How the pill can affect your nutrients and what you can do

Do you ever feel like your energy slowly fades as the day goes on? For some women, taking the birth control pill can affect the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. In this blog post, we discuss how the pill can potentially affect your nutrient balance and what you can do to support it.

We know:

If you exercise, you should eat enough protein.

When you go out in the sun, you put on sunscreen.

If you are pregnant, actively take folic acid.

And if you take the pill, then…?

…then what? 🤷‍♀️

Probably no one told you that your body loses vitamins and minerals when you take the pill. Yet, important studies show that it's serious.

Facts about the pill

First something about the pill:

• The pill was invented in 1962 by American biologist Gregory Pincus. It was known as the moment when women could make their own decisions about their bodies and their lives.
• The pill is used by 150 to 200 million women worldwide.
• The pill is the most commonly used contraceptive in Belgium and the Netherlands.
• When you take the pill you do not have a natural cycle (with natural hormonal patterns such as ovulation).
• These days, the pill is increasingly controversial. It lowers your libido, increases the risk of all sorts of ailments, and thus deprives your body of vital vitamins and minerals.
• The pill is also linked to feelings of depression. About 1 in 10 women experience negative feelings because of the pill!

You can read more about how the pill works in our blog "Contraception, simply explained ." ➡️

The pill can rob your body of minerals – here's how

Many women start taking the pill in their teens. And they remain on it for almost their entire reproductive life. The pill regulates your hormones, preventing you from getting pregnant. To do this, it contains chemical, non-identical hormones. Your body recognizes these as unnatural, and your liver rejects them.

But every organ, including your liver, needs a daily dose of vitamins and minerals to function properly. To process all the extra hormones from the pill, your liver has to work harder than usual (and therefore needs more fuel).

If you don't give your liver this, a deficiency will develop. The result is physical and mental complaints, which are often considered "acceptable" side effects.

And because many women take the pill for years, the deficiencies become part of their lives, and they often don't know anything better than being irritable, tired, and listless. 🙈

However, many of these complaints can be remedied. You can get extra vitamins and minerals through a healthy diet and nutritional supplements.

The pill causes even more changes in your body:

1. The pill changes your gut flora, acidity, and intestinal contents. This makes it harder for your body to absorb nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
2. In addition, your liver produces more enzymes to break down all the hormones. The more enzymes, the faster nutrients are excreted through your intestines and kidneys. Sometimes this happens so quickly that your body can't absorb all the nutrients.
3. Your kidneys excrete substances, but the pill changes this process. For example, B vitamins are excreted more quickly , which can lead to a vitamin B deficiency.

How these vitamins and minerals can support your body

Are you experiencing side effects of the pill? Such as low mood, fatigue, or feeling run down?

This could be due to hormones, but it could also be due to a nutrient deficiency. Research shows that in many cases, these nutrients are involved:

Vitamin B2 : Supports energy production in the body and helps reduce fatigue. Vitamin B2 also contributes to normal skin and eye health.

Vitamin B6 : Contributes to normal metabolism and regulates certain hormonal activities. Adequate vitamin B6 intake helps support the immune system.

Vitamin B12 : Plays a role in the production of red blood cells and the normal functioning of the nervous system. A good vitamin B12 status is important for maintaining your energy levels.

Vitamin C : Works as an antioxidant and contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system. Vitamin C also supports the absorption of iron in the body.

Vitamin E : Like vitamin C, it has an antioxidant effect, which helps protect cells against oxidative stress.

Magnesium : Supports important bodily functions such as the normal functioning of muscles and the nervous system, and contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Selenium : Contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system and helps protect the body from oxidative damage.

Zinc : Supports various processes in the body, such as cognitive functions, the normal functioning of the immune system and the maintenance of healthy skin.

Folic acid : Plays an important role in the production of red blood cells and the normal functioning of the nervous system. For pregnant women, folic acid is important for the development of the baby's nervous system.

A deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals can be associated with complaints such as fatigue, reduced resistance, or reduced overall health.

The side effects according to the pill's package insert

If you look closely at the package insert of any contraceptive pill, you'll see that a surprising number of vague but common complaints resemble the aforementioned deficiencies and surpluses:

Common side effects (affecting 1 to 10 users in 100):

- depressed mood, mood swings

- headache

- nausea, abdominal pain

- breast pain, breast tenderness

- weight gain

Uncommon side effects (affecting 1 to 10 users in 1,000)

- decreased libido (desire for sex)

- migraine

- vomiting, diarrhea

- rash, rash with severe itching and formation of bumps

- breast enlargement

- moisture retention

It is best to get vitamins and minerals from food, but supplements can support

Vitamins and minerals are ideally obtained from a varied and balanced diet. However, in certain situations, dietary supplements can help supplement the intake of essential nutrients. It is recommended to take supplements regularly for 3 to 6 months, in conjunction with a balanced lifestyle, to support their potential benefits.

Still have questions after reading this blog? Chat with us! We're happy to help and are truly here to listen. Because our goal is for you to feel good every day of the month!