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 glycinate is chelated to the amino acid glycine, which significantly enhances intestinal absorption and minimizes the laxative effect associated with poorly absorbed forms like magnesium oxide.

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 block HMG-CoA reductase in the mevalonate pathway, which is also required for CoQ10 (ubiquinone) synthesis, potentially contributing to statin-associated myopathy.

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

Preformed vitamin A (retinol) at doses exceeding 3,000 mcg RAE per day during pregnancy is associated with fetal birth defects; provitamin A carotenoids like beta-carotene do not carry this risk.

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

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has the most robust evidence among probiotic strains for preventing and reducing the duration of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and certain infectious diarrheas.

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

Vitamin C reduces ferric iron (Fe³⁺) to the more soluble ferrous form (Fe²⁺) and forms a soluble chelate, both of which substantially enhance non-heme iron absorption in the intestine.

CNS - Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam Practice Test

CNS - Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam Practice Test

CNS Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals