Nutritional Vitamins

"The average person in North America is on about six different prescription medications by age 65. Each of these medications is designed to complete a specific body function that does not work or that no longer works as well as it needs to for health. These body functions require specific nutrients as fuel." - Brazos Minshew, TriVita's Chief Science Officer

Being an advocate of natural nutritional vitamin supplements, I've heard many nutrition experts speak on this same subject. However, I've never really done comprehensive research on my own. So in an effort to decipher some of the rhetoric we hear about drugs and their adverse effects on the human body, here is some of the information I've found.

Cholesterol is one of the most highly publicized subjects when it comes to human health. With that in mind, we will focus on cholesterol and the drugs used to control it.

High cholesterol cause a plethora of physical ailments, especially heart attacks or strokes. When trying to control high cholesterol levels, or when trying to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol, doctors may prescribe a statin drug. Most people who are prescribed statins will take them for the rest of their lives.

According to the Mayo Clinic web site, "statins work by slowing your body's production of cholesterol. Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs for digesting food and producing new cells on its own. When this natural production is slowed, your body begins to draw the cholesterol it needs from the food you eat, lowering your total cholesterol." [1]

"Researchers think statins may affect not only your liver's production of cholesterol, but also several enzymes in muscle cells that are responsible for muscle growth. The effects of statins on these cells may be the cause of muscle aches." [1]

Interfering with normal body functions, by introducing a man-made drug, has more, in my opinion, negative affects than positive affects. I believe it's the drug that limits the body's natural ability to use the nutrients it receives from the food we eat, to keep the body functioning at a high rate. This leads us to another side effect of taking statins, neuropathy.

"A famous Danish study of neuropathy as a side effect to statin use concluded that an individual who is a long-term user of statin drugs has anywhere from 4 to 14 times greater risk of developing peripheral neuropathy than a person who does not take statin drugs. Typically, long-term use of statins is defined as 2 years or more but neuropathy can occur even after just a few days of use in a susceptible individual." [2]

One of the reasons for neuropathy side effects may be because statins deplete Coenzyme Q-10 and accessory nutrients. Nutrients, as we may have learned in our health classes, are important to build healthy cells, muscles, and bones. "Studies supporting the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 appear most promising for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and certain encephalomyopathies for which coenzyme Q10 has gained orphan drug status." [3]

"If you take statins, you definitely need to take CoQ-10 to balance CoQ-10 levels. People taking statins also benefit from heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and the B vitamin niacin. Take pure niacin in low doses and always consult a health care provider when combining niacin with statins." [4]

Not all studies are conclusive in their findings, regarding the statins and CoQ10. However, "some research suggests that statin drugs, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol, may interfere with the body's production of CoQ10." [5]

There is plenty of information available on the side effects of statins, and other man-made drugs. All you have to due is search Google. In so doing, always consider the source from where your information is found. There are many so-called experts on the Internet, and many of them may be providing incorrect or inconclusive information.

Nutritional vitamin supplements, in my opinion, are the best way to keep your body functioning at a high level. If you're on doctor prescribed medication make sure you check with your doctor before taking any vitamin supplements. I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever professed to acknowledge that fact, but I do understand a few things about nutrition, and living a healthy lifestyle.

TriVita has plenty of high-quality nutritional supplements that can help you enjoy the lifestyle you'd like to live. To learn more about TriVita and/or their nutritional vitamin supplement, click on the previous links. Remember, each body function requires a specific nutrient as fuel.

Jeffrey Sloe
440-725-3729
jeff@internetmarketingadvisors.net
TriVita Independent Business Affiliate, 12871028

Sources:
[1] www.mayoclinic.com/health/statin-side-effects/MY00205
[2] www.statinanswers.com/effects.htm
[3] www.aafp.org/afp/20050915/1065.html
[4] www.trivita.com/trivita-mailings/wwr/2009/August/20090822/0136-meds-pf.html?tref=12871028&sid=4196
[5] http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/CoenzymeQ10.htm

The above information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.