With the acceleration of the pace of modern life and the increase in life pressure, hypertension has become a common chronic disease. In order to control blood pressure, many patients need to take antihypertensive drugs for a long time. However, many people do not understand the proper use of blood pressure medications, especially when it comes to dietary considerations. One of the common misconceptions is that you can't drink milk while taking blood pressure medication. In fact, there is some truth to this statement. This article will explain from a scientific point of view why you should stay away from milk when taking blood pressure medications, as well as other "6 things" to be aware of.
First, we need to understand the mechanism of action of antihypertensive drugs. Antihypertensive drugs lower blood pressure primarily by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) or blocking angiotensin receptors (ARB). The mechanism of action of these drugs interacts with certain components in the milk and may result in reduced efficacy or adverse reactions.
Milk is rich in calcium ions, which can chemically react with certain components of antihypertensive drugs (such as ACE inhibitors) to form insoluble precipitates. These precipitates can reduce the absorption rate of the drug, which can weaken the drug's effectiveness. In addition, the protein in milk can also interact with antihypertensive drugs, affecting the absorption and metabolism of the drug.
In addition to milk, there are other foods and medications that can interact with blood pressure medications and affect their effectiveness. These foods and medicines are known as the "6 substances" and include: alcohol, caffeine, salt, chili peppers, chocolate, and certain Chinese herbs. The ingredients in these substances interact with the components of antihypertensive drugs and may cause the drug to be less effective or cause adverse effects.
The first is alcohol. Alcohol can increase the rate at which antihypertensive drugs are metabolized, thereby reducing the concentration of drugs in the body and weakening their effectiveness. In addition, alcohol can also cause an increase in blood pressure, which cancels out the effects of antihypertensive drugs.
This is followed by caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase the load on the heart, causing an increase in blood pressure. Concomitant use with antihypertensive drugs may weaken the effectiveness of the drug and even cause adverse reactions in the cardiovascular system.
Salt is a common condiment in our daily diet, but consuming too much salt can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Antihypertensive drugs work to lower blood pressure, and if they are used at the same time as a large amount of salt, they may weaken the effect of the drugs or even make it impossible to control blood pressure effectively.
Cayenne pepper is a spicy condiment, and the capsaicin in it can stimulate blood vessels, causing blood pressure to rise. Concomitant use with antihypertensive drugs may weaken the effectiveness of the drug and even cause adverse reactions in the cardiovascular system.
Chocolate contains ingredients such as caffeine and theobromine, which can stimulate the heart and cause an increase in blood pressure. Concomitant use with antihypertensive drugs may weaken the effectiveness of the drug and even cause adverse reactions in the cardiovascular system.
Finally, there are certain Chinese herbs. The ingredients in Chinese herbal medicine are complex and diverse, and some of them may interact with antihypertensive drugs and affect their efficacy. Therefore, it is best to avoid the use of Chinese herbal medicines while taking blood pressure medications, or use them under the guidance of a doctor.
In summary, one should stay away from milk and some other foods and medications while taking blood pressure medication. The ingredients in these foods and medicines interact with the components of antihypertensive drugs and may cause the drugs to be less effective or cause adverse reactions. In order to ensure the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs, patients should follow the doctor's advice, pay attention to a reasonable combination of diet and medication, and avoid using it with "6 substances" at the same time. Only the correct use of antihypertensive drugs can better control blood pressure and protect cardiovascular health.