14 Nutrients That May Be Depleted by These Widely Used Medications

3. The Iron Curtain: Antibiotics and Mineral Absorption

Certain antibiotics (like tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones) and even those calcium-rich antacids can wage war on your iron absorption by binding to it in the gut, making it unusable. This can lead to fatigue and low energy. The ingenious trick is timing: take your iron supplement at least two hours before or four to six hours after these specific medications. This "safe window" ensures both the drug and the mineral can do their jobs effectively without interference.

4. Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin's Shadow

Corticosteroids (like prednisone) and some anti-seizure drugs can cast a shadow over your Vitamin D levels by accelerating its breakdown or interfering with its metabolism. This impacts not just bone health but also immunity and mood. An ingenious way to fight back, besides food sources like fatty fish, is to seek out UV-exposed mushrooms – they naturally synthesize Vitamin D! Regular testing and doctor-guided supplementation are key if you're on these long-term medications.