| beachgal |
11-03-2004 08:39 AM |
Daily Dish: Grapefruit and Meds
Interesting Daily Dish today:
Quote:
Grapefruit and Medications Alert
Although grapefruit is generally healthy and nutritious, the fruit has been shown to interact negatively with a variety of medications for treating heart disease, depression, seizures, and HIV. What is it about grapefruit that may be so dangerous?
Unlike other fruits, grapefruit contains chemicals that interfere with your body's ability to break down certain drugs. This can lead to undesirably high concentrations of the drug within your bloodstream and an increased risk of developing serious side effects. While it's not known what specifically causes this interaction, scientists do know that the chemical culprits are present in all parts of the grapefruit. Negative effects can also be experienced after taking dietary supplements made with grapefruit extract.
If you are on medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, HIV, or seizures, consult your physician about the dangers associated with eating grapefruit. You may be instructed to eliminate grapefruit from your diet.
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