One aspect of prescription drugs that you may not know about is their ability to deplete certain vitamins and minerals. Some of the side effects of drugs are from this depleting ability. When on prescription drugs, it is a good idea to take more of the vitamins or minerals that are being depleted, so you can avoid more health complications.
What makes things a bit complex is that different drugs will deplete different nutrients. Below is a list of some of the more common drugs, and the common deficiencies they can cause.
Antacids/Ulcer medications, such as Pepcid, Tagamet, Prilosec, and others deplete B-12, Folic acid, Vit-D, Calcium, Iron, and Zinc. This can lead to effects such as: anemia, depression, tiredness, birth defects, increased cancer risk, osteoporosis, weakness, fatigue, brittle nails, lowered immunity, problems with taste/smell, and sexual dysfunction.
Many antibiotics can deplete B vitamins and Vitamin K. This can lead to digestive issues, lowered ability to absorb other nutrients, and other health problems. Tetracycline antibiotics can deplete Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, B-6, and Zinc, leading to many of the same problems as antacids.
All cholesterol drugs lower CoQ10 levels, which lead to lowered immunity, low energy, and various cardiovascular problems.
Anti-depressants can deplete CoQ10 and B-2. This can lead to lowered immunity, low energy, various cardiovascular problems, skin and mucus membrane problems, and eye and nerve problems.
HRT and birth control pills can deplete all the B vitamins, Folic acid, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Selenium, and Zinc. This can lead to birth defects, memory problems, nerve dysfunctions, depression, irritability, swollen tongue, scaly skin, mucus membrane problems, anemia, weakness, lowered immunity, reduced antioxidant protection, smell/taste problems, slower wound healing, sexual dysfunction, and other problems.
Anti-Inflammatories, including aspirin, motrin, corticosteroids, and others, can deplete a large number of vitamins and minerals, causing a very wide range of health issues including most of those mentioned above.
High blood pressure drugs deplete CoQ10, B-6, B-1, and Zinc. This can lead to cardiovascular problems, low energy, weakened immunity, depression, sleep problems, depression, memory loss, edema, sexual dysfunction, and slower wound healing.
This is just a small example of nutrients depleted by prescription drugs and the effects these depletions have. If you are taking any drugs it is a good idea to seek the advice of a Naturopathic Doctor, or other health care professionals trained in this area, to help you maintain health levels of your vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Dr. James Prego
Naturopathic Doctor
Long Island Naturopathic
560 Main St, Suite 4
Islip NY 11751
631-650-0268
www.doctorprego.com
What makes things a bit complex is that different drugs will deplete different nutrients. Below is a list of some of the more common drugs, and the common deficiencies they can cause.
Antacids/Ulcer medications, such as Pepcid, Tagamet, Prilosec, and others deplete B-12, Folic acid, Vit-D, Calcium, Iron, and Zinc. This can lead to effects such as: anemia, depression, tiredness, birth defects, increased cancer risk, osteoporosis, weakness, fatigue, brittle nails, lowered immunity, problems with taste/smell, and sexual dysfunction.
Many antibiotics can deplete B vitamins and Vitamin K. This can lead to digestive issues, lowered ability to absorb other nutrients, and other health problems. Tetracycline antibiotics can deplete Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, B-6, and Zinc, leading to many of the same problems as antacids.
All cholesterol drugs lower CoQ10 levels, which lead to lowered immunity, low energy, and various cardiovascular problems.
Anti-depressants can deplete CoQ10 and B-2. This can lead to lowered immunity, low energy, various cardiovascular problems, skin and mucus membrane problems, and eye and nerve problems.
HRT and birth control pills can deplete all the B vitamins, Folic acid, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Selenium, and Zinc. This can lead to birth defects, memory problems, nerve dysfunctions, depression, irritability, swollen tongue, scaly skin, mucus membrane problems, anemia, weakness, lowered immunity, reduced antioxidant protection, smell/taste problems, slower wound healing, sexual dysfunction, and other problems.
Anti-Inflammatories, including aspirin, motrin, corticosteroids, and others, can deplete a large number of vitamins and minerals, causing a very wide range of health issues including most of those mentioned above.
High blood pressure drugs deplete CoQ10, B-6, B-1, and Zinc. This can lead to cardiovascular problems, low energy, weakened immunity, depression, sleep problems, depression, memory loss, edema, sexual dysfunction, and slower wound healing.
This is just a small example of nutrients depleted by prescription drugs and the effects these depletions have. If you are taking any drugs it is a good idea to seek the advice of a Naturopathic Doctor, or other health care professionals trained in this area, to help you maintain health levels of your vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.