Suzy Cohen

If you take any medications, you need this book. It tells you what nutrients most medications deplete from your body while also giving you a thorough explanation of what those nutrients do, and how much you need based on your body and any "drug mugger" meds you may take. I consider this a must read, even for anyone who isn't taking meds. Does your spouse, your parents, your children? Then get this book. Written by a well regarded practicing pharmacist who actually knows what these meds can do to you. Often a med that is treating one thing can cause other problems and negatively impact your health, your energy levels and your sleep.… (mehr)

From: www.BasilAndSpice.com
Author & Book Views On A Healthy Life!

by Kelly Jad’on

A FirstLook Book Review

Drug Muggers: How to Keep Your Medicine from Stealing the Life Out of You! (DPI, 2008) by Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. and Dr. Samuel M. Cohen

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph., is a licensed pharmacist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience. Drug Muggers follows closely on the heels of her celebrated The 24-Hour Pharmacist (Harper Collins, 2007) and Real Solutions (DPI, 2008). She is "America's Most Trusted Pharmacist," and has helped millions of patients in various clinical settings, such as retail, hospital, nursing home pharmacies, and through her nationally syndicated column, "Dear Pharmacist." A former spokesperson for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Suzy Cohen is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, The Association of Natural Medicine Pharmacists and The American Pharmacists Association.

Drug Muggers is sectored into five important areas:

I. Nutrition—injected here is a discussion of a multivitamin, how to pick one, what to avoid, how much to take, and general safety supplement issues.

II. Antioxidants & Probiotics—this chapter is given to the explanation and role of major antioxidants:

* Beta Carotene (Vitamin A)—occurs naturally in the leaves of plants and produces a reddish/orange hue. Think sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots. Benefits the eyes, fertility, immunity, teeth, bones, skin.
* Coenzyme Q10—benefits the heart and makes energy. Food sources include the organ meats—kidney, heart, and liver.
* Vitamin C—protects us from colds, boosts immunity to infections and cancer. “Smokers need more vitamin C because nicotine is a drug mugger of C.” Eat citrus fruits.
* Vitamin D—a deficiency results in rickets—the softening of bones leading to bowed legs, spinal curvatures, impaired growth. “Public health officials are reporting hundreds of new cases of rickets in the United States in the last few years.” Cohen states that we are in a new epidemic of this disease, which was once unheard of.
* Glutathione (NAC)—a strong detoxifier, it boosts the immune system, reducing cancer risk. Necessary for the liver.
* Probiotics—these supplements are living bacteria which aid the digestive tract. Recommended for anyone with a GI complaint. Mugged by antibiotics, “Whenever you take an antibiotic, you should supplement with a probiotic to replenish what the drug mugger steals.”

III. The B Family—This is not the Brady Bunch, rather it is a inclusive listing of the necessary life-sustaining roles the B vitamins perform.

* Thiamin (Vitamin B1)—plays a part in maintaining weight, lowering blood sugar, reducing cholesterol; a deficiency can cause reduced appetite, fatigue, weakness, poor digestion, chronic constipation, inability to gain weight, metal fatigue; a deficiency could lead to depression, nervousness, mental exhaustion, insomnia.
* Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)—works to improve thyroid levels, creates energy in the body, helps burn calories, reduces some types of headaches. These chapters end with “Just So Ya’ Know” where the author gives her personal advice to the reader. For example with Riboflavin, “As a general rule it is important to take a B complex (especially with B6) because the Bs work better together, and you are less likely to tilt your Bs out of range….”
* Niacin (Vitamin B3)—has the ability to open blood vessels and capillaries wider, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, while supplying more blood to the heart. Good food sources of Niacin include lean beef, liver, crimini mushrooms, wild salmon, eggs, dairy, poultry, yellowfin tuna, corn grits, nuts, enriched cereals.
* Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)—boosts mood, improves sleep, nourishes the nervous system. Tip: “B6 is needed to break down protein found in meats and dairy; the more animal protein you consume, the more B6 you should take.”
* Biotin—necessary for the skin, hair, and nails; critical for digestion, blood sugar control. It is produced within our intestinal tract by micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, algae) and is mugged by antibiotics.
* Folate (Vitamin B9)—it is relatively well known by its relation to folic acid—the synthetically derivative. Necessary for red blood cell production, DNA manufacturing, and is used in some anti-cancer regimens. It also protects the unborn from neural tube defects and is found in all prenatal vitamins. Folate deficiency can occur easily because the vitamin is water-soluble.
* Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)—important for sleep, energy, and the nervous system. The worst drug muggers of B12 are acid blocking drugs, junk food, and white refined sugar. This is a relevant chapter for those who suffer from ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, MS, or another autoimmune disorder.

IV. Minerals & Melatonin—this significant chapter is devoted to major minerals and their roles within our body, paying attention to the drugs which adversely affect the body’s ability to use these minerals. Includes Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Selenium, Potassium, and Zinc. What I really like about these chapters (B Family & Minerals) is each vitamin and mineral gets a thorough explanation of its vital role, the author gives suggestions of foods to eat which will provide the mineral, and she also lets us in on medicines she keeps in her own cupboard. Example here: Cold EEZE Zinc Lozenges by Quigley—Cohen likes these because they are organic, gluten-free, have been through clinical trials, and contain 13.3mg ionic zinc, A further plus in each chapter is a small mention for each mineral titled, “Absurdly Inexpensive Way to Feel Better.” The tips are great. It’s like going into the drug store and speaking with the pharmacist yourself.

* Melatonin is a hormone in your body which helps you sleep. A complete chapter is devoted to this subject, noting which drugs interfere with the process, how it helps with jet lag, and other roles of melatonin in the body.

V. Safety Guide—“As of 2004, the average number of medications per person in the United States is about 12! This creates a tremendous potential for interaction with medication and food.”

* Food, herbal, and drug interactions—both common and uncommon: an example, the MAO inhibitor Nardil (phenelzine) can fatally interact with cheese (tyramine) because of a rise in blood pressure.

Further listings:

* Medications to be taken with food
* Medications to be taken on an empty stomach
* Grapefruit interaction chart
* Lifestyle drug muggers--commentary on the effects on our bodies of: coffee, tea, alcohol, laxatives, soda, stress, smoking, fat blockers in dieting, and junk food.
* Drug Muggers includes several pages of references and resources of which Cohen approves. Most importantly the book has a listing of medications and their negative effects on the body.

Drug Muggers is really a thoroughly written book, offering advice to all people, whether they take medication or not. Drug Muggers provides a pharmacist’s knowledgeable insight into the necessary nutrients we need on a daily basis. Suzy Cohen’s natural answers and advice aren’t simply the run-of-the-mill “Take two pills and call me in the morning.” Read a the book and live a healthier life.

5 Stars… (mehr)