Drug Mugger is a term first proposed by US pharmacist Suzy Cohen, which refers to a drug that depletes essential nutrients in the human body. The medicines we take can cause nutritional deficiencies for a variety of reasons. For example, ▲ when a drug uses nutrients to make it effective ▲ when a drug directly destroys nutrients in our body ▲ When a drug indirectly prevents the synthesis and absorption of nutrients in our body.
Typical chronic diseases that require long-term medication include diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. You need to know what nutrients your body is deficient in and compensate with the medicines you take.
1. Diabetes medication – vitamin B12
A nutrient that people taking diabetes medications tend to be deficient in is the B vitamins. Metformin, the first line treatment for diabetic patients, lowers blood sugar by making less glucose in the body. However, in this process, the absorption of the cobalamine family of vitamins called vitamin B12 is blocked. A lack of vitamin B12 in the body can lead to cognitive decline and even peripheral neuropathy, a type of diabetic complication. If you experience symptoms such as pins and needles or tingling in the tips of your hands and feet while taking diabetes medicines, you must supplement with vitamin B12.
“Metformin can prevent the absorption of vitamin B12 and cause a deficiency, so supplementing it is very important for diabetes management,” said pharmacist Yoo Subin. It is better to choose a combined drug, “he said. In the case of vitamin B1, it plays a role in preventing the formation of harmful substances made from high blood sugar, and is effective in curing proteinuria and relieving fatigue.
2. Hyperlipidemia drug – Coenzyme C10
Long-term use of statins, which is a hyperlipidemia drug, reduces the amount of coenzyme C10 (CoQ10) in the body. As statins interfere with the process of lipid synthesis in the liver, coenzyme C10 produced during lipid synthesis also becomes insufficient. Coenzyme C10 produces cellular energy and acts as an antioxidant. Therefore, if there is a lack of coenzyme C10 in the body, it can easily cause fatigue, muscle pain and wrinkles on the skin.
“Coenzyme C10 is produced in the human body, but when it is not sufficient, it is difficult to add it to food,” said Shin Kwang-sik, a medical consultant at Hidak. Therefore, it is recommended to consume it as a health supplement.”
3. Hypertension Medicine – Vitamin B1 and Melatonin
Diuretics used to treat high blood pressure lower blood pressure by increasing urine output. In this process, water-soluble vitamin B is also excreted in the urine, in particular, vitamin B1 can be passed out of the body excessively. Vitamin B1 deficiency reduces heart function and increases the risk of arrhythmia. As blood flow is slowed, blood is not distributed enough to all parts of the body, which can lead to oedema, numbness in the hands and feet, and weakness in the legs.
Among antihypertensive drugs, beta blockers block the binding of a hormone called epinephrine to beta receptors. This is because this combination strengthens the force of the heart’s contractions and raises blood pressure. However, these beta-blockers can interfere with the synthesis of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone, and can cause sleep disorders.
People with chronic diseases consume nutrients and vitamins at a faster rate than the general population. Therefore, if a patient takes chronic disease drugs for a long time, it is necessary to check the nutrients that can be depleted and supplemented adequately.
Help = Consultant Hidak Dr. Shin Kwang-sik (internal medicine specialist Seoul New Internal Medicine Clinic), pharmacist Yoo Soo-bin
