Seniors and medications usually go together. They will need medications to maintain their physical health or prevent symptoms. Because of these medications, they also need to stay fit through exercise and eating healthy meals. However, there are foods that can cause negative reactions to certain medications. Hence, it is very important to be knowledgeable of your loved one’s medications so you can check if they are eating the right food.
As your partner in getting quality home health care in National City, California, let us share with you this list of foods that might react negatively to certain medicines.
- Bananas
Bananas are rich sources of potassium, so they are ideal for people with heart ailments. However, when your senior loved one is taking ACE inhibitors, which are intended to lower a person’s blood pressure, they might want to stay away from eating bananas. The reason is that ACE inhibitors can also increase the body’s potassium level, and with bananas added to the mix, the person may experience excessive potassium which could be dangerous. - Leafy Green Vegetables
Many leafy green vegetables contain fiber, minerals, and vitamin K. Common examples of these leafy greens include cabbage, broccoli, and spinach. While these vegetables are healthy, they can also be risky for seniors who are taking blood-thinning medicines. Vitamin K is an essential vitamin to promote blood clotting. Hence, it works in contradiction to the blood-thinning properties of their medicine. - Grapes
Grapes are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. However, grape juice can affect certain intestinal enzymes and, as a result, it changes the way some medicines take effect in the body. These medications include statins, calcium-channel blockers, and immunosuppressants. If your senior loved one is being prescribed with these medicines, they will be prohibited from eating grapes, drinking grape juice, and even drinking grape-flavored beverages. - Fiber-Rich Foods
With fiber, your senior loved one can have improved digestion and reduced risks of diabetes or heart ailments. Foods that have high fiber content include whole grains as well as most fruits and vegetables. However, the digestive benefit of fiber can also affect the way medicines are absorbed into the body.
As a home health care agency in San Diego County, California, we hope that you can take this list into consideration when you are monitoring your loved one’s medications and diet at home. If you need some backup, our team at Healthwise Home Health Care, Inc. is ready to assist you. Feel free to set an appointment with us so that we can create a care plan specific to your loved one’s needs.
For your other concerns about our services or if you would like to get care from one of our home health aides, just contact us.
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