Take Action can affect this through 2 different nutrient pathways: Zinc, Folic Acid. This medication is commonly used for Contraception.
Each nutrient below contributes to this impact through a different mechanism.
Zinc deficiency has been associated with a range of neurological and behavioral changes, including increased irritability, poor attention, and slowed cognitive processing. In children, low zinc status has been linked to poorer performance on tests of attention, memory, and school achievement, and some trials have found that zinc supplementation can modestly improve certain cognitive scores, especially in previously deficient populations. Clinically, even mild zinc deficiency may present with subtle symptoms such as mood changes, reduced stress tolerance, and “brain fog,” which can easily be overlooked but may improve when zinc status is corrected.
de Moura JE, de Moura EN, Alves CX, Vale SH, Dantas MM, Silva Ade A, Almeida Md, Leite LD, Brandão-Neto J. Oral zinc supplementation may improve cognitive function in schoolchildren. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2013 Oct;155(1):23-8. Colombo J, Zavaleta N, Kannass KN, Lazarte F, Albornoz C, Kapa LL, Caulfield LE. Zinc supplementation sustained normative neurodevelopment in a randomized, controlled trial of Peruvian infants aged 6-18 months. J Nutr. 2014 Aug;144(8):1298-305. Lee J, Park S and Jang W (2023) Serum zinc deficiency could be associated with dementia conversion in Parkinson’s disease. Front. Aging Neurosci. 15:1132907. Jung A, Spira D, Steinhagen-Thiessen E, Demuth I, Norman K. Zinc Deficiency Is associated With Depressive Symptoms-Results From the Berlin Aging Study II. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2017 Aug 1;72(8):1149-1154.
In some adults, chronic folate deficiency has been linked to neurological manifestations such as peripheral neuropathy, gait disturbance, and subtle to more overt cognitive impairment, especially in older age. Cohort studies have reported that low serum or red cell folate, and elevated homocysteine, correlate with worse performance on memory and executive‑function tests, and may be associated with increased risk of vascular dementia. The encouraging aspect is that, when folate deficiency is identified early and corrected alongside vitamin B12 when needed, some patients experience improvement in neuropathic symptoms and stabilization or modest gains in cognitive performance, particularly when other vascular risk factors are also addressed.
Boumenna T, Scott TM, Lee JS, Palacios N, Tucker KL. Folate, vitamin B-12, and cognitive function in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021 Jan 4;113(1):179-186. Alves Maues AC, Moren Abat MG, Benlloch M, Mariscal G. Folate Supplementation for Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2025 Oct 20;17(20):3299. Mottaghi T, Khorvash F, Maracy M, Bellissimo N, Askari G. Effect of folic acid supplementation on nerve conduction velocity in diabetic polyneuropathy patients. Neurol Res. 2019 Apr;41(4):364-368. Manzoor M, Runcie J. Folate-responsive neuropathy: report of 10 cases. Br Med J. 1976 May 15;1(6019):1176-8. Kang WB, Chen YJ, Lu DY, Yan JZ. Folic acid contributes to peripheral nerve injury repair by promoting Schwann cell proliferation, migration, and secretion of nerve growth factor. Neural Regen Res. 2019 Jan;14(1):132-139.
Some side effects may be linked to nutrient depletion caused by this medication.
Studies suggest that oral contraceptives (OCs) may contribute to zinc deficiency. Research has shown a significant decrease in serum zinc levels, the zinc circulating in the blood, in women taking OCs. This decrease is thought to be due to potential changes in how the body absorbs, excretes, or utilizes zinc within tissues. Due to its vital role in many bodily functions, ensuring sufficient zinc intake through supplementation should be considered for women on birth control pills.
Studies suggest a potential for mild thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency with long-term use of Oral Contraceptives (OCs). One finding showed that red blood cell activity of an enzyme dependent on thiamine (transketolase) decreased during OC treatment. This decrease indicates that the cells might not have enough thiamine to function optimally, suggesting a mild thiamine deficiency induced by the contraceptives. Supplementation with thiamine (vitamin B1) should be considered for women using OCs.
Women using oral contraceptives (OCs) for extended periods may experience a decrease in their folate levels. Studies suggest that OC use might lower blood folate levels by up to 40%. This depletion can be a concern because folate plays a crucial role in red blood cell production. One research finding highlights a case where a patient developed anemia and nerve problems (polyneuropathy) after stopping vitamin B12 therapy, suggesting that folate deficiency might have been the main underlying issue. Supplementation of folate should be considered during oral contraceptive use.
Women using Oral Contraceptives (OCs) may benefit from including vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in their regimen. Vitamin B2 plays a critical role in activating other B vitamins, like folic acid and B6, which are essential for various bodily functions. Studies have shown that women on OCs have lower levels of active vitamin B2, as measured by the activity of an enzyme dependent on it (glutathione reductase). These reduced levels might be linked to migraines, a frequent side effect of OCs that can sometimes lead women to discontinue the medication. By ensuring adequate B2 intake, women on OCs may potentially experience reduced migraine frequency and benefit from the proper activation of other B vitamins.
When using oral contraceptives (OCs), the body might experience increased oxidative stress due to hormonal changes. Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, could potentially help counteract this stress and promote cellular health. Research shows that combining vitamin E with vitamin C supplementation might be even more beneficial. Studies like one where Group C received both vitamins showed a significant increase in the activity of enzymes (GPx and GR) crucial for antioxidant defense, along with a reduction in markers of oxidative damage (plasma MDA levels). This suggests that a combined approach with vitamins E and C might offer enhanced protection against cellular stress for women using OCs.
Women using oral contraceptives (OCs) may experience mood changes, including depression. Research suggests a potential link between these emotional shifts and a decrease in brain levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline). This decrease could be related to reduced availability of its precursor molecule, tyrosine, in the brain. Studies have shown a significant decline in tyrosine levels in women on OCs. One study found that the area under the curve (AUC) in plasma for tyrosine in OC users were 43% of control levels. Tyrosine supplementation could potentially help regulate mood and improve emotional well-being while taking OCs.