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Potassium is lost through the kidneys when patients take diuretic therapy (fluid pills) for high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney failure to help remove excess fluid. Diarrhea, vomiting and corticosteroid use can also deplete potassium. Thiazide diuretics “lightweight diuretics” – HCTZ, chlorthalidone can cause potassium depletion, but the more...

MAGNESIUM We’re all done with the vitamins, now time to start discussing the minerals, starting with magnesium. We all know that potassium gets most of the attention when we think of diuretic use, but magnesium is becoming equally important.  Magnesium is also important for: managing bone metabolism nerve transmission,...

Let’s wrap the last fat-soluble vitamin.  This one your Thompson Pharmacist never gets to recommend over the counter. We get plenty from our diet, as well as make our own in our gut.  Fat soluble vitamins usually accumulate, and water-soluble vitamins are quickly removed.  Not the case for Vitamin-K...

Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties; it protects cell membranes from oxidation and destruction. A few decades ago it was widely touted for everything, however lately its use has fallen out of favor. As an antioxidant, it protects cells from the damage caused by free...

As we continue our review of the fat-soluble vitamins, let’s discuss Vitamin-D, the one fat soluble vitamin most of us should be taking.  Living in Central Pennsylvania, especially this time of year we don’t get much sunlight on our bare skin. Sources: very few foods contain natural Vitamin-D:  fish...

Now we start our journey through the fat-soluble vitamins of A, D, E, K.  These vitamins can accumulate and cause adverse effects.  Rarely does someone get excess fat-soluble vitamins from the diet, but excess supplementation may cause accumulation and potential serious side effects. Vitamin-A What it does: Vitamin A...

Last week we wrapped up the B- complex vitamins, so here is our last water-soluble vitamin… Vitamin-C   (ascorbic acid) Source:  citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, green peppers, kiwifruit, broccoli, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe. Uses in the body:  Is necessary for wound healing and health of the small blood...

Vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin)- the number one vitamin your Thompson Pharmacist recommends! Source of B12: muscle meats, liver & dairy products. Not found in vegetables. Vegetarians are at risk. Function: involved in cell division, and recycling of folate. Folate deficiency is observed as a feature of B12 deficiency.  Symptoms of...

Folic Acid—Vitamin B-9—Probably the most important B vitamin! Mechanism: Folic acid is required for normal Red Blood Cell formation. Stimulates the production of red & white blood cells and platelets in certain anemias. Dietary sources: Folate is found naturally in a wide variety of foods, such dark green leafy...