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Medication – Nutrient Interaction Analysis

Medication – Nutrient Interaction Analysis

nutritional deficienciesDo the drugs you take deplete vitamins and minerals from your body?

Commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain medications interfere with vitamin C, iron, and folic acid. These nutrients are needed for the body to repair joint cartilage and reduce the inflammation that leads to pain. Nutritional deficiencies can be a real problem for patients.

In a similar way, frequently used medications can compromise the body’s ability to absorb and/or utilize nutrients. For example, statin drugs like Lipitor, prescribed to lower cholesterol and to prevent heart disease, can deplete the body of Coenzyme Q10.

Deficiency of (CoQ10) may increase risk of heart disease and may lead to congestive heart failure and elevated blood pressure.

Below is the chart of commonly prescribed drugs that can cause nutritional deficiencies. These drugs can cause you to be nutritionally depleted depending on your body and the side effects. 

If you have questions, please contact us and we’ll be happy to talk to you more about your medication interactions.

Commonly Prescribed Drugs, Nutritional Deficiencies, and Some Potential Health Problems

MedicationNutrient deficiencyPotential health effects resulting from the medication
Pain/anti-inflammatory medications
Aspirin

Steroids: Prednisone, Medrol for pain, asthma and skin conditions

NSAIDS: Motrin, Naprosyn, Aleve, Advil, Lodine		Potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-12, Folic Acid, Iron

Vitamin C, D, Folic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium

Folic Acid		Lowered immune system, heart & blood pressure, fatigue, anemia, hair loss, pain

Osteoporosis, muscle weakness, weak immunity, sexual dysfunction

Birth defects, cardiovascular disease, anemia
Blood pressure lowering medications
Beta blockers

Diuretics, such as Furosemide and Lasix

Thiazides (HCTZ)		Coenzyme Q10, Melatonin

Vitamin B1, B6, C, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc, Sodium

Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Coenzyme Q10 		Various cardiovascular problems, low energy, weak immune system

Cardiovascular problems, anemia, depression, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, PMS

Heart & blood pressure, fatigue, increased heart disease risk, sexual dysfunction, anemia
Heartburn or reflux medications
Zantac, Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet, Magnesium & Aluminium, Antacids

Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Nexium, Protonix 		Vitamin D, B-12, Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin D, Protein

Vitamin B-12, Beta Carotene, Protein		Depression, tiredness, birth defects, tooth decay, heart & blood pressure, hearing loss

Heart & blood pressure, osteoporosis, weak immunity, hair loss, muscle weakness
Cholesterol lowering medications
Fibrates

Statins, such as Zocor, Lipitor and Crestor

Colestid, Questrin		Vitamin B-12, B6, B2, Folate

Coenzyme Q10, And Possibly Vitamin D

Vitamins A, D, E, K, B-12, Beta Caroten, Folate, Iron 		Problems with skin, eyes, mucous membranes and nerves

Various cardiovascular problems, low energy

Weak immune system, hearing loss, blood coagulation
Hormone Replacement medications
Oral Contraceptives such as Premarin and Yasmin, as well as estrogen containing menopausal medicationsVitamins B1,B2, B3, B6, B-12, C, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Zinc, Selentum Cardiovascular disease, muscle weakness, lower immunity system, swollen tongue, easy bruising, osteoporosis, diarrhea, reduced antioxidant protection, anemia
Diabetes Medications
Metformin and Glucophage Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin B-12, Folic Acid Various cardiovascular problems, weak immune system, low energy, anemia, birth defects, depression, cancer risk

Why my doctor didn’t tell me about nutritional deficiencies?

Nutrition is not a subject commonly taught in medical schools. Many physicians are unaware of this topic, and therefore do not mention it. Next time when the doctor is prescribing you a medication, make sure to ask if this drug is inducing nutritional deficiencies.

Be alert, and do not blindly accept a medication without knowing the nutritional side effects involved.