Optimize Your Health while taking Drugs
Many common prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause nutritional deficiencies. Drug-induced nutrient depletion is an important topic, but most know very little about it. Yet, it is not new. Knowledge that long-term use of many drugs leads to nutritional deficiencies of specific nutrients has been documented by a large number of studies (1) (2) carried out over the last three decades. Here is an easy-to-follow path through the most common drug categories that affect your health by depleting valuable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Drug categories & key nutrients that may be depleted by their use
• Acid-Reducing Drugs:
Beta-Carotene, Vitamins B1 & B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin D & Minerals (Calcium, Iron, Selenium & Zinc)
• Antibiotics:
Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin K2 (MK-7), Folic Acid & Minerals (Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium & Zinc)
• Antidepressant & Anti-Anxiety Drugs:
Melatonin, Vitamin B Complex, CoEnzyme Q10 & Minerals (Potassium, Magnesium & Calcium)
• Anti-Diabetic Drugs:
CoEnzyme Q10, Vitamin B12 & Folic Acid
• Statin Drugs:
CoEnzyme Q10, Omega 3, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
• Oral Contraceptives & HRT:
Vitamins B1, B2, B3 & B6, B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Selenium & Zinc
• Anti-inflammatory Drugs (including Aspirin):
Melatonin, Folic Acid, Panothenic Acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D & Minerals (Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium & Iron)
(1) Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook, Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, et al, Lexi-Comp. Inc. 1999.
(2) http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?pt=14
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