Doctors named those who are dangerous to eat grapefruit

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The UK Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about the dangers of grapefruit and its juice. This applies to people taking statins. It is a cholesterol-lowering agent that is prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. When there is too much of this substance in the blood, it can cause many side effects.

According to the FDA statement, Express reports, many such drugs are broken down by the CYP3A4 enzyme. It is in the small intestine that the CYP3A4 enzyme helps to break down statins. However, grapefruit juice can block the action of CYP3A4, which means that more of the drug enters the bloodstream and begins to be absorbed by the body in much higher volumes than the doctor expected when prescribing the statin dosage.

Because people have different amounts of the enzyme in their small intestine, grapefruit juice may affect them differently, even if patients are taking the same medication. The FDA has confirmed that mixing grapefruit and statins can lead to an increased risk of liver and muscle damage. These two side effects can even lead to kidney failure, which is a serious complication.

The NHS has noted that common side effects of statins can include:

* headache ;
* dizziness;
* feeling sick;
* feeling extremely tired or physically weak;
* problems with the digestive system, such as constipation, diarrhea, indigestion or flatulence;
* pain in muscles;
* sleep problems;
* low platelet count.

Statins can sometimes cause inflammation, swelling, and muscle damage. Anyone suffering from unexplained muscle pain is advised to speak with their GP. He will order a blood test to check the creatine kinase level.