Abstract
When comparing the way pharmaceutical drugs and micronutrients are absorbed, move through body tissues, are transformed, and eliminated, the term pharmacokinetics is applied. When examining how they work and change the body functions, the term applied is pharmacodynamics. Although nutrients can have therapeutic potential, they are qualitatively different from drugs. Drugs are far more toxic than micronutrients, and have unique biological qualities of pleiotropic functions. Failing to realize the multiple functions of nutrients and how disease states can dramatically alter micronutrient needs have created design flaws in many studies that have been translated into erroneous interpretations. In this article, we propose the use of the terms nutrikinetics and nutridynamics to better describe and differentiate the metabolic nature of micronutrients and phytochemicals. In addition, we elaborate on the therapeutic window, detoxification, biotransformation, and elimination. Finally, we also propose the consideration of adequate use of dietary supplements early in the management of any health condition before or at least simultaneous to the use of pharmaceutical medications.
When comparing the way pharmaceutical drugs and micronutrients are absorbed, move through body tissues, are transformed, and eliminated, the term pharmacokinetics is applied. When examining how they work and change the body functions, the term applied is pharmacodynamics. Although nutrients can have therapeutic potential, they are qualitatively different from drugs. Drugs are far more toxic than micronutrients, and have unique biological qualities of pleiotropic functions. Failing to realize the multiple functions of nutrients and how disease states can dramatically alter micronutrient needs have created design flaws in many studies that have been translated into erroneous interpretations. In this article, we propose the use of the terms nutrikinetics and nutridynamics to better describe and differentiate the metabolic nature of micronutrients and phytochemicals. In addition, we elaborate on the therapeutic window, detoxification, biotransformation, and elimination. Finally, we also propose the consideration of adequate use of dietary supplements early in the management of any health condition before or at least simultaneous to the use of pharmaceutical medications.
