Hidden Side-Effects: Common Medicines May Be Depleting Your Vitamins and Minerals
Hidden Side-Effects: Common Medicines May Be Depleting Your Vitamins and Minerals
From aspirin to birth control pills, long-term use of everyday drugs may quietly drain the body’s vitamin and mineral reserves, leading to health issues often mistaken for unrelated problems.
Medicines are designed to heal, but experts caution that prolonged use of certain drugs can rob the body of key nutrients. Over time, this nutrient depletion may cause fatigue, weaker immunity, bone loss, or metabolic issues that patients and even doctors might misattribute to lifestyle or aging. Dietitian and Nutritionist Garima Goyal highlights how widely used medications from painkillers to antacids can alter the body’s ability to absorb or utilize vitamins and minerals.
Aspirin and Vitamin C
While aspirin is commonly prescribed to reduce pain, inflammation, or cardiovascular risks, research shows it may interfere with the absorption of vitamin C. This disruption can compromise immunity and slow down healing.
Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been linked with reduced levels of magnesium, B-vitamins (especially B6, B12, and folate), and vitamin C. Long-term use may leave women vulnerable to fatigue, mood changes, and poor metabolic function.
Antacids and Mineral Deficiency
Frequent use of antacids for acidity or reflux can interfere with the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and iron. This can gradually weaken bones and increase the risk of anemia.
Antibiotics and Gut Health
Antibiotics are vital for fighting infections, but they may disrupt the gut microbiome, affecting vitamin K and certain B vitamins. This imbalance can have ripple effects on digestion and immunity.
Statins and Coenzyme Q10
Widely used to lower cholesterol, statins are known to reduce levels of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a nutrient critical for energy production in cells. Low CoQ10 can result in fatigue and muscle weakness.
Steroids and Bone Health
Long-term steroid use can disturb calcium and vitamin D metabolism, leading to fragile bones, increased fracture risk, and impaired healing.
Glutathione – The Master Antioxidant
Goyal stresses the importance of glutathione, the body’s natural “master antioxidant,” which is often depleted with chronic medication use. Reduced glutathione levels impair detoxification and accelerate cellular damage.
While medications remain essential for managing many health conditions, experts recommend monitoring nutrient levels in long-term users. Dietary adjustments, targeted supplementation, and medical supervision can help offset the silent toll these drugs may take on the body.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Medications should never be stopped or altered without consulting a qualified healthcare professional. If you are on long-term medication, speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian about possible nutrient deficiencies and safe ways to manage them.
