Grapefruit and its miraculous benefits
Grapefruit and its miraculous benefits
I have been treating a lady for ankle and foot oedema (swelling) for a little while now, helping her with symptom relief, but her discomfort was gradually getting worse. There have been many diagnoses formulated on this condition by NHS clinicians (Rheumatologists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, and many more).
However, none of them have addressed what is actually happening. The oedema was so bad that both legs increased in size from knees to toes and when I examined the tissues, there were findings of oedema pitting (an indentation of the finger into the skin which imprints and the skin only goes back to normal after a few seconds).
This normally suggests venous congestions and heart problems (it is best to seek advice from your GP or even us at Perfect Balance, as we may be able to help with a referral).
Osteopathic treatment and grapefruit juice
Currently, my treatments help with symptom relief and decreasing the oedema in the legs. I also work on the legs and feet to drain as much as possible of the fluid into the lymphatic nodes.
Recently, she came into the clinic, and, out of nowhere, the swelling had disappeared! I asked what she had done differently as this was a huge change. After a little thinking, she had no answer, therefore, I suggested to her to continue to think or notice events throughout the day that may have led to this sudden decrease in oedema.
Yesterday, I saw her again. There was even more reduction of oedema in the legs and feet, and the colour of her feet was much better. The answer to my question two weeks before about different events turned out to be grapefruit juice! She had thought about what she was doing differently and she was drinking grapefruit juice! There are anti-inflammatory effects in grapefruit, so, for her, there was a positive result. I, therefore, decided to research this in more detail, hence why I am writing this today.
Health benefits of grapefruit
Grapefruit has its origins in the West Indies, specifically Jamaica, where research has suggested that it contains high amounts of Vitamin C, anti-oxidant, Vitamin B-complex, potassium, magnesium, calcium, high soluble fibre, as well as having a low number of calories. These findings show grapefruit being used in different treatment modalities, for example, weight loss treatments, as well as having anti-cancerous properties and helping with decreasing cholesterol.
These findings show grapefruit being used in different treatment modalities, for example, weight loss treatments, as well as having anti-cancerous properties and helping with decreasing cholesterol.
Grapefruit’s interaction with some drugs
With these findings, it is important to know that certain medications may interact with the effects of grapefruit. It is important to seek advice on consuming grapefruit with any of the following:
statins used for cholesterol control
calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure non-sedating antihistamines such as Hismanal (Astemizole) anti-anxiety drugs like Valium (Diazepam), Xanax (Alprazolam), Halcion (Triazolam) and others immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent rejection of transplanted tissues organs antiviral agents used to treat HIV/AIDS.