Sometimes side effects that you may experience from medications may stem from the fact that they can deplete nutrients from your body.

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Let’s discuss some nutrient depletions that can occur when taking two types of blood pressure medications:

  • Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs )
    • Examples of generic names / (example brand names for those generics): Amlodipine (Norvasc), Azilsartan (Edarbi), Valsartan (Diovan)
    • “-artan” is the ending listed on the generic name for most ARBs.
    • Nutrient depletions include: Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc
  • Loop diuretics
    • Examples of generic names / (example brand names for those generics):: Furosemide (Lasix), Bumetanide (Bumex), Torsemide (Soaanz)
    • “-ide” is the ending listed on the generic name of many diuretics
    • Nutrient depletions include: Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, Sodium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Knowing the generic name of your medication is important, and I will discuss why in this article.

Symptoms of nutrient deficiencies (list not exhaustive)

Magnesium:

  • fatigue and weakness
  • pins and needles sensation
  • shaking
  • muscle spasms
  • nausea, vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • hyperexcitability, sleepiness
  • abnormal heart rhythm

Potassium:

  • muscle cramps
  • constipation
  • weakness, fatigue
  • tingling or numbness
  • confusion
  • abnormal heart rhythm
  • increased urination

Zinc:

  • diminished taste and smell
  • diarrhea, loss of appetite
  • infections, wounds that take longer to heal
  • irritability
  • impotence
  • eye problems
  • hair loss, changes in nails
  • weight loss

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

  • memory issues
  • fatigue
  • irritability
  • trouble sleeping
  • loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort
  • weight loss
  • If severe: nerve, heart, and brain disturbances

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine):

  • skin inflammation
  • red, greasy, scaly rash
  • numb and prickling or pins and needles sensation in the hands or feet.
  • sore and red tongue
  • cracks in the corners of the mouth
  • confusion, irritability
  • seizures
  • possibly anemia because this vitamin is needed to form red blood cells

You may see this list and think that you want to stop your blood pressure medicine cold turkey and try something natural.  Finding out what works for you naturally and consistently can take time, so I work with my clients to help them determine what works for them and then have them talk to their prescribing physician about weaning off overtime.

Why do I do things this way?  Because keeping your blood pressure consistently under control is important to prevent stroke, kidney damage, and subsequent chronic kidney function decline.

Thus, while you are still taking blood pressure medication, if you are experiencing any side effects from them, consider doing the following:

  1. Determine the generic name of your medication
  2. Determine the ‘mechanism of action’ of your medication.  Examples: Angiotensin receptor blocker, Calcium channel blocker, Thiazide diuretic, Loop diuretic, Beta blocker
  3. Research what nutrient depletions may stem from a) your medication and/or b) its mechanism of action
  4. See if any of the symptoms that can stem from any nutrient depletion match what you are experiencing.  If so, consider eating foods high in that nutrient and/or supplementing with that nutrient.  A naturopathic doctor can help you determine adequate dosage and form for each nutrient.

Another example that is well known amongst Naturopathic doctors is statin medications for cholesterol, which can deplete the nutrient COQ10 and cause muscle problems.  Supplementing with COQ10 while on a statin may help prevent this side effect.

This strategy can help you to have a better experience on your medication and help you maintain consistently normal blood pressure while overtime determining what will help you to naturally normalize it.  Remember to take your blood pressure daily so you can keep track of the changes.

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If you are seeking to lower your blood pressure naturally and protect or improve your kidney function, click HERE to schedule an appointment today!
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