Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion
Twenty years ago, it was said then that about half of the medicines used in clinical practices have documented nutrient depletion effects. 1)
In the USA, the number of people using two or more drugs (within a 30 day period), has risen considerably in the past 10 years, according to the CDC. 2)
48% use at least one prescription drug
24% use three or more prescription drugs
12% use five or more prescription drugs
“Polypharmacy has also arisen from the success of pharmaceutical research and development …and of the willingness of consumers, governments and society to pay for them.” 3)
Polypharmacy is not just an inconvenience. The more medicines and supplements a patient takes the higher their risk of adverse events. An analysis of prescription drug data among older people in Sweden found that: those taking five to seven medicines were four times more likely to experience a drug-drug interaction, and those taking eight to 10 medicines were eight times more likely, and those taking 14 to 16 medicines daily were 20 times more likely. 3)
An unmet and under appreciated need that the medical community needs to consider is drug-induced nutrient depletion. “Many of the side effects from drug therapy may not be directly due to the drug itself, but rather are the result of nutritional deficiencies that are caused by the drug when taken over time.” 4)
The purpose of this article is to make you aware of the potential of drug-induced nutrient depletion every time your doctor adds a medicine to your treatment regimen. Even in anti-aging, regenerative and integrative medicine, there are natural hormones that induce nutrient depletions. As a consumer your antenna should now go up to consider the possibility of drug-induced nutrient depletion.
If you think this can be happening to you, then obtain nutrient testing to affirm or alleviate this concern. We offer comprehensive test kits such as Metabolomix (Genova Diagnostics), or we can test for them individually through traditional labs such as Quest and Lab Corp. If we find nutrient depletion(s), we can then replenish the losses in our quest for robust health and vitality.
Nutrients rebalanced:
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and we are not talking about replenishment taking several days, but to continue treatments that last as long as you are taking the medications. 5-6)
Estradiol and Testosterone: Folic acid, Magnesium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Zinc
BPC’s, Oral Contraceptives: Fatty acids, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc, Tyrosine, Co-Q10, Vitamin E.
Anti-ulcer meds: Vitamins B12, fatty acids, Vitamin D, Ca, Fe, Zn, protein.
Antibiotics: B-vitamins, Vitamin K
Anticonvulsants: Fatty acids, Vitamins D, K, calcium
Anti-Diabetic drugs: Co-Q10, fatty acids, B12
TZD’s: bone loss
Sulfonylureas: Co-Q10
Biguanides: Co-Q10, B12, fatty acids
Metformin: B12, folic acid
Special note about Metformin. It is a true anti-aging medicine, as used off-label. Note that you must replenish Vitamin B12 and folate for long term use of this medicine. Please do not use folic acid as there are too many problems with this synthetic folate such as genetic snips (MTHFR) related to methylation and the immune system (unmetabolized folic acid lowers natural killer cells). Eat uncooked green leafy vegetables or take L-methylfolate also called Quadrafolate, or Folinic acid to replenish folate.
Anti-Hypertensives: Vitamin B6, Co-Q10, Calcium, Magnesium, Vit K, Zinc
Hydralazine: Vitamin B6, Co-Q10
Ace inhibitors: Zinc
Aspirin and Salicylates: Vitamin C, fatty acids, Vitamin B5, Calcium, Iron, Sodium, Potassium
Acetaminophen: Glutathione (GSH)
NSAIDS: folic acid, melatonin
Anti-Inflammatory: Calcium, Vitamin K, Zinc, Iron, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, fatty acids
Anti-Cholesterol:
Statins: Co-Q10
Fibrates: B12, Vitamin E, Zn, Copper
Gemfibrozil: Co-Q10, Vitamin E
Bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine): Vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Zinc, Iron, folic acid, beta carotene, fatty acids
Beta blockers: Co-Q10, Melatonin
Phenothiazines: Vitamin B2, Co-Q10, Melatonin
Tricyclics: Vitamin B2, Co-Q10
MAO Inhibitors: Vitamin B6
Haloperidol: Co-Q10, Vitamin E, melatonin
Lithium: Inositol
Diazepam, Alprazolam: Melatonin
Loop diuretics: Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin K, Vitamin B1, B6, Vitamin C
Thiazide: Magnesium, Vitamin K, Zinc, Co-Q10
Potassium sparing diuretics: Calcium, Zinc, fatty acids
Digoxin: Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate
Anticonvulsants:
Divalproex: fatty acids, carnitine, Copper, Selenium, Zinc
Barbiturates: Vitamin D, K, fatty acids, biotin, Calcium
Phenytoin: Vitamin D, K, B1, B12, fatty acids, biotin, Calcium
Carbamazepine: Vitamin D, fatty acids, biotin
Mysoline: Vitamin D, fatty acids, biotin, Ca
Corticosteroids: Vitamin A, C, D, K, B6, B12, fatty acids, Calcium, Chromium, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc
Colchicine: Vitamin B12, Calcium , Sodium, Vitamin K, beta-carotene
Sulfasalazine: folic acid
Indomethacin: folic acid, iron
Laxatives: fat soluble vitamins (D,E,A,K)
Antacids: Calcium, Phosphate from (protein), folic acid
Please contact our office, www.hllmc.com or call (561) 842-7422 to inquire about nutrient testing if you are taking any of these medicines. If you did not see a medicine on this list that you are currently taking and are wondering why you do not have robust vitality call us. Nutrient testing may provide answers and the solutions you seek.
Further Reading:
Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook by Ross Pelton (Author), James B. LaValle (Author), Ernest B. Hawkins (Author)
References:
1. James B. LaValle, lecture on drug-induced nutrient depletions. American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Fellowship Program.
2. FastStats - Therapeutic Drug Use (cdc.gov)
4. Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook, 2nd edition. R Pelton, J B LaValle, EB Hawkins, et al. ©2001 Lexi-Comp.
5. Pelton R, LaValle JB, Hawkins EB, Krinsky DL. Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook, 2nd Edition. Lexi-Comp, Inc, and Natural Health Resources, 2001
6. Smith, P., What You Must Know About Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, and So Much More. Garden City Park, NY: Square One Publishers, 2020