weight loss tips

If you are taking certain medications and eat grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice you may be a ticking time bomb. I read a true story that shocked and surprised me. I bet it will shock and surprise you too. Here is why this is so surprising. In this story, a retired gentleman spends his summers up north and winters in the south as many do. This is what natives call a snowbird in the east coast. Two months after coming to sunny Florida, this retiree dropped dead. Doctors believe the cause was a deadly interaction between the two to three glasses of fresh grapefruit juice he drank everyday and his medication that he took also. Drinking grapefruit juice and eating grapefruit can be deadly for people who take certain medications, according to a paper. In this particular case of the snowbird, the fatal interaction is believed to be between the grapefruit and Lipitor.

This victim had high cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease. Because if this, doctors put him on Lipitor and he began a diet and exercise program to get better. Two weeks after going to Florida for the winter, he went to the hospital complaining of muscle pains, fatigue and fever. Thats where he went into kidney failure and passed away. Although experts know the problem exists, most people and doctors are still in the dark about the deadly risks, even though the FDA requires all prospective new drugs to be tested for interactions with grapefruit juice. A warning about grapefruit juice is included in the "food-drug interactions" that come with dozens of medications.

Since grapefruit juice is metabolized by the similar enzyme in the liver that breaks down many drugs that are ingested, it is one of the foods most likely to cause interactions with some drugs. When the system is bombarded with too much, scientists said the grapefruit juice can swamp the system. This keeps the liver from doing its complete job. It blocks it from breaking down certain drugs and other substances.

Scientists say that the most severe effects are likely with some statins. While the liver devotes its resources to the grapefruit juice, the medication can build up to dangerous levels. This causes a breakdown of the bodys muscles and even kidney failure. This eventually can lead to death.

So, the first tip of the month is: If you are taking ANY prescription medication (especially statin drugs), ask your doctor about the possible interactions with grapefruit juice. You should also read the warnings that come with your medication. I know there may be a lot of fine print, but it could be life or death.

Why do you think there is so much small print in the first place on these labels? This is because all drugs have some form of toxic side effects. That is not to say they dont save lives. They are needed in many situations. Clearly they are important. But the goal of real health should be to have kept your body working properly without drugs, or at least with as little drugs as possible. This is possible through proper diet, exercise, stress management and regular chiropractic care. If at all possible, do it naturally when you can.