Drug-Nutrient Interactions: A Broad View with Implications for Practice

The relevance of drug−nutrient interactions in daily practice continues to grow with the widespread use of medication. Interactions can involve a single nutrient, multiple nutrients, food in general, or nutrition status. Mechanistically, drug−nutrient interactions occur because of altered intestinal transport and metabolism, or systemic distribution, metabolism and excretion, as well as additive or antagonistic effects. Optimal patient care includes identifying, evaluating, and managing these interactions. This task can be supported by a systematic approach for categorizing interactions and rating their clinical significance. This review provides such a broad framework using recent examples, as well as some classic drug−nutrient interactions. Pertinent definitions are presented, as is a suggested approach for clinicians. This important and expanding subject will benefit tremendously from further clinician involvement.