This book focuses on 80% of Americans consume at least one drug – defined as a pharmaceutically active agent–regularly. Moreover, the fastest growing population in the United States as well as globally is that over 60 years of age and especially the oldest-old, those over 80 years of age, and drug use increases with increasing age. Additionally, the aged are at greatest risk for both deficiencies as well as overconsumption of certain nutrients that could be further exacerbated by drug–nutrient interactions. The editors clearly understand the seriousness of the issue of drug–nutrient interactions. They have stated that ‘‘In the care of patients, both drug therapy and nutritional therapy are critical. The potential for drugs and nutrients to interact with each other is significant, but unrecognized by many clinicians. These interactions may result in therapeutic failure or adverse effects of the drug, or alterations in the nutritional status of the patient – in either case impacting the patient’s outcome.’’
