Are you taking prescription drugs?
Did your doctor tell you that prescription drugs deplete nutrients?
If you’re taking prescription drugs, you have probably experienced some of their unpleasant side effects. Did you know that these side effects are likely caused by nutrient depletions by the prescription drugs you’re taking?
Following is a list of some common prescription drug categories and the side effects they have that are caused by depletion of various nutrients.
- Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., pantoprazole, omeprazole) are taken for acid reflux. Common side effects are muscle cramps, fatigue, heart arrhythmias, and heart attack. Because they reduce bone density, they increase your risk of bone fractures. Because they deplete Vitamin B12, they also increase your risk of dementia.
- Diuretics, also known as water pills (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) flush water out of your system to lower blood pressure and reduce ankle swelling. Because minerals leave the body along with water in the urine, these drugs can eventually lead to heart failure.
- Prednisone and other steroids, aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer (anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole), anti-androgen drugs for prostate cancer (flutamide, enzalutamide), SSRIs for depression (fluoxetine or Prozac, paroxetine or Paxil), anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine), loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide), and blood thinners (heparin and warfarin) all deplete minerals, causing loss of bone density, which increases fracture risk.
- If you’ve noticed that your hair is falling out, it could be because of one of these drug categories: birth control pills, beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol), medication for acne (retinoids), or blood thinners.
- Insomnia is a common side effect of statin drugs for lowering cholesterol (e.g., atorvastatin) and diuretics because of mineral depletion.
If you’re experiencing any of these side effects, consider supplementing some of the nutrients they deplete. An easy way to do that is by taking a good multivitamin/mineral. You’ll be able to avoid or mitigate some of the health problems caused by insufficient nutrients that your body needs.
Many of the health problems for which doctors prescribe drugs in the first place are caused by nutrient depletion. You can nip these problems in the bud by either not taking prescription drugs, or you can take prescription drugs for only a short time before they deplete enough nutrients that you start feeling their side effects.
To find out which nutrients you may be low on that are causing your symptoms, schedule an appointment with me before you start taking prescription drugs. You may be able to avoid them entirely.