Better living through pharmaceuticals, though not always openly advertised, is something very prevalent in our modern age. Drugs most certainly have a place in our lives, even for those who are adamantly against taking anything. When a doctor prescribes a drug, for whatever reason or condition, we do our best to review all the possible side effects, drug interactions, reactions, short term and long term effects, etc.
But there are some drug side effects that are overlooked, not deliberately, but because medical providers are not taught about these concerns when they are learning about the drugs. These worrisome side effects are drug-nutrient depletions. Certain drugs deplete your body of essential vitamins and minerals. It was once wisely stated that all disease is a depletion state – meaning that when important things are missing from your body or mind, disease occurs. We use drugs to treat one condition, yet potentially cause disease via the action of the drug depleting key nutrients from our body. A classic conundrum if there ever was one.
I do not have the space to list all the drugs and their nutrient depletions in their entirety, but I think it is important to list a few of the more common ones: Antacids and ulcer medications deplete vitamins B12 and D, calcium, iron, and zinc. Certain antibiotics deplete the B vitamins and a few minerals. Cholesterol drugs, in particular statins, deplete Coenzyme Q10. Several of the older anti-depressants deplete Coenzyme Q10 and certain B vitamins. Certain types of blood pressure medications deplete zinc, magnesium, and Coenzyme Q10. Female hormone replacement therapy can rid a woman’s body of all the B vitamins, selenium, zinc, and vitamin C. A few of the diabetic drugs deplete Coenzyme Q10, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
There are others so I would suggest that, as you take control of your health, you consider the drugs you are on to see if there are any nutrients that might need to be replaced while you are taking them. Better living through chemistry is certainly possible, but being mindful of that chemistry makes it even better.
