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Grapefruit Seed Extract for Strep Throat

Jul 3, 2011 | By Kathryn Gilhuly
Grapefruit Seed Extract for Strep Throat
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Pure grapefruit seed extract extracts cannot fight bacteria. But chemicals in many grapefruit extract supplements can. These chemicals, as well as properties in grapefruit itself, may cause serious side effects if combined with other medications. Consult your doctor before self-medicating your strep throat infection with grapefruit seed extract supplements or other alternative therapies.

Not Necessarily 'Natural'

If you buy grapefruit seed extract seed supplements seeking a "natural" alternative to antibiotics, you may be disappointed. They may contain synthetic preservatives and disinfectants, although this information will not neccessarily appear on the product label. So, you take a gamble if you treat a strep throat infection with a commercial grapefruit seed extract supplement. If the product works, it most likely contains chemicals because pure grapefruit extract cannot fight infections, according to Donal O'Mathuna, a bio-ethicist and herbal researcher who analyzed eight scientific grapefruit seed extract studies for "The Irish Times."

Studies

Markus Ganzera, a researcher from the Innsbruck University of Austria, led a study to determine the contents of commercially sold grapefruit seed extract products. His findings, published in March 2006 in the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry," showed that many grapefruit seed extract supplements contain chemicals such as benzethonium chloride. Studies from Japan, Sweden, Germany and the United States on the makeup of commercially sold grapefruit seed extract products very closely match Ganzera's findings, according to O'Mathuna's analysis in the March 24, 2009 edition of "The Irish Times."

Treatment

The typical treatment for strep throat is antibiotics. If you fail to treat strep throat, the infection could lead to kidney inflammation. Untreated strep throat also puts you at risk for rheumatic fever, a condition that can inflame your joints and damage your heart valves. If you don't want to take antibiotics, ask your doctor about whether you can safely treat your strep throat infection by other means. But, don't risk your health by taking grapefruit seed extract supplements on your own.

Drug Interactions

Grapefruit inhibits your body's CYP34A enzyme from properly metabolizing drugs.Drugs may stay in your system longer than intended and, if you take a drug regularly, accumulate in your bloodstream. This puts you at risk for serious, even fatal, side effects. Some drugs known to react adversely with grapefruit include immunosuppressants, statins, blood pressure medications, birth control pills and antidepressants. Benzethonium chloride, a chemical found in many grapefruit seed extract products, also interferes with your body's ability to metabolize drugs. Before trying grapefruit seed extract out for strep throat or for any other reason, first consult your doctor or pharmacist to ask about potential interactions.

References

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: Jul 3, 2011

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