CAUSES OF NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES :
- Malabsorption of nutrients
- An increased requirement of nutrients in certain people and conditions can lead to deficiencies which include.
- Heavy alcohol drinkers ( may be deficient in vitamin B1
- Cigarette smokers can become deficient in Vitamins E, C, Beta-carotene and in the mineral selenium
- Recreational drug users
- Certain health conditions like anemia in pregnancy and sickle cell disease
- Dieters
- Pregnant women can be deficient in Iron ( I was during my pregnancies)
- The elderly
- Drug Users
- Prescription drug users in some people
- Nursing mothers can be deficient in Folic acid , Vitamins B6, B1, E
- People with poor diet
- People either chronic diseases
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS :
I’ll focus on just a few of Prescription medicines that can cause depletion and this deficiencies
Anti-depressants like SSRI’s eg Prozac can cause a depletion of CALCIUM & VITAMIN D
Cholesterol lowering drugs like STATINS eg simvastatin cause depletion of VITAMINS D and E, BETA-CAROTENE and CoENZYMEQ10
Oral Contraceptives cause a depletion of VITAMINS B6, B9(folic acid ) , E,and the following minerals : SELENIUM, ZINC. MAGNESIUM , CALCIUM and CoQ10
Anti-Hypertensive drugs like Amlodipine and Lisinopril can cause depletion of VITAMIN B1, ZINC, POTASSIUM, FOLIC ACID, CALCIUM and MAGNESIUM
Antibiotics like Penicillin, Amoxicillin and Ciprofloxacin can cause a depletion of VITAMINS B12 , B1 , B2 , B3 , B6, B9 ( FOLIC ACID) A, D, K and the following minerals ; CALCIUM MAGNESIUM, POTASSIUM and IRON
For people who just pop antacids and other acid suppressing drugs like Zantac , Nexium here’s what they deplete you of :
VITAMINS B12, C, BETA-CAROTENE and these minerals ZINC, CALCIUM, IRON, MAGNESIUM
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION :
A quick look at Alcohol consumption and depletion of B1: 80% of people who drink excessive amounts of develop Vitamin B1 deficiency . The heavy consumption of alcohol causes an inflammation of the stomach lining and digestive tract which then reduces the body’s ability to absorb vitamins
All these deficiencies can lead to chronic illnesses that can be prevented
Have you had your nutrients level checked recently?
Please feel free to comment
