Medication-Related Nutrient Deficiencies

It is a little-known fact that common prescription medications may deplete the body of vital nutrients.* Nutrients are compounds essential to life and health, providing us with energy, the building blocks for repair and growth and substances necessary to regulate chemical processes.* Non-essential nutrients can be synthesized by the body, while essential nutrients need to be acquired by the diet. Theoretically, eating a balanced diet should provide the body with all the necessary nutrients to function, but prescription drugs may interfere with nutrient absorption.*

Whether you occasionally take a pharmaceutical like an antibiotic, an over-the-counter (OTC) aspirin or pain reliever, or depend on a long-term prescription such as a cholesterol-lowering statin, it is important to note that needs for specific nutrients can increase in correlation with the use of these medications.*

Medications can interact with the body’s biological functions in a variety of ways. One scenario, for example, involves certain medications depleting the body of nutrients by binding to them in the gastrointestinal tract before being absorbed into the bloodstream. Other scenarios may include appetite-reducing drugs, fat-binding drugs, drugs that slow the body’s metabolic rate, and those that block the nutrient’s effects or production at cellular levels.* Because there is no singular way that medications interact with nutrients, consult your doctor for more specific interactions.

Common Nutrient Interactions

It is important to be aware of drugs that may deplete the body of crucial nutrients. As a guide, take a look at the list below to see what nutrients may be lacking in your diet due to medication interaction.

How to Identify and Counteract Nutrient Deficiencies

Drug-induced nutrient deficiencies are often overlooked as the root cause or side effects of medical conditions. Many individuals do not know they may have drug-induced nutrient deficiencies. Some Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiencies Include:

• Fatigue*
• Weakness*
• Loss of Color in Skin*
• Trouble Breathing*
• Depression or Cognitive Difficulties*
• Numbness and Tingling*
• Changes in Appetite*

Supplementing general wellness with a multivitamin such as Natures Lab Six Daily or Nature’s Lab One Daily is a convenient way to fill nutrient gaps. It is also important to share all medications, including prescription and OTC drugs, with your doctors or pharmacists, to investigate potential nutrient deficiencies