Scientists isolate chemical in grapefruit juice that enhances uptake of certain medicines
A decade ago medical science discovered that something in grapefruit juice spiked levels of certain prescription medications.
The antihistamine Seldane was pulled from the market in 1996 because this interaction could lead to strokes.
Chemists at Florida’s Citrus & Subtropical Products Lab report that they believe they have isolated the substance that causes this reaction. And what that means for you – and the grapefruit juice industry — is that a grapefruit juice with the substance removed may be marketed which you can drink even if you take medications known to have the dangerous interaction. A commercial product may a couple years away, though.
And, perhaps more significant, it means that pharmaceutical manufacturers may begin experimenting with the chemical to intentionally increase potency and absorption of drugs.
The substance in grapefruit that causes potential drug overdosing appears to be something known as furanocoumarins, which are part of the fruit’s natural defense against pests while it’s still on the tree.
But, in humans, it weakens or destroys a digestive enzyme that normally slows the rate at which certain nutrients and medicines are metabolized, thus speeding up the rate at which they enter the bloodstream.
The scientific findings are presented in an article in the current issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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