The Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs

Scientific literature recognizes that prescription medication can alter the way our bodies use nutrients, therefore, we must find a way to reduce the side effects and counter the negative long-term effects of medications through natural means.

For instance, birth control pills reduce the uptake of folic acid and we know that a folic acid depletion in women of child bearing age can lead to disastrous effects for an unborn child (spina bifida being the most known). To counter this, every woman taking birth control pills should also take a supplement of folic acid. This is now widely accepted.

Another good example is cholesterol lowering drugs. The statins (a class of heart drugs), apart from lowering cholesterol levels, reduce coenzyme Q₁₀ synthesis and coQ₁₀ deficiency is associated with a higher incidence of heart failure. (How strange, to reduce one heart disease risk factor to increase another!) But a supplement of coQ₁₀ could correct this threat.

A last example to prove the point is estrogens, prescribed to relieve menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis. But estrogens also affect the uptake of magnesium from the diet! To build strong bones (not to mention relieving nocturnal leg cramps) we need magnesium how many women on hormones do you know that complain of leg cramps? Those cramps could be prevented by a simple addition of magnesium.

There are many other examples of drug-induced nutritional deficiency being connected with dietary supplements.

If you're taking drugs be aware of the side effects and counteract them with essential nutrients in supplement form that will help the body heal!

The scientific data concerning drug-induced nutrient depletion has been collected into a book written by two American pharmacists: Ross Pelton and James B. Lavalle. The Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs is published by Morton Publishing Co. It's easy to read and answers all drug and nutrient related questions.

Drug Depletion Chart

Depression, memory loss
Heartbeat irregularity, fatigue
Osteoporosis, tooth decay
Birth defects, anemia

Vitamin D, Calcium

Vitamin B₁₂

Iron

Folic acid

Zinc

Increased risk of osteoporosis

Increased risk of heart disease

Fatigue, anemia

Birth defects, anemia, heart disease

Lowered immunity, slow wound healing

Coenzyme Q₁₀

Vitamin B₂

Vitamin B₁, B₂, Niacinamide, B₆, B₁₂,
and Biotin

Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum

Vulnerability to physical and emotional stress causing sleep disturbances and skin disorders

Poor digestion and nutrient absorption, diarrhea, suppressed immune system

Vitamin C, Zinc,
Selenium
Vitamin D, Calcium
Magnesium

Potassium
Folic acid
Iron

Depressed immune system, slow wound healing
Increased risk of osteoporosis
Increased risk of heart disorders, osteoporosis
Irregular heartbeat, fatigue
Birth defects, anemia
Anemia, fatigue

Magnesium

Vitamin B₂
Vitamin B₆, B₁₂

Vitamin C, Zinc

Folic acid

Vitamin B₆

Magnesium

Zinc

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, sleep disturbances
Cardiovascular problems, increased risk of osteoporosis
Lower immunity, slow wound healing

*While some blood pressure prescriptions deplete folic acid, potassium and calcium, it is not advisable to take these nutrients with certain types of blood pressure prescriptions. Therefore, they are not recommended.