Prescription Meds May Deplete Essentials

When you pick up your prescription, the pharmacist is always available to answer any questions you may have about your prescribed medication. You also receive a computer printout of information about the drug, any side effects, special instructions, and drug interactions which include items you need to avoid while taking the medication. But has this information ever included the fact that you may need to ADD certain nutrients to your daily regimen?

Clinical studies have shown that people taking prescription medications for a wide variety of conditions may also have reduced levels of certain nutrients.

Heartburn or acid reflux occurs in about 20% of all adults at least once a month. Mild and even moderate heartburn can usually be managed with a change in diet, weight loss, and over-the-counter antacids. However, for five to fifteen percent of adults with severe heartburn, these remedies give only temporary relief. For those with chronic problems, medications such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid are often prescribed.

Studies have shown that people who take these prescription medications may, over time, have decreased absorption of calcium and vitamin B12. These nutrients, along with others, play a vital role in helping maintain bone health and strength.

High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Each year, more than a million Americans have heart attacks and approximately 500,000 die from heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men in the United States.

For anyone whose cholesterol is above goal, lifestyle changes are in order. These changes include a cholesterol-lowering diet, weight management, and increased physical activity. Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Zocor, Lipitor, or Pravachol may also be prescribed in conjunction with your other lifestyle changes.

However, studies have shown that people taking these statin cholesterol medications may have reduced blood levels of CoQ10, an antioxidant shown to support normal heart function.

Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases that affect areas in or around joints. Arthritis causes pain, loss of movement, and sometimes swelling. In 2006, 46 million Americans were diagnosed with arthritis. These figures included 24.3 million women, 17.1 million men and 300,000 children. Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability.

Exercise is an essential tool in managing arthritis. Exercise strengthens the muscle around the joints, reduces joint pain and stiffness, while increasing flexibility and endurance.

In addition to exercise, medications are used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, valdecoxib and celecoxib. Some experts recommend that people taking these anti-inflammatory drugs should also include supplemental folic acid. In addition, some people with osteoarthritis have been shown to have lower levels of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium.

Diabetes affects 20.8 million children and adults in the United States. It is a disease in which the body does not properly use or produce insulin. Insulin is needed to convert food into energy. Many people may control or reduce diabetes with proper diet and exercise. Others may require diabetes medications such as Glucophage, Glucovance, or Metformin. People who take diabetes medications containing Metformin have been shown to have lower levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid which may aid in maintaining a healthy heart.

Depression is more than just a feeling of being ‘blue' or ‘down in the dumps' for a few days. More than 20 million people in the United States suffer with depression, and for these people the ‘feelings' do not go away. They continue and interfere with everyday life.

Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It is usually treated with a combination of talk therapy and antidepressant medications such as Prozac, Effexor XR, Zoloft, and Lexapro. People suffering from depression have also been shown to have lower levels of vitamin B6, B12, folic acid and vitamin D which are important in maintaining emotional well being.

Many of the medications mentioned above may be used to treat other conditions than those referenced. If you are currently taking any of these medications, or are prescribed a new medication, you might want to check with your doctor or pharmacist about your personal nutritional requirements. You may need to either adjust your diet to include more of certain nutrients or include a supplement in your daily regimen.