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Dangers of soy

By Joyce Nelson

The poster bean for the vegetarian movement is under scrutiny these days. It turns those virtuous tofu hotdogs and skinny soya latte are not exactly blessed with an aura of health. more…

FOODS FOR ALLERGIES

Springtime is near and, unfortunately, this time of year brings a lot of misery to people in the form of red, watery eyes, runny noses, and sneezing. Pollen levels increase and, thus, increase allergic symptoms. There are many who suffer from allergies throughout the whole year from offending allergens such a animal dander and dust mites.

One way to help decrease the severity of your allergies is to boost your immunity with immune-enhancing foods. These foods will have high levels of vitamin C, magnesium, beta-carotene, and quercetin.

Vitamin C

It has been shown to decrease production of histamine, thus reducing an immediate allergic episode. It is a natural antihistamine. It helps relieve allergic symptoms and prevents inflammatory reactions.

Green and red peppers, strawberries, kiwi, oranges, potatoes, cabbage

Beta-Carotene

When converted to Vitamin A, it helps boost immunity and keeps the respiratory system working optimally. It also is a powerful antioxidant.

Sweet potatoes, kale, spinach. carrots, winter squash, collard greens

Magnesium

May reduce constricted airways in asthma by relaxing the muscles around the bronchial tubes. It can buffers the acidic stage of an allergic reaction. Some think a deficiency in magnesium can release histamine.

Almonds, spinach, avocados, oysters, seeds, peanuts, buckwheat

Quercetin

Rich in bioflavonoids. It can reduce allergic reactions by having an antihistamine effect. It also decreases inflammation

Apples, cranberries, grapefruit, grapes, pears, spinach, kale, cabbage

In addition, ginger is a natural antihistamine and decongestant. It may provide some relief from allergy symptoms by dilating constricted bronchial tubes.

MEDICINE & HERB / FOOD INTERACTIONS

Herbs and Foods May Lead to Complications If You Take Them With Drugs

Many people have the mistaken notion that, being natural, all herbs and foods are safe. This is not so. Very often, herbs and foods may interact with medications you normally take that result in serious side effects. It is always a good idea to tell your doctor or health practitioner what you are taking so that they can advise you of possible complications if there are any. You should also keep an eye out for unusual symptoms. Very often, this may precede the symptoms of a drug / food interaction.

Experts suggest that natural does not mean it is completely safe. Everything you put in your mouth has the potential to interact with something else. The medication that is taken by mouth travels through the digestive system in much the same way as food and herbs taken orally do. So, when a drug is mixed with food or another herb, each can alter the way the body metabolizes the other. Some drugs interfere with the bodys ability to absorb nutrients. Similarly, some herbs and foods can lessen or increase the impact of a drug.

Alcohol is a drug that interacts with almost every medication, especially antidepressants and other drugs that affect the brain and nervous system.

Some dietary components increase the risk of side effects. Theophylline, a medication administered to treat asthma, contains xanthines, which are also found in tea, coffee, chocolate and other sources of caffeine. Consuming large amounts of these substances while taking theophylline increases the risk of drug toxicity.

Certain vitamins and minerals impact on medications too. Large amounts of broccoli, spinach and other green leafy vegetables high in vitamin K, which promotes the formation of blood clots, can counteract the effects of heparin, warfarin and other drugs given to prevent clotting.

Dietary fiber also affects drug absorption. Pectin and other soluble fibers slow down the absorption of acetaminophen, a popular painkiller. Bran and other insoluble fibers have a similar effect on digoxin, a major heart medication.

As more and more people discover new herbs, there is more and more potential for the abuse of these herbs and patients may end up with serious problems.

High risk patients such as the elderly, patients taking 3 or more medications for chronic conditions, patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, depression, high cholesterol or congestive heart failure should be especially careful and keep on the lookout for serious reactions and side effects.

The following are examples of known interactions between popular herbs, foods and prescription and over the counter drugs.

Hawthorn.
Touted as effective in reducing angina attacks by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It should never be taken with Lanoxin (digoxin), the medication prescribed most for heart ailments. The mix can lower your heart rate too much, causing blood to pool, bringing on possible heart failure.

Ginseng.
According to research, can increase blood pressure, making it dangerous for those trying to keep their blood pressure under control. Ginseng, garlic or supplements containing ginger, when taken with the blood thinning drug Coumadin, can cause bleeding episodes. Coumadin is a very powerful drug that leaves little room for error, and patients taking it should never take any medication or otherwise before consulting a qualified health professional. In rare cases, ginseng may overstimulate resulting in insomnia. Consuming caffeine with ginseng increases the risk of overstimulation and gastrointestinal upset. Long term use of ginseng may cause menstrual abnormalities and breast tenderness in some women. Ginseng is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

Garlic.
Capsules combined with diabetes medication can cause a dangerous decrease in blood sugars. Some people who are sensitive to garlic may experience heartburn and flatulence. Garlic has anti-clotting properties. You should check with your doctor if you are taking anti-coagulant drugs.

Goldenseal.
Is used for coughs, stomach upsets, menstrual problems and even arthritis. However, the plants active ingredient will raise blood pressure, complicating treatment for those taking antihypertensive medications, especially beta-blockers. For patients taking medication to control diabetes or kidney disease this herb can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalance. High amount of consumption can lead to gastrointestinal distress and possible nervous system effects. Not recommended for pregnant of lactating women.

Feverfew.
Believed to be the natural remedy for migraine headaches, should never be taken with Imitrex or other migraine medications. It can result in the patients heart rate and blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels.

Guarana.
An alternative remedy being used as a stimulant and diet aid, contains 3% to 5% more caffeine that a cup of coffee. So, if you are taking any medication that advises you against taking any drink with caffeine, you should avoid taking this stimulant. It may cause insomnia, trembling, anxiety, palpitations, urinary frequency and hyperactivity. Avoid during pregnancy and lactation period. Long term use of Guarana may lead to decreased fertility, cardiovascular disease and several forms of cancer.

Kava.
A herb that has anti-anxiety, pain relieving, muscle relaxing and anticonvulsant effects, should not be taken together with substances that also act on the central nervous system, such as alcohol, barbiturates, antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs.

St. Johns Wort.
Is a popular herb used for the treatment of mild depression.
The active ingredient of St. Johns Wort is hypericin. Hypericin is believed to exert a similar influence on the brain as the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as the one in major antidepressants. Mixing MAO inhibitors with foods high in tyramine, an amino acid, produces one of the most dramatic and dangerous food-drug interactions. Symptoms, which can occur within minutes of ingesting such foods while taking a MAO inhibitor, include a rapid rise in blood pressure, a severe headache, and perhaps collapse and even death. Foods high in tyramine include aged cheese, chicken liver, Chianti (and certain other red wines), yeast extracts, bologna (and other processed meats), dried or pickled fish, legumes, soy sauce, ale and beer.

Some patients report that St. Johns Wort caused excessive stimulation and sometimes dizziness, agitation and confusion when taken with other antidepressants or over the counter medications like Maximum Strength Dexatrim and Acutrim. It also caused their blood pressure to shoot up.

White Willow.
An herb traditionally used for fever, headache, pain and rheumatic complaints, but may lead to gastrointestinal irritation if used for a long time. It exhibits similar reactions as aspirin (aspirin in derived from white willow). Long term use may lead to stomach ulcers.

DRUG INTERACTIONS & FOOD

Drug interaction risk isnt limited to herbal supplements. Certain foods can interact with medications.

People taking digoxin should avoid black licorice (which contains the ingredient glycyrrhizin). Together, they can produce irregular heart rhythms and cardiac arrest; licorice and diuretics will produce dangerously low potassium levels, putting a patient at risk for numbing weakness, muscle pain and even paralysis. Licorice can also interact with blood pressure medication or any calcium channel blockers.

Aged cheese (brie, parmesan, cheddar and Roquefort), fava beans, saurkraut, Italian green beans, some beers, red wine, pepperoni and overly ripe avocados should be avoided by people taking MAO antidepressants. The interaction can cause a potentially fatal rise in blood pressure.

And because Saint Johns Wort contains the same properties as these MAO antidepressants, it stands to reason that people ingesting the herb should avoid these same foods.

Grapefruit juice interacts with calcium channel blockers (including Calan, Procardia, Nifedipine and Verapamil), cholesterol control medications, some psychiatric medications, estrogen, oral contraceptives and many allergy medications (Seldane, Hismanal). The juice modifies the bodys way of metabolizing the medication, affecting the livers ability to work the drug through a persons system.

Orange juice shouldnt be consumed with antacids containing aluminum. The juice increases the absorption of the aluminum. Orange juice and milk should be avoided when taking antibiotics. The juices acidity decreases the effectiveness of antibiotics, as does milk.

Milk also doesnt mix with with laxatives containing bisacodyl (Correctol and Dulcolax). You might find the laxative works a little too well in the morning.

Large amounts of oatmeal and other high fiber cereals should not be eaten when taking digoxin. The fiber can interfere with the absorption of the drug, making the act of swallowing the pill a waste of time.

However, dont stop eating your cereal right away, because that could cause the digocin levels in your system to soar to toxic levels. A professional should make the dietary changes after carefully examining the digoxin levels.

Leafy green vegetables, high in vitamin K should not be taken in great quantities while taking coumadin. These vegetables could totally negate the affects of the drug and cause blood clotting.

Caffeinated beverages and asthma drugs taken together can cause excessive excitability. Those taking Tagament (Simetidine), quinolone antibiotics (Cipro, Penetrex, Noroxin) and even oral contraceptives should be aware these drugs may cause their cup of coffee to give them more of a java jolt than they expected.

Grilled meat can lead to problems for those on asthma medications containing theophyllines. The chemical compounds formed when meat is grilled somehow prevent this type of medication from working effectively, increasing the possibility of an unmanageable asthma attack.

Regularly consuming a diet high in fat while taking anti-inflammatory and arthritis medications can cause kidney damage and can leave the patient feeling drowsy and sedated.

Alcoholic beverages tend to increase the depressive effects of medications such as benzodiazepines, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, muscle relaxants, narcotics or any drug with sedative actions.

Its a good idea not to consume any alcoholic beverages, or at least scale way back, when taking prescription medications. Antioxidant and beta-carotene intensify alcohols effect on the liver.

OTHER COMMONLY USED OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS CAN CAUSE INTERACTION PROBLEMS ALSO

Aspirin can modify the effectiveness of arthritis medications, strong prescription steroids and diuretics. Combining aspirin with diuretic medications can drop blood sugars to dangerous levels. Aspirin can also cause toxicity when taken with glaucoma and anti convulsant (anti-seizure) drugs and cause bleeding episodes when combined with a blood thinner like Coumadin.

Acetaminophen can also cause interaction complications when overused. Heavy drinkers who take acetaminophen for hangover relief risk liver damage. Taking high doses of acetaminophen with Coumadin can cause bleeding episodes.

Antacids taken with antibiotics, heart and blood pressure or thyroid medications can decrease drug absorption by up to 90 percent.

Over-the-counter antihistamines , sold under the name Actifed, Theraflu, Dimetapp, Benadryl and Comtrex should be avoided if you are taking antianxiety or antidepressant medications.

Oral contraceptives are less effective when taken with barbiturates, antibiotics, anti-fungal or tuberculosis drugs.

Turnips contain two goitrogenic substances, progoitrin and gluconasturtin, which can interfere with the thyroid glands ability to make its hormones. Although moderate consumption of goitrogens is not a hazard for healthy people, they can promote development of a goiter (an enlarged thyroid) in persons with thyroid disease.

Tomato contains small quantities of a toxic substance known as solanine that may trigger headaches in susceptible people. They are also a relatively common cause of allergies. An unidentified substance in tomatoes and tomato-based products can cause acid reflux, leading to indigestion and heartburn. Individuals who often have digestive upsets should try eliminating tomatoes for 2-3 weeks to see if there is any improvement.

Strawberries, Raspberries, Spinach and Rhubarb: These contain oxalic acid, which can aggrevate kidney and bladder stones in susceptible people and reduce the bodys ability to absorb iron and calcium.

Raspberries contain a natural salicylate that can cause an allergic reaction in aspirin sensitive people.

The seeds from fruits such as Apple, Apricot and Quinces contain amygdalin, a compound that turns into Hydrogen Cyanide in the stomach. Eating large amounts of seeds can result in cyanide poisoning.

Potatoes: avoid potatoes with a green tint to the skin, and remove any sprouts; they will taste bitter and may contain solanine, a toxic substance that can cause diarrhea, cramps and fatigue.

Plums, Peaches, Apricots and Cherries: These fruits may produce allergic reaction in individuals with confirmed allergies to apricots, almonds, peaches and cherries. People who are allergic to aspirin may also encounter problems after they have eaten plums or peaches as they contain salicylates. The pits of plums, peaches and apricots contain a compound called amygdalin. When consumed in large amounts, amygdalin breaks down into hydrogen cyanide, a poison.

Horseradish: Very high doses of horseradish can cause vomiting or excessive sweating. Avoid if you have hypothyroidism.

Tumeric: Should be avoided by persons with symptoms from gallstones.