Define Nutrient and Drug Interaction?

Modern medicine has given us many useful drugs that not only prolong and save lives but in fact improve the quality of our lives. Have you ever thought that the beneficial effects of the drugs that we take can be affected by some of the foods in our diet? Many drugs have powerful ingredients that interact with the human body in different ways. Diet and lifestyle can sometimes have a significant impact on a drug's ability to work in the body. Certain foods, beverages, alcohol, caffeine and even cigarettes can interact with drugs. These food and drug interactions can have dramatic, even dangerous effects on the way our bodies react to drugs.

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

• Define nutrient drug interactions,
• Describe the effect of nutrients and food on drugs and the effect of drugs on the nutritional status,
• Identify the clinical significance and risk factors associated with nutrient drug interaction, and list handy guidelines for safe and wise use of drug.