Blending Natural Medicine with Pharmaceuticals

Natural Medicine Connection

Natural Medicine offers several practical ways to support knee health, reduce stress on the joints, and maintain comfortable movement as we age. Unlike pharmaceuticals, which often come with a laundry list of side-effects and cautions, herbs are welcomed by our bodies as nourishing food.

Of course, there are times when pharmaceuticals are necessary for serious illnesses or diseases. But fear not, there are ways to combat and even prevent those pesky side-effects. Here are some common medications and the nutrients they deplete:

• Tylenol: Depletes Glutathione
• Birth control: Depletes Vitamins B2, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Magnesium
• Metformin: Depletes all B vitamins
• Antacids: Deplete Calcium, Zinc, Phosphorus, and Vitamin B12
• Statins: Deplete Coenzyme Q10
• Antibiotics: Deplete “healthy” bacteria and stomach acid
• Steroids: Deplete Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and B-Vitamins

While there are more medications that deplete nutrients, these are some of the most common offenders. If you find yourself needing to take one of these medications, consider supplementing with the depleted nutrient at a different time. Try to space them out by at least an hour, so if you take your medication at 1 pm, take the nutrient at 2 pm or later. Let’s keep our bodies in balance and thriving, even in the face of pharmaceuticals.