Mark Ratner, MD, who describes himself as a “prisoner of Prilosec,” says it wasn’t until he landed in an emergency room with an irregular heart rhythm that he began to realize the serious side effects from popular medications that Americans use every day. After several tests were run, the only abnormality found in his bloodwork was a low magnesium level, which could have been corrected with basic supplementation. His long-term use of a popular over-the-counter heartburn medication was the apparent culprit. Research shows that chronic use of both proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for heartburn, or metformin used to treat Type 2 diabetes, can lead to hypomagnesemia (a.k.a.: low magnesium levels). According to warnings from the FDA, hypomagnesemia can lead to irregular heart rhythms, muscle weakness or tremors, confusion and possibly seizures.
Talking Points:
Ratner shares five little known dangers of some of America’s most popular pills and ways to balance the side effects of these medications if you have no other option but to take them. With metformin being the fourth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, (more than 80 million prescriptions written annually) and more than 15 million Americans prescribed PPIs along with millions more purchasing them over the counter without a doctor’s supervision, and often self-medicating indefinitely, Ratner can provide lifesaving information to help others avoid dangerous side effects of medication-induced nutrient depletion:
PPI + Metformin Little Known Dangers:
vitamin B12 deficiency
hypomagnesemia
osteoporosis and bone fractures
chronic bowel disease
kidney disease
Counter Side Effects With:
vitamin B12
magnesium
vitamin D
calcium
vitamin K
DEXA scan
weight-bearing exercises
blood tests
physician consultation
Mark Ratner, MD, is the chief science officer at Theralogix, a health and wellness company founded by a team of physicians and scientists committed to developing evidence-based, independently certified nutritional supplements. Prior to joining Theralogix, Ratner ran his Washington, DC-based practice for 30 years focused on male reproductive health. He has been an investigator for dozens of clinical trials, and served as the director of male reproductive medicine for one of the largest IVF practices in the country. Additionally, he has spoken at dozens of national meetings, covering topics across a wide range of medical specialties including nutrition, male and female fertility, rheumatology, OB-GYN, urology and pain management. Ratner completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University, where he also did graduate work in Nutritional Biochemistry. Following graduate school, Ratner attended the Tulane University School of Medicine, and completed his residency training in Adult and Pediatric Urology at the Tulane Hospital system.
Listen to Dr. Ratner and Mark here:
