Did you know, the foods we eat interacts with the drugs we take?

Most people are aware that medications can interact with one another, but many may not be aware of the interaction of certain food with supplement or medications. These interactions may either lead to impaired absorption or altered metabolism 

Iron present in food and supplements has numerous interactions. Heme iron found in meat is effectively absorbed compared to non-heme iron found in plant foods and supplements. The reason for effective absorption of heme iron is that when we eat meat, we absorb blood proteins, the haemoglobin and myoglobin contained in the flesh of an animal while for non-heme absorbance one should consume vitamin C rich foods during meals. Forexample, some lemon juice drizzled over leafy greens will increase the amount of absorbance. For iron to absorbed it has to be soluble and ionized to ferrous iron (+2 oxidation state), this absorption is enhanced by gastric acid in the stomach where iron is firstly absorbed and the rest is absorbed in the intestine. Supplements such as protein inhibitors and antacids reduce the effective absorption of iron by reducing the concentration of acid present in the stomach, also regume, wheat bran, dairy foods and tannin found in tea acts as iron absorption inhibitors.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) reduces iron to ferrous iron (+2) hence enhances its absorption. Ferrous iron interacts with antibiotics such as ciproflaxin, tetracycline and thyroid medications impairs their absorption hence potentially reduces their interactions,

Calcium is found in dairy food and supplements, have several food and drug interaction. Like iron, calcium is also absorbed in ionic form, therefore it has to be in soluble form and requires acidic environment for optimal absorption mostly in calcium carbonate form. Calcium is absorbed in the ileum therefore acid reducing supplements do not interfere in its absorption, phytates and oxalic acid found in spinach, sweet potatoes and beans binds calcium, creating calcium complex that cannot be absorbed. Calcium interacts with some medications by inhibiting or reducing absorption they include, quinone antibiotics and thyroid medications.