I don't understand this

Grapefruit juice should interfere with absorption of medications, not increase such absorption, based on the fact that it increases the liver's manufacturing of the enzyme P450, which breaks down certain digestive materials.

As a certified herbalist, I know of no such actions from orange or apple juice. They would, however, significantly increase the output of blood sugar in the body, hence also triggering an insulin response which can cause the plummeting effect from sugar resulting in loss of energy, after an initial "blood sugar high". Such insulin activity CAN lead to insulin resistance in certain cases, where the cells are not receptive to insulin as they should be and excess insulin is floating around in the blood, resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and its accompanying symptoms. It can, also, lead to diabetes as complication of hypoglycemia, in more advanced stages.

Therefore, apple and orange juice could (only in susceptible individuals lacking insulin sensitivity) INCREASE diabetes and hypoglycemia, not DECREASE those serious malaises.

Are you sure you didn't get the matters backwards? Where did these studies originate, and in whose pocket were they funded? That is key, because many studies are in the pocket of special interests who pay those conducting their studies to bias the outcome in the direction they would profit from.

That's why studies are not always reliable. A much better way to go is to a) look at who funded the study b) compare with other studies by other sources c) make sure the source of the study is unbiased and logical, based on sound medical fact.

Looking over the Pubmed website, or the government database of medical studies, I have found European studies to be much more ethical and full-disclosure than many American studies. Think of the movie Sicko: Just as the so-called "health insurance" agencies are inclined to let people die just so they can hang on to their funds, so these American "studies" are often biased to reflect information that can and would lead to many American deaths, just so the pharmaceutical or "Medical" industry can profit.

Example: Radiation treatment used to calm down thyroid hyper-activity (a very dangerous condition) is said by every American "study" under the sun to be absolutely safe, with very few reports of side-effects such as leukemia. COnversely, discussing the exact same treatment, EVERY European study insists that such radiation of the thyroid gland results in significantly under-reported cases of leukemia, is dangerous and must be used as a last resort. The American insurance companies, however, "encourage" the doctors to administer the radiation treatment because it is a one-time dosage, requires very little hospitalization after treatment, and is the cheapest way to go for the insurance companies. For those being thus "treated", no matter if they end up with lymphatic cancer. No big deal, so long as the "health" industry profits. Hence the funding of the American "studies" of thyroid-calming radiation "Therapy" by the....you guessed it...American "health" insurance companies.

So, back to the question: Who funded the studies mentioned here? I am very skeptical. Please tell us more!

Thank you.

by Kathryn Smith (100 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 442 comments) on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 1:46:12 AM
 

PS

But please know, of course, that your journalistic work and research efforts are surely much appreciated! :-)

by Kathryn Smith (100 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 442 comments) on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 1:47:01 AM
 

Orange, Apple juices

This article originated in med track alert . medtracking 9319Source:URL:click here also-interfere-with-meds 

This study, Tuesday Aug 19, 2008 was reported in Health day Reporter by Kathleen Doheny on research done by David Bailey, a professor  of  medicine and pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario. I hope this answers your concerns about this article. 

by Kenneth Briggs (135 articles, 88 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 113 comments) on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 8:00:20 AM
 

Thank you Kenneth

I will research this further.

Please let's understand very clearly: It is not your article I am questioning. It's the sources of these studies. I could be wrong and they could be right, but just because it's a medical source being quoted here does not give me one bit of faith in it, necessarily. I would have to see more details about the chemistry they are saying is triggered, which is not addressed in the link you gave me or in any links following it.

Again I am skeptical of "Studies" because who funds them determines the outcome, at least in the USA. It's sad and unethical, but that's how it is. Thank you for the tip though, Kenneth, and I will research this further, cross-referencing it with various studies for comparison's sake.

Thank you for your research and journalistic work. Surely that took no small effort on your part.

by Kathryn Smith (100 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 442 comments) on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 12:35:51 AM