Eating healthily and taking medications as prescribed are both very important. However, some food and medication mixtures should be avoided. Certain combinations can make a medicine less effective, cause physical discomfort, or lead to dangerous chemical interactions.
To reduce the risk of food and medication interactions, seniors should ask their doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions. They should also read the labels on their medicines, in case there are any warnings the doctor or pharmacist did not mention.
Here are some common food and medication combinations to avoid.
Kale and Blood-Thinning Medication
Kale is rich in vitamin K, which is good for the bones and the brain. However, vitamin K also helps the blood to clot. Older adults who take the blood thinner warfarin should keep their intake of kale and other vitamin K-rich foods, such as spinach and broccoli, consistent. These foods do not need to be avoided completely, but they should be eaten in moderation and in similar amounts from week to week.
Grapefruit Juice and a Range of Medications
A large glass of grapefruit juice has many health benefits. However, it can affect how the intestines process certain medicines, allowing them to enter the bloodstream too easily. This can lead to side effects. Medicines that can interact with grapefruit juice include many statins, calcium channel blockers, and immunosuppressants.
The US Food and Drug Administration explains more about how grapefruit juice affects certain medicines.
Fibre-Rich Foods
Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables should be a big part of every older adult’s diet. However, fibre can affect how much of some medicines, including certain antibiotics, is absorbed from the stomach into the blood, which can reduce the effectiveness of a dose. Speak to a doctor or nutritionist to learn how to keep up your fibre intake without affecting your medication.
Cheese and Antidepressants
Aged cheeses such as parmesan, blue cheese, and aged cheddar contain a substance called tyramine. Tyramine can interact with a group of antidepressants called MAOIs and affect how they work.
Potassium and ACE Inhibitors
People taking ACE inhibitors should be careful with potassium-rich foods such as bananas, oranges, sweet potatoes, yoghurt, and avocados. ACE inhibitors tend to raise potassium levels in the body, and if potassium becomes too high, it can cause heart palpitations.
Why Older Adults Are at Higher Risk
Older adults are more likely to experience food and medication interactions for several reasons:
- They often take several medicines at the same time for different conditions.
- The body processes medicines more slowly with age.
- Changes in appetite, diet, or eating habits can affect how medicines work.
- Memory problems can make it harder to follow instructions about timing and food.
Everyone Reacts Differently
Every person reacts differently to each medication. Some older adults may have no side effects from mixing, for example, a calcium channel blocker with grapefruit juice, while others may. Still, it is best to play it safe and avoid food and medication combinations that could cause problems.
Managing medicines at home can be difficult, especially for older adults taking several medications. Enayati’s home nursing team supports families with safe medication administration, and our geriatrics and dementia care service includes full medication management at home. Learn more about medication safety in homecare.
