Have you heard the saying “Better living through chemistry”? Well, that is the prevailing attitude here in the United States and in most of the Western world. It is reported that Americans take at least one drug daily, and in 2005 it was estimated that people over the age of 65 took at least 5 or more per day!!! Now I know that there is a time and a place for everything, including drugs, that seems like a VERY high number. So, because of this fact, I wanted to give some information about the fact that a lot of common drugs can deplete your nutrition, causing one more problem to your list. Studies have shown that taking high-potency vitamins (not the kind you find in bulk at Costco unfortunately) and antioxidants is an important consideration to counter drug-induced nutrient depletion and is a cornerstone of wellness care for most adults. So here are some common drugs and their “side effects:
Laxatives are associated with depletion of the following:
· Vitamin A
· Vitamin D
· Vitamin E
· Calcium
Antibiotics are associated with depletion of the following:
· Vitamin B1
· Vitamin B2
· Biotin
· Pantothenic Acid
· Vitamin C
· Vitamin E
· Vitamin K
· Potassium
· Magnesium
· Zinc
Cholesterol lowering drugs are associated with depletion of the following:
· Vitamin A
· Vitamin B12
· Beta-Carotene
· Folic acid
· Vitamin D
· Vitamin E
· Vitamin K
· Iron
Non steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) including aspirin are associated with depletion of the following:
· Folic acid
· Vitamin C
· Vitamin K
· Iron
Antacids are associated with depletion of the following:
· Vitamin A
· Vitamin B1
· Folic acid
· Vitamin B12
· Chromium
· Iron
Many anti-depressants are associated with depletion of the following:
· Vitamin B2
· Vitamin B6
· Calcium
· Magnesium
· Coenzyme Q10
Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with depletion of the following:
· Vitamin B1
· Bitamin B2
· Folic acid
· Vitamin B12
· Biotin
· Pantothenic acid
· Vitamin C
· Magnesium
I am not telling you this to scare you or to make you think that all drugs are bad. Like I said, there is a time and a place for everything; even drugs. However, if you or your loved ones are taking any of these drugs, it is important to be aware of the fact that your nutritional health can take a bit of a beating. So just give your body and immune system the best chance you can; make sure you are getting adequate EXTRA nutrition to cover any gaps you may already have or areas where you are being depleted by your medication. If you ever have ANY questions, please always feel free to ask me. The more you stay informed and involved in your own health, the better.
*source: Dynamic Chiropractic. January 29, 2008 page 22-23.
