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Medications can contribute to malnutrition in older adults when they cause symptoms that reduce food intake. Many drugs have gastrointestinal or sensory side effects—nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, altered taste, or early satiety—that make eating uncomfortable or less appealing. When these side effects lead to decreased appetite and lower overall intake, older adults are at greater risk for inadequate calories and nutrients, weight loss, and malnutrition. This mechanism directly explains how medication use can drive nutritional problems.

The other statements aren’t as accurate. Dietary supplements aren’t themselves a universal malnutrition risk factor and can even help prevent malnutrition when used appropriately. The idea that medication adherence improves appetite isn’t generally true, since many drugs don’t have that effect and some worsens appetite. And suggesting there’s no impact on appetite overlooks the well-documented appetite-suppressing and GI side effects that many medications cause.