Eating this while on statins can cause 'toxic' reaction
The Mirror••health
Key Points:
- Approximately seven to eight million adults in the UK take statins to manage elevated cholesterol, which helps reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by lowering bad cholesterol and stabilizing arterial plaque.
- Grapefruit and its juice can interfere with the metabolism of certain statins by blocking the enzyme CYP3A, potentially causing increased drug absorption and toxic effects.
- Not all statins are equally affected by grapefruit; medications like atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin are most impacted, and doctors may advise switching drugs or avoiding grapefruit entirely.
- The amount of grapefruit that triggers adverse reactions varies among individuals, so patients should consult healthcare professionals before making dietary changes while on statins.
- Other citrus fruits such as oranges,
