FEATURE

6

FOODS THAT CAN INTERFERE

WITH YOUR MEDICATIONS

By Kristy Podruchny

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

WHEN YOU GET A NEW PRESCRIPTION FOR MEDICATIONS, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT YOU USUALLY DO IS TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT POSSIBLE INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS THAT YOU ARE TAKING. WHAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, HOWEVER, IS THAT MEDICATIONS CAN ALSO INTERACT WITH CERTAIN FOODS. IF YOU'RE ON CERTAIN MEDICATIONS, YOU SHOULD BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR DIET.

GO EASY ON GRAPEFRUIT

Grapefruit may be delicious and may be packed with nutrients; but it can change the way the body responds to medications. Allergy medications become less effective when you eat grapefruit, and cholesterol medications become more powerful.

YOU MAY NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH MILK

Your body finds it harder to make use of antibiotics in the presence of milk in the system. Components of milk such as casein, calcium and magnesium can interfere with antibiotics. When you're on these medications, you need to talk to your doctor about how safe it is to drink milk.

CHOCOLATE DOESN'T GO WELL WITH MEDICATIONS

Strong, dark chocolate can make the ADHD drug Ritalin more powerful, and tone down the effect of sleeping aids like Ambien. It can even send your blood pressure soaring if you take certain medications for depression.

COFFEE CAN INTERFERE WITH DRUGS

If you like a shot of coffee every now and then, you'll need to be careful if you take antipsychotic drugs. These drugs can become weaker in the presence of coffee. Aspirin and allergy drugs such as epinephrine can become stronger in the presence of coffee.

WATCH IT WHEN YOU EAT FOODS RICH IN VITAMIN K

Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale are rich in vitamin K. The vitamin can interfere with the way blood thinning drugs like Warfarin work. While you can certainly include such vegetables in your diet, you need to make sure that you eat a consistent amount each day so that the quality of your blood does not fluctuate from one day to the next.

6.

GINSENG WORKS THE OTHER WAY WITH BLOOD THINNERS

While vitamin K weakens the effect of blood thinning drugs, ginseng and ginger add to the effects of these drugs. If you take powerful blood thinners, taking ginger or ginseng in addition can boost their effect so greatly as to cause internal bleeding. Ginseng can interfere with MAO inhibitors like antidepressants, as well, and lead to headaches and hyperactivity.

JUST BECAUSE FOOD SUBSTANCES ARE NATURAL DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY CANNOT INTERFERE WITH YOUR MEDICATIONS. MANY FOODS CONTAIN COMPONENTS THAT CAN POWERFULLY BOOST OR LOWER THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THESE EFFECTS BEFORE YOU START WITH A PRESCRIPTION.

recipe PaleoCHERRY TARTS

Servings: 6 tarts Calories: 606 kcal

By Nellie Palmer

THESE PALEO CHERRY TARTS ARE A PERFECT, DELICIOUS TREAT FOR THE SUMMER! GLUTEN-FREE, GRAIN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE AND EGG-FREE!

INGREDIENTS Crust: • 1 1/2 cup almond flour • 1/3 cup coconut flour • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 4 tbsp ghee • 4 tbsp honey • 1/4 tsp salt Filling: • 4 cups pitted cherries • 1/2 cup honey • 1 1/2 tbsp arrowroot powder • 1 tbsp water • 1 tbsp lemon juice For the whipped cream: • 1 can full-fat coconut milk chilled in fridge for 24 hours • 1 tbsp honey • 1 tbsp vanilla INSTRUCTIONS  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add all ingredients for the crust into a food processor and pulse until well combined and it starts to form into a crumbly dough. Divide the dough evenly in six 4-inch tart pans. Press dough around evenly in and around sides of pans.

Poke holes in the crust with a fork.

Bake crust for 10 minutes, until slightly golden brown. Remove from oven.  Place pitted cherries in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add honey and lemon juice and stir for another 2 minutes. Dissolve arrowroot powder in water and add to cherry mixture. Cook for 1-2 minutes until it becomes thick, stirring constantly.  Pour filling into tart pans. Let them cool completely before serving. For the Whipped Cream (optional):  Place the can of coconut milk in the fridge 24 hours before so that the coconut cream separates to the top.  Remove the lid and scoop out the cream and place in a chilled bowl.  Add honey and vanilla and whisk until it is light and fluffy.  Use immediately and refrigerate leftovers.