Hi I'm Monica Reinagel and you're listening to the nutrition divis quick and

dirty tips for eating well and feeling fabulous and this week's show is for

anyone who takes birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

And even if you're not in either of those categories, you probably care about someone who is,

and you can pass this good information along.

You know, whenever I watch the evening news

I'm amazed by all the ads marketing prescription medications directly to

consumers suggesting that you ask your doctor whether you should be on the latest greatest drug.

I certainly hope that my doctor isn't relying on me to suggest which new drugs I should be on.

Because I only watch the evening news once in a while.

They're required to list potential side effects in these

ads of course leading to those bizarre and disturbing recitations that they read quickly while we watch

an attractive older couple go antiquing or bird watching. while we're watching

we watch an attractive older couple go antiquing or bird watching may cause snoring

wheezing itchy belly button left-handedness excessive use of puns or death

uh... thanks for sharing.

Well, this week, I want to shine the light on a little-known side effect of a prescription medication that's used by more than 10 million women in the US alone.

Birth control pills can deplete your body of several nutrients,

including several in the B vitamin family,

riboflavin, B6, B12, and pholic acid,

as well as vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc.

And because contraceptives are often taken over extended periods of time for years even,

...