Everyone knows we need to increase our consumption of fruits and vegetables. They’re healthy, right? Why would something is common as an orange be a major problem for some people?

The answer is called an interaction. Some foods will have negative interactions with some medications. Some of the problems caused are minor and others are potentially deadly. Do you take a medication that could cause a problem?

The first introduction I had to the idea that citrus fruit could cause problems with prescriptions was when my husband had to start taking several medications for a serious heart problem. Grapefruit was the problem citrus family member.

Eating grapefruit or drinking the juice can interact with several medications. Not all of these medications are heart drugs. The list includes antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, immunosuppressants and statins. In fact, at least 50 medications have some sort of interaction with grapefruit.

The interaction is one of two types. It either doesn’t break down fast enough and there is too much medicine in your blood for too long, or it breaks down too fast.

Grapefruits aren’t the only citrus fruits with interaction problems. Oranges…both sweet and bitter…also interact. Bitter oranges tend to interact in the same way as grapefruit. Sweet oranges have the same potential, with a few additions. Some antibiotics and medicines that act on the pump found in cells may also interact.

If you take any medications for a chronic condition, it is a good idea to sit down with your medication list and look up information from a reliable source about interactions. Citrus fruits are not the only potential pit falls in your diet.The same holds true for herbal supplements. Either look them up or ask your pharmacist if they can be a problem for you.