14 Nutrients That May Be Depleted by These Widely Used Medications

9. Coenzyme Q10: The Statin Paradox

Statins, essential for lowering cholesterol, unfortunately also inhibit your body's natural production of CoQ10, a vital antioxidant crucial for energy production within every cell, especially your heart and muscles. This can lead to the common statin side effects of muscle pain and fatigue. An ingenious consideration is CoQ10 supplementation, particularly the ubiquinol form for better absorption, to help replenish this key nutrient and potentially alleviate these energy-sapping side effects. Always discuss with your doctor.

10. Vitamin K: The Anticoagulant Dilemma

Warfarin, a common blood thinner, works by interfering with Vitamin K's role in blood clotting. The key isn't to avoid Vitamin K-rich leafy greens (kale, spinach), but to maintain a remarkably consistent daily intake. Sudden large changes in Vitamin K consumption can throw your clotting levels off balance, making the medication too strong or too weak. The ingenious strategy is dietary stability, like a well-balanced see-saw, ensuring predictable medication effectiveness.