Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
i heard somewhere that people with myasthenia should avoid grapefruit juice.. really.. if so why? does anyone know why
Grapefruit juice interferes with the breakdown of some medications including ones we may be taking for MG like Prograf and for other medical problems. This results in higher blood levels than expected and can cause serious toxicity.
You can check drugs.com to see if there are interactions with any of your medications. But although I like grapefruit, I avoid it on general principles. It seems a common enough problem that when I start a new medication, I often see the interaction, and wonder about the possibility even when it is not listed.
It is not a bad idea to check for drug and food interactions every time you start a new medication.
May we all be on as many as necessary, and as few as necessary. b.
Here is a good discussion and explanation of the medicinal properties of grapefruit:
http://www.nutritionj.com/content/6/1/33
We get stuck with having to read all the lists of ingredients of medications, vitamins, teas, prepared foods, drinks, but fresh produce does not come with all its chemicals detailed and I for one would not know how to interpret them if they did. :-) b.
(... another reason - to NOT drink grapefruit juice!)
Fresh oranges - and OJ? Hope - that is okay.