It was stated that grapefruit juice contains many compounds which help to prevent cancer and atherosclerosis (hardening of
arteries). A nutraceutical is such a part of food which provides health and medical benefits, like prevention and treatment of
disease. Thus, grapefruit juice can se justified as nutraceutical. But for some people taking certain medicines grapefruit juice
may be ‘’nutrapollutical’’. It was testified that grapefruit juice may interact with medicines in different ways, bad and good as
well. It becomes more significant, because more and more people drink this kind of juice during the breakfast, the time when many
medicines are also taken.
Grapefruit juice has a property of inhabitation special enzyme in the intestines, which is responsible for breakdown and absorption
of many medicines.
When the effect of this enzyme is blocked, this increases the blood levels, which can lead to toxic side effects from the
medicines.
It is a miracle, but the interaction between food-drug and medicines was revealed by accident! Scientists were testing the
interaction of some medicines with alcohol and they used grapefruit juice to hide the taste of alcohol. Thus, it was revealed that
grapefruit juice itself increases the amount of this drug in the body.
The research suggested that grapefruit juice contains flavonoids and/or furanocoumarin, which block the enzyme in intestine and
thus metabolize the drugs.
The grapefruit juice-drug interaction can lead to unpredictable and hazardous levels of certain important drugs.
Here are the drugs with which grapefruit juice SHOULD NOT be consumed unless it is suggested by the doctor:
- Statins (Cholesterol Drugs):
- Mevacor (Lovastatin), Lipitor (Atorvastatin), Zocor (Simvastatin)
- Antihistamines: Ebastine, Seldane (Terfenadine, taken off the U.S. market)
- Calcium Channel Blockers (Blood Pressure Drugs): Nimotop (Nimodipine), Nitrendipine, Plendil (Felodipine), Pranidipine,
Sular (Nisoldipine)
- Psychiatric Medications: Buspar (Buspirone), Halcion (Triazolam), Tegretol (Carbamazepine), Valium (Diazepam), Versed
(Midazolam)
- Intestinal Medications: Propulsid (Cisapride, taken off the U.S. market)
- Immune Suppressants: Neoral (Cyclosporine), Prograf (Tacrolimus)
- Pain Medications: Methadone
- Impotence Drug: Viagra (Sildenafil)
Taking these medications along with grapefruit juice may evoke toxic blood levels. In their turn, high blood levels may lead to the
damage of some organs or to the impair of their normal function. If you or a family member are taking any of these medications,
beware of the "nutrapollutical" - grapefruit juice.
|
Grapefruit Juice Can Interact With Medicines!
