MCVitamins News

Your Nutritional Education Site

1. Are you Peeing Out Your Vitamins
2. What Nutritional Deficiencies Can Medications Create? 
3. What Are Statin Drug Side Effects?
4. Will It Interfere with the Other Things I’m Taking?   

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"We need to shift our focus from treating disease to generating health..."  Hippocrates (AMA"The Father of Medicine")

Are you Peeing Out Your Vitamins

The technology of capsule and tablet manufacturing has grown and evolved; considerably more goes into making a good multi-vitamin capsule or tablet than simply compressing ingredients in a machine.

For example, name-brand and all reputable supplement manufacturers test and re-test their products for acceptable dissolution times under stomach-like conditions.

Then there's the old wives' tale about the worthlessness of vitamins because "they just make expensive urine" or "you just pee them out" or other variations on the theme.

It's not hard to see where this one came from. Anytime you take a multi-vitamin or a B complex, you're going to get some vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in the multi-vitamin. B2 markedly changes the color of urine, usually making it much yellower.  

Thus, when someone visits the bathroom an hour or so after taking their supplement, it's easy to see why they might conclude that their vitamins have been wasted and have not been absorbed.

But neither is the case. Vitamins from supplements are absorbed the same way as vitamins from food; they have the same fate. No vitamin, whether from food or supplements, can go directly from the stomach to the bladder.

The only way vitamins can change the appearance of urine is if they have been filtered from the bloodstream by the kidneys. The only way that can occur, is if the supplement has been absorbed from the digestive tract, and the only way that can occur is if the supplement breaks down easily.

So, contrary to the myth, when you see color changes in your urine associated with your supplement, it's not evidence of it being wasted, it's confirmation that it's been broken down, absorbed and made available to body tissues.

One final point about absorption; faster isn't necessarily better. Many people spend the extra money for liquid supplements based on a belief that they will absorb faster than capsules or tablets.

They might, but the time difference between complete absorption of liquids versus other forms, 20-30 minutes, does not amount to a noticeable advantage or a nutritional advantage with most supplements.

In fact, where higher potencies are concerned, slower absorption may be preferable to fast, sudden absorption. This is because there are limits to how fast and how much of a given nutrient can be absorbed per unit of time. When you overwhelm these absorption pathways, you do waste nutrients.

For more information about Natural Vitamins that Get Absorbed

What Nutritional Deficiencies Can Medications Create? 

Drug-induced Nutrient Depletion

Drugs have side effects, I’m sure you know this, but what really causes a lot of these possible side effects? The nutritional deficiencies that are produced by these drugs.  Drugs are chemicals that are foreign to the body and as such can deplete the body of its natural stores of vitamins, minerals and hormones.   Not understanding this can lead to new “diseases”, those created by the deficiencies. 

If a person takes a drug, it’s a good thing to understand what to do to ward off these deficiencies by supplementing your diet.

Neuropathy Drugs

So, what deficiencies are caused by the drugs commonly taken for neuropathy?

Neurotin (Gabapentin) – this drug is a anticonvulsant – it can produce deficiencies in calcium, folate (vitamin B12), thiamine (B1) Note: B1 is necessary to repair the damaged nerves, and vitamin D (also needed to repair nerves)

Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant –boosts potassium levels, depletes the body of thiamine(B1) & vitamin D

Cymbalta (duloxetine)  is an anti-depressant – can cause possible calcium, iron and multi-vitamin deficiencies.  These type of drugs, as anti-depressants, can cause hormone imbalances.  For more information go to http://www.mcvitamins.com/cymbalta-neuropathy.htm   

Blood Pressure Drugs

Diuretics

Diuretics ("water pills") increase the amount of sodium and water excreted into the urine by the kidneys. It is thought that they lower blood pressure mainly by reducing the volume of fluid in the blood vessels.

Diuretics include Tholitone (chlorthalidone), HydroDiuril, Microzide and Esidrix (hydrocholorthiaziede), Lozol (Idaparrade), Zaroxolyn, Mykrox (metclazone), etc.

They create deficiencies in B vitamins, folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, & B6,  As well as vitamin C, CoQ10, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers block the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system.

Sectral (Acebutolol), Tenormin (Atenolol), Kerlone (Betaxolol), Zebeta or Ziac (bisoprolol), Cartrol (carteolol), Coreg (Carvedilol), Normodyne or Trandate (Labetalol), Lopressor or Toprol (Metoprolol), Corgard (Nandolol), Levatol (Penbutolol), Inderal or Inderal LA (Propranolol), Biocadren (Timolol), etc.

These medications create deficiencies in CoQ10.   Need to make sure potassium doesn’t go too high.  Do not take with alcohol, orange juice, animal protein, or licorice.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers can reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries and, in some cases, reducing the force of the heart's contractions.

Norvasc or Caduet or Lotrel (Amlodipine), Cradizem or Dilacor or Tiazac (Diltiazem),  Plendil (Felodipine), DynaCirc (Isradipine), Cardene (Nicardipinie),  Procardia XL or Adalat (Nifedipine), Sular (Nisoldipine), Isoptin or Calan or Verelan (Isoptin), etc.

These create deficiencies in potassium, vitamin D, calcium and possibly CoQ10.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors)

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (the "ACE inhibitors") can lower blood pressure by dilating the arteries. 

Some of these are Lotensin (Benazepril), Capoten (Captopril), Vasotec or Vaseretic (Enalapril), Monopril (Fosinopril), Prinival or Zestril (Lisinopril), Univasc (Moexipril), Accupril (Quinapril), Altace (Ramipril), Mavik (Trandolapril), etc.

These will deplete the body of CoQ10, calcium, magnesium, potassium & zinc.

Statin Drugs (Anti-Cholesterol Drugs)

Statin drugs are known to be linked to various side effects in their attempt to lower cholesterol.   Some of these are Lipitor, Crestor, Zetia, etc.)

Coenzyme Q10:

Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that makes energy for you by sparking the production of the energy molecule ATP which every single cell in your body needs to function.  It assists in hundreds of enzymatic reactions.  ATP provides the energy that helps blood sugar regulation, muscle contraction, disease prevention, brain health and proper heart function.  It is most famous for its role in the heart.  Enzymes are substances that help make chemical reactions take place.  A coenzyme helps an enzyme do its job. 

It is found that statin drugs depletes the body of this coenzyme. 

Studies suggest that there can be a statin-induced vitamin D deficiency which causes muscle pain and cramps.  

Researchers have found that CoQ10 helps support healthy nerve/muscle coordination, healthy memory retention, as well as the regulation, integration, and coordination of on-going nervous system transmissions.

Thus, depleting the body of CoQ10 can lead to many possible side effects. 

If you have heard that statins have a possible side effect of nerve damage this is due to the cholesterol blocking function of this drug. Statin drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG CoA reductase in the pathway to produce cholesterol.  Cholesterol is also a major building block for cell membranes and nerves. The nerve lining, the myelin sheath, is made from cholesterol.  A study  was published in the journal, Neurology, in 2002. It was found that people who were taking a statin drug at the time of his study had a 16.1-fold increased risk of neuropathy compared to people not taking statins.   For more information about neuropathy

If you would you like to learn what else to do when taking these drugs or research what nutritional deficiencies are caused by other drugs - 

Read:  Drug Muggers : How To Keep Your Medicine From Stealing the Life Out of You by Suzy Cohen, RPh (Registered Pharmacist)

See also:  Supplement Your Prescription: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutrition by Hyla Cass, M.D.

What Are Statin Drug Side Effects?

Concern about high cholesterol levels has resulted in millions of people being prescribed one or more of a group of drugs called "statin" drugs, such as Lipitor, Zocor, etc., to lower their cholesterol levels.

Statin drugs chemically interfere with the normal operating basis of the body and this often results in serious side effects! Here are a few:

1) Statin drugs are known to cause muscle pains and inflammation around the muscle cells.

2) People using statin drugs experience muscle weakness and fatigue. In fact, statin drugs have been shown to break down muscle tissue which can be fatal if not caught soon enough.

3) Studies have also shown that patients placed on statins have experienced a measurable decrease in cognitive function (mental awareness and judgment) after only six months.

4) Statin drugs have also been shown to cause nerve damage (neuropathy).

The FDA requires that the pharmaceutical companies tell you about any possible side effects that a medication may cause. The pharmaceutical companies do this by providing you a booklet which has all this information when you get your prescription. 

When referring to neuropathy, or any of the many terms used to refer to the various forms of this condition (see below), the booklet may read something like, "..possible numbing and tingling" or "...pins and needles."

Please review your prescription information and see whether it may be a cause and/or contributing factor to your neuropathy. 

NEWLY UPDATED LIST OF CHOLESTEROL LOWERING DRUGS (STATIN DRUGS) KNOWN TO CAUSE NEUROPATHY AS A SIDE EFFECT:

Advicor, Altocor, Atorvastatin, Altoprev, Atorvastatin, Baycol, Caduet, Cerivastatin, Crestor, Fluvastatin, Lescol, Lescol XL, Lipex, Lipitor, Lipobay, Lopid, Lovastatin, Mevacor, Pravachol, Pravastatin, Pravigard Pac, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Vytorin, Zocor.

These are the various terms for neuropathy that are found in the side effects listed for these statin drugs:

paresthesia: an unusual or unexplained tingling, pricking, or burning sensation on the skin.

neuritis: inflammation of a nerve, accompanied by pain, loss of reflexes, and muscle shrinkage.

neuralgia: an intermittent and often severe pain in a part of the body along the path of a nerve, especially when there is no physical change in the nerve itself.

vertigo: a condition in which somebody feels a sensation of whirling or tilting that causes a loss of balance.

dysesthesia: a condition in which light physical contact of the skin causes pain; abnormal sensations on the skin that can include burning, prickling, numbness, or pain.

hypoesthesia: an unusually reduced sensitivity to touch; numbness. Also called hypesthesia.

hypalgesia: reduced sensitivity to pain. Also called hypoalgesia.

hyperalgesia: increased sensitivity to pain or enhanced intensity of pain sensation; excessive sensitiveness to pain.

hyperesthesia: a heightened sensitivity of a part of the body such as the skin, or of any of the senses.

NOTE: If you're taking any of the above medications, you need to speak to your doctor about getting off of them and replacing them with a natural supplement.

Minimally, your doctor should put you on a medication that does not cause neuropathy.

Studies have also shown that patients placed on statins have experienced a measurable decrease in cognitive function (mental awareness and judgment) after only six months.

The trouble with using drugs to lower cholesterol is that they are man-made chemicals that are an unnatural and alien substance in the body.

Now there is a natural and safe way to reduce cholesterol levels without needing additional drugs.

For more information about Neuropathy and what you can do about it.

Will It Interfere with the Other Things I’m Taking?

One of the most frequently asked questions about supplements is whether or not it will interfere with the medications that a person is currently taking.

Supplements usually mean that it will supplement your diet so that you have all of the body’s requirements to survive.   There are forty nutrients that cannot be made in the body. They are essential fatty acids, 15 vitamins, 14 minerals, and 10 amino acids.  The body needs all of them.  If you are not getting them from the food you eat, you can supplement with these nutritional supplements.

This definition of supplement is really food and thus will usually not interfere with any drug.    

However, supplements come in all forms and all combinations.  

You can find vitamins and herbs together.   This may be because besides treating a deficiency there are things the body will need to get well.  This is usually considered a medical food.

Herbs unlike vitamins are not essential to the body and are used for their natural healing ability.  It is something that will force your body to do something it normally wouldn’t do, much like a drug does.

Of course, herbs are made in nature and not in a laboratory so not harmful.  But, can you take it with your medications?

There is an easy answer to this, and can be done no matter what supplement you want to take.

If you are unsure, see your pharmacist.   Pharmacists have a database that is designed to do just that – check to see if different drugs can be taken together safely.   This is necessitated by the fact that people can have more than one doctor, and more than one doctor is prescribing them drugs.  

This database can also be used to check to see if any type of supplement, herb or drug can be taken together.

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To Your Health

MCVitamins
www.mcvitamins.com