Depletion of nutrients is among the most common, and, overlooked side effects of both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs.

Here's what happens: Medications can cause improper absorption of vitamins and minerals, or they can accelerate the elimination of nutrients from the body. The consequences may range from bothersome symptoms, such as fatigue or stomach upset, to serious heart, muscle or nerve damage.

Most doctors are aware of some minerals that are depleted through the use of diuretics (water-excreting drugs). However, few doctors are aware of the dangers of nutrient depletion caused by many other types of medication, because the problem is not widely reported.

Popular drugs are depleting your immune system;

ANTIBIOTICS

The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include azithromycin (Zithromax), amoxicillin (Amoxil), ampicillin (Omnipen), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin) and erythromycin (Eryc).

Nutrients depleted;

B vitamins. The B vitamins are essential for normal metabolism as well as immune and nervous system functioning.

Enzymes.  Enzymes (all types; digestive and proteolytic enzymes are highly essential for all metabolic processes) are catalysts in the mechanism needed for vitamin absorption.  See Immuzyme® for more information.

Probiotics – Probably, one of the worst supplements becomes void! As we continue to consume carbonated drinks, laxatives, hormone replacements (such as estrogen and birth control pills) and, naturally, antibiotics which are used in everything on a daily basis from livestock to frozen foods, our friendly flora is killed off. This makes the body extremely susceptible to disease and chronic illness. This situation enhances the need for daily use of our Probiotics; a supplement to incorporate within our daily routine prophylatically. Antibiotics kill not only harmful bacteria but also "good" bacteria that promote gastrointestinal health and help balance immune response. Taking a probiotic supplement providing at least 2 billion live B. bifidum and 2 billion live L. acidophilus organisms daily are only 2 of the major eight (8) good bacteria found in Life Sources’ Probiotics. Life Sources, Inc. provides this proprietary blend that fights toxemia, candidiasis, yeast infections, fungus and many other related yeast infections which lower the immune system’s response putting the body at risk for any major type of infection. Our formula contains one of the most powerful blends found anywhere; Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Bifidobacterium Infantis, Streptococcus Thermophilus and Streptococcus Faecium.  These friendly bacteria can help you from having to take any further antibiotics usually prescribed for the smallest of easy to fight off infections.

*If you're taking any medications, consult your doctor before changing your diet or beginning a supplement. In rare cases, increasing a nutrient may interfere with a drug's potency or worsen your condition.

In addition, eat more vitamin B-rich foods, such as, chicken, pork, gluten-free breads and cereals, brown-rice and pastas, legumes, nuts and dark, dark green leafy greens. (See our Daily Health Plus multivitamin plus digestive enzyme formula which includes B-12, Vitamin K and a small amount of iron.)

To increase your intake of vitamin K, eat kale, collard, turnip or mustard greens, spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard. These are much safer than taking a supplement with the Vitamin K especially, for those on heart medications.

*Stay away from sugar or sugar causing foods, as, sugar feeds microorganisms living within your intestinal tract.  Sugar greatly lowers a healthy immune system, and, those fighting cancer should completely remain sugar-free.

Caution: Do not take vitamin K supplements or eat excessive amounts of vitamin K-rich foods if you take warfarin (Coumadin) or another blood-thinning drug.

*For additional B. bifidum, eat more asparagus, garlic and/or onions, which stimulate growth of friendly bacteria. For L. acidophilus, yogurt containing live cultures is your best food source trying to find the best brand which excludes sugar if possible.  (Sugar only feeds the yeast better known as Candida – C-albicans or Candidiasis.)

High-Cholesterol Drugs

The most widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering "statins" include atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor) and pravastatin (Pravachol).

Nutrients depleted;

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

All cells require CoQ10 for the proper function of mitochondria (tiny energy-producing structures within the cells). The more energy a cell must produce, the more it depends on CoQ10. That's why cells of the heart in particular require this supplement because it is constantly beating and requires an abundance of CoQ10.

Unfortunately, statin drugs, which effectively block the production of harmful cholesterol, also prevent CoQ10 production.

Some doctors worry that long-term use of statins may worsen or create heart failure. Studies have found that patients with chronic heart failure have lower CoQ10 levels, and that CoQ10 supplements may improve their heart condition. Signs of CoQ10 deficiency include fatigue and muscle weakness.

If you are prescribed a statin: Ask your doctor about taking 50 mg to 100 mg of a CoQ10 supplement daily. This nutrient is also available in some foods, including beef, chicken, salmon, oranges and broccoli.

Take supplements which include powerful antioxidants; Alpha Lipoic Acid, Selenium, Vitamin E (small doses only), OPC-165® for heart support and anti-platelet aggregation.

Painkillers

Millions of Americans take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex) and nabumetone (Relafen), to help relieve arthritis and other inflammatory pain.

Alternative health support;

Life Sources, Inc. Immuzyme®, Daily Health® Digestive Enzymes, OPC-165® and Pantothentic Acid (B-5) for arthritic pain support.

Nutrients depleted;

Folic acid. Your body needs this water-soluble B vitamin to produce new cells and DNA and to synthesize and utilize proteins.

Several large epidemiological studies have linked low folic acid levels to increased risk for colon, breast and pancreatic cancers.

Heart health is also affected by folic acid. As folic acid levels decline, levels of the amino acid homocysteine rise. Studies suggest that elevated homocysteine can raise the risks for blood clots, heart attack and stroke.

Low folic acid levels may cause loss of appetite, irritability, weakness, shortness of breath, diarrhea, anemia, headaches, heart palpitations and a sore tongue.

Alternative health support; Daily Health® Digestive Enzymes by LSI.

If you take an NSAID regularly (daily for at least one to two weeks): talk to your physician about also taking 400 mcg to 800 mcg of folic acid daily. 

You also can get more folic acid by consuming fortified breakfast cereals, orange juice, spinach and other leafy greens, peas and beans.

BETA-BLOCKERS

Beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Betoptic S), carteolol (Cartrol) and labetalol (Normodyne), are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure or glaucoma.

Nutrients depleted;

CoQ10. Not only does CoQ10 appear to improve cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure, studies suggest that it also may prevent second heart attacks and possibly protect against Parkinson's disease.

Melatonin. The hormone melatonin is essential for healthy sleep-wake cycles, and there's some early evidence that it may slow aging.

If you take a beta-blocker: Ask your physician about taking 30 mg to 100 mg of CoQ10 daily and 1 mg to 3 mg of melatonin nightly, just before bed, if you have trouble sleeping.

ACE INHIBITORS 

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as enalapril (Vasotec), benazepril (Lotensin) and ramipril (Altace), as well as the Designer Drugs; angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs); Olmesartan (Benicar ) including candesartan (Atacand) and irbesartan (Avapro), are prescribed for high blood pressure and heart failure, and to help prevent heart attacks in high-risk patients.

Nutrients depleted;

Zinc.  Zinc boosts immunity, and some studies have shown that it reduces the duration of cold symptoms.

Zinc also is necessary for wound healing, strong bones and male potency, and it may help slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

In a recent six-year National Eye Institute study involving 3,600 people with AMD, zinc and antioxidant supplements reduced the risk of developing advanced AMD by 25%.

If you take an ACE inhibitor or ARB: Ask your doctor about taking 50 mg to 100 mg of zinc daily and eating more zinc-rich foods, such as oysters, beef, dark-meat chicken, pork tenderloin, yogurt, peas, beans and nuts. If you continue to take zinc indefinitely, do not exceed 50 mg daily.

Important: Many medications combine an ACE inhibitor or ARB with a diuretic -- for example, enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide (Vaseretic) is an ACE inhibitor plus a diuretic; candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Atacand HCT) is an ARB plus a diuretic.

If you're taking a combination drug, you'll need to compensate not only for zinc, but also for the electrolytes and nutrients excreted by the diuretic, including potassium, magnesium, thiamine (B-1) and calcium.  See Just an Ounce to replenish minerals washed out from diuretics to support kidneys for electrolyte balance.

Diabetes Drugs

People with type 2 diabetes are often prescribed tolazamide (Tolinase), acetohexamide (Dymelor), glimepiride (Amaryl) or glipizide (Glucotrol) -- all sulfonylurea drugs. These medications stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, which lowers blood sugar.

Nutrients depleted;

CoQ10. Diabetes more than doubles your chances of dying from heart disease or stroke -- and low CoQ10 levels exacerbate those risks.

If you're taking a sulfonylurea drug: Ask your doctor about supplementing with 50 mg to 100 mg of CoQ10 daily.

Reflux Drugs

Proton pump inhibitors, such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec) and rabeprazole (AcipHex), are prescribed for chronic heartburn -- also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) -- and ulcers.

Nutrients depleted;

Enzymes – Daily Health® Formula; for those especially with acid reflux, stomach bloating, diarrhea/constipation and stomach upset most people find almost immediate relief with the use of digestive enzymes taken with each meal along with Probiotics and Aloe Vera Juice to support the lining of the intestinal tract from the growth of C-albicans known as Candidiasis.  See the wonderful health benefits Aloe vera juice provides the stomach and intestines with immediate relief in most cases.

Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is essential for producing red blood cells and maintaining a healthy nervous system. Deficits may cause fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, diarrhea, tingling in the hands or feet, unsteady gait, nervousness, cognitive changes and even dementia.  This is usually a sign of hemolytic anemia caused by microorganisms, e.g., Candidiasis accumulating within the tissues of the body depleting the cells B-12.  This can be reversed by increasing Probiotics, and, should reverse over a short period of time.

Vitamin B-12 is found in red meat, fish, eggs and dairy foods, but our bodies require stomach acid to release the vitamin from these foods. Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of stomach acid, inhibiting the release and absorption of vitamin B-12.

Iron. Low iron reduces the amount of oxygen your red blood cells can transport to body tissues, leaving you feeling weak and fatigued. A serious iron deficiency results in anemia. This is why Life Sources, Inc. highly encourages our clients to take at least four (4) Probiotics daily.  Your body will actually learn to kill off Candida and, therefore, enhance the bodies’ own ability to utilize (absorb) B-12, folic acid and iron. 

If you take a proton pump inhibitor: Ask your doctor about taking 500 mcg to 1,000 mcg of vitamin B-12 daily and for advice on the best way to increase your iron intake.  Meanwhile, our superb Daily Health® Formula along with Probiotics will eventually eliminate the need for added B-12. 

Caution: Never take an iron supplement without consulting your physician or Healthcare Professional. Excess iron can accumulate in your major organs and cause severe damage known as hemochromotosis. Most people, however, can safely eat more iron-rich foods, including liver, beef, dark-meat chicken or turkey, legumes and fortified cereals.  Or, if you are a vegetarian, eat plenty of iron rich green vegetables as well as at least 1,000 mg. of Vitamin C daily to enhance iron absorption.

Reference; Cornell Medical College

The information provided here is not to be considered as medical advice or treatment and is for informational purposes only. Please refer to your physician for any questions regarding advice or treatment.