CNS Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals

Question 1

Which form of magnesium is most bioavailable and least likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects at therapeutic doses?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium glycinate

Answer

Magnesium oxide

Answer

Magnesium sulfate

Answer

Magnesium carbonate

Question 2

A patient taking a statin medication asks about supplementing with CoQ10. Which statement best describes the rationale for CoQ10 supplementation in this context?

Accepted Answer

Statins inhibit the mevalonate pathway, reducing endogenous CoQ10 synthesis

Answer

Statins increase CoQ10 synthesis by upregulating the mevalonate pathway

Answer

CoQ10 supplementation prevents statin-induced hepatotoxicity

Answer

CoQ10 directly lowers LDL cholesterol, enhancing statin efficacy

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the upper tolerable intake level (UL) concern with preformed vitamin A supplementation in pregnant women?

Accepted Answer

Doses above 3,000 mcg RAE/day are associated with teratogenicity

Answer

Beta-carotene supplements carry the same teratogenic risk as retinol

Answer

The UL for vitamin A does not apply during pregnancy

Answer

Vitamin A toxicity only occurs with injectable forms

Question 4

A practitioner recommends a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. This strain has the strongest evidence base for which clinical application?

Accepted Answer

Reducing the duration of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Answer

Reducing systolic blood pressure in hypertensive adults

Answer

Improving insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes

Answer

Lowering serum LDL cholesterol

Question 5

Which factor most significantly enhances the intestinal absorption of non-heme iron from a supplement?

Accepted Answer

Co-ingesting the supplement with vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Answer

Consuming the supplement with a calcium-rich dairy product

Answer

Taking the supplement concurrently with a proton pump inhibitor

Answer

Taking the supplement with a high-phytate grain product

Question 6

When counseling a patient about omega-3 fatty acid supplements for triglyceride reduction, which dose is generally supported by clinical evidence for a significant (>15%) triglyceride-lowering effect?

Accepted Answer

3–4 g EPA+DHA per day

Answer

0.5–1 g EPA+DHA per day

Answer

1–2 g EPA+DHA per day

Answer

6–8 g EPA+DHA per day

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why methylfolate (5-MTHF) is often preferred over folic acid for individuals with MTHFR polymorphisms?

Accepted Answer

Methylfolate bypasses the conversion step catalyzed by MTHFR, delivering the active form directly

Answer

Methylfolate has a longer half-life in serum than folic acid

Answer

Folic acid competes with methylfolate at intestinal transport receptors in these individuals

Answer

Methylfolate reduces homocysteine independently of the methionine cycle