Nexus - 0405 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Just because these new third-generation pills contain lower cell and blood zinc levels are lowered by oestrogen and prog- doses of oestrogen and progestins, this doesn't mean they are any estins. The Pill also tends to increase copper levels. It is safer. The problems aren't over yet, and blood clots are still a acknowledged that low zinc and high copper not only cause men- major concern. tal turmoil and, in extreme cases, schizophrenia, but also mood The risk of deep-vein blood clots and pulmonary embolisms swings and irritability. (once a leading cause of Pill-associated death) increased at least In addition to zinc's role in ensuring fertility and hormonal sevenfold with the early Pill, but, as the oestrogen level was health, it is essential for foetal brain development. Since vitamin reduced from 150 micrograms, so did the frequency of clots come and mineral deficiencies can occur in women not only while they down. At 50 micrograms, the risk from clots is 'merely' doubled. are taking the Pill but for a long time afterwards, the healthy Today, if a woman takes a Pill with less than 35 micrograms of — development of a growing foetus can be compromised. Zinc suf- oestrogen, her risk of clots is only fractionally higher than in the ficiency is especially important in early pregnancy, otherwise the general public. aby may have congenital deformities. While ‘adverse events' that originate below the waist, namely, Dr Grant has investigated the link between zinc deficiency and deep-vein clots, are coming under control, the same cannot yet be — dyslexia. Dyslexia, a specific learning disability, is a major prob- said for above-the-waist arterial complications such as heart lem affecting at least one in 10 children.” Dyslexics have particu- attacks and strokes. These remain elevated by about fourfold ar problems with short-term memory and some have difficulty while a woman is on the Pill. According to studies performed by focusing both eyes for reading. Since zinc is crucial for normal the Royal College of General Practitioners in England, the risks brain development and function, and as baby boys need extra zinc persisted for up to seven years after the Pill was discontinued. during their development to make testosterone, three times more Five per cent of women who stay on the Pill for five years also boys are more likely to suffer from dyslexia than girls. Dr Grant develop high blood pressure.** found that virtually all the dyslexic children she tested were short The alarming statistics that have come to light regarding the in zinc. Hyperactive children with behaviour problems, as with Pill's significant implication in the dangerous and debilitating dyslexic children, are more likely to be boys, have more allergies effects from blood clots, strokes and heart attacks can seem rather —_ and be zinc-deficient. A poor zinc status is also related to chil- impersonal and far removed from real dren's allergic illnesses such as life. The following is a more personal asthma. story highlighting the horror of a | There is amuch higher incidence For Dr Grant, the reasons for the young girl's needless death. deterioration are obvious. "In 1971 Caroline Bacon died from a stroke in of stillbirths, miscarriages and only nine per cent of single women May 1994, aged 16. Caroline was 14 birth defects, such as heart in England and Wales had taken the when a family planning clinic doctor wae” . . Pill but, in 1981, 90 per cent of prescribed Fermoden for her. She abnormalities, occurring In women had been prescribed oral began to experience headaches an women who have conceived contraceplives petore nein oN numbness to her right side and hands aL . pregnancy. We know that Pill- and to see flashing lights. She lapse: within a month of coming off induced zinc deficiency can last for into a coma for some days but when the Pill years, affecting future fertility and M51 future children. Other Pill-induced deficiencies can cause serious birth deformities. she regained consciousness she could only move her eyes. Caroline was in that state for 11 months until her death. According to her mother, Caroline "had circulatory problems For instance, folic acid deficiencies have been linked to limb which the Pill aggravated".“” Unfortunately, Caroline's doctor defects and Down's syndrome. There is a much higher incidence never warned her of the risks associated with taking the Pill. of stillbirths, miscarriages and birth defects, such as heart abnor- malities, occurring in women who have conceived within a month NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES of coming off the Pill.” Taking the Pill causes inappropriate changes to levels of essen- While the mini-Pill, or progestin-only Pill, does not suppress tial nutrients in the body. In some cases it significantly lowers the ovulation, it causes changes in the lining of the womb and cervi- levels of important vitamins and minerals, and in other cases it cal mucus which also interfere with the passage of the egg into the raises them. Altering the availability and use of these vital ingre- Fallopian tubes, thus increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy. dients results in major imbalances in the body, with potentially The mini-Pill is also prescribed for lactating mothers, but its serious consequences. progestins have been shown not only to find their way into the One of the most important minerals for the body is zinc. Zinc mothers’ milk but also to cause severe depletion of nutrients in the is crucial for the growth and division of cells, for brain develop- milk. These hormones are known to act on the hypothalamus and ment and functioning and, indeed, for the normal functioning of | may masculinise a female infant and contribute to neonatal jaun- every single cell. Unfortunately, zinc levels are radically affected dice. by hormones. The following is a list of the many vitamin and mineral imbal- According to Dr Ellen Grant, a medical doctor involved with ances caused by the Pill:°° investigating the harmful effects of synthetic hormones, "Zinc ¢ Vitamin A (Retinol): Levels in the blood are increased when deficiency affects nearly all my patients who have taken hor- on the Pill. Whether this means that the body's turnover of vita- mones, sometimes even including those who are already taking min A is higher (requiring a higher level of ingestion) as there is supplements if their absorption is also impaired."** less stored in the liver, or whether in fact there is a greater avail- In zinc-deficient states, sperm manufacture, ovulation and sex- ability to the tissues is not yet clear. Eyesight changes can result hormone production can be impaired, affecting sexual desire and _— from a deficiency, as this vitamin is needed for the normal, fertility. Taking extra hormones can increase these faults. Both healthy functioning of the eyes. Increased susceptibility to infec- the Pill. NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES Taking the Pill causes inappropriate changes to levels of essen- tial nutrients in the body. In some cases it significantly lowers the levels of important vitamins and minerals, and in other cases it raises them. Altering the availability and use of these vital ingre- dients results in major imbalances in the body, with potentially serious consequences. One of the most important minerals for the body is zinc. Zinc is crucial for the growth and division of cells, for brain develop- ment and functioning and, indeed, for the normal functioning of every single cell. Unfortunately, zinc levels are radically affected by hormones. According to Dr Ellen Grant, a medical doctor involved with investigating the harmful effects of synthetic hormones, "Zinc deficiency affects nearly all my patients who have taken hor- mones, sometimes even including those who are already taking supplements if their absorption is also impaired."** In zinc-deficient states, sperm manufacture, ovulation and sex- hormone production can be impaired, affecting sexual desire and fertility. Taking extra hormones can increase these faults. Both NEXUS - 23 within a month of coming off AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 1997