If you don't see your question answered here, please reach out to one of our nutritionists.
Breakdown: Garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure and may have the potential to interfere with the metabolism and clearance of certain types of antihypertensives. For those taking antihypertensives, garlic supplements may have an additive effect with these prescription drugs and should be avoided.
Breakdown: Diuretics help rid the body of salt and extra fluid by increasing urination. Diuretics are commonly used in those with high blood pressure or heart failure. Because diuretics can decrease blood pressure, when combined with supplements that may also lower blood pressure, diuretics could potentially increase risk for hypotension.
Breakdown: Certain anticoagulants work to thin the blood by preventing the body from making clotting factors. Vitamin K is an essential vitamin to promote normal amounts of blood clotting in the body and preventing excessive bleeding. However, when combined, vitamin K can work against these anticoagulant medications and increase the risk for a blood clot.
Breakdown: Cholesterol lowering medications, called statins, block your body from producing cholesterol. Through this process, they also block your body from producing CoEnzyme Q 10, a naturally occurring enzyme that plays a role in muscle energy production. It is thought that using a CoEnzyme Q10 supplement may reduce side effects of muscle pain and discomfort in patients taking a statin therapy.
Breakdown: Preliminary evidence shows that ashwagandha root powder can decrease blood glucose. To avoid an additive effect of blood sugar becoming too low, Ashwagandha should be avoided with those taking blood sugar lowering drugs.
Breakdown: When taken simultaneously, thyroid medications and iron form insoluble complexes in the gastrointestinal tract preventing the absorption of thyroid medication into the blood stream. Iron supplements should be taken at least two hours apart from thyroid medications to ensure complete absorption of the drug.
Breakdown: 5-HTP is a precursor of serotonin. Combining supplemental 5-HTP with antidepressant medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain could theoretically lead to serotonin syndrome, a dangerous overload of serotonin in the brain. Common side effects of serotonin syndrome include headache, confusion, and loss of muscle coordination, but in severe cases result in irregular heart rhythm or seizure.
Breakdown: Grapefruit can interfere with certain antianxiety medications by altering enzymes responsible for transporting these medications into the blood stream and the breakdown of these medications. This results in increased side effects of antianxiety medications, like prolonged sedation. Grapefruit should be avoided with antianxiety medications to ensure appropriate levels of medications in the blood stream.
Breakdown: Certain oral contraceptives can decrease caffeine clearance in the body by up to 65%, which can increase the effects of caffeine in green tea. To avoid an additive effect, Green Tea Extract supplementation should be avoided in those taking oral contraceptives.
Breakdown: Garlic can enhance the metabolism of certain hormones by amplifying the enzymes responsible for clearing this class of drugs. Garlic should be avoided with oral contraceptives to ensure the drug is not cleared too quickly from the body, potentially make the medication less effective.
Breakdown: Spirulina is thought to stimulate the body's immune system. Immunosuppressant therapies, commonly used to treat Crohn's disease and psoriasis, can be less effective if the body's immune system is activated. Spirulina should be avoided when taking immunosuppressant drugs to ensure effective therapy.