Drugs That Deplete Nutrients:

Helping Patients Replenish Nutrients Depleted By Common Prescription and Over-The-Counter Medications

James Meschino DC, MS, ROHP
The use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is extremely prevalent in North America and in most of the Western developed world. It is reported that 46% of Americans take at least one prescription drug daily. ⁽¹⁾ In 2005, the Minnesota Board on Aging showed that for individuals over the age of 65, 21%  took five or more prescription drugs every day; 25% took 3-4 prescription drugs per day, 36% took 1-3 prescription drugs per day, while only 18% did not take any prescription drugs on a daily basis. Although many natural health practitioners do not have formal training in pharmacology it is, at the very least, important for these practitioners to be aware of the nutrient depletion that can result from the use of certain medications. Further, natural health practitioners should advise patients on how to replenish the nutrient depletion associated with the drugs they are taking. What is evident from the information that follows is that taking a high-potency multiple vitamin that is enriched with antioxidants, a B-50 complex and 350-500 mg of calcium, is an important consideration to counter drug-induced nutrient depletion, as well as being a cornerstone of wellness care for most adults. The following is a summary of nutrients depleted by commonly used drugs:

Laxatives are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin D
3. Vitamin E
4. Calcium

Antibiotics are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Vitamin B1
2. Vitamin B2
3. Biotin
4. Pantothenic Acid
5. Vitamin C
6. Vitamin E
7. Vitamin K
8. Potassium
9. Magnesium
10. Zinc

Cholesterol – lowering drugs such as, Cholestyramine, Colestripol, Questran, Colestid, Atromid-S, are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B12
3. Beta-carotene
4. Folic Acid
5. Vitamin D
6. Vitamin E
7. Vitamin K
8. Iron

Colchicine, used to treat gout, is associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin D
3. Vitamin B12
4. Folic Acid
5. Iron

Prednisone and related steroid drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Folic Acid
2. Vitamin D
3. Zinc
4. Magnesium
5. Vitamin C
6. Calcium

Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin (ASA). are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Folic Acid
2. Vitamin C
3. Vitamin K
4. Iron

Antacid drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B1
3. Folic Acid
4. Vitamin B12
5. Chromium
6. Iron

Oral contraceptive drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Beta-carotene
2. Vitamin B1
3. Vitamin B6
4. Folic Acid
5. Vitamin B12
6. Biotin
7. Pantothenic Acid
8. Vitamin C
9. Magnesium
10. Zinc

Sedatives and barbiturate drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Vitamin B2
2. Vitamin C
3. Vitamin D
4. Folic Acid
5. Vitamin B12
6. Pantothenic Acid

Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. Vitamin B1
2. Vitamin B2
3. Folic Acid
4. Vitamin B12
5. Biotin
6. Pantothenic Acid
7. Vitamin C
8. Magnesium

Many antidepressant drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. 1. Vitamin B2
   2. Vitamin B6
   3. Calcium
   4. Magnesium
   5. Coenzyme Q10

Amphetamine and amphetamine-containing drugs are associated with depletion of

Vitamin B1

Levodopa, used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, is associated with depletion of Vitamin B6

Many anticonvulsant drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. 1. 1. Folic Acid
      2. Biotin
      3. Vitamin D
      4. Vitamin E
      5. Zinc

Digoxin (digitalis) is associated with depletion of Vitamin B1

Indomethacin is associated with depletion of Vitamin B1

Diuretic drugs are associated with depletion of the following nutrients:

1. 1. 1. Vitamin B1
      2. Calcium
      3. Potassium (thiazide drugs especially)
      4. Magnesium
      5. Zinc

ACE-Inhibitor drugs (Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), used for high blood pressure, are associated with depletion of zinc

Beta-blockers, used in the treatment of high blood pressure, are associated with depletion of coenzyme Q10

Statin drugs (e.g. Lipitor), used in the treatment of high cholesterol, are associated with depletion of coenzyme Q10

For more information on this or other related topics, visit Dr. Meschino’s website at: http://www.renaisante.com/

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