Latest news with #CYP1A2
Arab Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
How your morning coffee could interfere with common medications
NEW YORK, May 15: For many people, coffee is a cherished part of their morning routine, offering a needed caffeine boost and even some health benefits. However, it may not mix well with certain medications, especially if taken early in the day. Why coffee affects medications Coffee can influence how medications are absorbed, broken down, or eliminated by the body. 'It may speed up digestion, reducing the time your body has to absorb a drug,' explains Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, Pharm.D. 'It also competes with medications that rely on liver enzymes like CYP1A2, which may increase or decrease drug levels in your bloodstream.' This doesn't mean you have to give up coffee — but timing matters. Here's how coffee can interact with specific types of medications: 1. Antidepressants Coffee can reduce the absorption of some antidepressants, such as escitalopram (Lexapro), potentially lowering their effectiveness. Others, like clomipramine and imipramine, share a liver enzyme with caffeine, meaning they may stay in your system longer, increasing side effects like jitteriness. 2. Thyroid medications Coffee can cut the absorption of levothyroxine — a common hypothyroidism medication — by up to 50%. This can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms of low thyroid function. Doctors recommend waiting 30 to 60 minutes after taking your thyroid meds before drinking coffee. 3. Osteoporosis medications Medications like alendronate and risedronate are best taken with plain water only. Coffee, milk, or juice can reduce absorption, making these treatments less effective. 4. Cold and allergy medications Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) are stimulants, just like caffeine. Taking both can increase side effects such as restlessness and a rapid heartbeat. For people with diabetes, the combination may raise blood sugar and body temperature. 5. Antipsychotic medications Coffee can interfere with how the body processes medications like clozapine, haloperidol, or olanzapine. For example, caffeine can nearly double the concentration of clozapine in the blood, potentially leading to unwanted effects. 6. Asthma medications Bronchodilators like theophylline and aminophylline relax airway muscles but can cause side effects like nausea or irritability. Caffeine may amplify these reactions, especially if consumed in large amounts. 7. Blood thinners Blood thinners (like aspirin) and coffee can both slow blood clotting. Combined, they can raise the risk of bleeding or bruising. Coffee also affects how quickly some blood thinners are absorbed, potentially increasing their effects. What you can do Coffee doesn't need to be off-limits, but if you're on one of these medications, it's important to adjust the timing. In general, taking your medication and waiting 30–60 minutes before drinking coffee is a good guideline. Always speak with your healthcare provider about potential interactions to ensure you're getting the full benefit of your medication without unwanted side effects.
Epoch Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Cinnamon Supplements May Reduce Effectiveness of Medications, Study Finds
That sprinkle of cinnamon in your coffee or oatmeal? Probably harmless. But taken as a supplement, it could change how your body processes prescription drugs, new research suggests. Cinnamaldehyde, the compound behind cinnamon's signature flavor and scent, can interfere with how the body processes medications. The recent study on human liver and gut cells found that at high concentrations, the compound may speed up drug metabolism, clearing medications before they can take full effect. 'Cinnamaldehyde has a low to moderate potential for drug interactions based upon our preliminary in vitro studies,' co-author of the study Bill Gurley, who is a principal scientist at the National Center for Natural Products Research, told The Epoch Times in an email. What Researchers Discovered In a At concentrations above 270 micrograms per milliliter, which would be reached only through taking high-dose supplements, cinnamaldehyde activated these receptors, acting like gatekeepers, telling the body how quickly to break down and eliminate medications. Researchers say that this could be a concern for people taking certain medications—particularly drugs metabolized by the liver enzymes CYP2C9 and CYP1A2, such as some blood thinners, diabetes drugs, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. 'Cinnamon and cinnamon-based supplements are quite safe when used in moderation,' Gurley said. 'The likelihood that cinnamaldehyde poses any risk for clinically relevant drug interactions is quite low.' Related Stories 5/11/2025 11/19/2024 The researchers found no changes in PXR activity at lower levels of cinnamaldehyde (up to 20 micrograms per milliliter), suggesting that everyday use—like those typically used in cooking—is unlikely to be a problem. Even in a 'It is okay to consume cinnamon in food or take it as a supplement in moderation,' Shabana Khan, a principal scientist at the university's National Center for Natural Products Research and co-author of the study, told The Epoch Times in an email. Health concerns, however, can arise when supplements are used in high doses or for long periods—especially without a doctor's knowledge. Some people take 'It's difficult to define how much is too much since different preparations or products / supplements will have different quantities or vary in composition,' she said. 'It should be used in moderation.' Know Your Cinnamon Cinnamon is used in several forms, each with varying levels of risk. Ground cinnamon, the kind you likely have in your spice rack, is used in cooking and baking, and up to a teaspoon is considered safe. Cinnamon oil, often used in foods and personal care products, poses little risk in small amounts. However, supplements, which can contain anywhere from 500 to 1,000 milligrams per dose, can be more concentrated and potentially interfere with medications when taken regularly. Most cinnamon sold in U.S. stores is Labels don't always list the type of cinnamon used; unless otherwise stated, it's mostly like going to be cassia. You can also contact the manufacturer for clarification, especially if you are taking cinnamon in supplement form. Apart from cinnamaldehyde, cinnamon also contains coumarin, a naturally occurring blood thinner. 'Cassia cinnamon, often sourced from regions like Southern China, contains significantly higher levels of coumarin and is a potent blood thinner compared to true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) from Sri Lanka,' study co-author Amar Chittiboyina, associate director at the National Center for Natural Products Research, told The Epoch Times in an email. True cinnamon or 'We strongly advise individuals currently taking blood thinners who are considering incorporating cinnamon into their daily routine to consult with their primary healthcare physician,' Chittiboyina said. Still, researchers say that when used appropriately, cinnamon may offer benefits. A 2022 scientific But as with many natural compounds, the benefits may depend on the dose, the form, and how it's used. Other Competing Foods and Herbs Cinnamon isn't the only natural ingredient that can interact with medications. Common foods and herbs can affect how drugs are absorbed or broken down—something to keep in mind if you take medication regularly. For example, grapefruit can block like warfarin. Dairy products can reduce the absorption of some antibiotics, making them less effective. Several herbs and supplements have also been linked to well-documented drug interactions, according to Gurley. St. John's Wort, often used for mild depression, can reduce the effectiveness of medications like antidepressants, birth control pills, and antivirals by speeding up liver enzyme activity. Goldenseal may slow down drug metabolism of certain statins, antihistamines, and sedatives, increasing drug levels in the body. And licorice root—unless it's had the glycyrrhizin compound removed—can raise blood pressure and interfere with blood pressure medications. 'Our best advice is to talk to a health care provider before using any supplements along with prescription medicine,' Khan said.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Caffeine in Your Blood Could Affect Body Fat And Diabetes Risk, Study Reveals
The levels of caffeine in your blood could affect the amount of body fat you carry, a factor that in turn could determine your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Those are the findings of a 2023 study that used genetic markers to establish a more definitive link between caffeine levels, BMI, and type 2 diabetes risk. The research team, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the University of Bristol in the UK, and Imperial College London in the UK, said calorie-free caffeinated drinks could be explored as a potential means of helping reduce body fat levels. "Genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with lower BMI and whole body fat mass," the researchers wrote in their paper, published in March 2023. "Furthermore, genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Approximately half of the effect of caffeine on type 2 diabetes liability was estimated to be mediated through BMI reduction." The study involved data from just under 10,000 people collected from existing genetic databases, focusing on variations in or near specific genes known to be associated with the speed at which caffeine is broken down. In general, those with variations affecting the genes – namely CYP1A2 and a gene that regulates it, called AHR – tend to break caffeine down more slowly, allowing it to remain in the blood longer. Yet they also tend to drink less caffeine in general. An approach called Mendelian randomization was used to determine likely causal relationships between the presence of the variations, illnesses like diabetes, body mass, and lifestyle factors. While there was a significant link between caffeine levels, BMI, and type 2 diabetes risk, no relationship emerged between the amount of caffeine in the blood and cardiovascular diseases including atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke. Previous studies have linked a moderate and relative increase in caffeine consumption to better heart health and a lower BMI, and this research adds more detail to what we already know about the effects that coffee has on the body. It's important to also keep in mind the impacts of caffeine on the body aren't all positive, which means care must be taken when weighing up the benefits of drinking it – but this latest study is an important step in assessing how much caffeine is ideal. "Small, short term trials have shown that caffeine intake results in weight and fat mass reduction, but the long term effects of caffeine intake is unknown," the researchers explained. "Considering the extensive intake of caffeine worldwide, even its small metabolic effects could have important health implications." The team thinks the association shown here could be down to the way caffeine increases thermogenesis (heat production) and fat oxidation (turning fat into energy) in the body, which both play an important role in overall metabolism. While this study involved a large sample, Mendelian randomization isn't infallible, and it's still possible that other factors are at play that weren't accounted for. More research will be needed to confirm cause and effect. "Randomized controlled trials are warranted to assess whether non-caloric caffeine containing beverages might play a role in reducing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes," said University of Bristol genetic epidemiologist Benjamin Woolf. The research was published in BMJ Medicine. An earlier version of this article was published in March 2023. Leading Cause of Death in US Claims A Life Every 34 Seconds Surprising Link Between Menthol And Alzheimer's Discovered in Mice AI Can Predict Breast Cancer Risk Years Before Diagnosis, Study Finds
