Home › Drug Nutrient Depletions › NSAIDs (Anti-Inflammatories)
Drug Nutrient Depletion Guide

NSAIDs (Anti-Inflammatories): What It Depletes and How to Replenish

NSAIDs (Anti-Inflammatories) (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Aspirin, Celecoxib) is associated with clinically documented depletion of 3 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.
3 Documented Depletions · RCT Evidence
1
Folic Acid / Folate
Moderate Depletion Risk
How It Depletes

High-dose aspirin and some NSAIDs compete with folate for binding sites on folate-binding proteins, reducing effective folate availability.

Clinical Evidence

Alter et al. (1971) — aspirin folate competition documented

Symptoms of Deficiency

Elevated homocysteine, megaloblastic changes with chronic high-dose use

Evidence-Based Replenishment

L-Methylfolate 400–800mcg daily with chronic NSAID use.

View on Fullscript: Thorne 5-MTHF (Methylfolate)

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

2
Vitamin C
Moderate Depletion Risk
How It Depletes

Aspirin increases urinary excretion of Vitamin C and reduces platelet Vitamin C concentration.

Clinical Evidence

Basu (1982) — documented Vitamin C depletion with chronic aspirin use

Symptoms of Deficiency

Immune impairment, oxidative stress, bruising

Evidence-Based Replenishment

Vitamin C 500–1,000mg daily (buffered sodium ascorbate preferred with stomach sensitivity).

View on Fullscript: Doctor's Best Vitamin C with Quali-C

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

3
Iron
Moderate Depletion Risk
How It Depletes

NSAIDs cause subclinical gastric bleeding that can deplete iron stores over time.

Clinical Evidence

Roth & Bennett (1987) — NSAID-induced gastric mucosal damage and blood loss

Symptoms of Deficiency

Iron deficiency anemia, fatigue, cold intolerance

Evidence-Based Replenishment

Monitor ferritin with chronic NSAID use. Add gut-protective strategies (zinc carnosine, glutamine).

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

Taking NSAIDs (Anti-Inflammatories)? 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