Even though prescription medications help us with whatever ails us, some medications can actually cause other types of problems or deficiencies. Many times this can go unnoticed, which can lead to more serious problems in the future. The best way to know if you are covering all your bases is to find out if the medication you’re taking can be potentially depriving you of certain nutrients.

While not intentional, the possibility for developing a natural deficiency through the use of prescription medication is a high possibility, especially given society’s obsession with medication. Termed “drug-induced nutrient depletion,” this occurrence happens more than many may think. This condition can be harmful to certain people who already suffer from existing health problems. Unfortunately, because many health professionals believe that loss or gain of nutrients through medication has little effect on overall health, this subject is often ignored. However, a 1999 study found that 15 of the top 20 most prescribed medications caused nutrient depletion. This is true for over-the-counter products as well.

The most commonly prescribed drugs that can cause nutrient depletion include: birth control pills, anti-diabetes medication, beta-blockers, cholesterol-lowering medication, antibiotics, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-ulcer and heartburn medication, anticonvulsants, estrogen replacement therapy medication, anti-inflammatory medication, anti-hypertensive medication, benzodiazepines, and phenothiazines.

The occurrence of nutrition depletion from birth control pills is an important topic to know about, given the millions of women who are on this type of medication. Women are susceptible to many health problems as they get older so lacking any type of essential nutrient can put them at higher risk for developing such problems. Oral contraceptives have been found to deplete B vitamins, vitamins C, selenium, zinc, magnesium and tyrosine, an amino acid. Women taking birth control pills are urged to maintain a healthy and balanced daily diet that includes food naturally rich in the above nutrients, as well as including a multivitamin.

For medications that cause a depletion in folic acid (antacids, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, anti-inflammatory medication and anti-ulcer mediations), possible health problems that can occur later on are anemia, birth defects, cervical dysplasia (pre-cancerous, abnormal cells in the cervix), depression and an increase in developing breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Lack of B vitamins, especially B6 and B12, can make a person more prone to heart attacks because of the body’s inability to reduce plaque build-up in the arteries. Some anti-diabetes drugs can rob the body of coenzyme Q10, which works to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lack of coenzyme Q10 can result in a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure.

If you have any reason to be concerned about the medications you are taking, talk to your doctor and whenever you are prescribed new medication, go over their ingredients and functionality in depth with your doctor to make sure you aren’t prone to nutrient depletion. If nutrient depletion can’t be avoided, then be sure to create a daily health and diet regimen that will allow you to make up for lost nutrients.

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