Hi Ralph, yes! Grapefruit is problematic to the same CYP3A4 that I discuss in the article because it contains furanocoumarins. Other citrus like oranges and lemons do not contain it. So grapefruit juice can cause more of a pharmaceutical to concentrate in your blood AND because it inhibits P-glycoprotein it can also reduce a drugs effect. The same list I mention in my article: statins, immunosuppressants, etc are affected. Since grapefruit is not an herb, and this article is specifically about herbs, I of course did not list it but more than happy to discuss with you :)
"It was recently found that grapefruit and certain other citrus juices act by an additional mechanism to cause diminished systemic concentration of certain drugs by inhibiting drug transporters.4 "
Aside from insulin (IDDM since 1968), I take zero pharmaceutical medications. I take gingko and turmeric regularly, and frequently drink herbal teas.
Big Pharma is the devil.
Great article.
Thanks for the reminder. It is so easy to forget that ‘natural’ doesn’t always mean harmless.
Don't mention grapefruit juice or or other citrus do you?
I wonder why?
No competition to the pharma drugs, perhaps?
Hi Ralph, yes! Grapefruit is problematic to the same CYP3A4 that I discuss in the article because it contains furanocoumarins. Other citrus like oranges and lemons do not contain it. So grapefruit juice can cause more of a pharmaceutical to concentrate in your blood AND because it inhibits P-glycoprotein it can also reduce a drugs effect. The same list I mention in my article: statins, immunosuppressants, etc are affected. Since grapefruit is not an herb, and this article is specifically about herbs, I of course did not list it but more than happy to discuss with you :)
Your opening paragraph:
"For many people, herbs evoke a sense of softness and simplicity. They are familiar little plants we can pick up at a market..."
Much like grapefruits. They grow, they are natural, safe and gentle.
Regarding other citrus fruits, some researchers disagree with you.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3589309/
"It was recently found that grapefruit and certain other citrus juices act by an additional mechanism to cause diminished systemic concentration of certain drugs by inhibiting drug transporters.4 "
Great info thank you for sharing!