Grapefruit - Boon or Curse?

There is a dangerous interaction of many madicines with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. The flavonoids in the grapefruit inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme in the small intestine as well as in the liver. The metabolism of the medicine become slow and the excretion is also slow. This makes the blood levels of at least 85 medicines high. High amount of medicines in the blood are poisonous to our health. The side effects might also be severe. The information is not enough in many of the patient information leaflrt. There are no warning signs on the bottles of grapefruit juice or on the beer bottles too. It is very important that the Pharmaceutical Industries and the Food Industries must warn about this problem. The grapefruit is very healthy if you are not taking any medicine. There medicines are for the weak heart, High blood pressure, blood thinner, to bring down cholesterol, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, to relax bladder, prostate problems, oestrogen containing oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy, Viagra and many more. If you see all these health problems it affects people of all ages. Your doctor could help you always and so ask him clearly about the problem of grapefruit and grapefruit juice if you get any medicine from him. Read the patient information leaflet always before you take any medicine. If you are too sick to read ask your family members or friends to read it. This book will give you more information about this problem. von Padmanaban, Kaniappan