Welcome to another episode of the Pharmacist Edit podcast. I’m your host, Therese and today we have a special guest, Yvonne Coleman, who is a dietitian and founder of Nutrition Consultants Australia.
What are drug-nutrient interactions?
Have you ever wondered if the food you eat can affect the way your medicines work? If so, you’re not alone. As it turns out, there are many cases where medicines and foods get broken down by the same pathway and can interact, potentially affecting the way you absorb micronutrients. For example, did you know that grapefruit juice can increase the amount of some statins, or that calcium can reduce the absorption of thyroxine?
Who is Yvonne Coleman?
Yvonne Coleman is a well-known dietitian with over 20 years of experience in aged care, working in both the public and private sectors. She has a special interest in the interaction between medicines and food and has collated a database to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
In this episode, we explore the topic of drug-nutrient interactions, a sophisticated interconnection that exists between what we eat and how our bodies absorb medications.
Overall, it was an insightful discussion with Yvonne, who flagged the many things we yet to know about drug transporters, nutrients and medicines. If you suspect any signs and symptoms of an interaction between your medicines or how this affects your nutrient levels, speak to your trusted health professional for a personalised evaluation
In this episode:
- We delved into the mechanisms by which medicines and foods can interact, with specific examples of grapefruit juice and statins, and calcium and thyroxine.
- Yvonne shared valuable insights on how to identify if a drug-nutrient interaction is occurring, and what to look out for when taking certain medications.
- We also explored resources available to healthcare professionals and patients to support the management of drug-nutrient interactions.
- Yvonne’s 3 healthy things she does on a daily basis to optimise her health (hint: think Jerusalem artichokes)
Resources:
Medications & Nutrition website
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Dr Ron Ehlrich: Holistic Dentistry & How It Can Improve Your Breathing
Dr Sandeep Gupta: Reverse Engineers Type 2 Diabetes
Dr James Muecke: What an Eye Surgeon is Doing to Prevent Blindness
Shivaun Conn Transforms My Potato Chips Addiction
Professor Garry Egger: Lifestyle Medicine, Find Your Flow & Fulfil Your Life’s Purpose
Catherine Saxelby: Australia’s Award Winning Nutritionist & How You Can Eat Healthy
Dr David Cowhig: Top Strategies for Effective & Holistic Options for Healthy Teeth & Gums
Dr Nelum Dharmapriya: How to Achieve Weight Loss without Feeling Hangry
Dr Kathleen Holton: Feeding Your Brain Key Nutrients for Optimal Health
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