FAQs
HSIS Myths & Facts- "Everybody gets enough nutrients from their diet, no matter what stage of life they are at."
- "If I take supplements I don't need to bother about what I eat."
- "Supplements are only for body builders and athletes."
- "Most supplements are taken by young people or pregnant women."
- "You only need to take supplements for a short period of time - they are quick fixes."
- "You don't have to take supplements with food."
- "You shouldn't take too many different supplements at the same time, they might not work properly."
- "You can easily overdose on supplements."
- "Nobody knows how much of a supplement is safe to take."
- "Some supplements can stop medicines from working."
- "Vitamin B6 causes nerve damage."
- "Dietary supplements are unnecessary and a waste of money."
- "Supplements are a new fad to make money and are most likely to be taken by the well-off who least need them."
Myth 10: "Some supplements can stop medicines from working."
Fact 10: Not true. Supplements will not stop medicines from working. However, there are interactions between nutritional status and the action of some medicines. Certain medicines influence the absorption or metabolism of some nutrients, for example, some anti-ulcer agents reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 and the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin increases the breakdown of folic acid. Conversely, certain nutrients may influence the action of medicines, for example, the metabolism of certain drugs in the liver may be reduced by vitamin deficiency.
In addition, various herbal remedies may influence the efficacy or toxicity of some prescription medicines. If in doubt, read the product indications carefully and if still uncertain, consult your pharmacist or the doctor who has prescribed the medicine
Information provided by HSIS Health Supplements Information Service.
