Nutritional Deficiencies Caused by Hormonal Birth Control: What You Need to Know
Hormonal birth control, including the pill, patch, ring, or injection, is a widely used form of contraception. While it is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, it may also have some nutritional implications that can lead to deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals. This blog post will explore the nutritional deficiencies that hormonal birth control can cause and what supplements you can consider incorporating into your diet if you are on hormonal birth control.
Hormonal Birth Control and Nutritional Deficiencies: Understanding the Link
Vitamin B6
Hormonal birth control can lead to a deficiency in vitamin B6, which plays a critical role in many bodily functions, including immune function, metabolism, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Studies have shown that women who take oral contraceptives have lower levels of vitamin B6 than those who do not. Symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency can include mood changes, fatigue, and weakened immune function.
Consider incorporating foods rich in this nutrient into your diet, such as salmon, tuna, chicken, turkey, spinach, and bananas. Supplementing with a B-complex vitamin, which contains all of the B vitamins, including B6 may be ideal as well.
Vitamin B12
Hormonal birth control can also lead to a deficiency in vitamin B12, which is essential for maintaining nerve and blood cell health, as well as producing DNA. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause fatigue, weakness, and difficulty concentrating.
Consider adding foods rich in vitamin B12 such as beef liver, clams, trout, and salmon. You can take a B-complex vitamin supplement or a standalone vitamin B12 supplement.
Magnesium
Hormonal birth control can also lead to a deficiency in magnesium, which is critical for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including energy production, muscle and nerve function, and bone health. A deficiency in magnesium can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, and irritability.
To ensure you are getting enough magnesium, incorporate foods rich in this nutrient into your diet, such as spinach, almonds, cashews, peanuts, and black beans. Magnesium supplementation may also be helpful.
Vitamin C
Hormonal birth control can also affect the body's ability to absorb and use vitamin C, which is critical for immune function, wound healing, and the synthesis of collagen. A deficiency in vitamin C can cause fatigue, weakness, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Foods rich in Vitamin C are citrus fruits, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, and strawberries. You can also take a vitamin C supplement - Ideally, look for a whole foods Vitamin C supplement.
Zinc
Hormonal birth control can also lead to a deficiency in zinc, which is critical for immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis. A deficiency in zinc can cause hair loss, skin problems, and weakened immune function.
Incorporate foods rich in this nutrient into your diet, such as oysters, beef, chicken, beans, and pumpkin seeds. Alternatively, you can take a zinc supplement.
The Takeaway
Hormonal birth control can lead to nutritional deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals. To ensure you are getting enough of these nutrients, consider incorporating foods rich in these nutrients into your diet or taking supplements. However, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, as some supplements can interact with hormonal birth control or other medications.