10+ years of service
Medications are designed to make us better, however some medications, as they work to correct an imbalance, can deplete the body of nutrients and lead to other health problems. Nutritional depletion usually only occurs with chronic use of these medications, however the ramifications for health and well-being can be far reaching.
The sensible solution to this problem is to increase intake of the nutrient being depleted through diet modification or vitamin supplementation. Vitamin supplementation in particular might be needed to bring back nutritional balance if the nutritional deficiency is severe or has been long-term.
Following is list of medications that have been shown to contribute to nutritional deficiency, along with the nutrients they deplete. This list is based on a U.S. study conducted in 2018.
| MEDICATION | NUTRIENT DEPLETED |
| Oral Contraceptives (estrogen and/ or progesterone | Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12/ Folate Calcium Magnesium Vitamin C Vitamin E. |
| Asprin | Vitamin CIron |
| Acid Suppressing Drugs (Proton Pump Inhibitors) | Vitamin B12 Vitamin C Iron Calcium Magnesium Zinc B-Carotene. |
| Corticosteroids (inhaled) | Calcium Vitamin D. |
| Antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) | Folate Calcium Vitamin D. |
| Anti-Hypertensives Including: Diuretics, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Calcium Channel Blockers. | Calcium Magnesium Thiamin Zinc Potassium Folate Iron |
| Statins | Coenzyme Q10 Vitamin D Vitamin E B-Carotene |
| Biguandides (Metformion) Thiazolidinediones | Vitamin B12 Calcium Vitamin D |
| Glucocorticoids (oral) | Calcium Vitamin D Sodium Potassium Chromium. |
The following table outlines how these nutrients can be replaced after long term nutrition deficiency:
| NUTRIENT | HOW TO REPLACE NUTRIENT |
| B-Carotene | Diet rich in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables as well as green leafy vegetables. B-Carotene supplements |
| Calcium | Diet rich in milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy foods as well as seeds, sardines and green leafy vegetables, in particular kale. Calcium supplements. |
| Coenzyme Q10 | Diet rich in oily fish such as fish or tuna, organ meats such as liver and kidney, and whole grains. Coenzyme Q10 supplements. |
| Folate | Diet rich in legumes, eggs, asparagus, leafy green vegetables, citrus and beetroot. Folate supplements. |
| Iron | Diet rich in red meat, organ meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, dried fruit, and legumes. Iron supplements |
| Magnesium | Diet rich in pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, almonds, cashews, peanuts, soy milk and spinach. Magnesium supplements |
| Potassium | Diet rich in avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, watermelon, beans, legumes, dried apricots and coconut water. Potassium supplements. |
| Thiamin | Diet rich in black beans, sunflower seeds, corn, pork and trout. Thiamin supplements. |
| Zinc | Diet rich in oysters, crab, lobster, pumpkin seeds, almonds, oats, lamb and beef. Zinc supplements |
| Vitamin B6 | Diet rich in milk, ricotta cheese, salmon, tuna, eggs, chicken liver, beef, carrot, sweet potato and spinach. Vitamin B6 supplements |
| Vitamin B12 | Diet rich in animal liver and kidneys, beef, clams, sardines, tuna, dairy and eggs. Vitamin B12 supplements. |
| Vitamin C | Diet rich in fruit and vegetables, in particular rockmelon, berries, citrus, chillis, capsicum and Kakadu plum. Vitamin C supplements |
| Vitamin D | Sun exposure on bare skin at safe times of the day. Diet rich in fatty fish such as salmon and fish liver oils. Vitamin D supplements |
| Vitamin E | Diet rich in wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds and oil, almond seeds and oil, pine nuts, peanuts, Atlantic salmon and avocado. Vitamin E supplements. |
Note from National Custom Compounding: We have over 15 years’ experience personalising vitamin supplements to assist with nutrient deficiency caused by long-term medication use.
We can make up vitamin supplements that combine multiple vitamins and minerals in one simple tablet, customised to your specific needs.
For more information on the safety, quality and efficacy of our products contact National Custom Compounding on 1300 731 755 or [email protected]. We’re always happy to chat.