10 Nutrients You Need While on Prednisone

Prednisone is a medication commonly prescribed to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and skin conditions. While it can be an effective treatment, prednisone can also lead to nutrient deficiencies if not managed properly.

That’s why I created this list of 10+ nutrients you need while on prednisone. So if you’re wondering what vitamins does prednisone deplete, keep reading.

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Here are 10 essential nutrients you need to focus on while taking prednisone

1. Calcium

Calcium is a mineral that our bodies need to stay healthy. It is essential for strong bones and teeth, as well as for the proper functioning of our muscles, nerves, and heart.

Calcium is involved in muscle contraction, nerve transmission, blood clotting, and cell signaling. It also helps to maintain bone density and strength, especially as we age. Calcium works in conjunction with other nutrients like vitamin D and magnesium to support overall bone health and function.

Prednisone can steal calcium from our bodies. It can affect our ability to absorb calcium from the gut, plus tells the bones to let go of it. Our kidneys excrete more calcium in the urine than usual.

Prednisone can lead to bone loss and reduced calcium absorption in the body, which can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. It is important to ensure you are getting enough calcium through your diet or supplements while on prednisone to support bone health and prevent deficiencies.

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a nutrient that our bodies need to stay healthy. It is often called the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies can produce it when our skin is exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for calcium absorption, bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Our bodies can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, and it is also found in certain foods and supplements.

You have to have vitamin D for the calcium to go where it’s supposed to into your bone matrix instead of depositing in your carotid artery and other arteries and hardening your arteries. Never take just calcium alone, always have the companion vitamin D.

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, which is essential for bone health and strength. It also supports immune function by helping to regulate inflammatory processes and fight off infections. Additionally, vitamin D is involved in mood regulation and can help prevent conditions like seasonal affective disorder.

Prednisone can interfere with vitamin D metabolism and absorption, potentially leading to low vitamin D levels in the body. This can impact bone health, immune function, and overall well-being. It is important to ensure you are getting enough vitamin D through sunlight exposure, fortified foods, or supplements while taking prednisone to support these vital functions.

3. Chromium

Chromium is a mineral supplement that contains a combination of chromium and picolinic acid. It is an essential mineral that our bodies need in small amounts to function properly. Our bodies cannot produce chromium on their own, we must get it from the food we eat or supplement it.

Taking Prednisone to reduce inflammation may lower chromium levels in the body, called chromium depletion. Low chromium can lead to confusion, poor coordination, increased urination, and increased blood sugar, which can increase the risk of diabetes. Chromium depletion can also cause weight gain, increased cholesterol levels, and muscle loss.

Prednisone can impact blood sugar levels by increasing insulin resistance and potentially reducing chromium levels in the body. This can lead to difficulties in regulating blood glucose levels and may worsen symptoms of conditions like diabetes.

4. Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that our bodies need to stay healthy. It plays a vital role in 300+ bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation, and bone health.

Magnesium is involved in protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. It helps to support a healthy immune system, maintain normal heart rhythm, and promote bone health. Magnesium also plays a role in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and antioxidants that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in our bodies. It helps our muscles contract and relax, regulates blood sugar levels, and supports the functioning of our nervous system. Magnesium also plays a role in maintaining a healthy heart rhythm and promoting strong bones.

Prednisone can potentially deplete magnesium levels in the body, as it may interfere with the absorption and utilization of this essential mineral. This depletion can lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue.

5. Zinc

Zinc plays a crucial role in many aspects of our health. It helps support our immune system, aids in wound healing, and is necessary for proper growth and development. Zinc also assists in the production of enzymes, which are essential for various bodily functions.

Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a key role in various bodily functions, including immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis. It is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and is crucial for maintaining optimal health.

Prednisone can sometimes affect growth and development, especially in children. Zinc is necessary for proper growth and development, as it helps with cell division and DNA synthesis. By ensuring an adequate intake of zinc, you can potentially support healthy growth and development.

Prednisone can deplete zinc levels in the body, as it may interfere with zinc absorption and utilization. This depletion can impact immune function, wound healing, and overall health.

6. Potassium

Potassium plays a vital role in keeping our bodies healthy. It helps maintain the balance of fluids in our cells and supports the proper functioning of our nerves and muscles. Potassium also helps control our blood pressure and keeps our heart beating regularly.

It is important for our kidneys to keep the potassium balance. If you have kidney failure, then you should listen to your doctor about your diet specific for your kidneys. Because this is different if your kidneys are failing. For everybody else who’s taking prednisone who has otherwise healthy kidneys, then you need to be replenishing the potassium.

So if you’re wondering, “do steroids deplete potassium?” Yes, steroids like prednisone deplete potassium.

Prednisone can lead to potassium loss in the body, as it may increase urinary excretion of this essential mineral. This depletion can result in symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats.

7. Folic Acid / Folate

Folate plays a crucial role in many aspects of our health. It helps our bodies make DNA, the genetic material that contains instructions for our cells. Folate also helps our bodies make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of our body. It helps our bodies use serotonin, which is a messenger our bodies use to prevent depression.

A loss of folic acid in pregnant women can cause neural tube defects where the spinal cord is exposed at birth, and that’s a condition called spina bifida. Folic acid is often supplemented in pregnant women to prevent that.

Prednisone can potentially interfere with the absorption and utilization of folic acid in the body, leading to lower levels of this important nutrient. This depletion can impact cell growth and repair, as well as increase the risk of conditions like anemia.

8. Vitamin A

Vitamin A plays a crucial role in many aspects of our health. It helps support our immune system, aids in vision, and promotes healthy skin. Vitamin A is also important for the growth and development of our bones and teeth.

When someone is on prednisone and experiences vitamin A depletion, it can have several effects on their health. One major consequence is impaired vision and night blindness.

Deficiency in vitamin A can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses. A deficiency in vitamin A can result in dry, rough skin, and an increased susceptibility to infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

9. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant properties, which means it helps protect our cells from damage caused by harmful substances called free radicals. These free radicals can show up in our bodies due to various factors such as pollution, smoking, or even certain medications like prednisone.

You need vitamin C in order to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones. Vitamin C is also vital to your body’s healing process including growth and repair of tissues. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb and store iron which is essential in making hemoglobin and helping carry oxygen throughout your body.

Prednisone can cause vitamin C depletion in the body by increasing the excretion of vitamin C through urine and reducing its absorption from the diet. This occurs because prednisone affects the way the body processes and metabolizes vitamin C. This can lead to a deficiency in vitamin C, which may have several effects on your health.

10. Selenium

Selenium plays a crucial role in thyroid hormone metabolism, helping to regulate metabolism and support overall thyroid function. It also acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, selenium is necessary for proper immune function, helping to fight off infections and support overall health.

Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential for various bodily functions, including thyroid health, antioxidant defense, and immune response. It is not produced by the body, so it must be obtained through your diet or supplements.

Prednisone can potentially deplete selenium levels in the body, as it may interfere with the absorption and utilization of this essential mineral. This depletion can impact thyroid function, immune response, and overall antioxidant defense. It is important to ensure you are getting enough selenium while on prednisone to support these vital functions.

Get your Nutrients You Need cheat sheet Here!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with so many nutrients and foods to keep track of, don’t worry! I created a printable list for you to put in your pantry to remind you.

Food is the Best Medicine

As Hippocrates stated, “Let food be thy medicine.” But sometimes when we are feeling sick, it’s hard to find the energy and motivation to shop for, chop, and cook these foods rich in the nutrients we need.

That’s why I created Nutranize® Zone. It gives back the Nutrients You Need all in a supplement form so that you can replenish your nutrients in a simpler way.