Nutrients Depleted by Common Pharmaceutical Drugs

Move over Rolaids and Tylenol. Step aside Tums and Seldane. If you spell relief D-R-U-G-S, you might want to consider the effects of doing so.

First there are the obvious side-effects of drugs. The pharmaceuticals that millions of people turn to for relief from pain, inflammation, and other symptoms are not only causing side effects, they are actually damaging the health of many people. Drug side effects are the third leading cause of death. By some estimates six thousand people die every year from "simple" non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These commonly-used drugs can contribute to congestive heart failure, kidney disease, suicidal depression, cataracts, ulcers, macular degeneration, hearing loss, tinnitus, memory loss, fatigue, liver disease, and many other health concerns.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also deplete your body of much-needed vitamins and minerals required for your body's basic functions. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, and the countless others on the market can deplete your body of Vitamin C, folic acid, iron, zinc, and other essential nutrients. These nutrients are needed to keep your immune system strong, heal tissues, maintain cellular integrity, build healthy blood, heal wounds, and nourish skin and hair.

Here are some of the common types of drugs and the nutrients that they often deplete:

Pharmaceutical Drugs and Nutrients They Can Deplete

Pain-Killers

Drug Names:  Acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, and Nabumetone

Nutrients That Can Be Depleted:  Vitamin C, folic acid, iron and zinc.

Birth Control Pills

Drug Names:  Micornor, Triphasil, Ovral, and Ortho Novum Pyridoxine

Nutrients that Can Be Depleted: (Vitamin B-6), folic acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin C, magnesium and zinc

Steroids (Corticosteroids)

Often used for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, skin disorders, and immune disorders

Drug Names:  Prednisone, hydrocortisone, desamethasone, beclomethasone, triamcinolone

Nutrients that Can Be Depleted:  Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, zinc and potassium

Antidepressants

Drug Names:  Amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine

Nutrient that Can Be Depleted:  Coenzyme Q-10

Hormone Replacement Therapy/Estrogen Replacement

Drug Names:  Premarin, Climara (estradiol), Estraderm

Nutrient that Can Be Depleted:  Vitamin B-6

Beta Blockers

Drug Names:  Propranolol, timolol

Nutrient that Can Be Depleted:  Coenzyme Q-10

Acid Blockers

Often used to relieve irritation and pain from gastric acid

Drug Names: Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Ranitidine

Nutrients that Can Be Depleted: Folic acid, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, Copper and Iron

Antibiotics

Drug Names: Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Penicillin

Nutrients that Can Be Depleted:  Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine), Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C, and bowel flora

Obviously, sometimes drugs may be necessary.  But it is important to know the ramifications of taking them, and in the case of nutrients depleted, to replenish the body's stores.

Of course, you should never stop taking a drug that has been prescribed by a doctor without his or her guidance. Before you stop using any drug, it is important to see your physician. Sudden discontinuation of some prescription drugs can cause severe health problems so it is important to work with a physician if you choose to stop using any medication. And, remember, there are thousands of drugs. New ones are coming onto the market all the time. The above chart is just a sampling of the drugs currently available, some of their common names, and the nutrients they can deplete.  This article is provided for informational purposes only.

Michelle Schoffro Cook, RNCP, ROHP, DAc, DNM, is a best-selling and six-time book author and doctor of natural medicine, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, and The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan. Learn more at: www.TheLifeForceDiet.com.