I first want to give you a brief overview of how medications impact essential nutrients.

HOW MEDICATIONS AFFECT NUTRIENTS

The following are a few ways blood pressure medications can affect how our bodies absorb essential nutrients. 

• The medication can attach itself to a nutrient and pass it out of the body
• The Rx drug can alter the pH in the gut so that the nutrient can’t be absorbed appropriately
• Some medications need specific nutrients for them to be able to work.

The Following are Blood Pressure Medications, Nutrients Commonly Depleted, and the Negative Impact of the Deficient Nutrients

ACE INHIBITORS

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors) are among the most commonly used families of blood pressure medicines. Examples include; ramipril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, fosinopril, trandolapril and captopril.

Nutrients that these medicines can deplete are zinc, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.

Deficiencies in these nutrients can cause hair loss, slow healing of wounds, taste or smell, prostate problems, loss of sex drive, frequent infections, leg cramps, weight gain, bone loss, high blood pressure, and a higher risk of cancer.

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

Another commonly used family of blood pressure medicines. Examples include; amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil.

Nutrients that these medicines can deplete are potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and possibly Co-Enzyme Q10.

Symptoms due to deficiencies in these nutrients are fatigue, leg cramps, frequent infections, thirst, muscle weakness, bone loss, confusion, high blood pressure, confusion, heart disease, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.

BETA-BLOCKERS

Examples of beta-blockers include; atenolol, metoprolol, sotalol, and bisoprolol.

Beta-blockers can deplete the body of Co-Enzyme Q10 and melatonin.

Symptoms due to deficiencies in these nutrients are insomnia, disrupted sleep, increased risk of cancer, autoimmune disorders, muscle cramps, and memory loss.

CENTRALLY ACTING BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATIONS

Clonidine and methyldopa are examples of this.

These blood pressure medications can deplete Co-Enzyme Q10.

Depletion of Co-Enzyme Q10 can result in fatigue, weakness, muscle and leg cramps, memory loss, frequent infection, liver damage, a higher risk of heart attack, and a higher risk of cancer.

Conclusion

The above blood pressure medications may cause nutrient deficiencies making it more important to consider supplementing with these nutrients to decrease the negative symptom consequences.

IMPORTANT

Discuss this critical information on blood pressure nutrient deficiencies with your Functional Medicine Healthcare Provider.

References:

Pharmavite. Standard drug classes, drug-nutrient depletions, & drug-nutrient interactions. www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/about_us/sponsored_resources/Nature%20Made%20Handout.pdf.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874849/

https://nutritionreview.org/2016/12/practical-guide-avoiding-drug-induced-nutrient-depletion/