Millions may need to cut a particular fruit from their diet permanently to avoid heart complications, experts are warning. Othewrwise, it could lead to a potentially “toxic” issue inside your body.
Statins, a widely used medication often prescribed to those battling high cholesterol levels, are taken by between seven to eight million adults in the UK, claims the British Heart Foundation. These daily pills work to decrease cholesterol production and clear the bloodstream of LDL, often referred to as ‘the bad cholesterol’.
It’s crucial to manage this ‘silent killer’ since high cholesterol typically shows no symptoms until much later on. If your arteries become clogged, this can greatly increase the risk of having heart attacks and strokes.
Statins work by reducing the cholesterol made by the liver and aiding the liver in removing existing blood cholesterol. They also help stabilise plaque—a waxy substance that can accumulate in artery walls—and might reduce inflammation within the artery walls.
The NHS suggests that most people on statins will likely need to take them for life. If the medication is stopped for whatever reason, cholesterol levels can rise again over time, reports the Mirror.
Therefore, patients must be aware that certain foods and drinks are incompatible with statin treatment. One surprising item often overlooked is the need to avoid grapefruit.
Harvard Health Medical School experts have highlighted the reasons for eliminating this specific citrus fruit, and its juice, from your diet if you’re taking certain medications. The interaction between the chemistry of drugs and the fruit can be problematic, sometimes leading to “toxic” effects.
Statins are metabolised in the intestines by an enzyme known as CYP3A before entering the bloodstream, a process that is disrupted when grapefruit is consumed. Grapefruit juice contains furanocoumarins, which inhibit CYP3A, causing more of the drug to be absorbed and potentially making it “toxic in some cases”.
However, not all statin medications are significantly affected by grapefruit, so a complete ban isn’t always necessary. A doctor might suggest changing medications from those that are most impacted – such as atorvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin.
Medical advice could range from avoiding grapefruit entirely to consuming it in moderation. It’s crucial not to self-experiment or make changes without medical guidance.
The precise quantity of grapefruit that may trigger an adverse reaction remains uncertain. For some, just one glass of grapefruit juice might trigger issues, while others may require more of the fruit or juice to encounter problems.
People taking statins can generally eat oranges and other citrus fruits, though. Very Well Health recommends switching to ‘safe’ citrus fruits such as blood oranges, clementines, lemons, limes mandarins and tangerines.
Signs of high cholesterol:
High cholesterol often doesn’t show any symptoms, yet it can result in significant health issues. Some potential symptoms are:
- Chest pain: Pain or discomfort in the chest that occurs during exertion and improves with rest. This is known as angina.
- Pain in the calves: Pain in the calves that occurs during exercise and improves with rest.
- Shortness of breath
- Jaw pain
- Sudden dizziness:
- Sudden loss of balance
- Facial asymmetry: Drooping of the eyelid or mouth on one side of the face.
- Numbness: Numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Blurred vision: Blurred, blackened, or double vision.
- Severe headache
- Heart attack: A medical emergency that involves severe chest pain, flushing, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
A doctor can determine your cholesterol levels through a blood test. High cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your blood vessels, which may narrow or block them.
This situation can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. If you have any worries or suspect you might have high cholesterol, it’s important to consult with your doctor.
Alongside medication, a doctor will usually recommend drastic lifestyle changes. This includes boosting your exercise levels, a diet overhaul to limit foods high in saturated fat and also monitor your alcohol intake.