by Dr. Blessing Anyatonwu

Why Prevention is Better

Diabetes Drug Nutrient Depletions

Anti-diabetic drugs bring in more than 3 billion dollars in sales and are in the 11th largest category of prescription drugs. These drugs act by increasing the amount of insulin from the beta cells in the pancreas. When insulin levels rise it lowers blood sugar levels. Anti diabetic drugs increase the risk of heart disease and have many other harmful side effects.

Anti-Diabetic Drug Depletions

Coenzyme Q 10

Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that helps generate energy in the mitochondria of the cells; the heart is the most active muscle in the body. A decline in Coenzyme Q10, decrease the amount of energy to the heart and may cause congestive heart failure.

–          Protects LDL from free radical oxidation

–          Low levels of COQ10 have an increased risk of CVD and free radical damage – speeds up the aging of organs

–          Prevents heart disease

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) Deficiencies

Common symptoms of folic acid deficiencies include muscle weakness, mental confusion, depression and insomnia.

The following foods are rich in folic acid:

Fruits – Strawberries

Vegetables -Romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, cucumbers

Legumes – lentils, pinto beans, black beans, lima beans

Vitamin B6 Deficiencies

Low levels of B6 have been linked to high homocysteine levels and an increased risk of heart disease. Common symptoms of B6 deficiency include frequent urination, fatigue, anemia, irregular heartbeat and liver damage.

The following foods are rich in B6:

Vegetables – sprouts, spinach, bell peppers, turnip greens, garlic , cauliflower, mustard greens,  raw celery, cabbage, asparagus, steamed broccoli, kale , Swiss chard, collard greens, Brussels spouts

Fish – Cod (baked), yellow fin tuna (baked)

Legumes – Beans, nuts

Spices – Turmeric

Fruits- Bananas, watermelons

Vitamin B12 depletions

Depletions in vitamin B12 are linked to an increased feeling of tiredness, weakness in the arms and legs, loss of appetite, confusion, forgetfulness and peripheral neuropathy.

Foods rich in B12 include the following:

Fish (Anti-inflammatory) – snapper, salmon, sardines, halibut

Seafood – shrimp

Meat (in moderation) –beef liver, liverwurst

Dairy – yogurt, eggs

Brewer’s yeast

Spirulina

Dr.Blessing Anyatonwu is a health advocate, speaker and health care professional that believes that prevention is the best medicine. She is in private practice in Austin, Texas and provides nutritional counseling for clients that are tired of being told that drugs are the only answer to their health problems.  She helps clients come up with an individualized plan for their health success.