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From The July 1999 Issue of Nutrition Science News
Natural News
Nutrient Depletion Checklist: Oral Contraceptives
Stress, poor diets and environmental pollutants can rob nutrients from our bodies. Scientific studies report that many of the most commonly prescribed drugs also cause nutrient deficiencies. In fact, some drug side effects could be related to such depletions. Categories of drugs that have been shown to deplete one or more nutrients include antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antidiabetics, anti-inflammatories, blood pressure- and cholesterol- lowering drugs, chemotherapeutics, oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement medications, tranquilizers, and drugs used to treat ulcers. Taking nutritional supplements to compensate for drug-induced nutrient depletions may increase the effectiveness of a drug as well as reduce or prevent side effects.
Watch for this regularly appearing column in NSN's Natural News.
—Ed.
Nutrient Depletions |
Potential Depletion Problems |
Folic acid |
Anemia, birth defects, cardiovascular disease, cervical dysplasia |
Magnesium |
Asthma, cardiovascular problems, cramps, osteoporosis, PMS2 |
Vitamin B2 |
Eyes, mucous membranes, nerves, skin problems1 |
Vitamin B6 |
Depression, increased cardiovascular disease risk, sleep disturbances1 |
Vitamin B12 |
Anemia, increased cardiovascular disease risk, tiredness, weakness1 |
Vitamin C |
Easy bruising, lowered immunity, poor wound healing1 |
Zinc |
Loss of sense of smell and taste, lower immunity, slow wound healing1 |
Advise customers to ask their pharmacist or doctor if any of their medications can cause nutrient depletions. |
Reprinted with permission from Drug-induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook (Lexi-Comp, 1999), by Ross Pelton, Ph.D., C.N.; James B. LaValle, N.D., C.N., D.H.M.; Ernest B. Hawkins; and Daniel L. Krinsky. |
1. Webb JL. Nutritional effects of oral contraceptive use: a review. J Reprod Med 1980;25(4):150-6.
2. Blum M, et al. Oral contraceptive lowers serum magnesium. Harefuah 1991;121(10):363-4.
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