Healthy Family
Dr. La u r e N Go u i N , N.D.
Drug Nutrient Depletion
T
hese days, it is not uncommon for
a specific nutrient needed to avoid defi-
of Coenzyme Q10 daily, but the average
individuals to be on several pre-
ciency. These values do not take the indi-
adult on a Statin drug produces far less if
scription medications. Though
vidual into account, especially if an indi-
any, which could have a negative impact
physicians and pharmacists are trained
vidual is taking medications. A person’s
on the body over time. Nutrient synthesis
in known drug interactions and common
stores of nutrients and specific needs
occurs throughout the body, and many
side effects, there are some interactions
should be addressed with assessment of
medications influence vitamins in this
with the body that patients are seldom
their medications as well as their diet,
regard.
made aware of. Every prescription drug
lifestyle and health conditions.
If the body does not produce a nutri-
or any drug affects the amount of nutri-
ent, it must acquire it from the environ-
ents in the body.
How Drugs Deplete us of
ment, which typically is the diet. Many
Nutrients
medications can inhibit or reduce the
The Body’s Nutrient Pool
absorption of medication. Prilosec is a
Everything that enters the body inter-
medication of acid reflux and heartburn,
At any point, the human body has stores
acts with the internal biochemistry and
which has been shown to reduce the ab-
of most nutrients to help drive its bio-
requires nutrients to help break it down,
sorption of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is
chemical pathways. Some of these nutri-
process it and clear waste byproducts.
important for nerve health, red blood cell
ents are produced within the body; others
These substances also influence the func-
production and DNA synthesis. Though
must be acquired from our environment,
tion of enzymes, immune function, neu-
the body is good at storing B12 and it
including our diet. This pool of nutrients
rotransmitter production and even gene
takes years to develop a deficiency, look-
is essential for healthy vitality and optimal
expression, which can in turn affect the
ing at B12 levels in the blood and access-
function. Many of these vitamins can be
nutrient needs of the body.
ing red blood cells for signs of anemia is
assessed with simple blood tests, includ-
Nutrient synthesis can be influenced
often advisable.
ing Vitamin C, D, E as well as Magnesium,
by medications. Certain nutrients are pri-
Other medications require an in-
Selenium, Iron and Zinc. Deficiencies in
marily acquired from the body’s produc-
crease in vitamins and minerals in order
these nutrients can cause many differ-
tion of them; an example is the powerful
to be detoxified and cleared out of the
ent symptoms and even conditions, from
antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme
body. Oral contraceptives and hormone
muscle cramps and weakness to moodi-
Q10 is also known as ubiquinone, and is
replacement therapies require the liver
ness and irritability. The government ac-
a fat soluble vitamin known for support- to package up and clear an increased
knowledges the need for certain nutrient
ing energy and cardiovascular health. amount of hormones, and therefore re-
levels, first devising the Recommended
Medications like the Statin drug class quire more B vitamins and other nutrients
Dietary Allowances (RDA) in 1941. Over
can, while serving their purpose of in- to process the extra amounts out of the
the years, these have been revised and
hibiting cholesterol production, inhibit body. These increased needs associated
refined, though it is important to know
the production of Coenzyme Q10 in the with specific medications, prescription
that these values represent the amount of
liver. The average adult produces 10 mg or over the counter, are often identified
by the pharmaceutical companies at the
time when the drugs are first being stud-
ied.
The average patient takes several
prescriptions or over the counter supple-
ments on a daily basis, in many cases
indefinitely. The impact of these on the
body’s nutrient pool is well understood,
but often not the focus or concern of the
conventional physician. Identifying in-
creased needs for nutrients may be able
to be addressed with nutrition alone;
otherwise dietary supplements may be
necessary to maintain an optimal nutri-
18 NaturalNutmeg
www.naturalnutmeg.com
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