Some Foods And Drugs Don’t Mix

Without getting into all the clinical rules, I’ve always looked for a cut-to-the-chase consumer list of when to avoid what specific foods if you take certain medications.

Finally, in Real Simple magazine (pg. 74, Jan 2010), I found one.  Here it is:

• Avoid grapefruit [including juice] if you’re taking a cholesterol lowering drug or a prescription sleep aid.
• Avoid chocolate if your using an MAO-inhibiting antidepressant.
• Avoid black licorice if you’re on heart medication.

I’m not sure of the science here, but I’m assuming that it’s real.  I’ve heard the grapefruit advice before, but never the others.  Do physicians and/or pharmacists tell you this?

The story also goes on to recommend a few foods:

• Shiitake Mushrooms – help boost the immune system and prevent the growth of cancer cells
• Brazil Nuts – may ward off colon, lung, and prostate cancer
• Horseradish – increase the liver’s ability to fight carcinogens and suppress growth of cancerous tumors…and may help avoid urinary tract infections.
• Walnuts – help reduce cholesterol and inflamation that may lead to high blood pressure and heart disease
• Black rasperries – may retard the growth of precancerous cells

So…watch what you eat!