MAKING YOUR MEDICINE WORK

Ever wondered why certain medications don’t work after several days of use? Normally people who have experienced this will conclude that the drug is fake, expired or even a wrong prescription. Some will even go as far as blaming their village people for being at the top of their game. But do you know there are certain foods and medicine you shouldn’t mix together?

Yes. Certain meals can prevent your medications from working, or worse still, cause dangerous side effects, and we have curated 6 of them here. Many people probably do not know this;

Vitamin C and Anti-malaria drugs

This is what happens when you mix both. But first a background:

All drugs are metabolized in the liver. The liver is rich in iron, and iron is important in the life cycle of malaria parasites (plasmodium). Vitamin C helps in absorption of iron, which goes to the liver. Malaria parasites accumulate in the liver and multiply since the iron they need to survive is surplus there. This counteracts the effect of whatever malaria drug you’re taking. So chill on those citrus fruits or supplements when you’re treating malaria.

Painkillers and Soft drinks

We all know soft drinks contain carbonated water. I mean, it’s boldly written on the bottle label/can. Carbonated water = Carbon-dioxide gas + water (LOL, no, you do not just add carbon-dioxide and water together, it has to be dissolved under pressure and all). So when you take painkillers and soft drinks together, the Carbon-dioxide gas and the acid it contains increases concentration of the drugs in the blood, which leads to toxicity that could be fatal.

Dairy products and Antibiotics

Antibiotics are drugs used in the treatment and prevention of bacteria. Examples are Tetracycline and penicillin. Dairy products are rich in Calcium, which prevents the body from absorbing these antibiotics. This reduces the drug’s efficacy.

Banana and Anti-hypertensive drugs

Bananas are rich in potassium. Anti-hypertensive drugs increase potassium levels in the blood. Anti-hypertensive drugs + Bananas = too much potassium which leads to irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations and could cause diseases such as Arrhythmia. Love your heart.

Grape fruit and Statins

Statin is a class of drug used to lower cholesterol levels. Like most drugs, it also has side effects. Grape fruit contains a compound/chemical that stops the breakdown of statins in the intestine. It leads to increased level of the drug = higher risk of side effects.

Leafy Vegetables and Anti Coagulants (Blood Thinner)

Anti-coagulants (Blood Thinners) are medications that decelerate blood coagulation. No, they don’t actually thin your blood but they prevent blood clots from growing larger and are used to prevent stroke and treat heart disease. Examples are Aspirin, Warfarin.

Leafy Vegetables are rich in Vitamin K – Vitamin K promotes blood clotting. So what happens? The effect of the drug is countered.

This shouldn’t be the first time you read “Don’t take drugs with alcohol’. Why so?

Drugs are metabolized in the liver. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver. You actually over work your liver when taking alcohol and drugs at the same time leading to liver damage.

We all know medicine comes with a long list of things you can’t do but what most people don’t know is that some natural healthy meals are part of the list. Limit certain foods and if a certain drug doesn’t work or makes you feel some type of way, don’t assume anything. Immediately consult your doctor for advice.