http://blog.lef.org/2013/05/are-medications-depleting-nutrients.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=normal
[Note from One Percent Health: I lost a tooth as my body was starved for Calcium because of an ace inhibitor drug I was taking. I discovered the drug blocks calcium absorption. Because of the lack of calcium, my body began cannibalizing itself and destroyed my back molar. Be aware of what you take, how it works and what the listed side-effects are. Thank you Maylin for the following article.]
Maylin Rodriguez-Paez, RN
Unfortunately, it turns out that a number of drugs can make you feel worse, and part of it may be due to something you may have never considered before — nutrient depletions.
Now, we’re not advocating that you stop your current medications or renounce them altogether, we just want you to become educated on this issue. It’s important, and it's pretty far off of the mainstream’s radar.
So, below we’ll explore some common nutrient depletions that can be caused by prescription and OTC drugs. Who knows? This may just save you some unnecessary frustration down the line.
Are Nutrient Depletions Causing Your Side Effects?
Some of the side effects related to medications include bone loss, an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, leg cramps, muscle aches, insomnia, depression, memory loss, and anxiety. As it turns out, many of these can actually be signs of nutrient depletions.In addition, some of these side effects can even be mistaken for a disease, warranting the use of even more medications. All in all, this could lead to a vicious cycle of unnecessary suffering.
The good news is that the side effects related to nutrient depletions can be prevented with a little bit of education. All it takes is being familiar with your medications and the potential nutrients they may zap. Here are some of the more common ones:
| Prescription Drug: | Possible Nutrients Depleted: |
| Acetaminophen | Glutathione |
| Aluminum antacids | Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc |
| Aspirin | Folic Acid, Iron, Potassium, Sodium, Vitamin C |
| Atenolol &Propranolol (blood pressure drugs) | Melatonin, CoQ10 |
| Digoxin (heart medication) | Thiamin, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium |
| Diuretics | Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Zinc |
| Lisinopril (blood pressure drug) | Zinc, Sodium |
| Metformin | B12, Folic Acid |
| Prednisone (steroid) | Calcium, Magnesium, Folic Acid, Potassium, Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin D |
| Proton pump inhibitors (acid reducing drugs) | B12, Calcium, and Magnesium |
| Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) | CoQ10 |
Supplement and Eat Healthy to Fight Back
So how do you avoid these nutrient depletions? The first thing, of course, is to eat a well-balanced diet. Eating a variety of foods will help you obtain a good balance of nutrients.Second, make it a point to take the right supplements. These days, it’s difficult to obtain all of the nutrients you need from diet alone. Make sure to take a good multivitamin along with the specific nutrients that are most likely to be depleted by your current meds. This could decrease your odds of experiencing nutrient-related side effects.
Note: Take supplements at least two hours apart from any drugs! This is to avoid any potential interactions.
Ask Your Local Pharmacist or Do Your Own Research
If you have questions about your current medications, you should start by asking your local pharmacist. Their job is to look this information up for you and give you answers. So, start there.Next, do your own investigative work. Read books about drug-induced nutrient depletions — many of them are definitely worth a look.
