Dr. Ward Bond - Nutritional Living Television, Inc.

Estrogen Induces Nutritional Deficiencies

Do you know why it is difficult for doctors to treat nutritional deficiencies? It’s because many of the prescription drug you are using lead to nutritional deficiencies which leads to symptoms they want to treat with more prescription drugs. Today I’m going to go over Estrogen that many of you ladies take and show you the deficiencies that it can cause.

Estrogen in the form of birth control pills or hormonal replacement therapy leads to nutritional deficiencies which could have dire consequences. Estrogen therapy in any form can lead to a Folic Acid deficiency which could lead to increases risk of Folic acid deficiency can cause poor growth, tongue inflammation, gingivitis, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, diarrhea, irritability, forgetfulness, and mental sluggishness.

Pregnancy can put a woman at risk for folic acid deficiency as the fetus easily depletes a mother's nutrient reserves. Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk for neural tube defects including cleft palate, spina bifida, and brain damage. Neural tube defects are birth defects caused by abnormal development of the neural tube, a structure that eventually gives rise to the central nervous system.

A deficiency of Folic Acid could increase the risk of cervical cancer in women as well as protect against the development of some forms of other cancers, particularly cancer of the colon, as well as breast, esophagus, and stomach.

Studies suggest that Folic Acid may be associated with depression more than any other nutrient, and may play a role in the high incidence of depression in the elderly. Between 15% and 38% of people with depression have low folate levels in their bodies and those with very low levels tend to be the most depressed. Many healthcare providers recommend a B complex multivitamin that contains folate as well as vitamins B6 and B12 to improve symptoms.

Estrogen also depletes Magnesium, the B vitamins – B2, B3, B6, B12; also Vitamin C and Zinc. The depletion of these particular nutrients would indeed lead to problems of nervous system, the immune system (Vitamin C and Zinc) and the proper digestion of our food. The B vitamins are needed to help convert our food into usable energy.

Remember to eat right and fill in the blanks with a high quality multivitamin and mineral formula to prevent nutritional deficiencies caused by a poor diet or prescription medication. Be blessed and be healthy, see you next week!

Ward W. Bond, Ph.D.