supplement your rx
Nutrient depletion When a drug depletes a nutrient, supplementing to replace it can reduce side effects and increase the drug’s
effectiveness, says Galland. Birth control pills, diabetes drugs,
diuretics, and statins coenzyme Q10 (coQ10). Ironically, statin drugs, which are commonly prescribed for heart patients, deplete coQ10, a natural antioxidant that helps produce energy and may benefit heart health. (Te natural statin alternative, red yeast rice, also depletes coQ10, Galland says.) For patients who also take a diuretic for high blood pressure or the drug metformin for diabetes, coQ10 depletion may be even greater, says Cass. And high-dose vitamin E can make the body burn through coQ10 faster because the body uses coQ10 to “recycle” oxidized E, Galland notes. CoQ10 isn’t available in foods, so supplements are necessary to restore blood levels. If you’re taking any of the above medications, it’s a good idea to have your doctor check your levels and consider supplementing with 100 mg coQ10 daily, Galland says. Acid reflux drugs, birth control pills, and diabetes drugs B vitamins. Commonly used to treat diabetes, metformin can block B12 absorption, says
32 deliciousliving | june 2012
Cass. But Galland says taking metformin with calcium appears to remedy this effect; the mineral seems to inhibit the drug’s binding of B12. Many antacids and acid reflux medications such as Prilosec also deplete B12, folic acid, and calcium, says Cass. And birth control pills, especially higher-dose ones, can deplete folic acid, B6, and other Bs, as well as minerals such as magnesium, increasing risk for heart disease and other problems. If you take acid reflux drugs or birth control pills, you may want to supplement daily with a high-quality B-complex product containing 20–50 mg B6. Antacids, acid reflux drugs, and diuretics minerals. Diuretics taken for high blood
pressure, along with medications that relieve digestive symptoms, can flush out or reduce absorption of key nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, says Cass. For best absorption, time your intake of supplemental minerals (at doses your doctor recommends) as far from acid-reducing medications as possible, she advises.
Helpful nutrients Some nutrients may enhance certain drugs’ effectiveness and even allow a reduction in
the medication dose over time. Fish oil + antidepressant, arthritis, and heart drugs. Of all the supplements
studied, fish oil has the most positive drug interactions, says Galland. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory substances in tissues, so they enhance the actions of anti- inflammatory drugs, including arthritis drugs and NSAIDs, he explains. And they’re safe and even beneficial to take with heart medications such as statins and warfarin, as long as your doctor knows you’re taking them. In some cases, Galland says, fish oil can reduce inflammation to a point where you can lower the overall medication dose. Several studies have shown fish oil can
also improve depression symptoms for patients both on and off medications. In particular, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) seems to enhance mood: A recent meta-analysis found that taking 2 grams of mostly EPA (60 percent or more of total omega-3s) benefited subjects with bipolar depression. A similar EPA dose enhanced unipolar depression medication benefits in an earlier study. For heart health or depression, Galland
recommends taking 2 daily grams of EPA in particular. In placebo-controlled studies, 3- to 4-gram doses have been proven to treat arthritis and colitis. To comfortably take such high doses, choose high-quality, concentrated fish oil
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