Some common dairy products that you will want to avoid within a 2-hour window of taking some antibiotics include: milk, buttermilk, cheese, butter…
By OLUFUNKE
Vital wheat gluten is the natural protein found in wheat. It is derived from wheat flour through a wet extraction process that separates and concentrates the gluten.
This concentrated gluten is then dried and ground into a powder, resulting in vital wheat gluten flour. This versatile ingredient can also be used to make seitan, a vegan meat substitute.
The interesting part is that while wheat flour is high in carbs, vital wheat gluten is actually quite low in carbohydrates, making it a popular choice for those following a keto or low-carb diet. It is primarily known for its high protein content.
So, like I always say, there are so many substitutes in nature. If you cannot eat a particular food for certain reasons, you can always find a replacement.
About our previous discussions on essential fatty acids, I would like to say that persons whose doctors have prescribed omega-3 fatty acid supplements should endeavour to take them with meals containing dietary fat.
Scientific evidence suggests that people absorb omega-3 fatty acids more effectively when they take them with a meal containing dietary fat.
A 2019 review on omega-3 found that taking an omega-3 concentrate with food that contains fat increased bioavailability, making it easier for the body to absorb, while an older 2015 review of studies found that taking omega-3 fatty acids with a low-fat meal reduced absorption.
This week, I will be discussing natural substances and drug interactions. It is a good time to remind us that herbs are actually more potent than we think and that we should be mindful of the way we use them.
So, let us consider some of these natural substances and their interactions with medications:
Dairy products
There are several medications that interact badly with calcium-rich dairy foods and supplements. The culprit in dairy products is calcium. It binds with these medications, preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Let us talk a bit about the interaction between dairy and antibiotics. Dairy products, especially milk, contain calcium, which can bind to certain antibiotics, forming insoluble compounds that are not absorbed by the body.
This binding reduces the amount of antibiotic that reaches the bloodstream and can reach the infection site, making the medication less effective. Some antibiotics are more affected by dairy than others.
Some common dairy products that you will want to avoid within a 2-hour window of taking some antibiotics include: milk, buttermilk, cheese, butter, cream, ice cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, ghee, kefir, condensed milk, yoghurt, whey and whey protein, and desserts made with dairy products.
Cloves
Cloves are bursting with eugenol, a substance with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anaesthetic qualities. They have been used traditionally to treat toothaches, soothe digestion, and even benefit the liver. But although the advantages are significant, so are the dangers, particularly for those taking certain medications.