A lot of us are taking supplements these days, whether it’s to address health concerns or even prevent potential issues down the road. We often don’t consider the interactions they could have with each other, or prescription medications. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly 50% of us are taking prescription medications and 68% of Americans are taking supplements based on an estimate Council for Responsible Nutrition.
Here are the top reasons why drug nutrient interactions matter
- Some supplements and medications can have too similar effects, and in certain cases this is not a good thing. Anti-depressants for example which are meant to increase serotonin levels when combined with supplements that have a similar effect like L-Tryptophan or 5-HTP can cause Serotonin Syndrome and lead to other negative effects in the body.
- Some nutrients compete for the same receptors in the body, and when taken together can reduce absorption or effectiveness. For example, calcium reduces the absorption of iron, so these should always be split up if you’re taking both. Iron supplements can also decrease the absorption of some blood pressure medications.
- Conversely, some supplements can enhance absorption of each other, so they should be taken at the same time for the most benefit. Iron’s absorption increases dramatically when taken at the same time as vitamin C.
- Some supplements can be supportive in reducing side effects of certain medications. Procarbazine can have unwanted side effects, and when combined with Milk Thistle and Selenium the potential depletions can be reduced.
- Supplements can be supportive for some medications that deplete your body from specific nutrients. If taking a statin for high cholesterol, taking CoQ10 can replenish the losses the medication causes. CoQ10 is additionally beneficial to help lower blood plasma concentration.
Understanding and reviewing what you’re taking can have a great impact on your health in both a positive or potentially negative way. Our technology cross-examines more than 650 possible medication interactions and recommends only what an individual’s body needs. We also recommend supplements to help support the side effects caused by some medications. If you have any questions – chat with our nutritionists or give us a call at 1-800-983-3887.