Drug Muggers: Which Medications Are Robbing Your Body of Essential Nutrients--and Natural Ways to Restore Them [Paperback]

Suzy Cohen (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 15, 2011

Unpleasant, uncomfortable, and unexplained side effects? Drug Muggers is your side effect solution.

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs help millions of people with devastat-ing diseases and chronic conditions. But in the process, these medications can also deplete the body’s natural stores of vitamins, minerals, and hormones—the very nutrients you need to keep energy levels high, fend off infections, and be healthy. Pharmacist Suzy Cohen calls these medications “drug muggers,” and she says it’s essential to replenish what a drug mugger steals from your body in order to feel your best and avoid side effects. Not understanding the drug-mugging effect may lead to new “diseases” and possibly catastrophic health con-sequences.

 

You’ll discover:
• How to relieve uncomfortable or potentially serious side effects
• How to remain compliant with your medication and still feel well
• Which foods and drinks to avoid if you take certain medications
• How to install a nutrient security system with vitamins, minerals, and food choices

 

Plus!
• Improve your energy levels
• Learn which minerals you need if you take heartburn medicine
• Improve digestion and relieve constipation with a simple nutrient
• Discover the antioxidant you must have to save your heart
• Get your hair and nails to grow faster by replenishing nutrients
• Find out which vitamins and minerals are the purest and highest quality
• Learn which vitamins outperform medications in some cases

 

Drug Muggers is an eye-opener! It reveals why you may be feeling so poorly and how to improve your well-being with affordable nutrients that are sold over the counter. You can (and will) improve the way you feel—whether or not you take medicine!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Suzy Cohen, RPh, has been a licensed pharmacist for more than 20 years and writes the syndicated health column “Dear Pharmacist.” She has made guest appearances as “America’s Most Trusted Pharmacist” on many network shows, including The View and The Dr. Oz Show, and hosts a medical minute on the syndicated TV health show Know the Cause. Suzy is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, American College for Advancement in Medicine, and the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 1 edition (February 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605294160
• ISBN-13: 978-1605294162
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Basic Info..... March 5, 2011

By Kiwi VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very good book which I will refer to frequently. It covers a large amount of synthetic drugs and their possible interactions with supplements and nutrients in your system. Certain synthetic drugs will deplete these nutrients in the body, so sometimes you'll need to add more than the usual dosage.

I personally like the chapters on the Vitamins and trace minerals. The Selenium chapter is a good read although I would have added to this chapter that Selenium is important for conversion of T4 to T3. These are thyroid hormones needed for the proper functioning of your thyroid gland. All in all, it's a good purchase and I'd buy one for your parents or anyone else who needs an up to date look at drugs and vitamins.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Godsend! May 2, 2011

By new creation

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I saw this book on television and decided to order it. I was struggling with some horrendous health problems and doctors were confused and unable to stop the pain. One medication, led to another, then another and they were still looking at adding more. Upon the books arrival, I immediately looked up my medications and there it was...the begnning of my relief. I began to immediately supplement what one medication had robbed from my body and even was able to get off the medication. I had been struggling with debilitating migraines and headaches for months and the relief was immediate. My pain levels went from a 10 to a 5 within days and are now down to 2's and 3's on a regular basis. I also began working with a doctor who specializes in "Integrated Medicine" and is more than willing to help me with the dosages of needed supplements, etc.

It is my hope to be completely pain free one day soon and this book gives me much needed information to help bring my body to a state of wholeness and healing.
Thank you for writing this book ~ it was a Godsend and an answer to prayer for me!!!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of good information but missing two key pieces of information June 14, 2012

By M. Cement

Format:Paperback

I expected to love this book - it is exactly the type of information that I and other people need. Unfortunately, I didn't. The book has a lot of good information - I especially like the information on drug and food interaction and how to pick a good supplement. But I think that it has some key flaws - it doesn't clearly answer some key questions that readers would have:
1. what nutrients are mugged by the drugs they are taking - I can imagine a table with the drug name and the nutrients mugged. There is a quick glance table but not a complete one.
2. If I go shop for supplements, exactly what bioavailability ingredients should I look for. That would be helpful when shopping.
3. If a drug that I'm taking is not on the list, does that mean that it doesn't mug any nutrients or that it just wasn't listed. I couldn't find that information in the book.
4. If I have certain symptoms, which drugs might I take a look at. Maybe this would be redundant but it might be nice to have a quick glance table.

Much of the book is centered around the idea of "if you are short on X, then do such and such". That is great if you know what you are deficient it. Short of testing, who does?

For question 1, the author provides a 4 page table. Four pages out of 370 pages doesn't seem the correct ratio. And many drugs weren't on the list. For example, anti-seizure medication. Some of these other drugs are mentioned in the per-nutrient pages but that means I have to scan the entire book looking for nutrients mugged by the drugs that I consume.... And specific drugs are not listed in the index but there is this nice reference in the back labeled "Identify your Drug Category" - that is a very useful reference and shouldn't be hidden in the back where we readers would not know to look!

Question 2 is discussed throughout the book but it would be great to have a table to refer to when I go to the store.

An answer to question 3 would be very helpful and maybe hints as to where to look if the drug is not in the book. Or should I assume that it would be the same as other members in the category?

Question number 4 isn't addressed at all - you would have to go through the entire book looking.

So, while I am 100% in support of the information that this book provides, I think that it could have been organized differently - then it would have been a fantastic reference. Read more ›

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Drug Muggers is the best March 18, 2011

By picasso_poss

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is the best. Just realizing what effect different drugs have on our bodies and how to correct the problem is so invaluable.
The book arrived in Australia in only a couple of weeks after ordering from Amazon.com. Thank you.....I will be back.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Drugmuggers March 14, 2011

By garyleaddog

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A great book full of information. A must have for anyone taking prescription drugs or anyone interested in a healthy lifestyle. I was amazed after briefly scanning thru a few chapters how i felt better shortly after making some changes in my lifestyle.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book January 6, 2012

By T. Oaks

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very informative book. I never thought about how prescription drugs work in the system or knew how most cause nutrient losses in our system. We go to the doctor because of this new symptom, and get another pill for it, when it could be that we are low in a certain nutrient. I've taken a stomach acid reducer for years, and often asked the doctor if it was healthy to be on one for so long. He answered there were no indications that it was not. Recently, I've seen commercials for the drug I took with the disclaimer that it may "cause calcium and magnesium deffiencies." Really? I've read this book cover to cover, and still go back to certain sections that apply to me because of prescriptions I take. I've learned a lot about nutrition and supplements. There are so many supplements out there, and quality is very important, and can be expensive. It is very confusing for a newby. I like the fact that the author lists foods that contain the nutrients, as well as supplement dosages and what to look for in a quality supplement if you feel you need the extra support. In my case I felt like I needed supplements because I had been on this med for over 10 years, and had some of the symptoms of nutrient loss. I've found alternatives for the acid reflux med. I know not everyone can or should do that, but so far it has worked for me. As the author suggests, I talked to my doctor and pharmacist about the changes before I made them in case I needed to taper off the drug gradually. The author does caution people to start low and slow if you decide to use supplements as each person is different and may have sensitivities that others do not have. In some cases, supplements work as well as a prescription drug, and you need to be monitored. She lists drug interactions, too, some of which I wasn't aware.... That's why I say read thoroughly. I talked about this book so much with my friends that they are now reading it. They say they feel better informed about nutrition and meds, too. Read more ›