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Safety Guidelines in 
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HealthPost 002

"AVOIDING THE AVOIDABLE"

 DOING BATTLE AGAINST NUTRIENT DEPLETION SIDE EFFECTS WITH  MEDICATION USAGE

By Mrs. Lori Anderson Bunge, BA

              PLEASE FIRST READ OUR LEGAL DISCLAIMER

SINCE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR DIRECTLY IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT DEHYDRATION, MINERALS, OR ELECTROLYTES

IT IS SAID THAT THE ONLY GUARANTEES IN LIFE ARE DEATH AND TAXES.  

I AM NOT SURE HOW ACCURATE THAT OLD SAYING IS (IT CERTAINLY IS NOT THE GOSPEL TRUTH, THANK GOD!). 

AS CHRISTIANS, WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE! YET JUST TO MAKE THE ANGEL'S SNICKER,   I MAY BE TEMPTED TO ADD ONE LAST LIFETIME GUARANTEE:  VOIDING IS UNAVOIDABLE!

YET WHEN WE VOID, WE SHOULD DO IT SAFELY!

("VOIDING" IS THE FANCY HOSPITAL OR DOCTOR'S OFFICE TERM, IN COMMON AMERICAN, FOR  "ONE MUST USE THE LADIES' ROOM OR ONE MUST USE THE MEN'S  ROOM.  IN GREAT BRITAIN, THE COURTEOUS WAY TO COMMUNICATE IS "PLEASE DO EXCUSE ME TO THE LOO.")

ITS TIME TO FLUSH NEGATIVE DRUG REACTIONS RIGHT DOWN THE "LOO"  SO......LET US SHIFT  OUR ATTENTION TO THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF OVER- VOIDING WHEN ON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION OR NATURAL MEDICINES.  IN OTHER WORDS;  WHAT COMES OUT SHOULD NOT BE GREATER THAN ONE GOES IN, ESPECIALLY  IF IT IS A VITAL NUTRIENT AND ELEMENT  THAT YOUR BODY DEPENDS ON TO SURVIVE.

ANYTIME A  PERSON TAKES A MEDICATION, WHETHER PHARMACEUTICAL OR NATURAL MEDICINE, ONE RUNS THE RISK OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF SIDE EFFECTS. 

WITH NATURAL (OR PLANT-BASED) MEDICATIONS, TWO POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS ARE HEREIN DISCUSSED IN THIS ARTICLE:

1.  DIURESIS (FROM MEDICINE, FROM FREQUENT URINATION, OVER-EXERTION, WARM WEATHER, SWEATING, A DISEASE STATE, VOMITING, AND/OR DIARRHEA)

2.  BLOOD THINNING (FROM A DISEASE STATE, POOR BLOOD CHEMISTRY, OR FROM DOUBLING-UP ON BLOOD-THINNING AGENTS)

ONE MIGHT ARGUE THAT WHEN USING NATURAL MEDICINAL PLANTS, THE MAIN GOALS SHOULD BE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, MINIMIZING UNCOMFORTABLE SIDE EFFECTS  TOTALLY AVOIDING DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS AND/OR DRUG INTERACTIONS, AND COMPLIMENTING THE BENEFITS WITH ANOTHER FOOD HERBS OR SUPPLEMENT WHICH CAN OFF-SET ANY POTENTIAL NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS. PRUDENCE, DUE CARE, AND PRECAUTIONS ARE  THE THE ANSWER.

"A WISE MAN SEES DANGER AND AVOIDS IT;  A FOOL IGNORES IT AND SUFFERS FOR IT."    ....................................PROVERBS

PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING............

1.  DO NOT 'PILL POP."  THIS MEANS:

A.  DO NOT BE DISTRACTED WHEN TAKING YOUR MEDICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTS.  TAKE THE BOTTLE FROM THE MEDICINE CABINET, SET IT IN THE MIDDLE OF A TABLE WHICH IS NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO SMALL CHILDREN, COUNT THE PROPER DOSAGE OUT ONTO A SMALL TRAY (MUCH LIKE A PHARMACIST DOES), DOUBLE CHECK THE TYPE OF MEDICATION AND DOSAGE, PLACE THE BILLS INTO A SMALL MEDICINE CUP (A MEASURED MEDICINE CUP FOR LIQUID MEDICINES WORKS WELL), WRITE THE DOSE DETAILS DOWN ON A MEDICATION RECORD WITH THE DATE, TIME, MEDICINE'S NAME, SAFE AND PRESCRIBED DOSAGE, MILLIGRAMS (OR EQUIVALENT), ETC. 

IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANYTHING.

ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE DONE THESE THINGS, SHOULD YOU GET YOURSELF A GLASS OF PURE WATER, LOOK ONCE MORE AT THE MEDICINE AND CHECK A THIRD TIME THE DOSAGE, THEN TAKE THE MEDICINE.  IT MIGHT SEEM RATHER INVOLVED, BUT IT WILL SAVE YOU THE WORRY OF AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE OR TAKING THE WRONG MEDICATIONS.  USING A MEDICATION RECORD CAN ASSIST IN THE AVOIDANCE OF NEGATIVE DRUG INTERACTIONS.  REMEMBER; WE WANT ALL MEDICATION INTERACTIONS TO BE POSITIVE!

(WE HAVE MEDICATION RECORD THAT YOU CAN COPY AND USE FOR INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY USE ONLY. THERE IS ALSO A BLOOD PRESSURE AND EXERCISE RECORD.   THEY SHALL BE POSTED HERE ON OUR WEB SITE IN THE NEAR FUTURE)

TAKE YOU MEDICATION WITH ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF WATER, OR FOOD IF THE MEDICATION DIRECTIONS RECOMMEND IT.

WRITE DOWN YOUR HEALTH GOALS FOR TAKING THE MEDICATION, THEN NOTE ANY POSITIVE HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS AND  ALL RESULTS WHILST TAKING THE MEDICINE.  ALSO NOTE NEGATIVE RESULTS IN THE RARE INSTANCE OF AN ADVERSE REACTION DURING THE CAREFUL, SAFE, AND PRUDENT USE OF PRESCRIBED OR NATURAL MEDICINES.  REMEMBER TO BE PRECAUTIOUS AND USE DUE CARE.  SHARE THESE FINDINGS WITH YOUR DOCTOR, INCLUDING AN UPDATED LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS WHICH YOU ARE TAKING.

BECOME INFORMED AND EDUCATED ABOUT THE MEDICINE, INDICATIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND PRECAUTIONS.  ASK YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY NON-PRESCRIBED NATURAL MEDICINAL, HEALTH CARE PRODUCT OR  DIETARY SUPPLEMENT.

DO NOT MISUSE, ABUSE, OVER-USE, MIX, OR OTHERWISE CARELESSLY AND WITHOUT DUE CARE ANY MEDICINE.

DO NOT "DOUBLE-UP" ON MEDICINAL EFFECTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, NATURAL MEDICINES, HERBS AND SPICES, OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS, AND ANY DIETARY SUPPLEMENT,  DO NOT DOUBLE-UP ON VITAMINS OR MINERALS.  SO NOT MISUSE OR OVERUSE ANY MEDICINE, SPORTS DRINK, SOY PRODUCT, HORMONES, AROMATHERAPY PRODUCT, ETC.

REMEMBER....OILS AND OIL EXTRACT TEND TO BE MUCH STRONGER THAN WHOLE HERB PRODUCTS.  MOST ESSENTIAL OILS ARE NOT FOR INTERNAL USE BECAUSE OF THIS AND OTHER REASONS.

MAKE SURE AND THANK FRIENDLY FLORA FOR YOUR RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH

REMEMBER, OFTENTIMES IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLENISH GOOD BACTERIA INTO THE DIGESTIVE TRACT WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DESTROYED ALONG WITH THE BAD BACTERIAL DURING ANY KIND OF ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT.  ACIDOPHILUS AND/OR YOGURT WITH LIVE ACTIVE CULTURES (LIKE YOPLAIT) WORKS VERY WELL AT REPLENISHING THE "FRIENDLY FLORA" BACK INTO THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.

ONE MAY ALSO NEED TO REPLENISH B-VITAMINS AND YEAST (BREWER'S YEAST OR BAKER'S YEAST) AFTER ANTIBIOTIC USE.

ONE NEEDS FRIENDLY FLORA, ALSO KNOWN AS PROBIOTICS, IN ORDER TO REPLENSIH FRIENDLY BACTERIA TO THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.  OUR BODIES DEPEND ON THIS "GOOD BACTERIA" TO DIGEST OUR FOOD AND KEEP CERTAIN POTENTIALLY HARMFUL BACTERIA, MOLDS, FUNGI, ETC.   UNDER CONTROL (LIKE CANDIDA ABILICANS).  WE NEED GOOD BACTERIA AND CONTROLLED LEVELS OF YEAST TO ABSORB IMPORTANT  VITAMINS AND OTHER NUTRIENTS (B VITAMINS, AS WITH VITAMIN B-COMPLEX,  NEED YEAST IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT TO BE ABSORBED.)  LOW B-VITAMINS CAN BE DANGEROUS.  

ITS ALIVE!

SOFT GELS OF ACIDOPHILUS ARE PARTICULARLY HELPFUL, SINCE THEY CAN BE "HERMETICALLY" SEALED TO HELP KEEP THE ACTIVE CULTURES ALIVE.  

SLAY THE MICROSCOPIC "YEAST BEASTS"

PRIVATELY DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST THE MITIGATION OF SECONDARY INFECTIONS WHICH CAN OCCUR DURING OR AFTER ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT.  IF YOU ARE A WOMAN, YOU MAY WANT TO  OBTAIN SOME OVER-THE-COUNTER MONOSTAT CREAM IN THE CASE OF A SECONDARY YEAST INFECTION FROM ORAL ANTIBIOTICS.  MEN CAN GET YEAST INFECTIONS, ALSO.

NUTRIENTS; IN VIT' EM IN!

TAKE A GOOD MULTI-VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENT IF YOUR STOMACH CAN  HANDLE IT (AS IN THE CASE OF A BAD COLD)

AS A PRECAUTION AGAINST VITAMIN AND MINERAL DEPLETIONS, ALSO PUSH FLUIDS.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF SOME NUTRIENTS THAT MAY BECOME DEPLETED WHILE USING ANTIBIOTIC HERBS OR ON ANTIBIOTIC DRUG THERAPY:

B-VITAMINS
OTHER VITAMINS
VITAMIN K (consult with your doctor)
CALCIUM
MAGNESIUM
POTTASIUM
SODIUM
OTHER VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND/OR ELECTROLYTES

ANYTIME A PERSON IS ILL, EXHAUSTED, AND/OR USING HERBS
OR DRUGS, ONE CAN BECOME DANGEROUSLY DEPLETED IN WATER, VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND/OR ELECTROLYTES.  TAKE SOMETHING LIKE A GOOD MULTI-VITAMIN AND MINERAL TO HELP GUARD YOURSELF FROM THIS DANGER.  ASK YOUR DOCTOR.

WELL, ARE YOU DRINKING WELL?

MAKE SURE YOU DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS.

ANYTIME A PERSON IS ILL, EXHAUSTED, AND/OR USING HERBS
OR DRUGS, ONE CAN BECOME DANGEROUSLY DEPLETED IN WATER. VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND/OR ELECTROLYTES.  TAKE SOMETHING LIKE A GOOD MULTI-VITAMIN AND MINERAL TO HELP GUARD YOURSELF FROM THIS DANGER.  ASK YOUR DOCTOR.

2. SUPPLEMENT WITH ELECTROLYTE FLUIDS (PEDIALYTE) IF FREQUENTLY URINATING/DIARRHEA  IS A PROBLEM. ALWAYS INTAKE ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF FLUIDS AND REPLENISH MINERALS AND ELECTROLYTES.  CHILDREN SHOULD NOT USE ADULT SPORT DRINKS WITHOUT THE CAREFUL GUIDANCE OF A DOCTOR, IN ORDER TO AVOID POTASSIUM AND OTHER MINERAL OVER-LOADS.

3. IN FACT PUSH MODERATE BUT GENEROUS AMOUNTS OF FLUIDS, INCLUDING PLENTY OF WATER AND SALTY CHICKEN OR VEGETABLE BROTHS. BE MINDFUL THAT SOME HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS HAVE A DIURETIC EFFECT. REPLENISHING POTASSIUM THROUGH POTASSIUM-RICH FOODS MAY BE NECESSARY. BANANAS, PARSLEY, SPINACH, GARLIC, ONIONS, GRAPES, RAISINS ALL CONTAIN NATURAL POTASSIUM. POTASSIUM IS AVAILABLE IN SUPPLEMENTAL FORM THROUGH WHAT SOME EXPERTS FEEL IS A SAFER FORM OF ORAL POTASSIUM: POTASSIUM GLUCONATE. 

IN THE CASE OF A MEDICAL CONDITION, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTORS  BEFORE SUPPLEMENTING WITH POTASSIUM. POTASSIUM IN THE FORM OF POTASSIUM GLUCONATE (WHICH SOME ARGUE MAY BE A SAFER FORM FOR ORALLY-SUPPLEMENTED POTASSIUM) IS AVAILABLE AT 99 mg OR LESS PER DAY. ) FOR EXACT DOSAGE AND USE OF POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS, ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR PRIOR TO USAGE.

POTASSIUM VITAE: A DELICATE BALANCE

YOUR HEART GREATLY DEPENDS ON THE DELICATE AND PROPER LEVEL OF POTASSIUM FOR NORMAL SINUS RHYTHM, WHICH  MEANS THE STRONG  AND REGULAR BEATING OF YOUR HEART. THE DEPLETION OF POTASSIUM THROUGH DEHYDRATION AND/OR POOR NUTRITION IS THEREFORE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, SINCE AGAIN YOUR HEART DEPENDS ON A CERTAIN AND DELICATE LEVEL OF POTASSIUM IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN NORMAL SINUS RHYTHM (OR REGULAR  HEART BEATING), IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO WATCH YOUR POTASSIUM LEVELS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION OR ARE A CARDIAC PATIENT. THE PROPER MAINTENANCE OF ONE'S SAFE, MODERATE, AND MEASURED BIO-AVAILABILITY OF POTASSIUM IS VITAL. SOME NATURAL WAYS TO PRESERVE OR OBTAIN POTASSIUM MAY BE:

1. PROPER FLUID INTAKE (WHICH HELPS TO CONSERVE MOST NUTRIENTS).

2. PROPER DIET INCLUDING POTASSIUM-RICH FOODS LIKE DRIED APRICOTS, CANTALOUPE, LIMA BEANS, POTATO, AVOCADO, BANANAS, SPINACH, BROCCOLI, LIVER, MILK, PEANUT BUTTER, AND CITRUS FRUITS, GRAPES, RAISINS  AND MODERATE AMOUNTS OF GARLIC. PARSLEY IS DIURETIC YET IS RICH IN MINERALS, INCLUDING POSSIBLY  POTASSIUM, AS IS NON-PESTICIDE SPRAYED DANDELION LEAVES.  DANDELIONS ARE SAID TO BE EDIBLE, HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS, CAN BE USED IN SALADS, AND  ARE RICH IN MANY MINERALS, INCLUDING POTASSIUM.  OUR PET RABBIT LOVES THEM.   IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION, USE HERBS ONLY UNDER A  QUALIFIED DOCTOR'S SUPERVISION AND CARE.

3.  DOCTOR-PRESCRIBED POTASSIUM (BEST ADVICE ON POTASSIUM SHALL COME FROM YOUR DOCTOR)

4.  IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR THE UNAVAILABILITY OF A PHYSICIAN (IN THE EVENT OF A NATIONAL EMERGENCY, ETC.) WHEN THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF OVER-EXERTION,  THERE IS OVER-THE-COUNTER POTASSIUM GLUCONATE WHICH YOU COULD LOCK AWAY IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET FOR  A TEMPORARY  ORAL SUPPLEMENT.  MAKE SURE ADEQUATE FLUID INTAKE IS POSSIBLE BEFORE TAKING EXTRA POTASSIUM.  ACCORDING TO DOCTOR MARY ANN EADES IN HER BOOK THE DOCTOR'S GUIDE TO VITAMINS AND MINERALS, "Potassium is a major ion in every living cell, which means you will find it in abundance in fresh foods, although the vast majority of potassium remains inside the cells that make up your body, it is in a  constant state of balance, with a small amount that remains outside.  That small amount, however, is of critical importance in contributing to the passage of electrical nerve impulses throughout your body, controlling the contract of muscles including the heart muscle, and helping to maintain your blood pressure in  the normal range."

Therefore, since the delicate RANGE is of vital importance, it may be argued that an oral potassium gluconate  supplement should only be taken in the event of  assured potassium depletion from some of the reasons listed prior (i.e. diuresis, diarrhea, sweating and/or over-exertion, etc.).  IF YOU ARE ABLE, ASK YOUR DOCTOR REGARDING USAGE AND DOSAGE PRIOR TO SUPPLEMENTING  WITH POTASSIUM GLUCONATE.

Additionally according to Dr. Eades, "potassium gluconate 99 mg. can be purchased at most health and nutrition shops....with normal kidneys, supplemental potassium almost never causes problems."  People with severe kidney impairment, (renal failure) or other contraindicated medical conditions  cannot handle extra potassium and should only add potassium under the direct supervision of their personal physician or kidney specialist.

The above potassium supplementation precaution  may apply for various diseases.  In addition, there are some doctors who advise against any potassium  supplementation by the patient without a doctor's prescription.  

Again, in the opinion of  Dr. Eades, "potassium gluconate 99 mg. can be purchased at most health and nutrition shops....with normal kidneys, supplemental potassium almost never caused problems."  She recommends the potassium GLUCONATE form, 99 mg.

According to Dr. Eades, certain diuretic medication cause your kidneys to rid you of excess fluid by making you waste sodium.  Where sodium goes, so goes body water; so if your kidneys rid you of sodium, water will follow.  The removal devise that the kidney uses to get rid of sodium is called the sodium-potassium pump  Duiretic medications-called the thiazides (hydrochlorothiazide) and furosemide (Lasix, Bumex) - cause a pumping not of sodium, but also of potassium  Their use requires you to supplement with potassium to keep up with the loss."

Dr. Eades also mentions caffeine and/or magnesium deficiency as sometimes causes of potassium depletion and/or deficiency. 

Dr. Eades further explains that certain diuretic and heart/blood pressure medications have been designed to "spare" the loss of potassium you would normally suffer from their use.  Taking extra potassium while also taking the following medications could cause (according to Dr. Eades) "toxic symptoms from too much potassium: Dyazide, Maxzide, and the ACE inhibitors (such as Zestril, Capoten, and Vasotec."

If you are on certain diuretic or  heart/blood pressure medications, be sure to get very specific instructions from your doctor regarding maintaining adequate and safe potassium levels.  NEVER SUPPLEMENT WITH DELICATE POTASSIUM WITHOUT THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF YOUR LICENSED PHYSICIAN. 

ORAL POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTATION
THE UNSAFE and CARELESS  SUPPLEMENTATION OF POTASSIUM CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. PARTICULARLY WITH THESE TYPES OF SUPPLEMENTS, MAKE SURE YOU USE DUE CARE, PRUDENCE, AND CAUTION, AND ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE  CONSIDERING THE NON-EMERGENCY UTILIZATION OF POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTATION.

REMEMBER TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LEVELS OF CALCIUM, , MAGNESIUM, SODIUM, AND OTHER ELECTROLYTES SO THAT POTASSIUM CAN BE UTILIZED BY THE BODY EFFICIENTLY. 

ADEQUATE MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM LEVELS SHOULD BE REPLENISHED AND/OR MAINTAINED SINCE THE PROPER ACTION OF POTASSIUM DEPENDS ON THIS AND IS INTERDEPENDENT ON  MAGNESIUM.  POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTATION MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IF ADEQUATE AND SAFE  MAGNESIUM LEVELS ARE NOT ACHIEVED AND MAINTAINED.

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT POTASSIUM:

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY:  ACNE, CONSTIPATION, SALT AND FLUID RETENTION, STUNTED GROWTH, LOW-BLOOD PRESSURE, FATIGUE, INSOMNIA, MUSCLE WEAKNESS AND CRAMPING, THIRST, DEPRESSION, NERVOUSNESS, CLOUDED THINKING, SUGAR INTOLERANCE, HIGH CHOLESTEROL, EXTREMELY DRY SKIN AND MOUTH, AND HEART PALPITATIONS.

SYMPTOMS OF TOXICITY

CLOUDED THINKING (YES, THIS SYMPTOM OCCURS WITH TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE POTASSIUM) DIFFICULTY SPEAKING, AND WEAKNESS.

DR. EADES  NOTES THE PROBLEMS OF  HEART ARRHYTHMIAS WITH IMPROPER RANGE OF POTASSIUM.

ACCORDING TO MAY DAN EADES, AUTHOR OF THE EXCELLENT REFERENCE THE DOCTOR'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO VITAMINS AND MINERALS, "Under normal circumstances (not taking diuretic medications, not recently sick with stomach flue, not given to nightly saunas for long periods, not exercising vigorously in extreme heat) you can probably get the RDA minimum of 1600-2000 mg (40-50 mill equivalents) of potassium per day from foods you eat. If you have a greater than normal loss, you can supplement potassium using a product called "NO SALT" which contains potassium salts (instead of sodium ones). You can usually find this product on the shelf next to table salt at the supermarket. You can also purchase tablets of potassium gluconate, 99 mg, at most health and nutrition shops. You can add an additional 99 mg three times a day at least, If your kidneys are normal, you wouldn't overdue supplementation even at twice that amount."

ALTHOUGH, ALWAYS DOUBLE AND TRIPLE CHECK POTASSIUM DOSAGES FOR CURRENT DOCTOR  RECOMMENDATIONS!

I would speculate that even Dr. Eades herself would caution you to talk to your doctor prior to supplementing at the upper limit of potassium supplementation if you should have questions or concerns regarding safe supplementation of this delicate and necessary nutrient, which is also considered to be a drug.

AGAIN, PLEASE NOTE THAT DANGERS EXIST FOR NOT ONLY TOO MUCH (TOXIC) LEVELS OF POTASSIUM, BUT TOO LITTLE (DEFICIENCY).  WHEN IN DOUBT, GET YOUR LEVELS CHECK AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE

Dr. Eades is very educational regarding physiology education in her vitamin and mineral book, very competently going into detail (yet communicating well for the average lay person) regarding biological functions and the utilization of vitamins and minerals. She tutors that the kidneys, primarily, regulate the loss of potassium from your body, "although one does lose some in stomach acid secretions and in sweat. If you suffer from a prolonged period of vomiting and diarrhea, you can also become deficient in potassium. The most common cause of low potassium, however, is the overuse of diuretic medications ("water" pills.)"

OF COURSE, ALCOHOLISM CAUSES A WHOLE HOST OF NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES AND THE CONSEQUENTIAL DANGERS OF SUCH.


THE DANGER OF B-VITAMIN DEPLETION.
MONITOR SAFE LEVELS OF B-VITAMINS WHICH ALSO CAN BE DEPLETED THROUGH DEHYDRATION AND/OR TOXIC LEVELS OF CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION, PRESCRIPTION-DRUG, ILLEGAL DRUG, ALCOHOLISM, SOME HERBAL MEDICINES, AND SOME SUPPLEMENT USE. B-VITAMIN DEFICIENCY CAN ALSO BE DUE TO OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS, OR THE B-VITAMIN DEFICIENCY CAN BE ONE CAUSE OF CERTAIN DISEASES. YOUR DOCTOR CAN MONITOR YOUR VITAMIN, MINERAL, AND ELECTROLYTE LEVELS AND ADVISE YOU ON DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND NECESSARY AND  APPROPRIATE SUPPLEMENTATION AND DOSAGE.


DEHYDRATION THROUGH DIURESES (TOO-FREQUENT URINATION), DIARRHEA, THE  OVER-CONSUMPTION OF CAFFEINE, POOR NUTRITION, OVER-EXERTION, FREQUENT  SWEATING, THE INADEQUATE INTAKE OF FLUIDS, HOT WEATHER, THE OVER-CONSUMPTION OR IMPROPER USE OF HERBALS, ABSENCE OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS, OR SOME  DISEASE STATES....THIS IS A DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECT.  DEHYDRATION IS ALWAYS DANGEROUS BECAUSE  IT CAN LEAD TO HEART ARRHYTHMIAS AND EVEN DEATH; IT SHOULD BE ALWAYS AVOIDED.

PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING HEART CONDITIONS SHOULD ALWAYS BE CAREFUL TO AVOID  OVER-EXERTION AND/OR DEHYDRATION. SOME WAYS TO AVOID DEHYDRATION ARE:

1. DO NOT OVER-EXERT YOURSELF, ESPECIALLY IN WARM       WEATHER.                                                                          2. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS.
3. EAT POTASSIUM AND MINERAL-RICH FOODS LIKE SPINACH, BANANAS, BROCCOLI, AND GARLIC (IN MODERATE AMOUNTS).
4. DURING WARM WEATHER, EAT SALTY FOODS IN MODERATION.
5. ADULTS MAY WANT TO DRINK MODERATE AMOUNTS OF SPORTS DRINKS LIKE  GATORADE; CHILDREN SHOULD DRINK PEDALYTE INSTEAD. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR  WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT ELECTROLYTE BALANCE, POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTATION, AND 
THE DRINKING OF SPORTS DRINKS.
6. DO NOT OVER-USE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS, WHICH CAN BE DIURETIC AND CAUSE  FREQUENT URINATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL DEHYDRATION. 

DON'T BE TOO THIN-SKINNED OR TOO THINNED-BLOODED

SOME HERBAL MEDICINES HAVE BLOOD-THINNING ACTIONS WHICH CAN LEAD TO BLEEDING IF OVERUSED, ABUSED, OR USED WITHOUT DUE CARE, PRECAUTIONS, AND PRUDENCE.  FOR EXAMPLE, GARLIC IS WELL-KNOWN FOR BEING A CARDIO-TONIC;  IN CLINICAL STUDIES IT HAS SHOWN POWERFUL HEART-HEALTH BENEFIT.  ONE OF ITS MANY ACTIONS IS THAT IT THINS THE BLOOD, WHICH CAN PREVENT BLOOD PLATLETS FROM STICKING TOGETHER TO FORM A BLOOD CLOT AND, CONSEQUENTLY, A HEART ATTACK OR AN EMBOLUS.

YET If GARLIC IS TAKEN FOR TOO LONG OR IN LARGE DOSES, OR TAKEN WITH OTHER BLOOD-THINNING MEDICATIONS, IT COULD LEAD TO A DANGEROUS BLEED, HEMORRHAGE OR OTHER SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS.  DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING GARLIC OR OTHER BLOOD-THINNING MEDICATIONS BEFORE SURGERY.  DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING BLOOD-THINNING AGENTS IF YOU HAVE STOMACH ULCERS
WHICH COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE BLEEDING.

THE CONTROVERSY OF  MYSTERIOUS K

NO, THIS IS NOT AN EPISODE OF "THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES."  THIS IS SERIOUS.  SOME EXPERTS ARGUE FOR VITAMIN K SUPPLEMENTATION, YET WITHOUT CLOSE MONITORING OF THIS VITAMIN (WHICH SOME SAY CAN PROMOTE CLOTTING)  AND/OR WITHOUT CLEAR NECESSITY, VITAMIN K SUPPLEMENTATION IS SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSIAL AT THE PRESENT, ESPECIALLY FOR HEART PATIENTS.  ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT VITAMIN K. 

THE BODY DEPENDS ON VITAMIN K FOR A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS.  ACCORDING TO DR. MARY DAN EADES, 


AMONGST OTHER NUTRIENTS, WHILST UTILIZING HERBS; AVOID MINERAL WASTING THROUGH YOUR KIDNEYS WHILE TAKING HERBS.

TAKE PRO-BIOTICS (ACIDOPHILUS) TO REPLENISH FRIENDLY BACTERIA WHICH MAY BE ALSO KILLED DURING ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY.

USE THE LOWEST DOSE ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY POSSIBLE/ TAILOR TO BODY MASS. AND RATE/SIZE OF INFECTION.

BE WARE OF HERXHEIMER EFFECT WHICH MAY OCCUR WITH ANY TYPE OF ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY (natural, pharmacological, etc. SEE WELL LORE ARTICLE AND RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET; SEARCH BY    Herxheimer

WITH YEAST/FUNGAL DIE-OFF, B-VITAMIN ABSORPTION MAY BE AFFECTED. ONE MUST HAVE SOME YEAST IN INTESTINES FOR B VITAMIN ABSORPTION. ALSO, BE MINDFUL OF THE POSSIBILITY OF VITAMIN K AND BIOTIN DEPLETION. SUPPLEMENT WITH BREWER'S YEAST, EAT MORE YEAST BREAD (BUT NOT EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS), TAKE LIQUID B-VITAMINS (BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME AS YOUR MULTIPLE VITAMIN, IN ORDER TO AVOID DOUBLING DOSES) AND 
REMEMBER--BALANCE IS THE KEY!

ONE FINAL THOUGHT.  ALL VITAMINS, MINERALS, OILS, AND ELECTROLYTES, IN THE PROPER RANGES,  ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE HUMAN BODY.  EDUCATE YOURSELF FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH.  

WITH A PINCH OF PRECAUTION, A DASH OF DISCRETION, AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION,  AND A CARTLOAD OF DUE CARE, NATURAL MEDICINES SAFELY ENHANCE OUR HEALTH.  

AND FLAVOR OUR FOOD.

Until we gather again.........

Regards,
Mrs. Lori Anderson Bunge

Copyright 2003. ANDERSON BUNGE COMMUNICATIONS. All Rights Reserved.

             (PLEASE SEE HEREIN OUR  LEGAL DISCLAIMER)

WHEN CONSIDERING GUIDELINES FOR  USING NATURAL (HERBAL) ANTIBIOTICS OR OTHER DRUGS TO CONTROL INFECTION OR SOME OTHER HEALTH CONCERN,  BE MINDFUL AND CAREFUL ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCTOR SUPERVISION  WHENEVER YOU ARE SERIOUSLY ILL. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SELF-DIAGNOSE OR SELF TREAT YOURSELF WITHOUT THE DIRECT SUPERVISION, CARE,  AND GUIDANCE OF YOUR DOCTOR.

HEALTHPOST 001 WELL LORE'S HELPFUL CULINARY HERBS & SPICES

HEALTHPOST 002   Safety Guidelines in Use of Herbs

HEALTHPOST 003   holisticbird.org DANGEROUS HERB LIST

HEALTHPOST 004  HISTORICAL HERBS, NATURAL ANTIBIOTICS, AND IMMUNITY DEFENSE

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