It Has Become Common Practice For People To Supplement Their Diets Wit ✓ Solved
It has become common practice for people to supplement their diets with pills, smoothies, teas, herbals, and other complementary practices. Select two from the list below and locate an evidence-based article for each. Summarize the intended use, recommended dosage, side effects, and known interactions with over-the-counter and prescription medications. What if contraindications are identified for a patient with liver and/or kidney disease? • Probiotics • Acai • Apple cider vinegar • Garlic • Green tea • Turmeric • Cinnamon • Omega-3 fish oil • DHA • Glucosamine • Melatonin • St. John’s wort • Capsacin • Black cohosh • Aloe vera • Echinacea • Zinc oxide • Saw palmetto • Valerian root • Feverfew • Maca • Niacin • Red yeast rice • DHEA • Kava
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Supplementing Diets: A Focus on Probiotics and Turmeric
The modern lifestyle has seen a surge in the consumption of dietary supplements, often as pills, smoothies, teas, and herbals. Among these supplements, probiotics and turmeric have gained considerable attention for their numerous purported health benefits. In this paper, we will examine evidence-based articles regarding the intended use, recommended dosages, side effects, drug interactions, and contraindications for patients suffering from liver and/or kidney disease.
Probiotics
Intended Use:
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host, primarily through the enhancement of gut health. They are commonly used to alleviate digestive issues, including diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and even anxiety disorders (Ooi & Liong, 2010).
Recommended Dosage:
The typical daily dosage of probiotics varies by product but generally falls between 1 billion to 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) per day for maintenance of gut health. Higher doses may be recommended for specific conditions, such as acute diarrhea (McFarland, 2010).
Side Effects:
While probiotics are generally safe for most people, some may experience mild side effects like gas, bloating, or diarrhea, especially when first starting (Saxena & Khandelwal, 2017). Serious side effects can occur in immunocompromised individuals, leading to infections.
Drug Interactions:
Probiotics may interact with certain medications, particularly antibiotics, as these drugs can destroy beneficial bacteria along with harmful ones (Lloyd-Donald et al., 2018). It is generally recommended to space the intake of antibiotics and probiotics by at least two hours.
Contraindications in Liver and Kidney Disease:
Patients with liver and/or kidney conditions may need to be cautious. Patients with severe liver disease may have an altered gut microbiome and may be at higher risk for infections when taking live bacteria (Zhang & Liu, 2021). Similarly, those with kidney disease may also need to avoid probiotics, as these patients are often immunocompromised and at risk for infections from probiotics (Finkel et al., 2019).
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Turmeric
Intended Use:
Turmeric, primarily due to its active compound curcumin, is frequented as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplement. It is often used for conditions such as arthritis, digestive disorders, and for its potential protective role against chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases (Kumar et al., 2018).
Recommended Dosage:
The standard dosage of turmeric supplements varies but often recommends around 400-600 mg of curcumin, taken two to three times daily for acute conditions. For everyday health benefits, lower doses, around 1,000-1,500 mg per day, are often suggested (Hewlings & Kalman, 2017).
Side Effects:
Turmeric is generally considered safe and tolerable, but some side effects may occur, including gastric irritation, nausea, or diarrhea (Panahi et al., 2014). Rarely, allergic reactions may occur.
Drug Interactions:
Turmeric can interact with several medications, particularly anticoagulants (blood thinners), anti-inflammatory drugs, and certain chemotherapy medications (Kunnumakkara et al., 2017). High doses of turmeric may enhance the effects of these drugs, leading to increased risk of bleeding or adverse reactions.
Contraindications in Liver and Kidney Disease:
For patients with liver disease, the metabolism of turmeric could theoretically be a concern, as turmeric has been associated with altered liver function in some cases (Santos et al., 2015). Patients with kidney disease might also be advised against turmeric supplementation because of its potential to stimulate potassium retention, leading to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) (Shapiro et al., 2020).
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Conclusion and Considerations
The use of dietary supplements like probiotics and turmeric is prevalent among individuals seeking to enhance their health. However, it is crucial to take into account their intended uses, proper dosages, side effects, and potential interactions with other medications, particularly for populations with compromised health conditions, such as liver and kidney disease. Consulting healthcare professionals before starting any new supplement is essential to avoid complications and ensure safe supplementation.
References
1. Finkel, H., Staitieh, B., & Arora, S. (2019). Probiotics in renal disease. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 14(9), 1310-1314.
2. Hewlings, S.J., & Kalman, D.S. (2017). Curcumin: A review of its' effects on human health. Foods, 6(10), 92.
3. Kumar, V., et al. (2018). Curcumin: A review of anti-cancer properties and mechanisms of action. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 75(3), 433-454.
4. Kunnumakkara, A.B., et al. (2017). Update on curcumin and its derivatives as promising anticancer agents. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 8, 18.
5. Lloyd-Donald, P., et al. (2018). The functional role of probiotics and prebiotics in antibiotic therapy. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 63, 1021-1025.
6. McFarland, L.V. (2010). From thanksgiving to the flu: Probiotics for health. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92(6), 1436S-1438S.
7. Ooi, L.G., & Liong, M.T. (2010). Health benefits of probiotics and prebiotics: A review. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 38(1), 35-46.
8. Panahi, Y., et al. (2014). Clinical trial of the efficacy of turmeric in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Journal of Medicinal Food, 17(11), 1096-1103.
9. Santos, J.P., et al. (2015). Effects of curcumin on liver function: A systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2015, 1-11.
10. Shapiro, J., et al. (2020). Kidney function and hyperkalemia. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 15(8), 1196-1207.
11. Saxena, A., & Khandelwal, N. (2017). Probiotics: A primer. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology, 36(4), 213-223.
12. Zhang, Y.X., & Liu, X.J. (2021). Impact of the gut microbiota on liver disease pathogenesis and treatment. Liver International, 41(2), 334-347.