The Undisclosed Usage of Dietary Supplements in Chinese Elderly Patients: A Case Report and Review of the Evidence for Nutritional Interventions

The use of dietary herbal supplements in patients taking prescribed or over-the-counter medications may not be appropriate due to potential herb-drug interactions. The case report of an 81-year-old Chinese American woman taking nonprescribed, over-the-counter, dietary herbal supplements is presented to demonstrate the risk of undisclosed use of supplements. This article emphasizes the need for registered dietitian nutritionists and other health care professionals to encourage patients disclose their use of dietary supplements and conduct evaluations on potential adverse herb-drug interactions. Recommendations should be provided to patients regarding the use of dietary supplements as part of the comprehensive patient care.