Medications often cause nutritional deficiencies that are not listed on their labels. This is true for every drug, though most people are unaware of this fact.
Common Medications and Their Nutritional Impacts
Metformin
This medication depletes the body of:
• 💊 Vitamin B12
• 💊 Coenzyme Q10
• 💊 Magnesium
Birth Control
Birth control pills are particularly problematic, causing deficiencies in:
• 💊 Almost all B vitamins
• 💊 Magnesium
Women coming off birth control often experience major Candida and yeast issues. There’s speculation that these deficiencies, especially in B vitamins, may contribute to hypothyroidism.
Long-term Effects of Birth Control
Many women start taking birth control at 14-15 years old. After about 10 years, some receive hypothyroid diagnoses in their 20s. While there’s no definitive proof, some healthcare providers suspect a connection.
Importance of B Vitamins
B vitamins are crucial for:
• 🧬 Genetic methylation
• 🧠 Downregulating catecholamines
• 🚽 Intestinal motility
Nutrient deficiencies caused by medications can lead to a range of seemingly unrelated health issues.
Additional Facts
• 📊 According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, women who use hormonal contraceptives have 40% lower levels of vitamin B6 and 20% lower levels of vitamin B12 compared to non-users.
• 🧪 Research in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that oral contraceptive use is associated with lower serum concentrations of vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E, as well as beta-carotene, zinc, and selenium.
• 🩺 A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that long-term use of oral contraceptives might impair folate metabolism, potentially increasing the risk of neural tube defects in offspring if conception occurs soon after discontinuation.
• 🦴 The World Health Organization has stated that the use of oral contraceptives may contribute to decreased bone mineral density in some women, particularly those using progestogen-only injectable contraceptives.
These findings underscore the importance of discussing potential nutritional impacts with healthcare providers when starting any new medication, especially long-term treatments like birth control.
