Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion

By Elsa Lam, RPh, HC, FDN-P

Golden Health Holistics

. http://www.goldenhealthpharmacy.com/

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Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion

Vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to suppress the function of the immune system, which can contribute to degenerative diseases such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, to name a few. You may be aware of that already, but did you know that many commonly prescribed medications can contribute to nutritional deficiencies?

Some of the medications that can lead to nutritional deficiencies include certain antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatories, cardiovascular drugs, diuretics, diabetic drugs, antiviral agents, antacids/ulcer medications, female hormones, and anticonvulsants.

These medications are important, so you can't simply stop taking them before consulting with your doctors. However, it is a good idea to have micronutrient testing to learn if your medications are depleting your nutritional status. Testing can show what specific nutrients are deficient, and recommendations on how to replenish the nutrients you're lacking.

Oftentimes, if a medication is affecting your nutritional status you will experience unpleasant side effects, and a greater risk for more health problems. In this situation, your doctor may prescribe you an additional medication to address your conditions. This new medication may create different nutritional deficiencies, and the cycle continues. A micronutrient test may be able to prevent this cycle, as you'll learn how to address your deficiencies by changing diet and lifestyle, using natural supplements and strategies to reduce your need for more drugs.

I'm not taking any medications. Is this test for me?

The short answer is yes, even if you eat a balanced diet, exercise, and take a multivitamin. Many people are micronutrient deficient and don't even know it in fact, university research shows that 50% of people taking multivitamins are nutritionally deficient, despite supplementation. Understanding your nutritional status is the first step in addressing this issue.

Many people lead healthy lifestyles, yet they struggle with nutrient deficiencies. Why?

• Biochemical Individuality Micronutrient requirements for one person may be quite different from the requirements of another.
• Absorption You may not properly absorb vitamins, minerals, and/or antioxidants.
• Aging Our micronutrient requirements at age 30 are quite different from our requirements at ages 40, 50, and beyond.
• Lifestyle Excessive physical activity, smoking, alcohol, sedentary habits, and physical/emotional/environmental stressors all impact micronutrient status and demands.

If you think that nutritional deficiency may be affecting your health, it is a good idea to have a micronutrient test performed. It just takes several minutes, and you'll be grateful you did.