Latest news with #Bourgeois
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Medications That Don't Mix Well With Coffee, According to a Pharmacist
Reviewed by Dietitian Kelly Plowe, M.S., RDYour cup of coffee has health benefits, but it also interacts with some medications. Coffee may affect how a medication is absorbed, metabolized or removed from the body. An expert shares the seven drugs, like asthma and cold medications, that interact with the majority of people, coffee is part of their daily routine. It provides the energy boost you need to kick-start your day (hello, caffeine!), and boasts potential health benefits as well. The only drawback to your morning cup of joe is that it may not mix well with certain medications, especially if you take them earlier in the day. There are many different ways coffee may interact with some medications. 'Coffee can alter how certain medications are absorbed, metabolized or eliminated by the body,' says Jennifer Bourgeois, Pharm.D. 'It can speed up gastric emptying, causing the medication to move through your system before it's fully absorbed. It also competes with medications that rely on liver enzymes like CYP1A2, potentially increasing or decreasing drug levels in the bloodstream.' Don't worry, this doesn't mean you have to give up coffee completely, but you may need to adjust the timing of taking your medications and sipping on your coffee. Read on to find out which medications an expert warns may interact with your morning cup of joe. If your doctor has prescribed an antidepressant, you'll want to make sure you aren't drinking coffee too soon after taking one of these medications because it can make them not work as well as they're supposed to. For example, the caffeine in coffee can form a complex with the antidepressant drug escitalopram (Lexapro), making it harder for your body to absorb the medication. Since less of the drug is absorbed, it may be less effective. Other antidepressants like clomipramine and imipramine are broken down by the same enzyme (called CYP1A2) as caffeine. So if you're taking these medications with coffee, they may not be metabolized as quickly, which can lead to higher levels of the drug in your blood for a longer period. On the other hand, this interaction could increase the effects of caffeine, leaving you feeling jittery and restless. Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid (a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck) doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. Without adequate hormone levels, you may start to experience excessive tiredness, joint and muscle pain, depression or weight gain. Bourgeois explains that the absorption of levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism, can be significantly reduced by coffee. In fact, some studies found that it reduces your absorption of the medication by as much as 50%. 'This may lead to inconsistent thyroid levels and persistent symptoms like fatigue or brain fog,' says Bourgeois. 'That's why patients are advised to wait 30 to 60 minutes before drinking coffee after taking thyroid medications.' Medications used to treat osteoporosis, like risedronate and alendronate, shouldn't be taken with coffee. 'Whether it's caffeinated, decaf or even just milk or juice, these can all reduce absorption due to how the medication binds and dissolves. The safest practice is always to take this medication with plain water only,' says Bourgeois., Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a nasal decongestant that can be purchased over the counter to help treat a stuffy nose from the common cold or allergies. Like caffeine, pseudoephedrine is also a stimulant. So when taken together with coffee, it may compound the side effects, making you feel more jittery and restless. Those with diabetes should be extra cautious when consuming caffeine on this medication—some studies found that combining the two can raise blood sugar and increase body temperature. People who take antipsychotic medications like phenothiazine, clozapine, haloperidol or olanzapine may need to adjust the timing of their morning coffee. Coffee can interfere with your body's ability to metabolize these medications. For example, clozapine competes with coffee to be broken down by liver enzymes. If the medication can't be metabolized, it becomes less efficient. A study found that the plasma concentration of clozapine was increased by 97% after taking it with 2 to 3 cups of coffee (about 400 milligrams of caffeine). If you have asthma, a condition that can make your airways inflamed and irritated, your health care provider may prescribe a bronchodilator like aminophylline or theophylline. These medications relax the muscles in your airways, making it easier to breathe. Common side effects of this medication include nausea, headache, restlessness and irritability. Consuming too much caffeine (from coffee, tea or energy drinks) can increase the side effects you may experience while taking this medication., Blood-thinning medications are often recommended for those who may be at risk for blood clots after surgery or have certain heart or blood conditions. Since these medications prevent blood from clotting, the most common side effect is the risk of bleeding. Taking these medications with coffee is risky since the caffeine in coffee can also slow blood clotting, which further increases your risk of bleeding or bruising. In addition, research has found that coffee can lower the pH in your stomach, which can increase the absorption time of other blood thinners like aspirin. Since it's absorbed faster, more is available to the body all at once, which can enhance the potential for bleeding. Many of us look forward to sipping on that first cup of coffee in the morning. While coffee is associated with plenty of health benefits, it's worth double-checking that it isn't interfering with any of your medications. Reviewing this list is a good place to start. If you're on one of these medications, you may need to adjust the timing of your coffee and medications. However, if you have specific questions about potential food or beverage interactions with your medications, be sure to check in with your health care provider. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Global News
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Global News
‘Would have been devastating': Fire at Oak Hammock Marsh narrowly misses new building
A stray bolt of lightning could have caused disastrous consequences at a Manitoba wetland and wildlife management area over the weekend. Oak Hammock Marsh communications director Jacques Bourgeois told 680 CJOB's Connecting Winnipeg that the fire, which came close to consuming a new building, was spotted by birdwatchers on a trail at the sprawling marsh. 'We got lots of calls last night — there were people doing some birdwatching on the trails, and they smelled the smoke and saw large flames coming from the area around the building, so they called the fire truck,' he said. 'It was a lot closer than I thought — when I came this morning, it was about 300 metres from a building that we were just about to open in two weeks, so it would have been devastating.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Bourgeois said the building survived the blaze unscathed and that crews were on scene overnight battling the flames, but the situation is now under control. Story continues below advertisement For safety's sake, however, Oak Hammock Marsh is trying to crack down on anything that could spark another fire, given current dry conditions, as the area remains at risk for wildfires. 'We have cancelled all of the programs that require fire, for example, bannock baking,' he said. 'We're trying to encourage visitors not to smoke on the trail, because it's like a tinderbox right now…. We want to make sure nothing happens to the marsh.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mining company hit with severe penalties for dangerous acts with toxic waste: 'High concentrations'
A Canadian mining company has been hit with a $114,750 fine after repeatedly dumping illegal amounts of cobalt-laced waste into a river system in British Columbia, Victoria News reported. Provincial inspectors discovered that Barrick Gold Inc. discharged liquid waste with cobalt concentrations up to 7,011% above legal limits into Hedley Creek, which flows into the Similkameen River. The violations occurred on 17 occasions over two years, with average concentrations of 1,155% above permitted levels. Jason Bourgeois, director of the Environmental Management Act, expressed concerns in his assessment. "Cobalt is an essential element for human and animal life but is toxic in high concentrations," Bourgeois stated, per the Victoria News. "High concentrations of cobalt can result in reduced growth and emergence and reproductive effects in aquatic invertebrates, [and] aquatic invertebrates are a food source for salmonids and considered good indicators of chronic long term contaminant impacts." Contamination from mining operations poses serious threats to water ecosystems and the wildlife depending on them. When cobalt levels spike in waterways, the small organisms that fish rely on for food struggle to survive and reproduce. The pollution occurred in a sensitive watershed that supports aquatic life and provides water resources for communities downstream. Mining waste often contains heavy metals and chemicals that can persist in ecosystems for years, accumulating in plants and animals throughout the food chain. Regulatory penalties like those imposed on Barrick Gold aim to deter future violations and protect water systems. You can help by supporting stronger environmental enforcement and reporting suspicious discharges to local environmental agencies. Organizations working on mining reform advocate for improved technologies that reduce waste and better contain harmful substances. Some mining companies have begun implementing closed-loop water systems that prevent discharge into natural waterways. You can also reduce your demand for new minerals by recycling electronics containing cobalt and other metals. This decreases the pressure for extraction and helps protect waterways from mining pollution. Many local recycling centers accept old phones, computers, and batteries that contain valuable minerals that can be recovered without new mining. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Fiordland moose sighting reported by Canadian hikers on Kepler Track
Bourgeois, who was leading the group, estimated they were about 25m from the animal when they encountered it. 'The animal was very large, as large as a horse and even larger. Dark brown, with no colour gradation, but a fairly uniform colour for the parts I saw,' she said. 'I saw antlers without velvet, quite long and without branches, so with only one branch.' Another member of the group, Antoine Beauchamp, described the animal as unmistakably moose-like. 'We all instantly thought, without talking to each other, that it was a moose,' Beauchamp said. 'As three Canadians that do a lot of outdoor sports, hiking and canoeing, we were struck by the fact that this animal looked exactly like a Canadian moose. The shape of the body and of the antlers as well (probably a young moose), the colour and the size of it was unmistakable.' The animal disappeared into the dense forest, and the group was unable to capture a photo or video. Bourgeois and her companions mentioned the encounter casually to Tracknet driver Brenda Thomas during a shuttle ride from Rainbow Reach to Te Anau. They said they were unaware New Zealand had any history of moose presence. 'They weren't aware that New Zealand had moose here, but had just seen one that morning, a young male, that they had disturbed alongside the track,' Thomas said. Thomas relayed the encounter to the Department of Conservation, which eventually connected the Canadian hikers with veteran moose researcher Ken Tustin. Bourgeois, who holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and a master's in environmental law, said she was initially cautious about her interpretation. 'I'm increasingly convinced that it was a moose, because after looking at photos and descriptions of red deer, they don't quite match what I saw - especially in terms of the colour and size of the animal,' she said. Bourgeois added that she has completed a Canadian Hunting Education Course and has extensive personal experience distinguishing between deer and moose. Advertise with NZME. 'I know very well how to distinguish between deer and moose and I have seen them several times. So I am certain that it was not a deer at all, especially because of the size of the animal.' While emphasising she cannot be absolutely certain without photographic evidence, Bourgeois said the combination of size, colour, behaviour, and her Canadian wilderness experience strongly supported the moose hypothesis. The sighting came just over two weeks after American visitors Norbert Nigon and Virginia Schuning reported seeing a moose in the same area of the Kepler Track on March 13. Ken Tustin, who has spent decades researching the elusive Fiordland moose, said the two independent reports so close together were 'highly significant'. 'The Canadians' background, combined with the nature of the sighting, makes it a strong and credible report,' Tustin said. 'That it follows closely after Nigon's sighting, an extraordinarily capable observer, is an extraordinary coincidence.' Tustin suggested the animals' movement could be driven by depleted forest forage or the search for mates during the rut. He said one of the most telling aspects of both sightings was the absence of a pale rump patch, which distinguishes moose from red deer or elk. Tustin encourages anyone who believes they have seen a moose to come forward, saying every credible record contributes to understanding the species' status in New Zealand.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
England edge France by a point to claim Grand Slam
Women's Six NationsEngland (31) 43Tries: Dow 2, Sing 2, Atkin-Davies, MacDonald, Aldcroft Cons: Harrison 4France (21) 42Tries: Arbez, Bourdon, Menager, Arbey, Bourgeois, Grisez Cons: Bourgeois 6 England held off a late France fightback to secure a fourth consecutive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam and seventh straight victory at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, extends the Red Roses' winning run to 25 games as they count down to the home Rugby World Cup that starts in front of a crowd of 37,573, the hosts came out of the blocks fast to score the opening try through the prolific Abby Carla Arbez quickly responded, before John Mitchell's side ruthlessly scored four tries to take Emma Sing, in for the injured Ellie Kildunne, grabbed two tries, while hooker Lark Atkin-Davies and in-form wing Claudia MacDonald also a dropped ball by Zoe Harrison gifted scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus a try and France capitalised on that momentum when centre Marine Menager scored to cut the gap to 10 points at the Zoe Aldcroft restored England's advantage but that was quickly cancelled out by Kelly Arbey, who produced a sensational finish down the and Morgane Bourgeois then traded tries before Joanna Grisez raced away to set up a nervy finish in a highly entertaining and evenly balanced second last defeat in the Six Nations came against France in 2018 and their record run of championship wins has now moved to 34 is John Mitchell's second Grand Slam since taking over side in the autumn of 2023, with the Red Roses last tasting defeat in the World Cup final by New Zealand in to follow. Line-ups England: Sing; Dow, Jones, Heard, MacDonald; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Feaunati, Cokayne, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Burton, L Packer, Aitchison, Bourgeois; Grisez, M Menager, Vernier, Arbwy; Arbez, Bourdon; Brosseau, Bigot, Khalfaoui, M Feleu (capt), Fall-Raclot, Escudero, Champon, T Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Bernadou, Zago, Berthoumieu, Maka, Chambon, Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
