Are Your Medications Causing Nutrient Deficiencies?

Are Your Medications Causing Nutrient Deficiencies?

When you pick up your prescriptions from your local pharmacy, do you ask if you should be taking supplements as well? You should. While some common supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications, other medications may rob your body of crucial nutrients, making supplements beneficial.¹

Physical signs of nutrient deficiencies

Whether due to poor eating habits or poor nutrient absorption due to medications or illness, your body has subtle – and some not so subtle – ways to let you know that it is not getting what it needs. These could include:

• Hair. Vitamin C, zinc or iron deficiencies can damage your hair follicles as can a diet insufficient in protein or essential fatty acids, resulting in dry, brittle or thinning hair.
• Skin.Healthy-looking skin requires vitamins A, C and D as well as antioxidants.
• Teeth and gums.Calcium is vital for bones strength while vitamin C can help heal swollen and bleeding gums.
• Weight.If you experience unexplained wright loss or gain, your diet may be lacking in vital nutrients.
• Gastrointestinal issues.Remember the chorus of the famous Pepto Bismol jingle “Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea…”? Those are just a few of the less-than-subtle signs your body can send you that it is not getting what it needs!
• Illness.If it feels like you constantly catching the bug of the day or simply feel run down, your immune system might be sending you a signal that it needs some support.
• Wounds.Vitamins are essential to help everyday cuts and bruises to heal, including vitamins A, B12 and C. If minor injuries seem slow to heal, nutrient deficiency may be to blame.
• Concentration.Struggling to concentrate or a foggy memory can be a sign that your brain is not getting enough nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids.²

Nutrient deficiencies can result in serious consequences, from weakened bones and immune systems to muscle cramps/weakness, low red blood cell counts, and irregular heartbeats.² If you see signs of nutrient deficiency in yourself, give your doctor a call.

Are your prescriptions to blame?

Undoubtedly, every time you have picked up a prescription, you have received a printout of possible side effects. What you might not be reading, however, is about how those same life-saving medications could interfere with your body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients.

While most medications that are used short-term are unlikely to lead to nutrient deficiencies, some common medications used to treat chronic illnesses and ailments can. These include:

• Statins. These cholesterol-lowering drugs can inhibit the production of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
• Acid reflux and heartburn medicines. Proton-pump (PPIs) used to alleviate reflux can cause low calcium, magnesium and B12 levels.
• Anticonvulsants: These vital medications can interfere with calcium, vitamin D and folic acid absorption.^2,3,4
• Corticosteroids: These anti-inflammatory medications can reduce levels of calcium, potassium and vitamin D.
• Diuretics. Used to lower blood pressure, diuretics can also deprive your body of magnesium, potassium, zinc, and calcium.
• Metformin. A common drug used by diabetics, metformin can reduce levels of folic acid and vitamin B12.
• Oral contraceptives: Estrogens can lead to folic acid and magnesium depletion.^2,4

What you can do

If you are aware of the potential risks, you can avoid complications by adding supplements to ensure you are getting the micronutrients you need. So how do you know if the medications you are taking might be causing a micronutrient depletion? Talk to your doctor and your pharmacist about all possible side effects of any medication you are taking, including nutrient depletion. Before reaching for the nearest supplement, ask your pharmacist which ones might best benefit you and confirm that they won’t interfere with the effectiveness of any of the medications you are taking.

We’re here to help

Like all medications, adding vitamins and/or supplements to you diet should be considered carefully, particularly if you take prescription medications. Always let your pharmacist know all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter remedies and supplements. We are always here for you.

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

Sources

1. Harvard Medical School: Are your medications causing nutrient deficiency? https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/are-your-medications-causing-nutrient-deficiency Last accessed: February 24, 2020
2. ActiveBeat: 8 Physical Signs of a Poor Diet https://www.activebeat.com/diet-nutrition/8-physical-signs-of-a-poor-diet/ Last accessed: February 24, 2020
3. GoodRx: Low on Vitamin D? Your Medications Could Be to Blame https://www.goodrx.com/blog/vitamin-d-deficiency-medication-side-effects/ Last accessed: February 24, 2020
4. U.S. Pharmacist: Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletions: What Pharmacists Need to Know https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/druginduced-nutrient-depletions-what-pharmacists-need-to-know Last accessed: February 24, 2020.

Posted on Fri, February 28, 2020 by Health Mart

Keeping Score: Tracking Your Health Goals

It seems that everyone has a fitness tracker these days, doesn’t it? Whether your goal is as simple as drinking more water or as difficult as trying to quit smoking, keeping track can help you achieve your health goals.1,2
You know what you want, now create your personal roadmap to get there. Creating and maintaining a “health scorecard” can help you get started on your journey to improved health – and give you the push you need when the going gets tough.

10 steps to create your personal scorecard

1. Define your goals. What do you want to achieve?
2. Develop your strategy. How are you going to get from A to Z?
3. Define your objectives. You are not going to stick to it if you don’t know why you are doing it. You know what you want to accomplish, but do you know why?
4. Create your map. How are you going to reach your goals? Be specific.
5. Measure your progress. How will you determine if you are moving towards your goal? Steps walked, hours slept, the amount of time you were active per week, the number of cigarettes smoked, your blood pressure, etc. – how will you measure progress?
6. Assign yourself tasks. When your boss gives you a job to do, you get it done, right? Make
   yourself your own boss.
7. Keep track. Create your own personal tracker in a spreadsheet.3 Ask friends for good apps that they have tried.1 Put that fitness tracker to use. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just use what works for you.
8. Evaluate your progress. It’s easy to lose sight of the progress you’re making, even feel like you’re not making any at all. Check your scorecard from time to time to see where you are and remind yourself where you started. Adjust your plan as necessary.
9. Make yourself accountable. Your goal was to be active four days this week, and you only
   managed two? You vowed to eat healthier but couldn’t resist that piece of cake? Own it. Keep yourself accountable and write it down.
10. Stick with it. You’re not going to get from A to Z overnight. You’re going to stumble, lose
    motivation from time to time, get frustrated. It’s okay. Just keep moving forward.

Keeping yourself aware – and accountable

Putting your goals in writing and then tracking your progress can significantly help you reach your objectives. That doesn’t mean the simply entering the information into your tracker guarantees success – you still need to put in the actual work – but data supports that it does help boost your motivation.3 Most importantly, it keeps you aware and serves as a reminder why you started this journey in the first place.
Reaching your health goals is a journey, and by defining, mapping and then tracking the steps along the way, you can chart your way to better health.

We’re here to help

Whatever your healthcare goal for 2020, your Health Mart pharmacist is here to help.
Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

Sources

1. Time Magazine: Need Some Help Reaching Your Goals? Try These 5 Habit-Tracking Apps https://time.com/5621109/best-habit-tracking-apps/ Last accessed: December 13, 2019.
2. Runner’s World: Do Fitness Trackers Actually Improve Your Health?https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a28613768/fitness-tracker-benefits-study/ Last accessed: December 13, 2019.
3. Forbes: The Personal Balanced Scorecard: A Tool For Your Own End-Of-Year Review https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinawallace/2016/12/24/the-personal-balanced-scorecard/#339772ee5a65 Last accessed: December 13, 2019.