Here are a few more important drug nutrient interactions that you should know about. Ask your doctor, ND, MD or pharmacist for more information regarding dosages and herbal interactions. Keep in mind that this area is very new and research is very preliminary and non-conclusive in many cases at present.

Digoxin is drug used to improve the pumping ability of the heart in various heart conditions. It may lower magnesium and potassium levels. Digoxin increases elimination of magnesium from the body. The best way to determine magnesium is red blood cell magnesium as serum or plasma levels are not as sensitive. Magnesium is quite safe to supplement in any case. However before you take potassium, check with your doctor first. Your potassium levels should be checked before any supplementation is taken.

Corticosteroids are used to treat inflammatory conditions as well as autoimmune diseases. They come in many forms including inhalations and creams. The oral forms contribute to the following deficiencies: calcium and Vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, B6, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), melatonin, Vitamin K, Vitamin C and zinc.

Metformin a common drug to treat elevated blood sugars as found in diabetes. It decreases folic acid and B12 levels and thus elevates blood levels of homocysteine, a blood protein associated with an increase risk of heart disease. Supplementing with B12 and folic acid easily and safely prevents this.

The statin drugs are a class of drugs used to lower elevated cholesterol and include drugs such as Mevacor and Lipitor. The biggest deficiency this causes is Coenzyme Q10. This is important to know as Coenzyme Q10 is most important for the strength of the heart muscle, reduces blood pressure, aids circulation and plays a critical role in the production of energy in every cell in the body. Make sure your doctor prescribes this one for you. Mevacor can also cause liver toxicity so taking milk thistle with it as well reduces this risk.

Thiazide diuretics are a family of drugs that remove water from the body to lower blood pressure and reduce water accumulation caused by other diseases. They are commonly known to deplete potassium but they also deplete magnesium, calcium, and zinc.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants such as Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft and Paxil

deplete sodium, folic acid and melatonin. They also should not be given with L-Tryptophan, 5HTP or St. John’s Wort without proper medical supervision as these potentiate the effects of these drugs causing elevated level of serotonin. The symptoms of too much serotonin are sweating, dizziness, agitation, restlessness, muscle twitching and mental confusion.

Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil, Imipramine and Norpramin are the older antidepressants. They are not serotonin related at all. They may cause deficiency of Coenzyme Q10, and the studies indicate that vitamin B supplementation improves the efficacy of these drugs when given to the elderly. L-Tryptophan and Vitamin B3 in therapeutic doses was shown to more effective than imipramine alone for people with bipolar disorder and they make tricyclic antidepressants work better.

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) which is used to reduce swelling, pain and fever. It is also recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease. It depletes folic acid, iron, vitamin C, and zinc. There is some research that when aspirin is taken with Vitamin E it increases the risk of bleeding. If aspirin is taken to reduce the risk of heart disease, I suggest that the blood thinning effect of Vitamin E, Gingko, flaxoil and Vitamin C is much better for you than the aspirin. Aspirin depletes iron by causing gastrointestinal bleeding a common side effect.

I hope this information will allow you to make the most of your medical treatment program.

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine for 14years and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She welcomes your questions and comments at 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com

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