Assignment: Nutrition

1. Have you ever encountered a situation in which you experienced (or had another person experience) a drug (OTC or prescription), herbal, or supplement-nutrient interaction? If so, explain what it was. If you have not, research a common interaction and explain it. Your explanation should include what drugs, herbs, or supplements and nutrient(s) are involved as well as the possible result of the interaction. Note that you are not to report on the side effects of a drug, herb or supplement, but rather how these might interact with a nutrient (in foods or in supplemental form) and result in a negative effect.

2. When you looked for information on the interaction where did you look? How were your questions or concerns addressed?

3. Where, in your experience, does the public turn to for information on drugs, herbs, or supplements? Are these sources usually reputable? How would you determine if a source, whether a person or an article or other, is reputable?

4. Do you think healthcare professionals have met the challenge of helping people find suitable nutritional supplements? Why or why not? How might socioeconomic status come into play when choosing between or within prescription medications or OTC medications/supplements/herbs? If someone needed to determine if nutrient status was being compromised because of an interaction, what tests could be done?