When a person takes prescription drugs or over the counter medication chances are that they can be affecting their nutrient levels. Below are some of the possible deficiencies that are correlated with each corresponding drug.

Antacids/Ulcer medications

• vitamin B12 - Anemia, depression, tiredness, weakness, increased cardiovascular risk

• Folic Acid - Birth defects, cervical dysplasia, anemia, heart disease, cancer risk

• vitamin D - osteoporosis, muscle weakness, hearing loss

• Calcium - Osteoporosis, heart and blood pressure irregularities, tooth decay

• Iron - Anemia, weakness, fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails

• Zinc - weak immunity, wound healing, sense of smell/taste, sexual dysfunction

Antibiotics

• B vitamins, Vitamin K - short term depletion affects are minimal, but failure to re-inoculate the GI tract with beneficial bacteria (probiotics) often results in dysbiosis which causes gas, bloating, decreases digestion & absorption of nutrients, and also may lead to a variety of other health problems.

• Calcium - osteoporosis, heart & blood pressure irregularities, tooth decay

• magnesium - cardiovascular problems, asthma, osteoporosis, cramps, PMS

• Iron - slow wound healing, fatigue, anemia

• vitamin B6 - depression, sleep disturbance, increased cardiovascular disease risk

• zinc - weak immunity, wound healing, sense of smell/taste, sexual dysfunction

Cholesterol drugs

• Coenzyme Q10 - Various cardiovascular problems, weak immune system, low energy

Female Hormones

• Vitamin B6 - depression, sleep disturbance, increased cardiovascular disease risk

• Folic acid - birth defects, cervical dysplasia, anemia, cardiovascular disease

• vitamin B1 - depression, irritability, memory loss, muscle weakness, edema

• vitamin B2 - problems with skin, eyes, mucous membranes and nerves

• vitamin B6 - depression, sleep disturbances, increased cardiovascular disease risk

• vitamin B12 - anemia, depression, tiredness, weakness, increased cardiovascular risk

• vitamin C - lowered immune system, easy bruising, poor wound healing

• magnesium - cardiovascular problems, asthma, osteoporosis, cramps, PMS

• selenium - lower immunity, reduced antioxidant protection'

• zinc - weak immunity, wound healing, sense of smell/taste, sexual dysfunction

Anti-Inflammatories

• calcium - osteoporosis, heart and blood pressure irregularities, tooth decay

• vitamin D - osteoporosis, muscle weakness, hearing loss

• magnesium - cardiovascular problems, asthma, osteoporosis, cramps, PMS

• zinc - weak immunity, wound healing, sense of smell/taste, sexual dysfunction

• vitamin C - lowered immunity, easy bruising, poor wound healing

• vitamin B6 - depression, sleep disturbances,increased cardiovascular disease risk

• vitamin B12 - anemia, depressioon, tiredness, weakness, increased cardiovascular risk

• Folic Acid - birth defects, cervical dysplasia, anemia, cardiovascular disease

• Selenium - lower immunity, reduced antioxidant protection

• chromium - elevated blood sugar, cholesterol & triglycerides, diabetes risk

• vitamin B5 - fatigue, listlessness, and possible problems with skin, liver and nerves

For a complete list of drugs and their correlating deficiencies click here

If you would like to check your nutrient levels click here