Home › Drug Nutrient Depletions › Corticosteroids (Oral Steroids)
Drug Nutrient Depletion Guide

Corticosteroids (Oral Steroids): What It Depletes and How to Replenish

Corticosteroids (Oral Steroids) (Prednisone, Methylprednisolone, Dexamethasone) is associated with clinically documented depletion of 4 key nutrients. Below you'll find the mechanism, clinical evidence, and evidence-based replenishment protocols for each.

This page is educational content based on published clinical trials. All supplement recommendations should be discussed with your prescribing physician before implementation. Evidence ratings follow the same RCT-first methodology used across the full Evidence Based Longevity database.
4 Documented Depletions · RCT Evidence
1
Calcium + Vitamin D3
Critical Depletion Risk
How It Depletes

Corticosteroids reduce intestinal calcium absorption and increase renal calcium excretion. They also suppress osteoblast activity. Long-term use causes glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis — the most common drug-induced osteoporosis.

Clinical Evidence

ACR Guidelines (2017) — calcium and Vitamin D supplementation are standard of care with chronic corticosteroid use

Symptoms of Deficiency

Bone density loss, fracture risk, osteoporosis, dental deterioration

Evidence-Based Replenishment

Calcium 1,000–1,200mg daily (food-first) + Vitamin D3 1,500–2,000 IU. NSF-endorsed protocol for steroid-induced osteoporosis prevention.

View on Fullscript: Thorne Vitamin D/K2 Liquid

Discuss with your physician before adjusting supplementation. This is educational content, not medical advice.

2
Magnesium
Critical Depletion Risk
How It Depletes

Corticosteroids increase renal magnesium excretion. Magnesium deficiency potentiates the bone loss caused by steroids.

Clinical Evidence

Rude et al. (1999) — magnesium depletion significantly worsens corticosteroid-induced bone loss

Symptoms of Deficiency

Muscle cramps, bone loss, fatigue, insulin resistance

Evidence-Based Replenishment

Magnesium bisglycinate 400mg daily.

View on Fullscript: Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate

Discuss with your physician before adjusting supplementation. This is educational content, not medical advice.

3
Zinc
Moderate Depletion Risk
How It Depletes

Corticosteroids increase urinary zinc excretion and impair zinc utilization — relevant for immune function and wound healing.

Clinical Evidence

Flynn et al. (1971) — corticosteroid-induced zinc wasting documented

Symptoms of Deficiency

Impaired wound healing, immune suppression, increased infection risk

Evidence-Based Replenishment

Zinc bisglycinate 15–30mg daily.

View on Fullscript: Thorne Zinc Picolinate 15mg

Discuss with your physician before adjusting supplementation. This is educational content, not medical advice.

4
Potassium
Moderate Depletion Risk
How It Depletes

Mineralocorticoid activity of corticosteroids increases renal potassium excretion.

Clinical Evidence

Standard pharmacology — listed in all corticosteroid prescribing guidelines

Symptoms of Deficiency

Muscle weakness, fatigue, cardiac arrhythmia

Evidence-Based Replenishment

Dietary potassium increase. Monitor serum electrolytes with prescriber.

Discuss with your physician before adjusting supplementation. This is educational content, not medical advice.

Taking Corticosteroids (Oral Steroids)? Build Your Replenishment Stack.

Our 13-question quiz accounts for your medications, health goals, and risk factors — and outputs a personalized supplement protocol rated against published clinical trials.

Take the Free Quiz

Other Drug Depletion Guides