12/06/2026
COMMON MEDICATIONS THAT CAN AFFECT NUTRIENT STATUS
Medications can be life changing and, for many people, absolutely necessary.
What is less commonly discussed is that some medications can alter how nutrients are absorbed, used, stored or excreted.
This does not mean anyone should stop their medication.
It simply means that understanding the biology may help explain why some people develop symptoms over time.
💊 ANTACIDS (PPIs and H2 blockers)
Stomach acid is needed to release nutrients from food.
Reducing stomach acid can affect the absorption of vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc.
Over time this may impact oxygen delivery, energy production, neurological function and bone health.
💨 ASTHMA INHALERS (Beta agonists)
These medications can increase urinary losses of magnesium and potassium while increasing cellular demand during periods of airway stress.
Magnesium and potassium are important for muscle function, nerve signalling and energy production.
💊 CORTICOSTEROIDS
Steroids can increase the loss of calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc while also affecting vitamin D metabolism.
These nutrients are essential for immune regulation, muscle function, bone maintenance and cellular repair.
🌸 HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Hormone metabolism relies on nutrients such as B6, B12, folate, magnesium and zinc.
As demand for hormone processing increases, so can the demand for the nutrients involved in those pathways.
🧠 ANTIDEPRESSANTS
Antidepressants do not directly cause all of these deficiencies, but long term use may influence appetite, gut function, metabolism and nutrient utilisation.
Nutrients commonly discussed alongside mood and neurotransmitter pathways include B12, folate, magnesium, zinc and CoQ10.
❤️ BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS (especially diuretics)
Diuretics work by increasing fluid excretion.
Unfortunately, minerals such as potassium and magnesium can be lost along with that fluid.
These minerals are critical for cardiovascular, muscular and neurological function.
💊 BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
Research has shown that oral contraceptives can affect levels of B6, folate, B12, magnesium and zinc.
These nutrients are involved in methylation, hormone metabolism, neurotransmitter production and energy generation.
❤️ STATINS
Statins block part of the cholesterol production pathway.
The same pathway is also involved in the production of CoQ10, a key compound used in mitochondrial energy production.
Some people therefore experience lower CoQ10 levels during long term use.
💊 ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotics target bacteria.
Unfortunately, they do not always distinguish between harmful bacteria and beneficial bacteria.
Changes in the gut microbiome can influence the production, absorption and recycling of nutrients including vitamin K and several B vitamins.
🩸 METFORMIN
One of the best documented medication nutrient interactions.
Long term metformin use has been associated with reduced vitamin B12 absorption in some individuals.
Vitamin B12 is essential for neurological function, red blood cell production and methylation.
💊 PAIN RELIEVERS (NSAIDs)
Long term use may affect the stomach lining and gastrointestinal tract.
This can potentially influence the absorption of iron, B12, folate, magnesium and zinc.
⚡ ANTI EPILEPTIC MEDICATIONS
Some anti epileptic medications can affect vitamin D, folate, B6, B12, calcium and zinc metabolism.
These nutrients are involved in neurological signalling, bone health and cellular repair.
The important takeaway is this:
Most medications do not create problems because they are "bad."
They create additional nutritional demands because the body must absorb, metabolise, transport and eliminate them while still carrying out thousands of normal biological processes every second.
The question is not whether a medication is necessary.
The question is whether the body has sufficient nutritional resources available to support both the medication and the person taking it.
Follow for more and book in for your body scan.
