The term drug muggers is probably something you haven’t heard of before. It’s something I made up to describe the effect of medication on the body, and how some drugs ‘mug’ the body of essential nutrients. That phenomenon is what causes side effects. Today is about one medication that can mug or ‘zap’ zinc from the body!
Some people wonder if taking enalapril (Vasotec) for blood pressure could lead to problems down the road. It’s a valid question because that is a medication that is taken long-term, so there could be side effects that you’re unaware of.
Symptoms such as enlarged prostate, hair loss and hearing difficulties are commonly associated with these antihypertensive pills. And to me, they sound a lot like zinc deficiency! And ACE inhibitors are drug muggers for zinc.
Deficiencies in zinc used to only occur in underdeveloped countries, but today it occurs in regular people who take ‘drug muggers’ of zinc (drugs that reduce zinc levels in the body).
These include antacids, antibiotics birth control pills, hormone replacement drugs for hot flashes, acid-blocking drugs (Nexium, Prilosec, Tagamet, Zantac, etc), furosemide, Lotensin, Enalapril, Atacand HCT, HCTZ (Hydrochlorothiazide) and cholestyramine (Questran).
Telltale signs of ZINC deficiency include frequent colds or infections because zinc is necessary to fight pathogens. A person may have cold hands and feet, foggy thinking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, brittle nails and worsening vision. You may not hear or smell things as well as before, and hair loss is possible.
In addition, skin problems like acne, psoriasis, eczema, boils, or very slow wound healing are signs and symptoms of zinc deficiency.
What About Kids?
Teenage boys may need a little extra zinc as they go through puberty to ensure fertility and produce healthy sperm in their reproductive years. Zinc is great for skin and it may get those acne breakouts under control. Low zinc can cause stunted growth, learning disabilities, and mental retardation in severe cases.
Older men derive the most benefit from zinc because it helps prevent prostatitis, enlarged prostate (BPH), hair loss, hearing loss, and high cholesterol.
A deficiency of zinc could spell trouble in the bedroom too.
You could benefit from zinc if you:
- Have conditions that affect the brain such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive
- Have an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia) – the condition acts like a drug mugger
- If you drink alcohol or coffee, it robs magnesium and zinc
- If you feel symptoms of a cold or flu coming on, take it at the first sneeze
- If you fail to ovulate properly, or don’t get a regular period
- If you have sickle cell anemia, Celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome
Foods High in Zinc to Replenish What the Drug Mugger Stole
Put this on your plate for more zinc: Oysters, seafood, ginger root, split peas, nuts, pumpkin, sunflower, egg yolks, whole wheat grain, and almonds. Or supplement with a good brand; zinc is found at health food stores and pharmacies nationwide. Don’t overdo the zinc because it will throw your copper out of balance. A safe dose is about 10 – 20 mg daily with food. You can also supplement with zinc if your doctor suggests it. Finding quality brands isn’t too hard these days.
Plus, if you like my work, and would like to shop with me, I do have a Chelated Zinc (easy-on-the-tummy) available at my vitamin shop. It comes in capsule form, so it does not contain any harsh additives or colorants.
Learn More About Drug Muggers
If this article was interesting to you, please learn more about the whole concept of drug muggers. There are hundreds of popularly prescribed medications that rob vital nutrients from your body causing many side effects and in some cases, fatal outcomes (because of long-term nutrient depletion). This is also why you experience side effects in so many cases. I literally wrote the book on drug muggers! Protect yourself from side effects and potentially catastrophic health consequences with this amazing one-of-a-kind resource.
Prescription drugs have an intended effect on the body but they may be reducing vital nutrients in your cells causing all sorts of annoying and dangerous side effects.
For example, cholesterol-lowering statin drugs mug you of Coenzyme Q10, which powers your heartbeat and protects your muscles. Estrogen-containing drugs mug you of certain nutrients, leaving you depressed and tired. Diabetic medications mug a certain B vitamin that protects you from a stroke & heart attack. As a BONUS, my book includes a special chapter to help you buy the highest quality supplements, sharing secrets in the industry that you should know about.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
