Prednisone is a corticosteroid that helps prevent the release of substances that increase inflammation. It is used to treat a number of conditions, including allergic skin reactions, ulcerative colitis, lupus, respiratory problems and arthritis. While prednisone offers a number of benefits, prolonged use can be harmful to your health. Prednisone interacts with a number of essential vitamins, increasing their losses and your needs.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for bone health. It helps your body absorb calcium and promotes bone mineralization. Prednisone decreases your body's ability to activate vitamin D, increasing your risk of deficiencies. If you are taking prednisone for more than two weeks, you should talk to your doctor about testing for deficiences. Poor blood levels of vitamin D can affect your bone health. Healthy adults need 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D a day. Good food sources include fortified dairy products and fatty fish such as salmon and tuna.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is one of the B vitamins. Folic acid is essential for making new cells. It is especially important during periods of rapid growth such as infancy and pregnancy. Prednisone may increase your daily losses of this essential vitamin. Without enough folic acid, you may become anemic. Healthy adults need 400 mcg of folic acid a day. When taking prednisone, talk to your doctor about whether you need additional supplementation. Good food sources of folic acid include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is also one of the B vitamins that plays an important role in cell production. It is also necessary for the health and maintenance of your nervous system, as well as the synthesis of DNA. Like folic acid, prednisone increases your losses of vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 deficiencies can also lead to anemia. Adults need 2.4 mcg of vitamin B-12 a day. Vitamin B-12 is primarily found in animal products, such as meat and dairy foods. Talk to your doctor about your daily vitamin B-12 needs with prolonged use of prednisone.
Vitamin B-6
Prednisone may also increase your losses of vitamin B-6. Vitamin B-6 is also an essential nutrient that helps make red blood cells, support immune health, maintain the health of the organs in your lymph system -- which includes the spleen, thymus and thyroid -- and also helps maintain blood sugar levels. Healthy adults need 1.3 mg to 1.7 mg of vitamin B-6 a day. Food sources of vitamin B-6 include bananas, potatoes and chickpeas. Some doctors may suggest a 25 mg to 50 mg replacement of vitamin B-6 if you are taking prednisone for more than two weeks.
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