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2024.04.02
Do Birth Control Pills, Painkillers, Antibiotics, and Other Medications Reduce Nutrients? An Aesthetic Medicine Doctor Explains
To maximize your beauty, care for both the inside and outside is essential. We aim to bring advanced anti-aging treatments, such as peptide therapy common overseas, to our Japanese patients. While aesthetic medical approaches may offer more gradual results, they are crucial for building the foundation that supports beauty and youth. We combine nutritional therapy and lifestyle improvements with hormone replacement, peptide therapy, and regenerative medicine to propose personalized treatment plans. We provide long-term support for health and beauty from within.
Hello, everyone.
I am Yoko Maeda, a certified aesthetic medicine specialist at BIANCA.
Profile of Dr. Yoko Maeda, Director of Aesthetic Medicine
Completed initial training at Okinawa Prefectural Nanbu Medical Center and Children's Medical Center. Worked in the Department of Radiology at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and at an aesthetic clinic. Encountered high-dose vitamin C intravenous therapy at a seminar by the Intravenous Therapy Research Society. Studied abroad as a Research Fellow at the Riordan Clinic in the United States. Achieved notable accomplishments, including passing the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine's specialist certification exam at the youngest age.
Currently serving as a Medical Director of Aesthetic Medicine at BIANCA. The role of a Medical Director of Aesthetic Medicine is to approach healthy beauty by caring for the body from within. As a professional in anti-aging care that treats aging from the inside out, I support patients in improving their constitution and maintaining a youthful appearance for years to come by proposing personalized treatments such as natural hormone replacement therapy, peptide therapy, and supplement therapy.
＜Professional Affiliations and Qualifications＞
・Director, Japanese Society of Aesthetic Medicine
・American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) Certified Specialist
・A4M Anti-Aging, Metabolism, and Functional Medicine Fellowship
・Certified Chelation Specialist, American Academy of Advanced Medical Sciences
＜Check out more information about Dr. Yoko Maeda's aesthetic medicine practice here＞
Dr. Yoko Maeda's Instagram account isHere
The official Instagram account for BIANCA isHere
The official YouTube account for BIANCA isHere
Did you know that certain nutrients can be depleted by taking medication?
Medicines that help improve various symptoms are indispensable, aren't they?
However, taking medication may unknowingly lead to deficiencies in various nutrients.
This time, we'll introduce nutrients that can be depleted by taking three commonly prescribed medications: birth control pills, ibuprofen (pain reliever), and antibiotics.
pill
The pill refers to oral contraceptive medication, which is used to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to improve menstrual issues such as menstrual pain, irregular periods, and PMS.
Taking birth control pills can reduce levels of folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and many other vitamins and minerals.
B vitamins are known as the vitamins of metabolism. A deficiency can lead to increased fatigue and skin problems. Since folate is also lacking, those hoping to become pregnant in the future should be particularly mindful of supplementing it.
Pain reliever (ibuprofen)
Ibuprofen is a pain reliever ingredient used to alleviate headaches and menstrual cramps, offering fever-reducing and pain-relieving effects. Ibuprofen is known to cause deficiencies in iron and folic acid.
A deficiency in iron or folic acid can cause anemia. Those who are prone to anemia should take care.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria causing illness. They are prescribed when you have a cold, for example. Antibiotics reduce nutrients such as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin K, pantothenic acid, and biotin.
Pantothenic acid and biotin are types of B vitamins. Like birth control pills, a deficiency can lead to issues such as fatigue and skin problems.
You may think you're getting enough nutrients from your regular meals, but medication can cause nutritional deficiencies without you realizing it. When taking these medications, it's important to consciously supplement the nutrients you're missing.
Be sure to also check which foods you should consciously incorporate into your diet while taking medication.
Nutrients Reduced by Birth Control Pills and Foods to Supplement
- Folic acid…broccoli, edamame, mushrooms
- Vitamin B6…Fillet meat, bell peppers, bananas
- Vitamin B12... clams, mussels, Pacific saury, sardines
- Vitamin C…Acerola, yuzu, lemon
- Vitamin E…eggs, almonds, soybeans
- Magnesium… Grains, beans, seeds, seaweed
- Selenium… tuna, smelt, sardines
- Zinc… Seafood, meat, nuts and seeds
Nutrients Reduced by Painkillers (Ibuprofen) and Foods to Supplement Them
- Iron…Fillet, bell pepper, banana
- Folic acid…broccoli, edamame, mushrooms
Nutrients Reduced by Antibiotics and Foods to Supplement Them
- Vitamin B1…nuts, soybeans, cauliflower
- Vitamin B2... broccoli, edamame, mushrooms
- Vitamin B6…Fillet meat, bell peppers, bananas
- Vitamin B12... clams, mussels, Pacific saury, sardines
- Vitamin K…Algae, vegetables, beans, meat
- Pantothenic acid…chicken liver, chicken breast, eggs
- Biotin… liver, egg yolk, soybeans
When taking birth control pills, ibuprofen, or antibiotics, consciously incorporate the above foods into your diet. If you find it difficult to get all the nutrients you need from food alone, supplements are another option.
However, some combinations require caution, so if you have any concerns, please consult with BIANCA.
Are there any supplements or medications that shouldn't be taken with birth control pills?
"Which nutrients are depleted by the headache medicine I take regularly?"
"How do birth control pills and vitamin C interact?"
If you have any questions about taking your medication, please feel free to ask.
From an aesthetic medicine perspective, we will review your current medications and health status to recommend essential nutrients and suitable supplements.
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