Medications That Cause Nutritional Deficiencies - Robert Seik, PharmD

Have you noticed that when a person starts taking medications, more medications are prescribed to treat the side effects caused by the original medications. Many of these side effects are caused by Medications That Cause Nutritional Deficiencies that these drugs create. In the end, these medications can really add up.

Many prescription drugs on the market cause nutrient deficiencies. For example, a common medication like the statins (Pravachol, Lipitor and Crestor), which are used to treat high cholesterol, reduces CoQ10 in the body. CoQ10 is the most abundant antioxidant in the body. It is very important for muscle function. A symptom of CoQ10 deficiency is muscle aches, like thigh or trunk pain. Patients cannot feel the depletion of CoQ10 in the heart muscle, however. Absolute CoQ10 depletion can cause heart failure and death.

Another example would be diuretics that patients are prescribed for hypertension. These medications get rid of water as well as the minerals Magnesium and Zinc. When men are deficient in Magnesium and Zinc, they are unable to make Testosterone.

So, when you look at the complex biochemical cascade, many cofactors are necessary for these pathways to run properly in the body. When one or many or lacking, the results can cause a decrease in the hormones produced. See how a simple deficiency in Magnesium or Zinc caused by diuretics can cause another problem such as low Testosterone. The male then experiences the side effects of low Testosterone, which are plentiful.

If a medication causes low Magnesium, this mineral has 300-400 functions in the body. Low Magnesium can lead to an enormous amount of problems in the body. Physicians who specialize in Functional and Regenerative Medicine or Anti-Aging can test for Magnesium and there are high-quality Magnesium supplements available if you are deficient. You can look at Triton Nutrition and read the article on Magnesium to find the best form of chelated Magnesium supplement for maximum absorption and look at their online store to view their product Mag Powersorb. Low Magnesium leads to poor blood sugar control, poor bowel function (constipation), poor blood pressure control, muscle cramps and spasms, and insomnia or poor sleep. One deficiency leads to a multitude of problems.

Proton Pump Inhibitors such as Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid are prescribed to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Without a certain amount of acid in the stomach, we don't absorb certain minerals like Calcium. So, it is common to see a person who started taking Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) end up with Calcium depletion and weak bones. Actually, Functional Medicine Physicians believe that the treatment with acid is what is needed instead so that the lower esophagael sphincter will tighten and close off after it is signaled by a proper amount of acid in the stomach.

Your micronutrient levels can be tested. It is necessary before you start bio-identical hormone replacement therapy to supplement any deficiencies before you start on your therapy for you to receive optimal results. Also, hormone replacement therapy can cause nutrient deficiencies so you must monitor your micronutrients so they can be replaced sufficiently. The most common deficiencies that require repletion are Folic Acid, Magnesium, and Vitamin B12 after you start your therapy. These are all necessary cofactors.

For more information, Dr. Pamela Wartian Smith, a physician with American Academy of Anti-Aging, wrote an excellent book called Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs and More. There you will find specific protocols on how to overcome specific nutrient depletions. Natural database has a chart on common medications that cause nutrient depletions.

A prescription drug depletion chart complements of Maryland Medical Center can be downloaded as well.

by Robert Seik, PharmD