Medications and the Nutrients They Deplete

You may be trying to improve your health and are on one or more medications. It is important to know what nutrients your medication can deplete so that you can add in foods rich with these nutrients and possibly supplementation. 

When on a medication that is depleting nutrients that are not replenished, you may end up with symptoms that may be related to the nutrient deficiency and not necessarily a direct side effect of the medication.  

As you can see, medications can deplete your body of more than just one nutrient and in fact they can deplete your body of many nutrients! This is why is it so critical to have a healthy diet and you may need to supplement.

Supplementation may be warranted especially if you are on more than one medication that causes depletion. 

If you have been on a medication for numerous years and only now are having random health issues such as fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues, etc…you may not associate this with nutrient deficiency caused by your medication because you have “felt fine” for so long.  Some medication caused deficiencies and the health issues associated with them can take months to years to show up so keep that in mind.  

Type of Medication

 

 

 Common Examples

 

 

Possible Nutrients Depleted/Needed as a Result of Medication Side Effects

 

Blood Pressure Lowering Medications 

 

 

 

 

 

 Diuretics such as Lasix, furosemide

 

Thiazides (HCT)

 

Beta blockers

 Vitamins B1, B6, C, Magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, sodium

Magnesium, potassium, coenzyme Q10, sodium

 

Coenzyme Q10, melatonin
Cholesterol Lowering Medications Statins (i.e.: Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor)

 

Fibrates

 

Colestid, Questran

 

 Coenzyme Q10, possibly vitamin D, Vitamin E, beta carotene, niacin

 

Vitamins B12, B6, folate, B2

 

A, E, D, K, beta carotene, B12, folate, iron
Diabetes Medications Metformin, Glucophage B12, folate, coenzyme Q10, calcium, vitamin 
Pain/Anti-inflammatory Medications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Aspirin   

 

 

 

NSAIDS: Motrin, ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Lodine , Celebrex, Advil, Aleve, Aspirin,

 

Steroids: pain, asthma, skin conditions, etc.… (i.e.: prednisone)

  

 

Vitamin C, potassium, folate, iron, B12

 

 

Folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Iron, damages gut lining which can cause nutrients to not be absorbed

 

C, D, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, B12, folate, selenium,  can increase blood sugar-greater risk of diabetes, can raise blood pressure, higher risk of candida infection,  risk of bone loss with long term use
Heartburn/Reflux Meds, Proton Pump Inhibitors

 

 

 

 Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Nexium, Protonix

 

Zantac, Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet

  

 

B12, beta carotene, protein

 

 

D, B12, folate, calcium, iron, zinc, protein

*Can lead to increased risk of anemia and bone fractures
Hormone Replacement Medications Oral contraceptives, Premarin, Yasmin, as well as estrogen containing menopausal meds B2, folate, magnesium,  B3, B6, B12, C, zinc, vitamin E, selenium, COQ10

*Birth control can contribute to low thyroid/hypothyroidism

Anti-Depressants

 

 

 

 MAO inhibitors

Tricyclic Anti- Depressants

SSRI’S (Zoloft, Paxil)

Misc. antidepressants (Effexor)

 B6, CoQ10, B vitamins, Melatonin, sodium, tryptophan, Sodium, magnesium, B2, B12, Folate, Vitamin D, Omega 3 EFA’s, glutathione, calcium, Vitamin C, other minerals such as zinc, selenium and manganese

 

 

 Benzodiazepines 

(Anti-anxiety medications)

  Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax,   Melatonin, calcium, B2, B6, 

B12, Folate, Vitamin D, biotin, Vitamin K, 

 Antipsychotics 

 

  Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal, Haldol

 

 CoQ10, melatonin, B2, Vitamin D, biotin, calcium, vitamin K, vitamin C, inositol, vitamin A, carnitine, 
Amphetamines Adderall, Ritalin

B6, magnesium, tyrosine, magnesium, Vitamin C, potassium, 

 

*ADD/ADHD meds affect the dopamine pathway (stimulate it) however low zinc can cause low dopamine which creates an overload of copper which overstimulates epinephrine causing ADHD symptoms

Hint: Easy to test for low zinc. 

I forgot to add in Mood Stabilizers to this chart, such as Lithium, Gabapentin, Dilantin, and Depakote. These medications can deplete, Vitamin B12, B6, Folate, B2, Vitamin D, biotin, calcium, vitamin K, inositol

Antibiotics: These medications will deplete B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin K.  Also one round of antibiotics can wipe out your healthy gut flora and disrupt the microbiome balance leading to other health issues. 

Bottom Line: This is not an exhausted medication list.  If  you are taking medications, it will benefit you to eat a whole foods diet and add in the supplements that your medication is depleting to avoid additional symptoms and complications, for which your doctor may just prescribe another medication for! 

Source

Bauman, E. & Friedlander, J.(2014) Foundations in Nutrition.  CA: Bauman College

Bauman, E. & Friedlander, J. (2014) Therapeutic Nutrition.  CA: Bauman College

Gaby, A. (2006).  A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions. Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition.

   NY: Three Rivers Press.  

https://academic.oup.com/advances/article/8/1/23/4568358

https://nutritionreview.org/2016/12/practical-guide-to-avoiding-drug-induced-nutrient-depletion/

https://www.invitehealth.com/Drug-Induced-Nutrient-Depletion.html