Interactions between drugs and nutrients

Drug Interactions

In the e-Alert “Iron In The Fire” (6/3/03), I told you how pharmaceuticals may interfere with the absorption of nutrients. For instance, acid blockers (such as Prilosec, Nexium, etc.) have been shown to significantly decrease absorption of vitamin B-12 – one of the primary vitamins needed to prevent anemia.

Other medications that are known to play a role in nutrient depletion are among the most frequently prescribed medications on the market. Antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatories, blood pressure medications, cholesterol- lowering drugs, hormone replacement therapy, and tranquilizers can all strip valuable vitamins and minerals from the body. And when any of these drugs are combined – especially in an older patient – the risk of developing anemia rises.

I recently received an e-mail from an HSI member named Kenneth who had two questions about the interaction between drugs and nutrients:

“Can you be very specific on how a person checks to learn if a drug, such as Norvasc that my wife takes, usually inhibits nutrient and vitamin absorption. With mainstream doctors who prescribe such medications, how to provide them with the right information to help them to help the patient.”

The first step in answering question one is to carefully read the product information that comes along with any medication.

I don’t have to tell you, this can be daunting. These information fliers are sometimes lengthy, and are usually printed in a font size so small it often defies readability. Talk about fine print! Nevertheless, that’s where you’ll get your first tip on any possible drawbacks a medication might
have. After reading the flier, first give your eyes a rest, and then search the Internet. There are many web sites dedicated to major drugs that have no affiliation with the manufacturer of the drugs.

After reading the product filer and doing a little research, if you still have questions, check with your pharmacist and your doctor. Which leads us to question two. And for a doctor’s insight, I checked with HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., who recommends a book titled “Handbook of Food-Drug Interactions,” edited by Beverly J. McCabe, Eric H. Frankel, and Jonathan J. Wolfe. According to information I found on the book, a chapter that addresses the basic concepts of drug interactions discusses “types and mechanisms of drug-drug and drug-nutrient interactions.”

The book is available on amazon.com, but it’s somewhat expensive, so you might drop by your local library first to see if they have a copy.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute