Nobody has a Gabapentin Deficiency
In my last post, I mentioned how Omeprazole which is commonly prescribed for a host of gut ailments, has been linked to dementia (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5883984/) Today it was brought to my attention that another popular drug, Gabapentin, has also been linked to dementia. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10266423/).
Dementia in the United States is set to double by the year 2060 (https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/risk-future-burden-dementia-united-states). While nothing can prevent every case, why are we still prescribing medication known to increase the risk? Well, surely doctors are only prescribing these drugs when absolutely necessary, right?
Yesterday, I met with a client, a relatively healthy 25 year old female who has some issues with anxiety. She has had insomnia for about the last month. I was shocked when she told me she was prescribed Gabapentin, “but at a really low dose” she said when my mouth fell open. She went on to tell me, it worked for her the first two nights, but on the third it didn’t, so she planned on discontinuing it.
It is my practice to brain storm all kinds od issues with my clients. So, I asked her, “When was the last time you had your iron checked?”
“Last fall, it was low, so was vitamin D and maybe something else. I took an iron supplement for awhile but it constipated me so much I stopped taking it.”
She was planning to get blood work done later on in the day and I encouraged her to do so. She has no major external stressors at this time and says worry is not a factor in keeping her up at night. Therefore a deficiency is a likely culprit Any significant deficiency can send our body into fight or flight, and then, we don’t sleep.
In 2018, a study published in Open Heart indicated that 50% of people in the United States have a magnesium deficiency. This study referred to it as a public health crisis and cited magnesium deficiency as a major cause of cardiovascular disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5786912/. So what does that have to do with sleep? Magnesium deficiencies are known to cause sleep disturbances. In a 2024 study a significant correlation between Magnesium deficiency and sleep quality was shown. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38703902/ So, with all that, Magnesium is always a good place to start if you are having trouble with sleep. Furthermore, it is far and away much safer than a drug like Gabapentin. You are simply giving your body the nutrients it needs to function.
Now the client’s known iron deficiency could also be the cause of her insomnia. She already told me she didn’t like the iron supplement she was taking because it constipated her. She reminded me that she had purchased an iron fish at my suggestion but said, “I don’t boil all of my food.” https://luckyironlife.com
So there I was at a crossroads during session. I use a product called Moonbrew, a nighttime cocoa drink that is rich in Magnesium. I have a code to earn in store credit. I also take a supplement called Primal Queen, a beef organ supplement that is high in copper, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, B6, selenium, zinc, and iron.
A study in 2024 illustrated that beef organs could be used to improve nutrient density in diets which are deficient in micro-nutrients. In the conclusion of the study, the writers promoted the idea of beef organ supplements as potential way to offer nutritional support. Primal Queen has shown good outcomes for women as well.
Beef organ meat and supplements have a high absorption rate and a high level of bio-availability. In other words, the body recognizes it and knows what to do with it. When I started taking it, I could tell a difference right away. I loved it so much I started selling it to friends and family. I never intended to market directly to my clients. A link on a blog is one thing, but I never want to sacrifice my professionalism to make a few extra bucks. That’s just not me. Then yesterday, I was faced with a conflict. Do I recommend these two things to this client? Or do I keep my mouth shut?
I erred on the side of information. I told her about both products. I disclosed that I earn credit and commission and sent her links. I want her to see her health care provider, I want her to get labs done to be certain what is going on. However, I could not in good conscience send her away without telling her what I would do for myself, for my family.
In all likelihood if she does have an iron deficiency, she will be prescribed the same painfully constipating supplement. It is unlikely that an alternative will be offered. I want her to get better, I want her to improve her health. If she buys from my link that’s great, if she goes with another brand or product, that’s great too. Some might chastise me for this conflict of interest, but I can sleep at night knowing I only promote things that are science backed, things that I trust and use for my own people, things that will actually support improved health outcomes.