I'm a pharmacist, these common medications can DRAIN your body of vital vitamins and minerals - and stop you from absorbing more

You're doing everything you can to boost your health: prioritising sleep, exercising regularly and eating healthily—but you may not be feeling all the benefits, thanks to the medications you take every day, experts have warned.

According to Ian Budd, a prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, some of the most commonly prescribed and over-the-counter medications can affect the way our bodies absorb vitamins and nutrients from our diet.

They can also reduce appetite, wreak havoc on our metabolism, and, as recent research shows, even lead to vitamin deficiencies.

'Various medications can have different interactions with our body and deplete the body of essential vitamins and minerals, and it can be daunting to try and understand what will work best for you,' says Budd.

Those who are taking multiple medications and have a weakened immune system, such as older people, are more at risk he says, as are those with underlying nutritional deficiencies.

'The symptoms of nutrient deficiencies can be frustratingly vague,: persistent fatigue, brain fog, muscle weakness, mood changes or just feeling off without being able to pinpoint exactly why,' Budd explains.

'And often more obvious symptoms like muscle cramps or frequent infections are mistaken for signs of ageing or stress rather than nutrient deficiencies.'

Read on to find out some of the key deficiencies linked to everyday medications, and the steps to take which will help boost your intake of essential nutrients this winter...

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used medications in the world, with 73million NHS prescriptions dispensed in England alone in 2022-23.

Also available over-the-counter, they reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, limiting the distressing symptoms of heartburn.

But GPs have long warned that while the pills can beat heartburn symptoms quickly, ideally they should be used for only a month or two.

This is because over time they can interfere with the body's ability to absorb essential minerals and vitamins.

'The long-term use of acid reflux medicines, like omeprazole, can deplete vitamin B12 levels, which plays a key role red blood cell formation, as well as sodium and magnesium, which can cause fatigue,' Budd explained.

Research shows that taking the drugs long-term may even raise the risk of developing the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis by 20 per cent.

This is because PPIs hinder the stomach's ability to absorb calcium—a mineral that is vital for healthy bones.

PPIs have also been associated with risks of deficiencies of vitamin B12 which is essential for nerve function, vitamin C, needed for growth and repair, iron and magnesium, leading to potential issues with sleep and energy.

One 2023 study even found that 100 per cent of long-term pantoprazole users, a prescription drug that is also available at lower doses over-the-counter, were vitamin D deficient, compared to just 30 per cent of individuals not on the drug—increasing the risk of bone disorders.

'Metformin for diabetes can also affect vitamin B12 absorption,' Budd explained.

This can make people feel sluggish, and cause symptoms that affect the brain and nervous system—known as neurological symptoms—including numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, confusion and has even been linked to dementia.

Metformin is commonly used to treat type 2 and gestational diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

It works by lowering blood sugar levels by improving the way the body handles insulin.

The NHS now lists vitamin B12 deficiency as a common adverse reaction to the drug, which is thought to affect up to one in 10 patients.

And whilst the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood, it is thought that it could be because of interference with binding of the vitamin to receptors in the gut, pointing to why people with GI issues such as Crohn's disease are at higher risk of deficiency.

The NHS advises anyone taking the drug who experiences extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, changes in the appearance of their tongue, mouth ulcers, or vision problems to contact their doctor or call 111 right away.

If a vitamin B12 deficiency is identified, doctors may prescribe B12 supplements to boost levels and treat symptoms.

Statins are one one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the UK with over 9million people taking them to ward off heart attack and stroke.

The drug works by lowering the levels of 'bad' low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol produced by the liver—reducing the chances of fatty plaques forming in and blocking the arteries.

Headaches, nausea and diarrhoea are well-known mild side effects from taking statins. But experts warn statin use can also significantly deplete levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant which plays a vital role in energy production within cells.

'This can make you feel sluggish or low on energy,' Budd explained, as the enzyme statins inhibits is also required to produce mevalones, a key building block for CoQ10.

This is believed to cause cramping, muscle pain, and weakness which are reported by many statin users.

But for most, a diverse diet should be enough to keep CoQ10 levels high, with the richest sources coming from oily fish—such as sardines and mackerel—and organ meats like liver and kidney.

'Even everyday painkillers like aspirin can interfere with folic acid and vitamin C, while antibiotics can wipe out beneficial gut bacteria that produce vitamin K which you need for blood clotting to help wounds heal,' Budd warned.

Whilst it's well known by now that long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen can cause damage to the lining on the gut, including bleeding and even infection of vital organs.

This can lead to an iron deficiency known as anemia, which causes extreme failure, weakness and shortness of breath.

Regular paracetamol use can also wreak havoc on the liver as the organ struggles to process levels of toxic waste, resulting in permanent damage

'Diuretics can flush out potassium and magnesium, which can cause muscle cramps, twitches and weakness,' the pharmacist warned.

This is because they work by flushing all the fluid out of the body, taking important electrolytes with them, which can cause imbalances.

Potassium has many important functions and a drop in the essential mineral can affect your ability to generate a nerve impulse which controls everything from your muscles to your heartbeat.

If your blood levels of potassium are too high, your heart may become dilated. This can weaken it's contractions and produce an abnormal heartbeat.

Likewise, low blood potassium levels—or hypokalemia—can affect your heartbeat. When your heart does not beat properly, it can’t effectively pump blood to your brain, other organs, and muscles.

Research shows that up to 80 per cent of patients taking diuretics are at risk of hypokalemia.

Magnesium deficiency can also occur, but eating a diet high in dark leafy vegetables, nuts and grains can help boost heart health and ward off disease.

'It is always worth discussing any vitamins and supplements with your GP or pharmacist, particularly if you're on long-term, medication, as they can simplify some of the more difficult interactions,' Budd advised.

'They can also advise on specific nutrients you might need and the appropriate doses.'

Alongside speaking to your GP, Budd says that eating a balanced healthy diet, supplementing with things like probiotic yoghurts whilst you're taking antibiotics or eating more leafy greens to boost folate levels can help keep essential vitamins and minerals at optimum levels.