COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 311
● Multiple liver markers elevated? Think liver stress or disease.
● Both kidney markers high? Look at hydration and kidney
function.
● Check patterns, not just one value.
Bridging Drug3Nutrient Interactions
Most adults in the U.S. are taking at least one medication, and
while the focus is often on managing symptoms or disease, there’s
a quieter effect happening behind the scenes: nutrient depletion.
Prescription and even over-the-counter drugs can interfere with
the body’s ability to absorb, utilize, or retain key vitamins and
minerals. These interactions often go unnoticed until fatigue,
mood changes, digestive issues, or other symptoms appear.
Some drugs reduce appetite or stomach acid, others accelerate
how quickly the body breaks down nutrients, or increase how
much is excreted. For example, acid blockers can lower B12 and
calcium levels, antibiotics disrupt gut bacteria that help synthesize
B vitamins, and birth control can reduce folate and B6. Learning
these patterns equips practitioners to spot subtle signs, ask better
questions, and offer support that can improve how clients feel
while staying on necessary medications.
Tips:
● Always ask about long-term or frequent medication use.
● Watch for signs of nutrient depletion4fatigue, muscle
cramps, mood changes, poor sleep.
● Use nutrient repletion as supportive care, not in opposition to
medical treatment.
● Tools like Mytavin can help link medications to likely nutrient
depletions.
Revisiting Homocysteine
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