The definition of a Drug Induced Nutrient Depletions (DIND) is quite simple, you take a medication and over time it depletes a necessary nutrient from your body. This is a subject that you will be hearing more and more about and it can have a significant effect on your long-term health if it is not addressed.

One of the most commonly recognized forms of this is taking a water pill also called a diuretic that depletes potassium from your system. Your practitioner monitors potassium closely and will often times prescribe a potassium supplement to counteract what is going on in your body.

Here are some of the side effects to low potassium:

•Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles.

•Tingling or numbness.

•Nausea or vomiting.

•Abdominal cramping, bloating and constipation.

•Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)

Unfortunately diuretics are not the only medications that can cause DIND’s. A class of compounds called statins is famous for depleting the body of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which can cause muscle aches and other troublesome side effects. CoQ10 is required for the conversion of carbohydrates to ATP, which is energy and it happens in the mitochondria of our cells. It is hard to function without energy production so depletion can have significant consequences. Energy production is accomplished by good nutrition from our diets but also by replacing CoQ10 being depleted by statin drugs.

Magnesium is another nutrient that is commonly depleted. I have talked about magnesium in previous articles and how it plays a role in approximately 300 functions in the body. There are over 100 medicines that cause magnesium depletion such as diuretics, atenolol, omeprazole, estrogen, and numerous antibiotics such as doxycycline.

How do you know if you are taking medications that deplete nutrients? The best way would be to ask your practitioner or pharmacist. The solution is often an easy fix with replacing the nutrient being depleted. If you want to dig deeper, micronutrient testing from a company such as Spectrocell is an option.

Stop by the pharmacy for more information on DIND and for help in reviewing your current medications for potential depletions. Until next time, be vigilant about your health!!