Drugs that deplet nutrients

Dear Friends,
If you are taking over-the-counter or prescription medications you may be depleting nutrients from your body. Here is an interesting article from a chiropractic web magazine that everyone should read.

Helping Patients Replenish Nutrients Depleted By Common Prescription and OTC Medications

Dr. James Meschino practices in Toronto, Ontario. He can be contacted via his Web site: www.renaisante.com. For more information, including a brief biography, a printable version of this article and a link to previous articles, please visit his columnist page online: www.chiroweb.com/columnist/meschino.

The use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is extremely prevalent in North America and in most of the Western developed world. It is reported that 46 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug daily. In 2005, the Minnesota Board on Aging demonstrated that for individuals over the age of 65, 21 percent took five or more prescription drugs every day; 25 percent took three to four prescription drugs per day; 36 percent took one to two prescription drugs per day, while only 18 percent did not take any prescription drugs on a daily basis.
Although many natural-health practitioners do not have formal training in pharmacology, it is at the very least, important for these practitioners to be aware of the nutrient depletion that can result from the use of certain medications. Further, natural-health practitioners should advise patients on how to replenish the nutrient depletion associated with the drugs they are taking. What is evident from the information that follows is that taking a high-potency multiple vitamin enriched with antioxidants, a B-50 complex and 350-500 mg of calcium is an important consideration to counter drug-induced nutrient depletion, as well as being a cornerstone of wellness care for most adults. The following is a summary of nutrients depleted by commonly used drugs:
Laxatives are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin A
· Vitamin D
· Vitamin E
· Calcium
Antibiotics are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin B1
· Vitamin B2
· Biotin
· Pantothenic Acid
· Vitamin C
· Vitamin E
· Vitamin K
· Potassium
· Magnesium
· Zinc
Cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as Cholestyramine, Colestipol, Questran, Colestid and Atromid-S, are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin A
· Vitamin B12
· Beta-carotene
· Folic Acid
· Vitamin D
· Vitamin E
· Vitamin K
· Iron
Colchicine, used to treat gout, is associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin A
· Vitamin D
· Vitamin B12
· Folic Acid
· Iron
Prednisone and related steroid drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Folic Acid
· Vitamin D
· Zinc
· Magnesium
· Vitamin C
· Calcium
Nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Folic Acid
· Vitamin C
· Vitamin K
· Iron
Antacid drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin A
· Vitamin B1
· Folic Acid
· Vitamin B12
· Chromium
· Iron
Oral contraceptive drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Beta-carotene
· Vitamin B1
· Vitamin B6
· Folic Acid
· Vitamin B12
· Biotin
· Pantothenic Acid
· Vitamin C
· Magnesium
· Zinc
Sedatives and barbiturates are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin B2
· Vitamin C
· Vitamin D
· Folic Acid
· Vitamin B12
· Pantothenic Acid
Estrogen-replacement therapy is associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin B1
· Vitamin B2
· Folic Acid
· Vitamin B12
· Biotin
· Pantothenic Acid
· Vitamin C
· Magnesium
Many anti-depressants are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin B2
· Vitamin B6
· Calcium
· Magnesium
· Coenzyme Q10
Amphetamine and amphetamine-containing drugs are associated with the depletion of vitamin B1. Levodopa, used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, is associated with depletion of vitamin B6.
Many anti-convulsant drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Folic Acid
· Biotin
· Vitamin D
· Vitamin E
· Zinc
Digoxin (digitalis) is associated with depletion of vitamin B1. Indomethacin is also associated with depletion of vitamin B1.
Diuretic drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:
· Vitamin B1
· Calcium
· Potassium (thiazide drugs especially)
· Magnesium
· Zinc
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor drugs, used for high blood pressure, are associated with depletion of zinc. Beta-blockers, also used in the treatment of high blood pressure, are associated with depletion of coenzyme Q10. Statin drugs (e.g., Lipitor), used in the treatment of high cholesterol, are associated with depletion of coenzyme Q10.
Resources
1. Bowman L. "51% of U.S. Adults Take 2 Pills or More a Day, Survey Reports." (Scripps Howard News Service). San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan. 17, 2001:A8.
2. Krogh CME, Ed. Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties, 25th ed. Ottawa: Canadian Pharmaceutical Assoc., 1990.
3. Pressman AH. Clinical Assessment of Nutritional Status: A Working Manual. Management Enterprises, 1982.
4. Alpers DH, Clause RE, Stenson WF. Manual of Nutritional Therapeutics, 2nd ed. Little, Brown and Company, 1988.
5. Kreutler PA, Csajka-Nairns DM. Nutrition in Perspective, 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1987.
6. Long PJ, Shannon B. Focus on Nutrition Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1983.
7. Howard EJ. Health Risks. The Body Press, 1986.
8. Simone CB. Cancer and Nutrition, Revised and Expanded Edition. Avery Publishing Group, Inc, 1992.
9. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. January 1991;53(Suppl 1).
10. Rybacki JJ, Long JW. The Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs. Harper Resource, 2001.
11. Kantner MM, et al. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. April 1990;22(2).
12. Shannon S. Diet for the Atomic Age. Avery Publishing Group, Inc., 1987.
13. Reavley N. New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs. New York: M. Evans & Co. Inc., 1998.
14. Drugs That Deplete – Nutrients That Heal: A review of Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook, 1999-2000. Life Extension Magazine, July 2000.
15. Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10: a review of animal and human publications. Biofactors, 2003;18(1-4):101-11.
Dynamic Chiropractic - January 29, 2008, Volume 26, Issue 03

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Dr. Eric
Bay Chiropractic and Rehab
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