Did you know that many common pharmaceuticals can deplete nutrients from the body? Some side effects that can occur with certain medications stem directly from their effects on our nutrient status.

According to the Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook—an evidence-based reference book written by pharmacists trained in clinical nutrition—drugs can cause these depletions by altering the absorption, synthesis, storage, and excretion of various nutrients.

Many people already know about certain cholesterol medications depleting the critical antioxidant CoQ10. In fact, numerous patients who take these medications have been instructed to take CoQ10 by their cardiologist because the heart, brain, and muscles tend to struggle when the body is depleted.

What’s less commonly known, however, is that CoQ10 is also depleted by blood pressure medications, blood thinners, diuretics, diabetes drugs, antibiotics, antivirals, and even acid blockers.

Here are some other common medications and the nutrients they can deplete.

• Lisinopril: Zinc, Magnesium, and Calcium
• Carvedilol: CoQ10, Melatonin
• Levothyroxine: Iron, Calcium
• Amlodipine: Melatonin, Potassium, Vitamin D, Calcium
• Metformin: CoQ10, Folate, B6, B12
• Hydrochlorothiazide: CoQ10, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, B1, B2, B3, B6, Vitamin C, Folate
• Birth Control (estrogens and medroxyprogesterone): Magnesium, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Vitamin C, Zinc, Folate, Selenium
• Fluoxetine: Folate, Iodine, Selenium, Melatonin
• Sertraline: Folate, Selenium
• Aspirin: Folate, Iron, Potassium, Sodium, Vitamin C, Calcium, B6

Take a look at all the medications you are currently taking, and make a list of which nutrients are being depleted by each one. In some cases, patients may have several drugs depleting the same nutrient. Look through your list for double, triple, or even quadruple depletions and focus on those first. Bring your list into Peoples when shopping and ask to speak with a pharmacist–they’ll help you figure out which nutrients need to be tended to first and how to do so.

If CoQ10 is at the top of your depletion inventory, which is very common, ask a Peoples Wellness Specialist to recommend a high potency, high bioavailability CoQ10. There are many to choose from at Peoples and they’ll help you make the right decision for you.

If you’re interested in figuring out which of these nutrients you may want to supplement with, you might want to book a consultation with one of our practitioners. When supplementing, it’s best to work directly with a professional in order to ensure that everything is being done safely and taken in the right form and dose in order to best support your health.
 
Matt Dorsey, BSc, MAcOM, LAc is an integrative medicine consultant, licensed acupuncturist, and doctoral candidate who draws from his studies in East Asian Medicine, Acupuncture, Medical Herbology, Clinical Nutrition, Psychology, and Pharmacology to help his patients regain their health in the most well-rounded way possible. Some of his specializations include autoimmune disease, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and mitochondrial optimization. For more from Matt on drug-induced nutrient depletions, check out www.NutrientDepletions.com. You can also hear Matt talk about nutrient depletions on the Cultivate Wellness Podcast.
 
 
Sources:
1. “Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook” by Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCN, James B. LaValle, RPh, DHM, NMD, CCN, Ernest B. Hawkins, RPh, MS, and Daniel L. Krinsky, RPh, MS.
2. “Drug Muggers” By Suzy Cohen, RPh
 
If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com.

Ever wonder what makes one supplement brand better than another? Bring in your supplements and Practitioner Matthew Dorsey will walk you through quality, ingredients, and efficacy!
 
For questions, call 512-219-8600 or email pwcnorth@peoplesrx.com, and be sure to follow Peoples on your favorite social media channels! Facebook | Instagram
 
Matt Dorsey, MAcOM, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist and integrative medicine consultant who draws from his studies in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbology, Clinical Nutrition, Psychology, Pharmacology, and Energy Medicine to give clients a well-rounded approach to healing. Some of his specializations include autoimmune, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, and fatigue.
 
 
 

Image courtesy of James Barker at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Back-to-school certainly has us thinking of upping the multivitamins and supplements for the kids but what about our four-legged kids, as well?  With the dog star Sirius shining brightest in the sky from June to early-September as well as rising and setting with the sun, this time of year has become known as the “dog days of summer”. This also reminds us that our furry friends could use some extra care to help them through the season. Read more →

It’s February and, thanks to Valentine’s Day, you’ll be seeing pink and red hearts everywhere you go. This is a good reminder to think about your own amazing heart, which beats 100,000 times every day! You don’t have to think about your heart to make it beat, but caring for your heart will help it be healthier and beat longer and stronger. Traditional Chinese medicine regards the heart as the master of the entire body, linking and harmonizing the body-mind-emotions. A healthy heart supports overall wellbeing.

Eat For Your Heart
The heart is a muscle. It needs lots of nutrients to have enough energy for all those heartbeats! Here are some foods your heart will love.

Salmon – This lean protein is a great energy source, is super-rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, and contains astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant.

Avocado – Another healthy fat source, avocados help lower LDL levels and raise HDL cholesterol and they improve the absorption of nutrients from other foods.

Greens – Spinach, kale, arugula, chard… so many greens, all of them great sources of folate and other B-vitamins as well as artery-clearing fiber.

Berries – Full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components, berries are great for your heart and the entire cardiovascular system. Organic berries are best!

Chocolate – Dark chocolate is more than delicious! It is also full of antioxidants including polyphenols, which can increase nitric oxide levels, lower blood pressure, and decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Supplement Your Heart
Sometimes food isn’t enough for optimal heart health. These supplements can help.

CoQ10 – A powerful antioxidant and an essential building block for cellular energy, it is useful in preventing and treating many cardiovascular conditions. Supplementation is especially important for people taking statin medications.

Fish oil/Flax oil – Concentrated omega-3s for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support.

L-Carnitine – This amino acid supports energy production by helping fatty acids (fuel) get into the mitochondria (cellular energy centers). All muscles need carnitine, and this includes the heart!

Magnesium – Muscles also need magnesium for proper functioning. Low magnesium can contribute to muscle cramping and heart arrhythmias.

Vitamin D – In addition to supporting immune function, boosting mood, and aiding in building strong bones, vitamin D is useful in maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Live For Your Heart
Daily lifestyle choices can support long-term heart health.

Exercise – Like all muscles, your heart can benefit from a good workout. Exercise also increases deep breaths, improving oxygen delivery to the heart and the rest of the body.

Sun – Plants aren’t the only living things to benefit from sunlight! Sun exposure can increase vitamin D and nitric oxide levels, boost mood, and recent studies have shown that exposure to full spectrum light greatly improves recovery after a heart attack.

Stable blood sugar – High blood sugar levels can irritate the heart and blood vessels, setting the stage for plaque build up. Keeping blood sugar stable decreases the risk of vascular inflammation and plaque formation.

Sleep – Sleep is the time of repair and restoration! Research has shown that 6-8 hours of sleep per night helps to stabilize blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar, as well as decreasing risk of many cardiovascular diseases.

Love – Love is a powerful emotion and the driving force for many of our actions. It’s also good for your health! Research shows that the positive emotional states of love, appreciation, and gratitude balance the heart rate and rhythm, increase cognitive function, and improve healing response throughout the entire body.

So this month, and all year long, remember to love your heart!

-by Amy Love, ND