Discussion
It was mentioned earlier in the thread about red grapefruit and its potential benefit for reducing cholesterol. I had a recent blood test and my total cholesterol was 7. They did a qrisk score and I came out 10.1 so they suggested statins immediately. I have refused this for now, and have been researching the subject with a view to what lifestyle changes I need to make to get this down. One of the things I’ve been coming across often is the benefits of red grapefruit, for example (from a quick google):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22304836/#:~:text=...
The health centre mentioned ‘Mediterranean diet’ more than once (it seems to be a catch all for every ailment) but have never once mentioned red grapefruit or similar specific foods. I know there is unlikely to be a wealth of research to support its benefits, but is it as simple as that? I admit, tend to get a little skeptical over the whole statins thing, and want to avoid them if at all possible…
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22304836/#:~:text=...
The health centre mentioned ‘Mediterranean diet’ more than once (it seems to be a catch all for every ailment) but have never once mentioned red grapefruit or similar specific foods. I know there is unlikely to be a wealth of research to support its benefits, but is it as simple as that? I admit, tend to get a little skeptical over the whole statins thing, and want to avoid them if at all possible…
Imasurv said:
It was mentioned earlier in the thread about red grapefruit and its potential benefit for reducing cholesterol. I had a recent blood test and my total cholesterol was 7. They did a qrisk score and I came out 10.1 so they suggested statins immediately. I have refused this for now, and have been researching the subject with a view to what lifestyle changes I need to make to get this down. One of the things I’ve been coming across often is the benefits of red grapefruit, for example (from a quick google):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22304836/#:~:text=...
The health centre mentioned ‘Mediterranean diet’ more than once (it seems to be a catch all for every ailment) but have never once mentioned red grapefruit or similar specific foods. I know there is unlikely to be a wealth of research to support its benefits, but is it as simple as that? I admit, tend to get a little skeptical over the whole statins thing, and want to avoid them if at all possible…
That's a lot of grapefruit, 21 per week! I wonder if I should start on 1 per day then get a blood test done.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22304836/#:~:text=...
The health centre mentioned ‘Mediterranean diet’ more than once (it seems to be a catch all for every ailment) but have never once mentioned red grapefruit or similar specific foods. I know there is unlikely to be a wealth of research to support its benefits, but is it as simple as that? I admit, tend to get a little skeptical over the whole statins thing, and want to avoid them if at all possible…
Does it have to be whole grapefruit or will juice do? Needs more research....
I'm not sure I'm really agreeing with this prescriptions to make money angle, many people get their meds for free and are still getting prescribed things (like statins) they may or may not actually need. So unless there is something we don't know about* they appear to be spending money, not making it.
- Does anyone really know how this works?
Evoluzione said:
I'm not sure I'm really agreeing with this prescriptions to make money angle, many people get their meds for free and are still getting prescribed things (like statins) they may or may not actually need. So unless there is something we don't know about* they appear to be spending money, not making it.
- Does anyone really know how this works?
- I don't really know* but from recollection GPs used to get rewarded for carrying out various checks (eg every 5 years if you're aged 40-70) rather than for prescribing. My understanding is that they are encouraged to reduce prescription costs.
Evoluzione said:
That's a lot of grapefruit, 21 per week! I wonder if I should start on 1 per day then get a blood test done.
Does it have to be whole grapefruit or will juice do? Needs more research....
I'm not sure I'm really agreeing with this prescriptions to make money angle, many people get their meds for free and are still getting prescribed things (like statins) they may or may not actually need. So unless there is something we don't know about* they appear to be spending money, not making it.
I’m trying half a tin a day, draining the juice and just eating the flesh. The juice is usually ‘from concentrate’ which to me means sugar so I always avoid. Does it have to be whole grapefruit or will juice do? Needs more research....
I'm not sure I'm really agreeing with this prescriptions to make money angle, many people get their meds for free and are still getting prescribed things (like statins) they may or may not actually need. So unless there is something we don't know about* they appear to be spending money, not making it.
- Does anyone really know how this works?
I suppose you have a point re prescriptions in general, I think generally the gp’s are acting in good faith, there’s more to it higher up the food chain maybe…? The problem is we just don’t know! What I do know is that I have to pay for my prescriptions, but that has no bearing on this in my specific case.
If you need pills take them; if you don't need them, don't.
The quantity of Paracetamol sold each year never ceases to amaze me, some people shovelling it down on a regular basis.
And IMO the "food supplement" industry is pure snake oil, yet people spend £millions on the stuff.
I've always been sceptical about "half an aspirin a day",
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/low-dose-aspirin/abou...
The quantity of Paracetamol sold each year never ceases to amaze me, some people shovelling it down on a regular basis.
And IMO the "food supplement" industry is pure snake oil, yet people spend £millions on the stuff.
I've always been sceptical about "half an aspirin a day",
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/low-dose-aspirin/abou...
Imasurv said:
I’m trying half a tin a day, draining the juice and just eating the flesh. The juice is usually ‘from concentrate’ which to me means sugar so I always avoid.
I suppose you have a point re prescriptions in general, I think generally the gp’s are acting in good faith, there’s more to it higher up the food chain maybe…? The problem is we just don’t know! What I do know is that I have to pay for my prescriptions, but that has no bearing on this in my specific case.
I think you need to be careful and do some more research. From what i've briefly read It's specifically fresh and red, not tinned. Have you checked the label for contents (added sugar)?I suppose you have a point re prescriptions in general, I think generally the gp’s are acting in good faith, there’s more to it higher up the food chain maybe…? The problem is we just don’t know! What I do know is that I have to pay for my prescriptions, but that has no bearing on this in my specific case.
The price isn't too bad at circa 55p ea, prep is a bit of a bugger, but 'tis what it is if it does the job.
I wonder if it has to be consumed in one go, or half in the morning and half in the evening? This is important to me as a T2D so shouldn't be taking on (too much) sugar.
Imasurv said:
I’m trying half a tin a day, draining the juice and just eating the flesh. The juice is usually ‘from concentrate’ which to me means sugar so I always avoid.
That's not what "from concentrate" means.Whilst yes, of course fruit juice contains sugar, and often vast amounts of it, meaning you're probably quite right to avoid it, being from concentrate just means that the juice is reduced down to a syrup to remove water before shipping, with the same amount of water being added back in after shipping to reconstitute the juice. Even with the added cost of going through that process, it's a lot cheaper than shipping the juice with all the water in it.
Evoluzione said:
I think you need to be careful and do some more research. From what i've briefly read It's specifically fresh and red, not tinned. Have you checked the label for contents (added sugar)?
The price isn't too bad at circa 55p ea, prep is a bit of a bugger, but 'tis what it is if it does the job.
I wonder if it has to be consumed in one go, or half in the morning and half in the evening? This is important to me as a T2D so shouldn't be taking on (too much) sugar.
This is the one I'm currently eating:The price isn't too bad at circa 55p ea, prep is a bit of a bugger, but 'tis what it is if it does the job.
I wonder if it has to be consumed in one go, or half in the morning and half in the evening? This is important to me as a T2D so shouldn't be taking on (too much) sugar.
https://www.epicure.co.uk/discover/ruby-grapefruit...
The contents are in the link, but are Ruby Grapefruit, Grapefruit Juice (from concentrate), Firming Agent: Calcium Chloride.
Nutritional info also in there.
Ive looked for fresh grapefruit and will try that when I can find some!!! The tinned stuff was hard enough...
I just pick at a bowl of it over a couple of days.
Kermit power said:
Imasurv said:
I’m trying half a tin a day, draining the juice and just eating the flesh. The juice is usually ‘from concentrate’ which to me means sugar so I always avoid.
That's not what "from concentrate" means.Whilst yes, of course fruit juice contains sugar, and often vast amounts of it, meaning you're probably quite right to avoid it, being from concentrate just means that the juice is reduced down to a syrup to remove water before shipping, with the same amount of water being added back in after shipping to reconstitute the juice. Even with the added cost of going through that process, it's a lot cheaper than shipping the juice with all the water in it.
Imasurv said:
Thanks for the info, I did know about the juice reduction and reconstitution, but I'm sure I've seen somewhere that additional sugar is added as part of the process and hence why I tend to avoid it. I thought 'fresh' fruit juice was that until I read about pasturisation!!! Now I'm really confused....
I'm not saying that manufacturers are above adding extra sugar. Just that it's not a necessary part of juices from concentrate. It used to be that all prepackaged juices were from concentrate until the likes of Tropicana figured they could charge a premium above and beyond the cost of shipping the unconcentrated juice.
Imasurv said:
It was mentioned earlier in the thread about red grapefruit and its potential benefit for reducing cholesterol. I had a recent blood test and my total cholesterol was 7. They did a qrisk score and I came out 10.1 so they suggested statins immediately. I have refused this for now, and have been researching the subject with a view to what lifestyle changes I need to make to get this down. One of the things I’ve been coming across often is the benefits of red grapefruit, for example (from a quick google):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22304836/#:~:text=...
The health centre mentioned ‘Mediterranean diet’ more than once (it seems to be a catch all for every ailment) but have never once mentioned red grapefruit or similar specific foods. I know there is unlikely to be a wealth of research to support its benefits, but is it as simple as that? I admit, tend to get a little skeptical over the whole statins thing, and want to avoid them if at all possible…
I mentioned it earlier.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22304836/#:~:text=...
The health centre mentioned ‘Mediterranean diet’ more than once (it seems to be a catch all for every ailment) but have never once mentioned red grapefruit or similar specific foods. I know there is unlikely to be a wealth of research to support its benefits, but is it as simple as that? I admit, tend to get a little skeptical over the whole statins thing, and want to avoid them if at all possible…
I used to buy fresh red grapefruit and eat one before my evening meal. Now I buy a box of 12 pots of red grapefruit (in light syrup) from Costco and eat a pot a day. Since coming off statins and doing this my cholesterol has been fine.
All I can suggest is that you try eating grapefruit daily and get your cholesterol checked after a month or so.
I would also check any other medication you might be on to make sure it's ok to eat grapefruit with, as it can affect some meds.
This is basically what I’ve been doing, in for another blood test on Tuesday to see if I’ve improved. Grapefruit is one of a whole raft of lifestyle changes I’ve introduced, including losing weight, cutting booze to a glass of red on a Saturday, got a juicer, cut out red meat and processed foods etc etc.
Evoluzione said:
That's a lot of grapefruit, 21 per week! I wonder if I should start on 1 per day then get a blood test done.
Does it have to be whole grapefruit or will juice do? Needs more research....
I'm not sure I'm really agreeing with this prescriptions to make money angle, many people get their meds for free and are still getting prescribed things (like statins) they may or may not actually need. So unless there is something we don't know about* they appear to be spending money, not making it.
What does the leaflet in your statins or your doctor say with regards to consuming grapefruit?Does it have to be whole grapefruit or will juice do? Needs more research....
I'm not sure I'm really agreeing with this prescriptions to make money angle, many people get their meds for free and are still getting prescribed things (like statins) they may or may not actually need. So unless there is something we don't know about* they appear to be spending money, not making it.
- Does anyone really know how this works?
As for the money thing, that someone gets the medication for free doesn't mean that the manufacturer is giving it away for free. Usually there's someone in there somewhere paying for it. Like your NHS.
rodericb said:
Evoluzione said:
That's a lot of grapefruit, 21 per week! I wonder if I should start on 1 per day then get a blood test done.
Does it have to be whole grapefruit or will juice do? Needs more research....
I'm not sure I'm really agreeing with this prescriptions to make money angle, many people get their meds for free and are still getting prescribed things (like statins) they may or may not actually need. So unless there is something we don't know about* they appear to be spending money, not making it.
What does the leaflet in your statins or your doctor say with regards to consuming grapefruit?Does it have to be whole grapefruit or will juice do? Needs more research....
I'm not sure I'm really agreeing with this prescriptions to make money angle, many people get their meds for free and are still getting prescribed things (like statins) they may or may not actually need. So unless there is something we don't know about* they appear to be spending money, not making it.
- Does anyone really know how this works?
As for the money thing, that someone gets the medication for free doesn't mean that the manufacturer is giving it away for free. Usually there's someone in there somewhere paying for it. Like your NHS.
Imasurv said:
Yes, think it’s been mentioned before that you shouldn’t eat grapefruit if on statins or many other types of medication, but certainly worth repeating just in case. In my case I’m not on statins and trying to avoid them, hence grapefruit (along with other stuff).
You're okay to consume grapefruit with statins according to the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicin...But the Americans are a bit more cautious on the matter:
https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26299317/
https://www.goodrx.com/classes/statins/why-cant-i-...
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/grapef...
rodericb said:
Imasurv said:
Yes, think it’s been mentioned before that you shouldn’t eat grapefruit if on statins or many other types of medication, but certainly worth repeating just in case. In my case I’m not on statins and trying to avoid them, hence grapefruit (along with other stuff).
You're okay to consume grapefruit with statins according to the NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicin...But the Americans are a bit more cautious on the matter:
https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26299317/
https://www.goodrx.com/classes/statins/why-cant-i-...
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/grapef...
Imasurv said:
The health centre mentioned ‘Mediterranean diet’ more than once (it seems to be a catch all for every ailment) but have never once mentioned red grapefruit or similar specific foods. I know there is unlikely to be a wealth of research to support its benefits, but is it as simple as that? I admit, tend to get a little skeptical over the whole statins thing, and want to avoid them if at all possible…
Olive oil is often given the credit for the Med diet being so good for you but grapefruit and tomatoes, particularly cooked tomatoes have lycopene which reduced BP and (iirc) reduces clotting. You can buy it a a supplement. I couldn't find a concise link, but there's plenty of info online.A grapefruit knife is a worthwhile purchase too. I find a grapefruit, large boiled egg and one granary toast as breakfast keeps me full longer than anything else.
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