Is “the Pill” Affecting Your Health?
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The Pill and Nutrition
Oral contraceptives, often known as “the pill,” are used by 14% of women aged 15-49 in the United States. It’s true that many prescription medications can negatively effect certain nutrient stores in the body. For oral contraceptives, these nutrients in particular may include: B vitamins (including folate), vitamins C and E, magnesium, selenium, and zinc.
The good news is, these possible depletions are not irreversible.
So, What Now?
Start with food, something we all love! The best thing you can do to bring your nutrient levels back up is to incorporate a variety of foods into your diet, as our bodies prefer food sources of nutrients over supplements. Some of your favorite foods (maybe not that favorite doughnut...but stay with me) may even be great sources of these nutrients.
It may still be a good idea to discuss prenatal vitamins or other supplements with your healthcare provider to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need! If you’re interested in learning more, you can also ask your healthcare provider to test nutrient deficiencies in your blood work.
To help you get started, here are some foods that have high levels of the nutrients affected by the pill. Try adding a few of these foods to your diet each week. It’s ok to start small, eating should never feel overwhelming!
Folate
Beef Liver
Leafy greens
Asparagus
Broccoli
Avocado
B vitamins
Dairy (Yogurt, milk)
Liver
Dark leafy greens
Seafood (Tuna, salmon)
Bananas
Nuts
Vitamin C
Citrus fruits
Tomatoes
Sweet peppers
Vitamin E
Nuts (peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds)
Sunflower Seeds
Spinach
Mango
Magnesium
Nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews)
Seeds (pumpkin seeds, chia seeds)
Grains (Brown rice, oatmeal)
Spinach
Beans
Selenium
Brazil nuts
Seafood (tuna, halibut, shrimp)
Eggs
Turkey
Chicken
Zinc
Shellfish (crab, lobster)
Nuts (cashews, almonds)
Legumes
Chicken
Yogurt
References
FastStats - Contraceptive Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/contraceptive.htm. Published November 10, 2020. Accessed June 19, 2021.
Palmery M, Saraceno A, Vaiarelli A, Carlomagno G. Oral contraceptives and changes in nutritional requirements. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013 Jul;17(13):1804-13.
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