When considering whether you are in need of dietary supplements there are many factors to consider; first we test so we can set the action plan based on a proper analysis. Supplements and personalized dietary modifications can be very effective and necessary when someone is trying to heal or even empower their immune system and their body for optimal health. But we always go with the Food First approach; refine your diet, fill the gaps of whatever is missing with a nutrient dense diet.
When it comes to nutrition; we need to pay attention to the small details as much as the big ones. There are two major classes of nutrients in food: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) are the building blocks for our tissues, muscles bones and so on. Micronutrients are individual vitamins and minerals, our bodies require micronutrients in small doses, but these vitamins and minerals are crucial for basic physiological functions. They basically are the supporting agents for the macronutrients to complete their work in growth and repair. The highlight here is that when deficiencies occur in one or more micronutrients; this may lead to detrimental health impacts and to chronic diseases.
WHAT ARE THE MICRONUTRIENTS?
Microminerals: Those are common minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. They are necessary for maintaining muscle and bone density.
Trace Minerals: These include iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and selenium. They are needed in smaller amounts than microminerals and their role lays in feeding oxygen to muscles, supporting nervous system function, healing wounds and cell protection.
Water-soluble vitamins: Those dissolve in water; like the B vitamins and vitamin C. Other than vitamin B12, most are not stored in the body and any amounts not used get flushed out in the urine. That means they must be replenished regularly. Their main job is to produce energy, but they also help prevent cell damage from metabolic stress and are needed to create red blood cells
Fat-soluble vitamins: From the name; they dissolve in fat – they can be stored in your liver and fatty tissue. vitamins A, D, E, and K. They strengthen the immune system, support blood clotting, and provide antioxidants to fight inflammation.
THE NUTRIENT THIEVES
Other than a bad or processed diet, it’s crucial to note that some prescription medications can cause nutrient deficiency with long-term use for two reasons (1):
A drug may interfere with your body's ability to absorb a nutrient from dietary sources
Medications may interfere with natural processes needed to produce nutrients.
Below are four commonly prescribed drugs that have been shown to increase risk of specific nutrient deficiencies. Please note that this is only for educational purposes and It’s important to consult with your doctor about these interactions and come up with a plan for testing or dietary supplementation, if necessary.
1. ACID – SUPPRESSING DRUGS - PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS (PPI)
This is a common treatment used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux. PPIs have been associated with vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, iron and magnesium deficiencies. PPIs are used to inhibit gastric acid secretion, which causes modifications in the bioavailability and absorption of nutrients in the stomach and duodenum.
Additional Suggested Supplements for Nutritional Support: B Complex, Vitamin D, Zinc and Iron
2. METFORMIN OR GLAUCOPHAGE
This is one of the most prescribed and common drugs I see with my clients who are suffering from insulin resistance or PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome). It is known for inducing vitamin B12 malabsorption and lowering levels of folic acid (2)
What I have recently learned through my experience in Functional Medicine; not all low plasma B12 means a “deficiency” and not all high plasma B12 mean “sufficiency.” When B12 is internalized and is able to maintain the B12-dependent intercellular enzyme activities; that is when we will consider it within the reference range. This revolution in diagnosing B12 deficiency has made it a little more complex to know whether you are within the right B complex levels. For further testing you can do The Organix Basic Profile with Nordic Labs (http://www.nordiclabs.com/EProduct.aspx) which offers a quantitative organic acids test, providing data on the body's cellular metabolic processes
Additional Suggested Supplements for Nutritional Support: B-complex, CoQ10
3. CHOLESTEROL LOWERING DRUGS: Statins, Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Lescol, Mevacor, and others
This therapy is among the most commonly prescribed medications for adults to help lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent heart attack and stroke . Co-Enzyme Q10 deficiency is one of the side effects (3), which can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, premature ageing, muscle pain or myopathy.
Additional Suggested Supplements for Nutritional Support : Coq10, Fish oil
4. ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
A large proportion of women start taking oral contraceptives from early adolescence. These drugs contain a mixture of estrogen and progestin. They may rob you from vitamins B6, B12, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc and folate; These vitamins play roles in methylation, DNA synthesis, and neurological function. Depletion is often associated with anemia, depression, and poor cognitive function. (4)
Additional Suggested Supplements for Nutritional Support: Vitamin B6, B12, Folic acid, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin C
DISCLAIMER: There are times when medication is essential and we are in no doubt about their efficacy in certain conditions. But it is important to realize that many drugs on the long term can deplete levels of certain nutrients in the body, or increase our needs for the same.
Armed with this knowledge we can help buffer ourselves from some of the side effects that are in fact simply effects of nutrient depletion. We can protect ourselves from other conditions that are associated with the same nutrient deficiencies.
The information in this article is not to be used for diagnosis purposes but to give an idea of the nutrients that might be needed by those people on some of the more commonly prescribed medications that are taken over the long term. Obviously the list of commonly prescribed drugs is far too comprehensive to exhaust here. If you are interested in learning more you can visit: https://pharmacysolutionsonline.com/drug-induced-nutrient-depletion.php
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