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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Print this fact sheetby L. Bellows and R. Moore*(9/13)Quick Facts…There are many types of complex drug-nutrient and food-drug interactions that can occur in the body.Drugs and medications have the potential to produce many side effects including changes in taste, appetite, digestion, and metabolism.While pregnant and/or nursing, consult a physician or pharmacist before taking any medication. Drugs taken by the mother may affect the infant.Check with a doctor or pharmacist for the proper method and time to take medication.Refer to a physician if health problems persist.The complex interaction between food, nutrients, and drugs, make it difficult to accurately determine the exact effects of these relationships in the body. A drug is defined as a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease, or component of a medication. There are many dramatic results and problems that may be caused by food-drug, drug-drug, and alcohol-food-drug interactions, and these vary from person to person. Drug-nutrient interactions involve changes to a drug caused by a nutrient, or changes to a nutrient as a result of the drug. Food-drug interactions is a broader term that describes the effects of a drug on nutritional status. Each of these interactions may lead to many complications. Table 1 summarizes several possible interactions of drugs with foods, nutrients, supplements, or other drugs, which may produce unexpected side-effects or cause additional health problems.Effects of Food on Drug IntakeDrug Absorption: Food or nutrients in the stomach or intestine may act to reduce the absorption of a drug by delaying digestion, binding to minerals found in the food, or adhering to food particles. In other cases, the food may promote drug absorption.Drug Breakdown: Food may act to enhance or inhibit the metabolism of certain drugs in the body.Drug Excretion: Food and nutrients may act to alter the reabsorption and excretion of drugs from the kidney.Other Actions: Certain food components can lead to the enhancement or opposition of the effects of some drugs. Some examples of food and constituents found in food include: vitamins, minerals, fat, proteins, caffeine, or alcohol.Effects of Drugs on Food and NutritionNutrient Absorption: Certain drugs may increase, decrease, or prevent nutrient absorption in the gut.Nutrient Breakdown: Drugs may speed up the metabolism of certain nutrients, resulting in higher dietary requirements of that particular nutrient.Nutrient Excretion: Drugs can increase or decrease the urinary excretion of nutrients.Side Effects of Drugs and Other MedicationsTaste and Smell Alterations: Some drugs may alter one’s ability to taste and smell certain foods. Food intake may be affected due to alteration of taste sensation, reduced acuity to taste, or undesirable aftertaste.Gastrointestinal (GI) Effects: Some drugs can cause irritation to the digestive tract that includes stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, and gastric bleeding. Some drugs may alter gastric acidity and damage mucosal surfaces leading to decreased nutrient absorption.Appetite Changes: Alterations in appetite may include suppression or stimulation of hunger leading to weight loss or weight gain.Organ Toxicity: Since many drugs must pass through the liver and kidney upon excretion, hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and
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