Many people take medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol... What foods should they be cautious about?

There are certain medications and foods that do not go well together. Consuming them together can reduce the effectiveness of the medication or pose health risks.

Based on data from the American health and nutrition media 'Eat This, Not That,' a list of incompatible medications and foods has been compiled.

 

Grapefruit=

 

This fruit contains antihistamines for allergic rhinitis medication and statins for hyperlipidemia treatment.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is harmful to take calcium channel blocker antihypertensive medications together.

Grapefruit excessively raises the blood levels of medication.

 

For example, if you take a calcium channel blocker antihypertensive medication with grapefruit juice, blood pressure

It can become excessively low or cause kidney (renal) toxicity.

It is best to avoid foods containing grapefruit one hour before taking medication and within two hours after taking it.

Spinach

 

It is harmful to people taking blood thinners such as warfarin.

It is due to the abundance of vitamin K in green leafy vegetables. Because of its blood clotting effect, it reduces the effectiveness of the medication.

Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, and parsley are also important for patients taking blood thinners to be aware of.

 

 

Banana=

 

Taking diuretics with antihypertensive medications is dangerous. It's due to the potassium-rich content of bananas.

Eating together can cause the potassium level in the body to become excessively high, leading to hyperkalemia.

If the heart beats excessively or if the heart is affected, a heart attack can occur.

Be careful with spinach, sweet potatoes, salmon, and other foods high in potassium, including those mentioned earlier.

 

 

Cheese=

 

It causes side effects when taken together with some antidepressants.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as the main ingredient antidepressants and cheese

When tyramine is ingested, it can cause severe hypertension or cerebral hemorrhage.

Tyramine is found not only in wine, chocolate, and avocados but also in Korean fermented foods such as kimchi and doenjang.

 

 

Alcohol=

 

It's common knowledge, but you should never drink alcohol while taking medication. Depression, diabetes, colds, insomnia, etc.

Almost all medications interact with alcohol to cause side effects. When alcohol and medication are mixed, the side effects become more severe.

 

 

Anti-inflammatory painkillers can cause stomach bleeding and liver damage.

Blood pressure medication can cause kidney damage due to dehydration.

Sleep medications can cause hypoxia due to respiratory difficulties, while antidepressants may lead to increased blood pressure and dizziness.

 

 

Kwon Soon-il Reporter (kstt77@kormedi.com)