Functionality and Antiaging of Supplements: Interactions Between Supplements and Medicines

The demand for supplements and health foods is increasing as people’s interest in health grows, and they are becoming more accessible due to advertising and sales in various media. According to statistics, it is estimated that 30–40% of the entire population of Japan has experience using them. What should be noted is that, according to a document from the Cabinet Office Food Safety Commission (July 27, 2015), 36.8% of outpatients with some kind of disease are taking prescription drugs and “health foods” together, but 70% of them have not consulted a doctor. This is due to a lack of awareness that supplements can interact with medicines, and a lack of questioning from doctors. Although there are few supplements with evidence at the same level as medicines, many people consider them as a placebo, but some scientific reaction can occur once they enter the body. It should be assumed that all supplements have the potential to interact with medicines. There are also reports that about half of those with experience using supplements have used ones that carry some risk of drug interaction [1].