnecessary nutrients (think: natural diuretic) and or of specific minerals.
In conclusion, try to always research what it is you’re putting in your body, even when prescribed by a professional, to ensure your own health, wellness, and future.
Image credit: Constantin Stanciu