Union Medical Pharmacy

Why you need nutrient supplements?

The body can naturally produce some nutrients (e.g. various types of fatty acids), but the bulk of nutrients have to be obtained from foods and supplements. There are six (6) essential nutrients that the human body requires:

• Carbohydrates. Carbs fuel your body, especially your central nervous system and brain, and protect against disease.  Keep in mind that the type of carb you eat matters. Some carbs are healthier than others. Opt for whole grains, beans, and fiber-rich vegetables and fruits instead of refined grains and products with added sugar.
  
• Fats. Recent research has shown that healthy fats are an important part of a healthy diet.  According to the Harvard Medical School, fat supports many of your body’s functions such as vitamin and mineral absorption, blood clotting, building cells, and muscle movement.  Yes, fat is high in calories, but those calories are an important energy source for your body.  Healthy fats (unsaturated fats) have been show to promote balanced blood sugar, decreased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and improved brain function. They are also powerful anti-inflammatories, and may lower the risk of arthritis, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.  The unsaturated fats that you should strive to eat are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Unsaturated fats are important for your body as they provide essential fatty acids your body can’t make. You can find these healthy fats in nuts, seeds, fish, and vegetable oils (like olive, avocado, and flaxseed).  You should look to minimize unhealthy (saturated) animal-based fats like butter, cheese, and ice cream.
  
• Vitamins. Vitamins are vital for warding off disease and staying healthy. Vitamins are considered micronutrients as they are required in much smaller amounts than protein, carbohydrate and fat.  There are 13 essential vitamins that the body needs to function properly, including vitamins A, C, B₆, and D.  Each vitamin plays an important role in the body, and not getting enough of them can cause health problems and disease. Many Americans do not get enough of many essential vitamins. Vitamins are essential for healthy vision, skin, and bones.  Vitamins may lower the risk of lung and prostate cancer, and they’re powerful antioxidants. Vitamins like vitamin C boost the immune system and help the body heal.  If you eat a varied, well-balanced diet full of vegetables and fruits, and have a normal and healthy functioning digestive tract, you likely don’t need to take vitamin supplements.
  
• Minerals. Much like vitamins, minerals help support the body. Minerals are essential for many body functions, including building strong bones and teeth, regulating your metabolism, and staying properly hydrated. Some of the most common minerals are calcium, iron, and zinc.  In addition to strengthening bones, calcium helps with nerve signal transmission, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and muscle contraction and relaxation. Iron supports your red blood cells and hormone creation, while zinc boosts your immune system and wound healing.
  
• Water. The human body can survive for weeks without food, but can’t last more than a few days without water. Water is absolutely crucial for every system in your body. It’s also the main thing you are made of.  About 62 percent of your body weight is water.  Water improves brain function and mood, acting as a shock absorber and lubricant in the body. It also helps flush out toxins, carry nutrients to cells, hydrate and prevent constipation.  Even mild dehydration can make you feel tired and impair your concentration and physical performance.

Nutrient Depletion

Union Medical Pharmacy does not recommend the use of nutrients without a specific reason.  In theory, a healthy diet should provide all of the essential nutrients. However, sometimes diet habits combined with medications and diseases that deplete nutrients can affect the bodies natural balance.

Drug and disease induced nutrient depletion is often an overlooked side effect of diseases and prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.  Many medications and chronic diseases can cause the body to use up additional nutrients.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many Americans experience nutrient deficiency, especially involving micronutrients like iron, iodine, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, calcium, and magnesium.

Nutrient depletions can have serious side effects and reduce the efficacy of medications.  They may exacerbate or cause a range of health problems, from unhealthy weight loss and anemia due to malnutrition to bone disease, heart problems, and degenerative disorders.

How to know if you should explore nutrient depletions and supplementation?

At a high-level you should be aware of some of the more common types of nutrient-depleting medications and diseases and how they can affect you over time.

•  Antibiotics. Antibiotics, belonging to the drug classes, cephalosporins, macrolides, and penicillins are linked to vitamin K and several vitamin B deficiencies. This depletion is thought to happen as a result of the interference of the normal intestinal microflora.
• Anticonvulsants. Specifically, carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin) are linked to a depletion of vitamin D and, in turn, can affect calcium levels. Patients taking these anticonvulsants are recommended to have their vitamin D and calcium levels monitored. Depending on their levels, supplementation may be necessary.
• Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Antihistamines. Corticosteroids and antihistamines may cause a depletion of melatonin, as well as vitamins A, B9, B12, C, and D. This may lead to insomnia, issues with vision, and anemia. Corticosteroids are linked to a depletion of calcium.
• Antihypertensives, Loop diuretics and thiazides. The use of these agents may result in a depletion of potassium and magnesium and require supplementation. There is some documentation suggesting ACE inhibitors are linked to a zinc depletion. Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs such as statins are linked to a depletion of Coenzyme Q10. This enzyme is responsible for many functions in the body, including serving as an antioxidant.
• Antidiabetics. Certain diabetes have been linked vitamin B12 depletion. In fact, the package insert of certain antidiabetics recommend that patients who are at an increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiency get vitamin B12 levels drawn at two to three-year intervals.
• Acid-Reducing Medications. A number of acid-reducing medications that are avalable both over the counter and prescription have been linked to depletions of vitamin B12, calcium, folic acid, iron, and zinc.