Nutritional Effects of Oral Contraceptive Use
Did you know that birth control pills can result in nutritional deficiencies?
Now, this is not to say that we recommend stopping your oral contraceptives. They can be a great solution for many individuals! By providing greater autonomy over one’s reproductive choices, as well as the possibility of providing a convenient solution for acne or painful and heavy periods, they are certainly an excellent option. But it is still important to understand what other ways they may be impacting your body beyond just their use as a contraceptive. While there are some side effects that seem to be well known such as headaches, nausea, and/or mood swings, what many people aren’t aware of is that oral contraceptive pills (OCP’s) can also predispose you to nutritional deficiencies.
Studies have shown that multiple nutrients can become depleted with long term use of OCP’s, including folic acid, vitamins B2, B6, B12, vitamin C, A and E, as well as minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, selenium and zinc. And it doesn’t end there: some studies have also shown increased oxidative stress and altered lipid and cholesterol metabolism as a result of oral contraceptive use. You can check out the research by clicking on the links at the bottom. It’s not all doom and gloom though. It’s within your power to prevent these deficiencies from taking root!
To avoid nutritional deficiencies, we recommend consuming a whole-foods, nutrient dense diet with a diverse array of colorful vegetables and fruits. Eat the rainbow? Definitely! (As long as it’s coming from actual plants, and not candy). If you’re concerned that you may not be meeting your nutritional needs, consider checking the nutrient levels in your blood. There are quite a few options available on the market today, but we recommend discussing this with your healthcare provider so that they can help guide you in choosing a reputable company for the testing as well as with interpreting the results.
Don’t have a healthcare provider who can do this? Our Naturopathic Doctors are experts in natural medicine. If you’re looking for more ways of supporting your health naturally, our Naturopathic Doctors offer holistic solutions to your healthcare needs. Call us today at 707-840-4050 for more information.
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