NSAIDs
Aspirin, along with a number of other NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) are used by many Americans not only for pain relief, but also to help thin the blood to reduce risk for stroke or heart attack. What you may not know is that it can also deplete folate and vitamin C from your system, making you more susceptible to cold, flu, and other infections that someone with normal levels may not be. Low levels of folate have also been linked to increased risk for various cancers including breast and colon cancer.

Calcium Channel Blockers
Used to treat high blood pressure, most people are more familiar with diuretics than calcium channel blockers. While it seems to be common knowledge that diuretics (which cause water excretion) can cause the depletion of important nutrients, it’s less known that calcium channel blockers can cause the same effect. The major nutrient lost because of this is potassium, which low levels of can cause fatigue and weakness of muscles. Because of this, blood pressure can rise in response to the added stress- which completely negates the intended use of the drug in the first place.

Fibrates
Prescribed to patients who have trouble managing cholesterol with statin drugs, fibrates can help to raise HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol) as well as triglycerides. On the downside of this equation, they can also lower natural levels of both vitamin E and coenzyme Q10. Low levels of vitamin E can increase risk for nerve disorders, heart disease, and cancer to name a few. Deficiencies in CoQ10 will usually result in muscle weakness and sometimes pain.

Diabetes drugs
The most popular oral medication for diabetes, metformin, makes cells more responsive to insulin and reduces weight gain and excessively low blood glucose better than other drugs. In addition to lowering blood sugar, it also lowers levels of vitamin B-12 and folate. Depleted levels of these vital nutrients can lead to bouts with depression, forgetfulness, and fatigue.

• Magnesium

Magnesium deficiencies can lead to numerous health conditions, but did you know that high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, was one of them? Magnesium helps balance calcium in your system by dilating the muscles in arteries that calcium causes to contract. If magnesium levels are too low, the muscles in the artery walls stay constricted and cause more pressure on the blood flowing through them. Not many foods other than fish are very high in magnesium, so a supplement or fish oil capsules are a good alternative to help keep balance as well as provide other helpful nutrients like vitamin d and omega 3 fatty acids.

• Potassium

The body’s cells need a balance of minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium in order to function. Most people ingest more sodium through salt and carbonated drinks than they do potassium, and this can cause an imbalance between the two. When sodium levels are too high, the kidneys may struggle to dispose of it, and in some cases vascular systems near them will close off in order to raise blood pressure, which will in turn push the kidneys to dump the excess waste products your body doesn’t need or want. Potassium supplements are available to help keep balance, but you can also get plenty from fruits and green vegetables, and even some fish like tuna or halibut.

• Garlic

Garlic contains an organic compound called allicin, which has been shown to affect lipids in the bloodstream. This can reduce cholesterol, and its damaging effects to the walls of your blood vessels. Supplements are available if you’re concerned about odor issues from whole garlic, although you get the maximum benefits of it when taken whole. Two to three cloves per day are recommended for treating hypertension.

• Fats

Everyone knows how bad saturated and trans fats are, but are you aware of the positive benefits of those good fats that exist? Polyunsaturated fats can help improve the levels of the good forms of cholesterol in your system, and also help keep blood pressure down. These are found mostly in plants like corn, soy, safflower and sunflower, whereas unhealthy saturated fats are mostly found in meats and dairy products.