Tag: nutrient depletion

Are you medications draining your nutrients? Part 2

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Previously in Part 1, we have introduced the concept that medications can deplete vital nutrients in the body. It’s an essential part in holistic nutrition to help our patients in reinforcing their nutrients through diet and supplements during long term medication use. In Part 2, we will share about nutrient needs for taking anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and blood pressure lowing medications.

Anti-depressants           Nutrients potentially depleted: Coenzyme Q10, Folic Acid, Vitamin B2

These medications are used to stimulate mood and their actions affect absorption of nutrients and use up the body reserves of these nutrients. Coenzyme Q10 is the energy power house of our body cells and prolonged depletion increases the risk of congestive heart failure, muscle pain and weakness, memory problems, irritability, depression and mood swings. Folic acid is important in red blood cell formation, manufacture of neurotransmitter and immune boosting. Deficient in this vital nutrient can lead to symptoms such as extreme fatigue, insomnia and anemia. As for vitamin B2, it aids vision, maintains the integrity of mucous membranes and promotes skin health. Deficiency symptoms can be problems related to the eyes, intestine and skin.

Also, taking anti-depressants increases the need of B vitamins in order for the medications to work optimally since B vitamins work as co-factors to help synthesizing the mood regulating brain chemicals called neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine (1,2).

Oral Contraceptives     Nutrients potentially depleted: Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10

Studies have found that oral contraceptives deplete these nutrients which are vital to maintain healthy blood cells, blood vessels and mental health (3). Depletion of these nutrients increases a woman’s risk of depression, weakened immune system, anemia and heart disease.

Blood Pressure Lowering Medications    Nutrients potentially depleted: Vitamin B1,Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Coenzyme Q10

One class of medication reduces blood pressure by increasing the excretion of nutrients through the urinary system. One study showed that vitamin B1 deficiency was found in 98% of patients with congestive heart failure who took 80 mg of furosemide medication daily and in 57 percent of patients who took just 40 mg daily (4).

The other class of medication lowers blood pressure by reducing the force and speed of the heartbeat. This type of medication inhibits the production of coenzyme Q10 (5).

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Are your medications draining your nutrients? Part 1

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“For every dollar we spend on prescription drugs, we spend a dollar to fix a complication. Understanding how nutritional supplements affect these drugs could make them safer and more effective.”

— Mehmet Oz, M.D., Professor of Surgery at Columbia University
 and author of bestsellers “YOU: The Owner’s Manual” and “YOU: On A Diet”

The problem of medication-induced nutrient depletion is often overlooked and it’s part of holistic nutrition to replenish nutrients in patients who take medications on a regular basis. We help these patients to meet their nutrient needs through diet and supplementation after assessment.  In fact, numerous studies indicate that many common medications can change our nutrient needs by affecting the digestion, transport, excretion or metabolism of nutrients.

Cholesterol Lowing Drugs                                                                                                                                          Nutrient Potentially Depleted: Coenzyme Q10

These medications affect the metabolism of  a vital nutrient called Coenzyme Q10 by blocking the activity of an enzyme called HMG-CoA in the liver required to synthesize cholesterol. This action also causes depletion of Coenzyme Q10 which requires HMG-CoA for production. Coenzyme Q10 is the energy powerhouse of our cells and our heart is particularly CoQ10 hungry as the heart muscles require energy for contraction. The potential side effects of Coenzyme Q10 depletion include increasing risk of congestive heart failure, muscle pain and weakness, memory problems, irritability, depression and mood swings (1-3).

Acid Blockers                                                                                                           
Nutrients Potentially Depleted: Folic acid, Vit B12, Vit D, Calcium, Iron, Zinc

Antacids, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2 Blockers) are commonly prescribed for treating heartburn, peptic ulcers and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). These medications work by neutralizing the acid pH of the stomach. However, this reduction of stomach acid can interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, folic acid and zinc.

One study showed that people who used high doses of PPIs for a year or more were 2.5 times more susceptible to hip fracture than control subjects. The risk factor decreased to 1.5 times that of non-users in lower doses usage. The longer the medications are used, the higher the risk of fracture. The increase in fracture risks is linked with the drastic drop in calcium and Vitamin D absorption when using the medications(4).

Next time, we will share about how anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and blood pressure lowing medications change our nutrient needs.

 

References:

1. Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM. The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10: A review of animal and human publications. Biofactors 2003;18(1-4):101-111.
2. Crane FL. Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. J Am Coll Nutr 2001;20:591-598.
3. Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Willis R, et al. Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1990;87:8931-8934.
4. Yang, YX, Lewis JD, Epstein S, Metz DC. Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture. JAMA 296 (24): 2947-53.