A glass of grapefruit juice a day can significantly increase the effectiveness of an anti-cancer drug.
According to a study, people who combined the consumption of a citrus drink with a specific anti- cancer drug showed the same benefits that they would get from using a higher dose of the drug.
The combination helps patients avoid the side effects associated with high doses of the drug, and reduces their treatment costs, explain the researchers from the Medical University of Chicago.
Grapefruit juice has been found to inhibit the activity of enzymes in the gut that play a role in breaking down drugs. Therefore, medical professionals often recommend avoiding the consumption of the fetus when taking specific medications, as it can cause serious side effects or overdose.
In the new study, researchers investigated whether grapefruit juice could be used in a controlled way to increase the effectiveness of the drug sirolimus.
Sirolimus, or rapamycin, is used to prevent organ transplant rejection, but is also being tested as a treatment for some tumors.
The current study involved 138 people with cancer. They take 45 mg of the drug twice a week. More than this amount has been found to cause serious gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea and diarrhea.
The results show that the use of the drug and the daily consumption of grapefruit juice leads to a reduction in drug doses needed by cancer patients. Participants take 25-35 mg sirolimus weekly.
The results are published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research .
Grapefruit is also known for its benefits in maintaining the immune system. A glass of 100% citrus juice fully provides the daily need for vitamin C, which has strong antioxidant properties.