Not all statins are affected equally by grapefruit juice, so grapefruit fans might want to switch to a statin that’s less affected (see the table below).
Grapefruit juice and statins.
| The grapefruit effect Grapefruit juice affects certain statins more than others. | |
|---|---|
| Big effect | Little or no effect |
| simvastatin (Zocor) | pravastatin (Pravachol) |
Can I eat grapefruit instead of taking statins?
Atorvastatin interacts with grapefruit juice if you drink large quantities (more than 1.2 litres daily), but an occasional glass is thought to be safe. Currently, healthcare professionals advise it is safe to drink grapefruit juice and eat grapefruit if you’re taking other types of statins.
What can replace statin drugs?
7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statins
- Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis.
- Plant stanols and sterols.
- Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins.
- Niacin.
- Policosanol.
- Red yeast rice extract (RYRE)
- Natural products.
Why is grapefruit not good for cholesterol?
Some substances can interact with statins
With some statins, drinking grapefruit juice, or eating grapefruit, is a bad idea. Grapefruit juice can cause that statin to stay in your body much longer, and the drug can build up. This can increase the risk of muscle breakdown, liver damage, and even kidney failure.
Which statin is OK with grapefruit?
In reality, it’s only related to the 3 statins we mentioned above. So, it’s safe to continue enjoying your grapefruit with pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), fluvastatin (Lescol), and pitavastatin (Livalo).
Why can’t diabetics have grapefruit?
Potentially dangerous drug interactions
Grapefruit is unique in that it has an enzyme-binding ability. This means that it may cause certain medications to pass from the GI tract into the bloodstream faster than normal, raising the amount of medication in your bloodstream, which can be potentially dangerous.
What meds Cannot be taken with grapefruit?
Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine). Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Neoral and Sandimmune capsule or oral solution (both cyclosporine).
What is a natural statin?
Natural statins are dietary supplements that are considered helpful in lowering your cholesterol. There’s some evidence that the following are effective when it comes to reducing cholesterol levels.
Is there an alternative to statins for high cholesterol?
Statins are a group of medications that lower a specific type of cholesterol level in your blood. The best alternatives to statins are PCSK9 inhibitors, fibric acid derivatives or fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, selective absorption inhibitors, nicotinic acid or niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids and fatty-acid esters.
How do you treat high cholesterol without statins?
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- Reduce saturated fats. Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol.
- Eliminate trans fats.
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Increase soluble fiber.
- Add whey protein.
Can you eat grapefruit everyday?
Regularly consuming grapefruit is thought to improve heart health by reducing risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. In one study, people who ate grapefruit 3 times daily for 6 weeks experienced significant reductions in blood pressure over the course of the study.
Is grapefruit good for arteries?
Pink and red grapefruit are good sources of beta carotene (a source of vitamin A) and lycopene, an antioxidant “cousin” to beta carotene that has been linked to lower stroke risk.
Does Pink Grapefruit lower cholesterol?
In a controlled study group of patients with heart disease, the scientists found that feeding some patients the equivalent of one grapefruit daily significantly reduced levels of cholesterol in comparison to patients that did not eat grapefruit. Chronic high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Does grapefruit affect blood pressure?
Studies have shown that eating grapefruit every day can lower systolic blood pressure by as much as five points. This may be due to grapefruit’s high levels of potassium, which neutralize the negative effects of sodium (a common cause of hypertension).
What vitamins should not be taken with grapefruit?
Taking grapefruit with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk for a serious heart issue. Examples of supplements with this effect include bitter orange, ephedra, iboga, and Panax ginseng. Drinking grapefruit juice when taking licorice might increase licorice’s ability to lower potassium levels.
How much grapefruit is too much?
The review authors state that one whole grapefruit or 6.7 ounces of grapefruit juice is enough to increase drug concentration in the bloodstream. For example, taking calcium inhibitors with grapefruit juice may cause toxicity in the kidneys.
What are 3 things you should never do to the feet of someone with diabetes?
Avoid soaking your feet, as this can lead to dry skin. Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes. Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion or petroleum jelly. Do not put oils or creams between your toes — the extra moisture can lead to infection.
Is grapefruit good for kidneys?
Grapefruits are great fruits: Citrus juice could keep your kidneys healthy, according to a new study from the U.K. Researchers discovered that a flavonoid called naringenin—found in grapefruit, oranges, and tomatoes—regulates a protein that decreases growths related to kidney cysts, which can lead to kidney failure.
Will grapefruit spike blood sugar?
Grapefruit is low on the glycemic index. This means that it provides nutrients but does not have a significant negative impact on a person’s blood sugar levels.
What happens if you eat grapefruit while taking atorvastatin?
Grapefruit contains a chemical that can interfere with your body’s ability to break down or metabolize certain statin medications. When statin takers eat large amounts of grapefruit, the level of statins in their blood can increase, raising the possibility of side effects.
Is grapefruit juice good for your liver?
Citrus fruit
Citrus fruits stimulate the liver and help it turns toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Grapefruit is especially good as it contains naringin and naringenin, which are antioxidants that reduce inflammation to protect the liver from injury.
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