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Codeine + Aspirin
Depletes
Prolonged use of Codeine + Aspirin can impact 3 essential nutrients.
Vitamin C
Regular use of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) can increase how much vitamin C your body gets rid of through urine, potentially leading to deficiency. If you take aspirin regularly, consider supplementing with vitamin C supplementation.
Replace with Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid (200 mg)
Research: Vitamin B6 (50% Pyridoxine HCL, 50% P-5-P)See more research
Vitamin B12
Research found that individuals hospitalized with heart disease and a history of aspirin use were nearly twice as likely to have low or borderline vitamin B12 levels compared to non-aspirin users. While this doesn't definitively prove aspirin causes B12 deficiency, it raises a potential link. Aspirin can irritate the stomach lining in some individuals. This is concerning because the stomach plays a crucial role in vitamin B12 absorption by producing hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. Both are essential for proper B12 uptake.
Replace with Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin (0.2 mg)
Research: van Oijen MG, Laheij RJ, Peters WH, Jansen JB, Verheugt FW; BACH study. Association of aspirin use with vitamin B12...
Also Benefits From:
Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids offer promise for managing pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA). Research suggests they may work by reducing inflammation, a key contributor to OA pain and stiffness. Studies involving over 2000 patients with OA showed that omega-3 supplementation significantly lessened joint pain compared to a placebo. This improvement was accompanied by increased joint function, suggesting omega-3s might help people with OA move more easily and comfortably.
Research: Kuszewski JC, Wong RHX, Howe PRC. Fish oil supplementation reduces osteoarthritis-specific pain in older adults with...
Health Impact
Codeine + Aspirin-induced nutrient depletion can lead to a range of health problems
Memory Loss & Dementia
Vitamin B12 deficiency is strongly associated with cognitive impairment, including problems with memory, attention, and executive function, and is considered a reversible cause of dementia when caught early. Low or borderline B12 levels are more common in older adults, particularly those with atrophic gastritis, long-term use of acid-suppressing medications, or vegetarian/vegan diets, and studies show that deficient individuals often perform worse on cognitive tests than those with adequate status. Clinically, correcting B12 deficiency can lead to measurable improvements in cognition and mood in some patients, which is why B12 levels are routinely checked in the evaluation of cognitive decline and suspected dementia.
Research: Jatoi S, Hafeez A, Riaz SU, Ali A, Ghauri MI, Zehra M. Low Vitamin B12 Levels: An Underestimated Cause Of Minimal Cognitive...
Eye Bleeding & Vision Issues
Vitamin C deficiency weakens collagen in capillary and vascular walls, so severe scurvy can present with ocular hemorrhages in the conjunctiva and retina that threaten vision if not treated. Case reports and small series describe retinal hemorrhages, flame‑shaped hemorrhages, and even retrobulbar bleeding compressing the optic nerve, which can lead to optic neuropathy and visual loss in advanced cases. The encouraging point is that, when vitamin C deficiency is recognized early and promptly repleted, many ocular hemorrhages and visual symptoms can partially or fully resolve, making it critical to consider vitamin C status in patients with otherwise unexplained ocular bleeding and visual complaints.
Research: Errera MH, Dupas B, Man H, Gualino V, Gaudric A, Massin P. Une cause inhabituelle d'anomalies rétiniennes, hémorragies...
Heart & Metabolism Risks
Low or deficient vitamin B12 status elevates homocysteine levels by impairing its conversion to methionine, a process that requires B12 as a cofactor. This hyperhomocysteinemia is linked to increased cardiovascular risks, including atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke, through vascular inflammation and endothelial damage. Additionally, low B12 contributes to metabolic disturbances like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk, compounding heart health concerns in susceptible individuals.
Research: Sucharita S, Thomas T, Antony B, Vaz M. Vitamin B12 supplementation improves heart rate variability in healthy elderly...
Weak Bones & Fractures
Low or depleted vitamin B12 status is linked to reduced bone mineral density (BMD), increasing osteoporosis risk in both men and women. Individuals with low B12 show significantly lower BMD at key sites like the hip and spine compared to those with adequate levels. Routine serum B12 monitoring, alongside periodic bone density scans and supplementation for at-risk groups, helps preserve bone health and mitigate fracture risks.
Research: Stone KL, Bauer DC, Sellmeyer D, Cummings SR. Low serum vitamin B-12 levels are associated with increased hip bone loss in...
Lung & Breathing Problems
When vitamin C runs low, its impact isn’t just skin‑deep, it can also affect the heart and lungs, sometimes contributing to shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention. Severe vitamin C deficiency has been reported as a reversible cause of pulmonary hypertension and right‑sided heart failure, with pressures in the lung circulation and cardiac strain improving after vitamin C is replaced. Broader cardiovascular research also links low vitamin C with higher blood pressure and stiffer arteries, while short‑term supplementation in some hypertensive or diabetic patients has lowered systolic blood pressure and improved arterial stiffness, suggesting that adequate vitamin C helps support healthier vascular tone and cardiac workload.
Research: Kurnick A, Zaveri S, Tadayoni A, Chandrakumar HP, John S. Reversible severe pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure...
Brain Fog & Neurological Effects
Neurological symptoms like depression, cognitive impairment, and peripheral neuropathy often signal low or deficient vitamin B12 status, with tingling or numbness in extremities being particularly common. These effects stem from B12's vital role in myelin synthesis and nerve protection; without it, demyelination occurs, leading to neurotoxicity via oxidative stress and neuronal damage. Population studies show up to 20% of older adults with low B12 exhibit cognitive decline, underscoring the need for early monitoring to prevent irreversible neurological harm.
Research: Jatoi S, Hafeez A, Riaz SU, Ali A, Ghauri MI, Zehra M. Low Vitamin B12 Levels: An Underestimated Cause Of Minimal Cognitive...
Weakened Immune System
Even a modest shortfall in vitamin C can leave the immune system less resilient, showing up as more frequent colds, flus, or lingering infections that are slow to clear. Vitamin C concentrates to very high levels inside neutrophils, where it helps fuel their oxidative burst, regulate antioxidant enzymes, and support normal cell survival, so low vitamin C can mean these “first‑responder” white blood cells do not work at full strength. Clinical trials are mixed but intriguing: in a substantial subset of studies, vitamin C supplementation improved neutrophil functions such as oxidative burst, antioxidant enzyme activity, and even reduced premature neutrophil cell death in very sick patients, suggesting that correcting low vitamin C may help the body respond more effectively when infections strike.
Research: Van Straten M, Josling P. Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey....
Side Effects
Common side effects of Codeine + Aspirin, some of which may be related to nutrient depletion
Review
The following are some common side effects of the analgesic drug combination of codeine and aspirin:
1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Dizziness or lightheadedness
3. Drowsiness or sedation
4. Constipation
5. Headache
6. Dry mouth
7. Difficulty urinating
8. Blurred vision
9. Confusion or disorientation
10. Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face and throat, and difficulty breathing
It is important to note that these are not all possible side effects and individuals may experience different reactions. If you experience any severe or persistent side effects, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Dizziness or lightheadedness
3. Drowsiness or sedation
4. Constipation
5. Headache
6. Dry mouth
7. Difficulty urinating
8. Blurred vision
9. Confusion or disorientation
10. Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face and throat, and difficulty breathing
It is important to note that these are not all possible side effects and individuals may experience different reactions. If you experience any severe or persistent side effects, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Get Support
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Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin
by Pure Encapsulations
Pure Encapsulations' Vitamin B12 supplement provides a high-quality, bioavailable form of vitamin B12 to support energy production, neurological function, and overall health.
Strength: 0.2 mg
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Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin
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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
by Pure Encapsulations
Pure Encapsulations' Vitamin C supplement is a high-quality, hypoallergenic product designed to support immune function, collagen production, and antioxidant protection.
Strength: 200 mcg
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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
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