Which Medications Deplete Essential Vitamins and Minerals?
Ever wondered if the medications and supplements you use impact the minerals in your body? The answer is yes!
Here is a brief list you should be aware of:
Stomach Acid suppressing medications (Tums, Pantaprozole, Prilosec, Rolaids) Deplete:
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Iron
Calcium
Magnesium
Zinc
β-Carotene
Statins:
Naturally impair the body's ability to make coenzyme Q10, which is critical in cellular respiration.
Diuretics: (Lasix, furosemide) are designed to get get rid of excessive levels of sodium and water but the potassium wasting ones like lasix often deplete other minerals like potassium. This leads to worsening blood sugar issues, hypertension, muscle cramps, and more. Talk to your doctor about replenishing potassium if you are on these! Please note, some diuretics are potassium sparing, so be sure to pay close attention.
Metformin: via its primary mechanism of action impairs the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestines and can create a pretty dramatic need for more nutrition. Metformin can also interfere with cellular respiration and increase lactate formation in the body, putting a challenge on our body's ability to generate optimal levels of ATP, which is a fascinating point of interconnectedness. Talk to your doctor about monitoring your need for b12.
It has been shown that the key nutrient depletions concern folic acid, vitamins B2, B6, B12, vitamin C and E and the minerals magnesium, selenium and zinc.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5874849/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23852908/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20shown%20that,to%20women%20who%20do%20not.
