Another Reason To Take Your Vitamins

I recently came across an article in Dynamic Chiropractic that reported “46 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug daily.” I was surprised. Surprised that the number wasn’t higher! It seems that even the healthiest of us, myself included, are medicated in some way. Most of the meds we take help, or at least alleviate, whatever ailment we have. However, there is a catch. Often times nutrients are depleted either when the body has to detoxify the medication or when the medication uses the nutrients to cause the therapeutic effect in the body. Sometimes the medication can change the absorption of the nutrient into the body. The following is a summary of nutrients depleted by commonly used drugs:

Laxatives cause the depletion of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Calcium.

Antibiotics cause the depletion of Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid (a vitamin B complex), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Potassium, Magnesium and Zinc.

Cholesterol lowering drugs cause the depletion of Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Beta-Carotene, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Iron and Coenzyme Q10.

Colchicine a gout medication, causes the depletion of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid and Iron.

Prednisone and related steroid drugs causes the depletion of Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin C and Calcium.

Aspirin and ibuprofen cause the depletion of Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Iron.
Antacid drugs cause the depletion of Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Chromium and Iron.

Oral contraceptive drugs are associated with depletion of Beta-carotene, Vitamin B, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Zinc.

Sedatives and barbiturates are associated with depletion of Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12.

The loss of these nutrients may lead to more health issues, ensuing more medications, turning into a Catch 22 of poor health. Taking a multivitamin supplement can restore many of these lost vitamins.

Always consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

- Community Assistant