Blog
Posted by Crystal Zamudio on Thursday, December 30, 2010
3 Major Food & Drug Interactions
Statins & Grapefruit Juice: Statins are a class of cholesterol lowering drugs that lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol. Statins are broken down by the enzyme cytochrome P450. Grapefruit juice contains a chemical that inhibits the enzyme, so the statin drug doesn't get a chance to clear out making the dose circulating in the blood much higher and more potent than intended leading to affecting the liver and cause painful muscle damage and weakness.
Antidepressants & Aged Cheeses: Aged cheeses are hard cheese blocks such as parmesan, romano, cheddar, etc. These cheeses contain a harmless substance called tyramine that is broken down by the enzyme monoamine oxidase. People that take antidepressenats (MAOI - monoamine oxidase inhibitors) with foods that have tyramine, the body is unable to break it down and that can cause them to experience a deadly spike in blood pressure and a risk factor of a heart attack & stroke.
High Blood Pressure Drugs & Natural Licorice Root: The natural licorice root is sold as a supplement, extract, tea. The licorice can dangerously lower potassium levels and elevate blood pressure. Taking a high blood pressure drug with licorice can give false appearance that the medication is not being successful. In other words it leads you to take more of the drug (overdose) that can lead you to the ER.
Antidepressants & Aged Cheeses: Aged cheeses are hard cheese blocks such as parmesan, romano, cheddar, etc. These cheeses contain a harmless substance called tyramine that is broken down by the enzyme monoamine oxidase. People that take antidepressenats (MAOI - monoamine oxidase inhibitors) with foods that have tyramine, the body is unable to break it down and that can cause them to experience a deadly spike in blood pressure and a risk factor of a heart attack & stroke.
High Blood Pressure Drugs & Natural Licorice Root: The natural licorice root is sold as a supplement, extract, tea. The licorice can dangerously lower potassium levels and elevate blood pressure. Taking a high blood pressure drug with licorice can give false appearance that the medication is not being successful. In other words it leads you to take more of the drug (overdose) that can lead you to the ER.
