When food affects medicine

Foods can affect drug action in many ways. The most common is when foods interfere with absorption, which can make a drug less effective. For example, calcium in milk can bind to the antibiotic tetracycline, interfering with its absorption. Nutrients or other components of food can also interfere with a drug’s metabolism, or how it is broken down in the body. Finally, foods can affect the elimination of drugs from the body.

 So some drugs should not be taken with food. Other drugs must be taken with foods to prevent stomach irritation.  

 When medicine affects nutrients

Some drugs interfere with the absorption of nutrients. For example, some cholesterol-lowering medications reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Others affect the body’s use or elimination of nutrients, like diuretics, which ca cause a depletion of potassium, and lead to a deficiency.

Dangerous interactions

The following are some of the more serious interactions that can occur between food and medicine:

MAO inhibitors and foods containing tyramine

 Mixing monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors-a class of medications used to treat depression-with foods high in tyramine produces one of the most dramatic and dangerous food-drug interactions. Symptoms include a rapid rise in blood pressure, severe headache, collapse, and even death. Foods high in tyramine include aged cheese, chicken liver, certain red wines, yeast extracts, processed meats, dried or pickled fish, legumes, soy sauce, and beer.

 Grapefruit

 Grapefruit juice contains a compound that can increase the absorption of certain drugs, which can result in receiving a larger dose than was intended. This effect is not seen with other citrus fruit juices. Example of drugs that are affected include AIDS medications, cholesterol-lowering “statins” calcium channel blockers, antihypertension drugs, and cyclosporine, an immune system suppressant. As a general rule it is better to stay away from taking any medication with grapefruit juice. Since compounds in grapefruit juice can stay in the blood for 24 hours, effects may be noted even if the medication is not taken directly with the juice.

 Foods high in vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential for clotting blood. Foods high in vitamin K, such as Swiss chard, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and other leafy greens, can interfere with blood thinners.

 Alcohol

 Alcohol and medications do not mix well. Alcohol can slow down the body’s metabolism, so medication stay active longer than they should. In some cases, mixing alcohol with medication can be fatal. Try to avoid it completely when taking prescription or over the counter medication.

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The good news is gout is preventable by controlling your daily diet. Here are the 5 tips of role of diet for gout sufferers.

1. Lose weight gradually. Many people who have gout are obese; losing weight-especially fat around the abdomen-often prevents future attacks. Weight loss should be gradual, however, because a rapid reduction can raise blood level of uric acid and provoke gout. Fasting increases the blood levels of uric acid, therefore, people with gout should never try to skip meals. High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets should be avoided since these diets encourage the formation of ketones, metabolic by-products that hamper the body’s ability to excrete uric acid.

2. You may have to modify your drug therapy. Sometime gout is brought on by using aspirin or diuretics for high blood pressure. This medicine may interfere with normal kidney function and the elimination of uric acid. Your doctor may change treatment if you experience severe joint paint while on a drug therapy.

3. Avoid foods that are high in purines. Foods with a high content of naturally occurring chemicals called purines promote overproduction of uric acid in people with a tendency for gout. High-purine foods include anchovies, sardines, liver, kidneys, brains, meat extracts, herring, mackerel, scallops, game, beer, and red wine; these should be avoided completely. Moderately high purine content is found in whole-grain cereals, wheat germ and wheat bran, oatmeal, dried beans and peas, and mushrooms; eat these in moderation.

4. Consume plenty of liquids. Try to drink at least 2 liters of plain water a day to dilute urine and prevent kidney stone formation. Beer and wines should be avoided as these beverages are high in purines and interfere with the elimination of uric acid. People suffers from gout can opt for distilled alcohols in minute amount. Gout sufferers should drink only distilled alcohols in small amounts. Caffeinated beverages such as coffee also can also increase the production of uric acid and further impair its removal from the body. 

5. Eat fish rich in omega-3s.  The omega-3 fatty acids in fish have been found to reduce pain and inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis and may have a similar benefit in gout, but this may be countered by the purine content of the fish.

People suffers from gout also may have hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. Counseling by a registered dietitian may help in designing appetizing, healthful meals that strike a balance between these health concerns and the enjoyment of food.

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There is a lot of debate as to what the greatest vitamin actually is. Each vitamin has its own essential functions that contribute to a person’s general health and well-being.  It is impossible to actually state that one of these is the greatest vitamin. Our body need all of them to work properly. However there are a number of foods that provide the greatest vitamin quantities.

The greatest vitamin sources vary for each vitamin. It is important to have a balanced diet to ensure that the required amounts of each vitamin are obtained. However, it may be useful to list the greatest vitamin sources for each vitamin to be used as a guide.

* Greatest vitamin A sources are milk, eggs, butter, yellow fruits & vegetables, dark green fruits & vegetables, liver

* Greatest vitamin B1 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk

* Greatest vitamin B2 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses

* Greatest vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewer’s yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes

* Greatest vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes

* Greatest vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewer’s yeast

* Greatest vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewer’s yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ

* Greatest vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewer’s yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains

* Greatest vitamin B8 sources are who1e grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewer’s yeast

* Greatest vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk

* Greatest vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts

* Greatest vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey

* Greatest vitamin B15 sources are brewer’s yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

* Greatest vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums

* Greatest vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chilli peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips

* Greatest vitamin D sources are salmon, sardines, herring, milk, egg yolk, organ meats, sprouted seeds, sunflower seeds

* Greatest vitamin E sources are cold-pressed oils, eggs, wheat germ, organ meats, molasses, sweet potatoes, nuts

* Greatest vitamin F sources are vegetable oils, butter, sunflower seeds

* Greatest vitamin K sources are green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, safflower oil, blackstrap molasses, cauliflower

* Greatest vitamin Q sources are pinto beans, legumes, soybeans

* Greatest vitamin T sources are sesame seeds, raw seeds, butter, egg yolk

* Greatest vitamin V sources are raw cabbage, sauerkraut, leafy vegetables

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Double X comes with three individual packages (62 multivitamin tablets, 62 multiminerals tablets and 62 plants concentrates tablets) in a convenient travel case. I consumed once a day since 6 months ago. I did stop (forgetting) sometimes and feel a bit tired but overall Double X does not have any side effect for me. The major advantage of Double X is the plant concentrates. DOUBLE X includes a wide array of plant concentrates, offering a phytonutrient diversity similar to what you can find in a balanced diet. Nutrilite Science Institutes scientists had identified 17 concentrates that have broad health benefits after screening over more than 200 different plants concentrates in a range of bioassays. Double X also does not contain any artificial preservatives, flavors and colors. This is suitable for those who want to avoid synthetic additives. Double X uses NUTRILOCK coating which is different from traditional coating that contain waxes or fillers. NUTRILOCK also make it easy to swallow and enables supplements to quickly dissolve in our digestive system.

Looking for a balanced good quality multivitamins? Nutrilite Double X can be a good choice.

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Menstruation, stress, contraceptive pills (contain male hormones), drugs (steroids, anti epilepsy pills) and oily cosmetics will exaggerate the acne. Contrary to popular belief, acne is seldom made worse by food (a minority however may react to chocolate or fatty foods). Acne is not made worse by greasy hair, hair on the face or swimming pools. It is not infectious and cannot be scrubbed away by keeping the skin excessively clean.

There are few tips to treat acne

1.       By leaving it alone. Taking out blackheads is not recommended, and try not to pick or squeeze pimples, it can make the infection worse and cause scars.

2.       Gentle regular cleaning. Avoid excessive scrubbing. Special soaps and shampoos are not necessary.

3.       Benzoyl peroxide cream or lotion. Benzoyl peroxide can get rid of some of the bacteria on the skin makes top layer of skin peel off, thus unblocking the pores. Excessive usage however can cause irritation to the skin.

4.       Synthetic vitamin A based creams, lotions and gels. Vitamin A will make the skin dry and peel. This product might make your skin worse initially but it should improve after a few weeks. Apply a thin film on your face, no more than once a day.

5.       Antibiotic liquids or lotion. This product can help to stop infection if you have pus filled spots. Antibiotic does not help for blackheads or whiteheads. These liquids can also dry the skin.

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A study in 2002 looked for links between antiperspirant use and breast cancer in 1,500 women. The researchers found that neither antiperspirants nor deodorants increased breast cancer risk. These conclusions were based on interviews with 813 women with breast cancer and 793 women with no history of breast cancer. The result was published in The Journal of National Cancer Institute.

Most of us know that our body does not need aluminium. Aluminium is a poison to our body that serves no beneficial effect in our body. However, if you are a regular user of deodorant or antiperspirant, you might expose to this aluminium because aluminium is accounts for about 25% of deodorants or antiperspirants. Aluminium can form a temporary plug within the sweat duct that stops the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface. Darbre PD and his team of researchers suggest that aluminum-based compounds, which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, may be absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like (hormonal) effects. Because estrogen has the ability to promote the growth of breast cancer cells, Darbre PD et al in their publication at Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry in year 2005 also suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer.

A small study in 17 women with breast cancer was quite widely reported in the news in 2007. It found higher levels of aluminium in the part of the breast nearest the skin, and the authors speculated that aluminium in deodorants might cause breast cancer.But the design of this study was not strong enough to draw that conclusion. The number recruited for this study is rather small to draw conclusive resultSecondly, the researchers also did not compare levels of aluminium in these womens’ breasts to level in other parts of their bodies, or to levels in women who do not have breast cancer.

So, what is the conclusion? More established study with proper sample size should be conducted in order to solve this controversy.

Jones J. Can rumors cause cancer? Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2000; 92(18):1469–1471.
Darbre PD. Underarm cosmetics and breast cancer. Journal of Applied Toxicology 2003; 23(2):89–95.
Darbre PD. Aluminium, antiperspirants and breast cancer. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry 2005; 99(9):1912–1919.
Harvey PW, Everett DJ. Significance of the detection of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) in human breast tumours. Journal of Applied Toxicology 2004; 24(1):1–4.
Mirick DK, Davis S, Thomas DB. Antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2002; 94(20):1578–1580.
McGrath KG. An earlier age of breast cancer diagnosis related to more frequent use of antiperspirants/deodorants and underarm shaving. European Journal of Cancer 2003; 12(6):479–485.
Exley C, Charles LM, Barr L, Martin C, Polwart A, Darbre PD. Aluminium in human breast tissue. J Inorg Biochem. 2007;101(9):1344–1346.

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So to start with, why are plenty of us so overweight?

Genetic
First there’s genetic differences when it comes to weight gain. Over two of our building block codes, or genes as they are known, are responsible for our metabolic rate, and for our desire to exercise. For example, two that has been discovered is called the FTO gene, and it regulates the amount of energy burned, without it more energy is spontaneously used for the same work.

Before birth and as babies
Weight gain problems can be initiated before you are born. In cases where the father is diabetic, smokes or has malnutrition and vitamin B deficiency, there is a greater chance of the kid growing up overweight.

In infancy
An early withdrawal off breast milk and replacement with a high calorie diet, including monosodium glutamate in kid formula, are indicators of future obesity.

As babies
Overweight parents have overweight babies. Babies are easily influenced. The misguided habit of providing babies with something to put in their mouths where ever they might be, shopping center, movies, beach, and the influence of peers under the same management will lead them unknowingly towards obesity. The school cafeteria looks like a speedy food joint filled with hamburgers, fries and pizza.

Lifestyles – food
Fast food today has never had a greater influence on the public, it is convenient, tasty and addicting. Popular outlets promote the habits and traits of overweight people who suffer from overeating. This is two of the most important causes of obesity. The food industry, fast food restaurants, and grocery stores make more funds on calorie rich foods than on unprocessed fruits and veggies.

Lifestyle – social trend
Fifty years ago people used to walk or cycle to work and most other places. Nowadays, the lifestyle of an individual has become increasingly sedentary as the years go by. The more technology advances, the more people sit at home all day doing nothing but staring at a screen, people would play computer games & watch tv in the comforts of their home. This and the fact that they do not control their food intake is another sizable reason why people become overweight.

Diet
This certainly goes under causes, read on. Recent research has shown that dieting is a major cause of obesity. While the long term success rate from dieting is less than seven percent, about 30 percent of dieters regain over they lose as a direct result of their dieting. Misleading promotion is, unfortunately, normal for the diet industry. The majority of diet food products tested for the New York state Consumer Protection Board contained more calories than listed on their package labels. 80 percent of the diet food products tested exceeded claimed calories, some by as much as 73 calories per serving. Added sugar has been found in 25% of orange juice brands described as pure & unsweetened.

Hormones
The hormone leptin signals to the brain (hypothalamus) that the body has had to eat, In a small percentage of people, there is a resistance to this signal that tells us that they have sufficient storage of overweight. Several studies have shown that fasting & low calorie diets lowers leptin levels. It might be that on short term leptin is an indicator of energy balance. This technique is more sensitive to starvation than to overfeeding. That is, leptin levels do not rise extensively after overfeeding. & in people who constantly over eat, this same resistance to the sufficiency signal develops. In order to restore this balance a drug, Fc-leptin is being developed. But this of coursework wont guarantee that in the long run the hypothalamus increases its resistance. Although they ought to not use theses causes as an excuse, they are certainly relevant. So it important that people understand whether they are going to be prone for weight gain in order to take steps to limit the effects before it is late.

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Speakers at the First International Symposium on Honey and Human Health, held in Sacramento, CA, January 8, 2008, presented a number of research papers. (Fessenden R. Report to the Committee for the Promotion of Honey and Health) Findings include:

* Different varietals of honey possess a large amount of friendly bacteria (6 species of lactobacilli and 4 species of bifidobacteria), which may explain many of the “mysterious therapeutic properties of honey.”
* Lactobacilli, which deliver protective and beneficial benefits to bees as well as humans, were not found in the bees’ honey stomach during the winter months when the bees under investigation were fed sucrose, indicating that certain bee-feeding practices may have dangerous and unwanted effects on bees.
* Honey may promote better blood sugar control. Proper fueling of the liver is central to optimal glucose metabolism during sleep and exercise. Honey is the ideal liver fuel because it contains a nearly 1:1 ratio of fructose to glucose. Fructose “unlocks” the enzyme from the liver cell’s nucleus that is necessary for the incorporation of glucose into glycogen (the form in which sugar is stored in the liver and muscle cells). An adequate glycogen store in the liver is essential to supply the brain with fuel when we are sleeping and during prolonged exercise. When glycogen stores are insufficient, the brain triggers the release of stress hormones – adrenalin and cortisol – in order to convert muscle protein into glucose. Repeated metabolic stress from cortisol produced when less than optimal liver glycogen stores are available during sleep, leads over time, to impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, diabetes, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease and obesity.
* Experimental evidence indicates that consumption of honey may improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity compared to other sweeteners. The body’s tolerance to honey is significantly better than to sucrose or glucose alone. Individuals with greater glucose intolerance (e.g., those with mild diabetes and Type 1 diabetes) showed significantly better tolerance to honey than sucrose. In addition, the antioxidants in honey, which have been shown to reduce oxidative stress, frequently by a larger factor than can be explained by their actual amount, may be beneficial for diabetics and help to improve endothelial function (the function of the cells that make up the lining of our blood vessels) and vascular health.
* In a year-long animal study comparing the effects of sucrose, honey and a low glycemic index (GI) sugar-free diet, rats on the honey-based diet showed: reduced weight gain and percentage of body fat, decreased anxiety, better spatial recognition memory, improved HDL cholesterol (15-20% higher than rats fed sugar or sucrose diets), improved blood sugar levels (HA1c), and reduced oxidative damage.
* Honey has been shown to be a more effective cough suppressant for children ages 2-18 than dextromethorphan (see “One Study Finds Buckwheat Honey To Be a Successful Cough Medicine” earlier in this Health Benefits section)
* Honey boosts immunity. Research conducted in several hospitals in Israel found honey effective in decreasing the incidence of acute febrile neutropenia (when high fever reduces white blood cell count) in 64% of patients. Honey also reduced the need for Colony Stimulating Factor (a compound produced in the cells lining the blood vessels that stimulate bone marrow to produce more white blood cells) in 60% of patients with acute febrile neutropenia; increased neutrophil count (another type of white blood cell), decreased thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and stabilized hemoglobin levels at >11 gm/dl (a bit low but way better than full blown anemic).
* 32% of the cancer patients involved in the above immunity research reported improved quality of life.

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The top 10 most potent herbs and spices are:

1. Cloves (ground)
2. Cinnamon (ground)
3. Jamaican allspice (ground)
4. Apple pie spice (mixture)
5. Oregano (ground)
6. Pumpkin pie spice (mixture)
7. Marjoram
8. Sage
9. Thyme
10. Gourmet Italian spice

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