What does heart medication has to do with grapefruits?

Answer 1

Grapefruits have many risks if eaten excessively, or even with moderated consumption:Drug InteractionsChemicals in the pulp and juice of grapefruit affect the efficiency of enzymes needed to break down prescription drugs in your body. If you can't metabolize them as manufacturers anticipate you will, you may end up with dangerously high levels of certain medications in your blood. This increases the severity of side effects associated with the particular drug you're taking. The drugs that have proved to not interact well with grapefruit are antidepressants, anti-seizure medications and immunosuppressants, according to MayoClinic.com. Saquinavir, a drug used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus, is dangerous to take with grapefruit. Properties in the juice and pulp also affect statins taken for high cholesterol and calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure. MayoClinic.com warns that even drinking grapefruit juice a day after you've taken any of these medications can have adverse effects. In addition, Wellness.com says that grapefruit might possibly affect the efficiency of antihistamines.

Sponsored Links

Blood Clotting RiskDr. Lucinda Grande of St. Peter Family Medicine in Washington reported in the medical journal, "The Lancet," that one of her patients suffered serious blood clotting when she started on a diet that required eating grapefruit each morning. The woman was also on Birth Control pills. Grande concluded that her patient was already at risk for clotting, and adding grapefruit to her diet compounded her problems. It disabled an important enzyme that would have metabolized the estrogen in her birth control pills. Liddle's SyndromeLiddle's Syndrome is a serious disorder characterized by over-efficient renal activity, resulting in the reabsorption of sodium that your body ordinarily would flush out. This also causes loss of potassium and loss of aldosterone. Wellness.com indicates that grapefruit in high doses can cause this condition. Aetna InteliHealth reports that grapefruit in excess can affect your potassium and aldosterone levels. Kidney StonesReports conflict as to whether grapefruit and grapefruit juice are good for kidney stones or may cause them. Aetna InteliHealth says that tests and studies have shown mixed results. Aetna warns against eating too much of this fruit or drinking too much of its juice if you are prone to kidney stones; speaking first with your physician is advised. High Blood PressureGrapefruit in high quantities might impact your body's ability to convert cortisol to cortisone, and this can affect blood pressure.