Grapefruit Appears To Lower Cholesterol, Fight Heart Disease

[RedOnce]

February 13, 2006

A grapefruit a day — particularly the red variety — can help keep heart disease at bay, according to a new study by Israeli researchers. In a controlled study group of patients with heart disease, the scientists found that feeding some patients the equivalent of one grapefruit daily significantly reduced levels of cholesterol in comparison to patients that did not eat grapefruit.

The study, which strengthens a growing body of evidence supporting the heart-healthy benefits of eating citrus fruit, was published Feb. 3 on the website of the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The study included 57 patients, both men and women, with hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol) who recently had coronary bypass surgery and whose high lipid levels failed to respond significantly to statin drugs.

The patients who received either red or white grapefruit showed significant decreases in blood lipid levels, whereas the patients that did not eat grapefruit showed no changes in lipid levels, according to the researchers. Red grapefruit was more effective than white in lowering lipids, particularly blood triglycerides, a type of cholesterol whose elevated levels are often associated with heart problems, the researchers say.

Grapefruit is known to interact with certain medications —sometimes adversely — so the researchers caution people on prescription medication to consult with their doctor or pharmacist.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060213091300.htm

http://medcompare.com/news.asp?newsid=120653

[dflprincess]

1. My friend is on Lipitor (sp) for her cholesterol

and can't have grapefruit while taking that - which seems odd if grapefruit also lowers cholesterol. And, one of my Mom's blood pressure medications also prohibits grapefruit, which she just hates.

[Magginkat]

2. Good news

This sounds like good news to me. I had been taking a cholesterol medication but kept reading bad news. Add that to the fact that three medications that I had taken have been recalled and I think I will go for the grapefruits!

Thanks for posting this.

[Sadie5]

3. Use Lotril

The warning label says no grapefruit. I love Grapefruit too.

[RedOnce]

5. There are other options as well, I get good results from...

Policosanol plus plant sterols

[Warpy]

4. it also interacts with calcium channel blockers

so if you're on any cardiac meds, consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting on the grapefruit a day.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. grapefruit also counteracts or interferes with a number of common PXs

and is contraindicated for heart and other patients.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE EATING GRAPFRUIT or drinking its juice, if you take any medications.

[Ciggies and coffee]

7. Grapefruit can let you reduce your drug dose, saving money

Some drugs are interact negatively with grapefruit, some react positively. Research your drug on the net and get the lowdown. You might be able to adjust your dose downward and take less pills, or get by with half a pill.