The topic I cover in this post is very important and affects so many people, but before getting deeper into it I first want to give you a brief overview on how medications- all medications– impact important nutrients. I’ve chosen to focus on blood pressure medications because of the enormous amount of people that are currently on these prescribed medications.
HOW MEDICATIONS AFFECT NUTRIENTS
The following are a few ways that blood pressure medications can affect how our bodies absorb essential nutrients.
- The medication can attach itself to a nutrient and pass it out of the body
- The medication can alter the pH in the gut so that the nutrient can’t be properly absorbed
- Some medications need specific nutrients in order for them to be able to work.
The Following are Blood Pressure Medications, Nutrients Commonly Depleted and the Negative Impact of the Deficient Nutrients
ACE INHIBITORS
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors) are one of the most commonly used families of blood pressure medicines. Examples include; ramipril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, fosinopril, trandolapril and captopril.
Nutrients that can be depleted by these medicines are zinc, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, each of which are paramount to maintain health.
Deficiencies in these nutrients can cause hair loss, slow healing of wounds, loss of taste or smell, prostate problems, loss of sex drive, frequent infections, leg cramps, weight gain, bone loss, high blood pressure, and a higher risk of cancer.
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS
These are another commonly used family of blood pressure medicines. Examples include amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine, diltiazem and verapamil.
Nutrients that can be depleted by these medicines are potassium, calcium, vitamin D and possibly Co-Enzyme Q10.
Symptoms that can occur due to deficiencies in these nutrients are fatigue, leg cramps, frequent infections, thirst, muscle weakness, bone loss, confusion, high blood pressure, confusion, heart disease and rapid or irregular heartbeat.
BETA BLOCKERS
Examples of beta blockers include atenolol, metoprolol, sotalol and bisoprolol.
Beta blockers can deplete the body of Co-Enzyme Q10 and melatonin.
Symptoms that can occur due to deficiencies in these nutrients are insomnia, disrupted sleep, increased risk of cancer, autoimmune disorders, muscle cramps, memory loss.
CENTRALLY ACTING BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS
Clonidine and methyldopa are examples of this.
These blood pressure medications can deplete Co-Enzyme Q10.
Depletion of Co-Enzyme Q10 can result in fatigue, weakness, muscle and leg cramps, memory loss, frequent infection, liver damage, higher risk of heart attack, higher risk of cancer.
Conclusion
The above blood pressure medications may in fact cause nutrient deficiencies making it more important to consider supplementing with these nutrients to decrease the negative symptom consequences
IMPORTANT
Always discuss this important information on blood pressure nutrient deficiencies with the healthcare provider prescribing the medication. Preventing these deficiencies will go a long way in helping you achieve “the best performance of your life!”
References:
Pharmavite. Common drug classes, drug-nutrient depletions, & drug-nutrient interactions. www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/about_us/sponsored_resources/Nature%20Made%20Handout.pdf. Accessed September 20, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874849/
https://nutritionreview.org/2016/12/practical-guide-avoiding-drug-induced-nutrient-depletion/
