While prescription drugs may be necessary and life-saving in many cases, the delicate balance of vitamins, minerals, hormones, neurotransmitters and enzymes are all affected by their overuse and have serious consequences.
The class of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins deplete CoQ10 (a vital nutrient that gives your cells energy – particularly the heart, brain and muscles). This is a fact. So what should you do about it? Supplement with CoQ10 of course! But be aware that not all vitamins are created equal and CoQ10 must be highly absorbable to do any good. (Please don’t look for the cheapest vitamins you can get – you’re just throwing your money away.)
The class of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as bile-blockers interfere with vitamins A, D, E and K, and possibly essential fatty acids (all fat-soluble nutrients, not just cholesterol), calcium carotene, electrolytes, folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. Are you on an excellent multi-vitamin/mineral supplement, replete with these vital substances? Bile-blockers also cause constipation in 50 percent of people taking them. Are you getting enough fiber (25-30 grams per day)? Do you drink plenty of water (8 glasses per day)?
Vitamin D deficiency can result in skin rashes, irritations on the tongue and other sensitive areas of the digestive tract, poor bone formation (osteoporosis) and liver dysfunction.
A deficiency of vitamin E can be a direct cause of heart disease, and vitamin K deficiency increases the tendency to bleed, which causes a problem if you are on blood-thinning medication.
People that eat a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and high quality protein don’t develop heart disease as readily as people not eating in a healthful way. This is because these foods are highly nutritious, supplying vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc. Are you taking powerful antioxidants? Maybe you should be.
There are many more interactions of cholesterol-lowering drugs, too numerous to name here. And while I realize that high cholesterol levels are found in heart disease, nutritionists contend this is but a symptom of the disease, not the cause. High cholesterol is symptomatic of many other diseases as well and is caused by an underlying nutritional deficiency, dietary intake and lifestyle. A deficiency of the B vitamins and magnesium harm artery walls and weaken the heart muscles. Rancid and hydrogenated oils are very toxic to the heart. Lack of exercise, high stress levels and depression all contribute to heart disease.
These are not scare tactics, nor am I the nutrition police. As a health educator my job is to bring information to you that you may not be getting so that you can truly benefit from the health efforts you make to enjoy a fulfilling and long life free of the devastating modern-day diseases. Please see Study: Coconut oil a healthy saturated fat – but the FDA prohibits the use of ‘healthy’ in describing coconut oil.
