Food-Medicine Interaction
We must know that several food items we take actually have medicinal effects. This may or may not be desirable from time to time.
The food we consume is broken down into absorbable forms inside our body by the alimentary canal, the gastrointestinal system. Carbohydrates, Protein, Fats are macronutrients. Vitamins and Minerals are micronutrients. Water is the most essential of all the substances we intake. After digestion absorption and storage occur for us to get energy as needed.
The medicines we take often have significant interaction with our food. Oral medications are the most noted. But even inhaled medications can be less effective if we take them with some food particles in our mouths. Injections like Insulin are actually adjusted based on our meal times.
Some Examples
Medicines acting on the Gastrointestinal System
- Deworming tablet should be taken just before bedtime and can be chewable
- Peptic ulcer medicines are taken on an empty stomach
- Intestinal motility-inducing drugs and digestive enzymes should not be taken on an empty stomach
- for drugs used for constipation, we must follow the advice given in individual instances
- for drugs used for diarrhea, that decreases intestinal motility- this is contraindicated in young children, in cholera, during fasting
Alcohol consumption has varied effects on different drugs and diseases and we must understand the reason in each case and advise the patient to abstain or be cautious while taking medicines
- Even with very small amounts of alcohol: With Imidazoles, quinolones ( commonly used for diarrhea eg. Flagyl, ciprofloxacin) severe ADR- Adverse Drug Reaction can occur
- Alcohol initially has a stimulating effect on the human body, it gives a false sense of well-being, increases our attention span, removes our anxiety, blunts our inhibitions, and improves appetite.
- Alcohol in excess has a depressing effect on the human body, and can cause drowsiness, forgetfulness, decreases appetite
- Consuming alcohol and then taking fatty foods can result in High BP, High Cholesterol, Weight gain, Metabolic Syndrome
- Consuming alcohol and then staying on empty stomach may be dangerous and can cause gastric ulcer, malabsorption, vitamin deficiency, fatty liver