Vitamins are essential nutrients that help you maintain optimal health by regulating your metabolism. They are also are involved in biochemical processes that produce energy from digested food. Some drugs may deplete vitamins and other nutrients, creating unpleasant symptoms and even disease.
Vitamins
There are two types of vitamins -- soluble and oil soluble -- and both are important. All B vitamins and vitamin C are water soluble and are needed every day, because the body cannot store them, and they are eliminated within a day. Vitamins A, D, E and K are oil soluble, thus can be stored in fatty tissues and the liver. Drugs can create deficiencies of both water and oil-soluble vitamins.
Medication
Conventional drugs have many benefits and can treat a range of diseases, but they can cause side effects, including vitamin deficiencies. Dr. Ross Pelton, Ph.D., co-author of the "Drug Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook," writes that some conventional drugs block the assimilation of nutrients.
Drug-Induced Deficiencies
According to Pelton, the following classes of prescription and over-the-counter drugs have been linked to vitamin deficiencies: antacids, antibiotics, anti-convulsants, anti-diabetic drugs, anti-inflammatories, anti-virals, chemotherapy, lung and cardiovascular medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, female hormones, gout medications, laxatives, psychiatric drugs and ulcer medications.
Symptoms & Diseases
Vitamin B1 deficiency may be caused by some drugs used in the treatment of seizures and heart disease, and symptoms such as depression, irritability, memory loss and muscle weakness may occur, according to Pelton.
Some anti-convulsants, antibiotics and psychiatric drugs may cause vitamin B2 deficiency and trigger problems with skin, eyes and nerves.
Female hormone replacement therapies and oral contraceptives deplete nutrients including vitamins B2, B3, B6, B2 and C. Skin, digestive and nervous system problems are associated with B3 deficiency. A shortage of vitamin B6 is linked to depression, sleep problems and increased risk of heart disease. B2 deficiency may cause anemia, weakness and cardiovascular conditions.
Suboptimal levels of vitamin C weaken the immune system and cause poor wound healing and easy bruising.
Vitamin D depletion has been linked to some ulcer medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs and corticosteroids. It can lead to a weakened immune system and muscles, osteoporosis and hearing loss.
Some anti-convulsants, antibiotics, cholesterol-lowering agents and laxatives diminish levels of vitamin K, creating blood clotting issues and skeletal problems.
Considerations
Consult a physician or pharmacist regarding all potential nutrient deficiencies that may be caused by a drug that has been prescribed. Beside vitamin deficiencies, other important nutrients such as coenzyme Q10 and various minerals can be affected by medications.
References
- "Drug Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook" second edition ; Ross Pelton,PhD, James B. LaValle, and Ernest B. Hawkins; 2001
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; James Balch, MD and Phyllis Balch, CNC; 2000
- "Prescription for Dietary Wellness"; Phyllis Balch, CNC; 2003
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