Smart swallowing: food and medicines

Too high or too low a dose due to grapefruit or St. John’s wort

Grapefruit and drugs are often not a good combination. Some cholesterol-lowering drugs change the effect, even if you do not take them at the same time. Grapefruit (juice) affects the absorption. So is the mild antidepressant St. John’s wort. But while grapefruit stimulates the absorption and thus the effect, possibly causing you to take too high a dose of the medicine, St. John’s wort actually inhibits it. As a result, you can get too little active ingredient.

Do you take statins? Eat herring!

Statins lower the production of cholesterol in the liver and ultimately the cholesterol level In the body. That is of course exactly the intention. But also the creation of vitamin D in the skin under the influence of sunlight, this decreases. Cholesterol is needed for this production. Research shows that approximately one in ten statin users suffers from muscle complaints such as muscle pain in the upper arms, thighs, thighs, calves and back. Also painful tendons, muscle weakness and nocturnal muscle cramps occur. These complaints may indicate a deficiency of vitamin D, which is not only necessary for the bones, but also for the muscles.

A vitamin D supplement offers a solution. In American research, the complaints disappeared in nine out of ten statin users. Incidentally, the Nutrition Center recommends a vitamin D supplement with 10 micrograms per day for all women over the age of 50. From the age of 70, a supplement containing 20 micrograms of vitamin D per day is recommended for women and men. Vitamin D is also in Fatty fish (herring, salmon, mackerel), margarine, low-fat margarine and baking and roasting products.

Be careful with salt substitutes for ACE inhibitors or diuretics

With ACE inhibitors and potassium-sparing diuretics there is a risk of excess potassium in the body. This is because potassium is retained by the kidneys. In extreme cases, this can lead to cardiac arrest. Therefore, do not take potassium salts and potassium supplements. Also in products with less salt, potassium salts are often used to replace sodium salt (table salt). Therefore, always check the ingredient list of low-salt or salt-reduced foods.

Do not take bisphosphonates or antibiotics with milk

Certain species antibiotics (such as tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline) and bisphosphonates against osteoporosis (such as alendronic acid) should not be taken at the same time as dairy products. Calcium can bind to these drugs in the intestines, making them less well absorbed. If there is at least two hours in between, there is no problem.

Liver and milk are good with metformin (in diabetes)

Metformin, a diabetes drug, reduces the amount of calcium in the gut. Calcium is needed in the intestines for the absorption of vitamin B12. That is why a vitamin B12 deficiency is lurking. User studies have found a 19 percent drop in blood vitamin B12 levels. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, breathlessness, chest pain and memory problems.

It is wise to have your doctor regularly check the vitamin B12 level via blood tests. You can also help prevent a vitamin B12 deficiency yourself by ensuring sufficient vitamin B12 and calcium; watch your diet So. Calcium is mainly found in dairy, but to a lesser extent also in nuts, vegetables such as broccoli and legumes. Vitamin B12 is only found in animal products such as meat, fish, dairy and eggs. Liver and mussels are especially rich in vitamin B12. A vitamin B12 supplement is worth considering, especially if you vegetarian are.

Dried apricots in thiazide diuretics (water tablets)

Diuretics are also called water tablets because they promote the excretion of water through the urine. This is beneficial for high blood pressure and heart failure, but has the disadvantage that more minerals are also excreted. The so-called thiazide diuretics mainly involve potassium.

Research shows that half of the users of these water pills have a potassium deficiency. This can lead to muscle weakness, impaired heart function, depression and confusion. Potassium is abundant in potatoes and dried fruit. Also, reduce salt consumption, as sodium increases the excretion of potassium. So be careful with pizza, ready meals, soups, gravies and sauces and add little table salt to the food. Pay attention: some products contain shocking amounts of salt!

Do you take loop diuretics (water tablets)? Brazil nuts as a snack!

Loop duretics mainly increase the excretion of vitamin B1 and magnesium, which can lead to deficiencies. Deficiency of vitamin B1 manifests itself in depression and problems with memory and concentration. Other symptoms include irritability more quickly, loss of appetite and weight loss. A magnesium deficiency can lead to fatigue, stomach cramps, cardiac arrhythmias and muscle complaints. Pork and bread contain a lot of vitamin B1, while magnesium is mainly found in nuts, seeds and soy products. Brazil nuts are rich in both vitamin B1 and magnesium.

Be careful with spinach with anticoagulants

Most anticoagulants owe their effect to the fact that they counteract vitamin K. These drugs are also known as vitamin K antagonists. But you do need vitamin K for blood clotting. For the anticoagulant medication to work properly, it is important that the amount of medication is in balance with the amount of vitamin K you ingest. A large amount can reduce the effect of the anticoagulant medicine.

You can help prevent large vitamin K fluctuations by eating a varied diet and not taking vitamin supplements that contain more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K. And if you start eating more vitamin-K-rich vegetables, such as kale, Spinach, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, report this to the thrombosis service when your blood is checked.