Is your medication depleting your body of its nutrients?

Medications and side effects typically go hand in hand unfortunately. If one can prevent needing medication in the first place, well, that is optimal, isn't it?

One of the consequences is often the result of becoming nutrient deficient. If you can identify a risk early on, and course correct, the less consequences you'll have to suffer.

Here's a list of common medications to check which may predispose you to a deficiency:

Synthroid (levothyroxine): causes calcium to be lost in the urine.

Statins: interferes with coenzyme Q10, vitamin K2 and selenium.

PPI's (proton pump inhibitors) (Nexium, Omeprazole): depletes B12, folic acid, calcium, magnesium iron, zinc, chromium, beta carotene and vitamin C.

Albuterol (Ventolin): depletes calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphate.

Salmeterol (Advair): depletes calcium, magnesium, phosphate and potassium.

ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker): depletes magnesium, potassium and zinc.

Insulin: depletes DHEA which is the precursor to testosterone and estrogens in the body.

Anti-depressants (most): deplete coenzyme Q10, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B6 and melatonin.

Additional common medications:

Antibiotics: There are trillions of bacteria in our gut. Once we take antibiotics, many of them are killed off and can't be replaced with pre or probiotics. This compromises the strength of our immune system each time we need to take these. Most of them also deplete vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, folate, biotin and vitamin K. Streptomycin also depletes magnesium and potassium. Tetracycline also depletes calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and potassium.

Anti-seizure medications: Carbamazepine depletes biotin, folic acid, acetyl l-carnitine, calcium, zinc and vitamins D, E and K. Phenytoin depletes biotin, folic acid, acetyl l-carnitine, vitamins B1, B12, D, E, K calcium and zinc. Valproic acid depletes folic acid, acetyl l-carnitine, vitamin B3 and zinc.

Anxiety medication (Xanax, Valium): deplete melatonin.

Cardiac medications: Statins interfere with coenzyme Q10, vitamin K2 and selenium.

Hydralazine depletes vitamin B6. Catopril depletes zinc. Bile acid sequestrants deplete beta carotene, vitamins A, E and K.

Depression medications: Tricyclics (amytriptyline) deplete coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B2. SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft): deplete iodine. MAO's (monoamine oxidase): deplete vitamin B6.

Diabetic medications: Metformin depletes coenzyme Q10, folic acid, B1, B6 and B12. Insulin depletes DHEA.

Diuretics: Lasix depletes calcium, magnesium, potassium, folic acid, vitamins B1, B6 and C. Thiazide depletes magnesium, potassium, zinc, folic acid and vitamin B1.

Gastrointestinal medications: Antacids deplete calcium, phosphorus, chromium, folic acid and iron, H-2 blockers (Pepcid, Zantac) deplete calcium, chromium, folic acid, vitamin B12 and zinc. PPI's (Omeprazole) deplete beta carotene, calcium, chromium, folic acid, iron, vitamins B12 and C and zinc.

Hormone medications: Synthroid depletes calcium. Estrogen replacement (Estrace, FemPatch, Premarin, Prempro) deplete folic acid, magnesium, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, A, C and zinc. Birth control pills (containing estrogen) deplete folic acid, magnesium, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, A, C and zinc.

Laxatives and Enemas: Enemas using mineral oil deplete beta carotene, calcium, vitamins A, D, E and K and phosphate salts. Stimulant laxatives (Senokot, Correctol, Dulcolax) deplete potassium, calcium and vitamin D.

Pain medications: Acetaminophen (Tylenol): depletes glutathione, our master anti-oxidant which is very important for immune function. Aspirin depletes folic acid, iron and vitamin C. NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) (Ibuprofen): depletes iron and folic acid. Steroid medications (oral or inhaled): depletes calcium, vitamin D, chromium, folic acid, magnesium strontium, DHEA and zinc.

Rheumatic/Anti-Gout medications: Methotrexate depletes folic acid, glutathione and superoxide dismutase (another very important anti-oxidant). Colchicine depletes beta carotene and vitamin B12.

There are often healthier substitutes one can choose. Check with a trusted health care provider if any of these options may be for you. Also ask how you can safely replenish lost nutrients if you think you're at risk from long term use of any of the above medications. If there are any other medications not on this list that you want to check you can go to http://www.mytavin.com