What you need to know about medications

Not only can prescription drugs have adverse reactions when taken according to label instructions, more often than not, there is a nutritional price to pay, one that can dramatically affect your health and well-being. Some examples are : the NSAID ibuprofen (Motrin) depletes folic acid, which may cause birth defects, anemia, cardiovascular disease and cervical dysplasia.

Antibiotics deplete B vitamins and vitamin K. Short-term depletion effects are minimal, but failure to re-inoculate the GI tract with beneficial bacteria (probioltics) often results in dysbiosis, which may cause gas/bloating and decrease the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Everyone, young and old, is encouraged to take probiotics twice daily with meals for two weeks following a course of antibiotics. Diuretics such as Lasix, Bumex and Edecrin deplete calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins B1 and B6, vitamin C, sodium, and zinc.

Awareness of medications taken and their dosages is an important aspect of patient care. Geriatric patients may be getting too much medication- even though they are following label instructions. As we age into our 60s and 70s, drug half-lives increase due to a reduction in kidney excretory function and drecreased Phase I and Phase II activity in the liver. This means that the geriatric patient can be taking the recommended amount and suffer toxicity and nutrient depletions due to the increased time that the drug circulates within the body, and the impaired drug breakdown and excretion through the kidneys and liver.

What Does Your Drug Deplete?

Antacids...Calcium, Phosphate, Folic Acid, Potassium

Antibiotics...B vitamins and vitamin K. Probiotics should also be taken

Anti-Diabetic Drugs... Vitamin B12, CoQ10, Folic Acid

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (includes Corticosteroids, NSAIDS)... Calcium, Vitamin D, Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin C,Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Selenium, Chromium, Vitamin A

Aspirin (Salicylates)/other mild pain killers...Vitamin C, Calcium, Folic Acid, Iron, Sodium, potassium,Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Bronchodilators...Vitamin B6, Potassium

Cardiovascular Drugs...Zinc, Coenzyme Q10, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Sodium, Vitamin C, Folic Acid

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs...Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E

Corticosteroids...( see anti-inflammatory)

Gout Medications...Vitamin B12, Sodium, Potassium, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Phosphorus

HRT...Vitamin B6, Magnesium

Oral contraceptives...Folic Acid, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Selenium, Zinc

Thyroid Medications...Iron

Ulcer Medications...Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Protein

Essential Therapeutics Basic Multi is a Comprehensive formula that replaces nutrients drugs deplete.

To ensure you are not becoming nutrient deficient from your prescription medication, educate yourself about what you are taking and how it may affect the vital nutrients that enhance our lives.