For patients with chronic illnesses who need to take medication daily, meal management is important. Depending on the medication ingredients, it can either promote the excretion of nutrients from the body or cause side effects due to nutrient excess.

 

The chronic diseases mainly affecting middle-aged and older adults are hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Depending on the medications taken for each chronic disease, attention should be paid to food intake.

 

First, when suffering from hypertension, there are cases where patients take antihypertensive drugs from the 'dihydropyridine' class to lower blood pressure. Consuming this medication along with grape juice, cranberry juice, apple juice, etc., can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure as a side effect. This is because flavonoid components increase the absorption of the medication. If you are taking a potassium-sparing diuretic, you should avoid eating foods high in potassium such as plums, bananas, and oranges. This is because hyperkalemia may occur.

Metformin, which most diabetes patients are prescribed, inhibits the absorption of vitamin B12. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to fatigue, difficulty walking, and pain. It is advisable to supplement vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 can be obtained from lean meats, milk, and eggs. If nutritional intake through food is difficult, taking supplements is also an option. Additionally, consuming alcohol while taking metformin can enhance lactic acid metabolism, which increases the risk of cancer development, so alcohol intake should be avoided.

 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken by arthritis patients are also incompatible with alcohol. If someone taking NSAIDs consumes excessive alcohol, gastrointestinal bleeding may occur. Bisphosphonates, used by osteoporosis patients, may not be well absorbed if taken with milk, orange juice, coffee, or similar beverages. If you are taking calcium supplements for bone health, you should avoid consuming them with tannin-containing teas such as green tea and black tea, as they interfere with calcium absorption.

 

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What we eat and drink

There are parts to be careful about when taking medication.

People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis

I should be careful.

 

Chronic disease patients, please be sure to check.