Insulin (Pork) & Nutrient Depletion
Also searched as Lente Iletin II, NPH Iletin, Regular Iletin. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Insulin (Pork) has been associated with depletion of COENZYME Q10 and MAGNESIUM. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Insulin (Pork) long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Insulin (Pork) pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Insulin (Pork)
Each record below is shown as published in our licensed clinical database, with its evidence rating and citations. Expand a section for food sources and talking points.
COENZYME Q10
Insignificant DepletionANTIDIABETES DRUGS
Some antidiabetes drugs, including metformin and sulfonylureas, appear to inhibit coenzyme Q10 enzyme activity and decrease endogenous levels of coenzyme Q10. However, there is no strong evidence that coenzyme Q10 depletion is the cause of antidiabetes drug-related side effects. Furthermore, taking coenzyme Q10 does not seem to improve fasting glucose levels or glycated hemoglobin in patients with diabetes.
Coenzyme Q10 is a compound your cells use to produce energy, and some antidiabetes medications have been loosely linked to modest dips in its natural levels. For insulin specifically, this connection is not well established, and the evidence rating here is insignificant, meaning most people using pork insulin simply do not need to worry about it. Research so far has not shown that taking a CoQ10 supplement improves blood sugar control in people with diabetes. If you are curious whether this applies to your situation, it is worth a quick conversation with your pharmacist or doctor.
What Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) does & food sources
CoQ10 helps cells produce energy and acts as an antioxidant; heart and muscle tissue use it heavily.
Common food sources:
- Organ meats and fatty fish
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
There is no routine blood test for CoQ10 in everyday practice. If you have new, unexplained muscle symptoms on a medication linked to CoQ10 (statins are the best-known example), talk to your prescriber before changing anything — symptoms have many possible causes and your prescriber has several options.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
CoQ10 is generally well tolerated, but evidence for supplementing (for example, for statin muscle symptoms) is mixed. It may also modestly affect warfarin — check with your pharmacist before combining.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Do not stop a prescribed medication because of this association — discuss any symptoms with your prescriber first.
Learn more about this nutrient: Coenzyme Q10 — uses, safety & interactions
References (4)
- Kishi T, Kishi H, Watanabe T, et al. Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. XI. Studies on coenzyme Q and diabetes mellitus. J Med 1976;7:307-21.
- Moradi M, Haghighatdoost F, Feizi A, Larijani B, Azadbakht L. Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on diabetes biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Arch Iran Med. 2016;19(8):588-96. doi: 0161908/AIM
- Stojanovic M, Radenkovic M. A meta-analysis of randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trials suggests that coenzyme Q10 at low dose improves glucose and HbA1c levels. Nutr Res. 2017 Feb;38:1-12. PubMed
- Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Juanak N. Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic profile in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2015 Aug;40(4):413-8.
MAGNESIUM
Insignificant DepletionINSULIN
Insulin can enhance the renal excretion of magnesium. Theoretically, it might lower magnesium stores; however, lower magnesium stores are common in patients with diabetes due to decreased intake and osmotic diuresis resulting in increased magnesium excretion. For information on foods that are rich in magnesium, see our chart.
Magnesium is a mineral your muscles, nerves, and heart rhythm all depend on. Insulin can nudge the kidneys to release a little more magnesium in the urine than usual, which is worth knowing about, especially since people with diabetes sometimes run lower in magnesium to begin with. That said, the evidence here is rated insignificant, meaning most people taking insulin do not need extra magnesium because of the medication itself. If you want to double-check your levels or talk through your diet, your pharmacist or doctor is a great place to start.
What Magnesium does & food sources
Magnesium is involved in muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, blood sugar control, and bone health.
Common food sources:
- Nuts and seeds (almonds, pumpkin seeds)
- Whole grains
- Leafy green vegetables
- Beans and legumes
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Ask whether a magnesium level is worth checking if you take an associated medication long-term — particularly with symptoms like muscle cramps, twitching, or palpitations. Blood levels do not always reflect total body stores, which is worth discussing too.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Magnesium supplements come in many forms and can cause loose stools at higher doses. They can also bind some medications in the gut (certain antibiotics, thyroid medication), so timing matters — check with your pharmacist.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Magnesium supplementation can be risky in kidney disease, where magnesium can accumulate — always check with a clinician first if your kidney function is reduced.
Learn more about this nutrient: Magnesium — uses, safety & interactions
References (1)
- De Leeuw I, Engelen W, De Block C, Van Gaal L. Long term magnesium supplementation influences favourably the natural evolution of neuropathy in Mg-depleted type 1 diabetic patients (T1dm). Magnes Res 2004;17:109-14..
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
More about Insulin (Pork)
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
Insulin (Pork) & nutrients: FAQs
Does Insulin (Pork) deplete COENZYME Q10?
Should I take a supplement because I take Insulin (Pork)?
Should I stop taking Insulin (Pork)?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Insulin (Pork) and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Insulin (Pork) are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.