A number of tests are prescribed by the medical profession each year, like x-rays, CAT scans, barium intestinal tests, urine tests, blood tests etc. If you know you are going to have an x-ray, CAT scan or barium test make sure you are taking sufficient amounts of vitamin C, B complex, some spiralina and increase your intake of onions, ginger and garlic. In fact when you take onions, garlic and ginger in say a stir-fry these ingredients have a synergistic affect that makes the combination even more affective. When you first start taking a medication be aware of any changes, symptoms, odd feelings, itching, dry mouth, irritability, headaches, tiredness, fluid retention, aches and pains, weight-gain etc. Do not suffer in silence, you should take note and mention these side-effects to your doctor who might decide to prescribe an alternative, a substitute with one that might suit you better.

Pharmaceutical medication uses up large resources of vitamins and minerals or in some cases hinder their absorption. Some medication alters your essential bacteria (our bowel flora, the friendly guys) in the intestines, such as antibiotics. Barbiturates can overload the liver, disturbing vitamin D for bones while others will weaken the kidneys, while diuretics can remove minerals from the body. Laxatives can encourage the removal of minerals from the body. A plain yogurt can be taken with some drugs to protect the stomach lining. However, don’t take tetracycline with yogurt.

Don’t take penicillin or any antibiotic with fruit juice or vitamin C, it’s too acidic and can alter the medication. This is only a very short list of medication, but it gives you an idea that you need to take extra care, read as much as you can about your particular medication and get more nutrients to protect yourself from your medication. Any medication, especially those that are particularly dose sensitive should not be taken with grapefruit. Grapefruit encourages better absorption so you end up taking more medication due to better absorption rates. Antacids used to reduce stomach acid will deplete vitamin A, B complex, phosphate and some can hinder the absorption of calcium. Some antacids contain aluminum.

Aspirin used to reduce pain, inflammation, to thin the blood, will deplete vitamin A, C, E, K, iron and phosphate. Barbiturates, used as a sedative or sleeping pill deplete vitamin A, D, folic acid, and phosphates. Cholesterol lowering drugs deplete vitamin A, D, K, folic acid, B complex, magnesium and zinc. They can interfere with the body’s ability to produce hormones.

Diuretics used to reduce fluid retention, deplete several minerals, the minerals vital to health. This is just a brief look at what pharmaceutical medication could be doing to you. Take out some nutritional insurance against this depletion, a good quality general multi-vitamin and mineral. Buy the best one you can afford, always take the dose stated on the packaging, and start thinking about your lifestyle and why you have to take medication in the first place! NEVER stop taking your medication without taking professional advice.

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