Drug Muggers: Which Medications Are Robbing Your Body of Essential Nutrients--and Natural Waysto Restore Them

I am so grateful to have this book. It has helpful information as to what nutrients may need supplementation when we take certain drugs. Natural ways to restore what is missing are also mentioned. I especially appreciate the information as to what forms of a vitamin or mineral are most easily assimilated, as well as what not-so-useful forms are being used by some makers because they are cheaper. There is a very helpful list of Resources, Great supplements: Companies that put their best foot forward" on p. 327 of the paperback version (the one I bought); also a chapter on daily values, with explanations of some abbreviations and "Are megadoses the answer?" (No.) and "Why I pay no attention to the numbers." People anxious to avoid unnecessary or harmful added ingredients will be happy to read, toward the end of the book, about "flavoring, binders, humectants, lubricants, disintegrators, and preservatives." And did you know this? (p. 313 of paperback): "Supplement makers...often list an ingredient even if it appears in a negligible amount or if it's extracted from the wrong portion of a plant. For example, unworthy supplements may state 'gingko extract,' whereas a high-quality supplement is proud to disclose the dosage as '40 mg gingko extract (leaf) standardized to 24 percent heterosides." (OK, I admit that I don't know anything about heterosides, but you get the idea.) Here are just a few of the many, many things I didn't know until I read this book: (1) If you are supplementing zinc and copper, neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood, they need to be taken in the proper ratio. "The ratio of copper to zinc is far more clinically valuable than the concentration of either one." Too much of one, and you end up with a relative deficiency of the other. Sometimes a deficiency of zinc arises due to the use of birth control pills that cause excessive copper, and then the resulting mood changes (for the worse) may end up being treated with psychoactive drugs, whereas the problem is actually being caused by an imbalance. (2) Re vitamin E: the lab-created form, dl-alphatocopherol, is cheaper to produce, but d- (not dl-) alphatocopherol is more biologically active. I had already read that somewhere else, but not this: Vitamin E is the name for a family of 8 molecules, so "the very best brands have all eight in their formulas." The author remarks that vitamins coming in the wrong form are a deal-breaker for her, and would be for me, too. And now, thanks to this book, I know which ones ARE deal-breakers. (3) CoQ10 suspended in rice bran oil or olive oil, rather than a dry powder in a capsule gets into the body's cells more easily and may be more bio-available. The better absorbed form of CoQ10 (i.e., ubiquinol) is sold under the brand name Kaneka QH. (4) The author considers it better to take beta-carotene vitamin A, unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor. Buy natural forms because synthetic ones do not offer antioxidant protection, and the author and some other experts actually consider synthetic versions of beta-carotene to be "downright dangerous." The list of things this book has taught me goes on and on. But speaking of lists, here are the titles of a few lists and charts in the book: "Grapefruit interaction chart" "Common drug muggers" (This chart is great, with headings such as "Types" (of drugs) / "Common Drugs" / "Install your security system" [what to take to counteract the depletion of nutrients in each case], and "...or these complications may result.") "Supplements to battle the drug muggers" (what supplement has what important nutrients, and what "drug muggers" it will fight) "Drug muggers of biotin (Vitamin B7)" "Drug muggers of calcium" "Drug muggers of CoQ10" "Drug muggers of glutathione" ("The liver uses glutathione to metabolize all the medications you take and remove them from the body once their purpose has been served." Without it, your couldn't clear drugs and toxins from your blood.) "Drug muggers of magnesium" And many more... I should let it be known here that I have no connection with the author or publisher of this book or any other reason to praise it, other than the fact that I have found it so impressive and useful.

It has been a big job and a big background of knowledge for writing this book with so many facts about so many drugs. I have over more than 30 years bought books concerning what foot, vitamins and minerals to eat, and have seen the changing of statesmen which still are continuing. But I must say that this is the most detailed bog concerning the vital vitamins and minerals to take. It's only a big problem that many good things she tells about I can't get here I Thailand, and then the law don't allow me as a private person to import this kind of things from other countries, even though I there can walk straight in from the street and buy it! As I wrote there in the book are many detail, and that for example concerning which foot not to eat while at the same time taking mentioned drugs, and besides telling how many hours before or after taking the drugs then first to take some drugs. And for some drugs informing us that they works best when taking early in the morning and for other first taking just before going to bead, and why. And also telling about the many different qualities of drugs and which to prefer and explaining why, that is of what they are made, how much contents we get, and how the chemical reaction are different, that is fast or not fast, easy or not so easy. And for example there are many sides concerning Grapefruit, which cached me, among other how it in up to 24 hours can disturb some drugs and result in bad results. Were interesting and for me much new knowledge. But then on side 33 - 34 I discovered even more important new information which I will write and inform a doctor about. Because 5 years ago I had some accidents when driving motorcycle, psychiatric problems resulting in some kind of Epileptic black outs. I before that only one time in 1975 had tried this kind of black out. But then 5 years ago a doctor here I Thailand prescribed me the anticonvulsant drug Depakene, and told me not to drink Beer, which I followed. Bud then again I had a black out and this time resulting in a bigger accident and following in now over soon 4 years having not being able in using my right arm and hand. And then in the book on side 34, after mentioning Beer it's written that eating Rise, Bananas, and other constipating foods, when taking this drug, can worsen the problem! But Rise and Bananas are what we out here each day are getting most of! And after this accident, and then no longer being able to drive a motorcycle, I stopped taking the Depakene and after that then newer again have had any feeling of something disturbing in my brain, like a starting epileptic attack, which I got many times when taking the Depakene! So it's clearly seen that in this book there is much important information! After the problem started 5 years ago I bought 10 books concerning Epilepsy, but not in any of these are mentioned other things than not to drink Beer! So if I in the future have to start on any kind of Drugs then I for sure will go searching in this book to se what I there can find about it.

Important reading for everyone

Sehr informativ über welche vitamine und mineralstoff uns die medikamente entziehen - wichtig zu wissen, woher die nebenwirkungen kommen und wie man sie mildern kann.

This book is a must if you want to avoid the numerous side effects of medications you feel you have to take. Medications always have side effects, which can sometimes be worse than the problem you are taking them for. This book tells you which vitamins/minerals are being depleted due to the medications you are taking so that you can take supplements to avoid suffering from the side effects.

I purchased this book when first published. Have read and reread chapters various times. It can sometimes be difficult cross referencing, but it is so useful and it is worthwhile making the effort. I had hoped that by now there would be an update. There are so many new drugs on the market we need new information.

It was so practical and easy to understand. Suzy has a wealth of knowledge and it is so good that she has shared it.