A grapefruit question.

[LittleEmily24]

I know the whole grapefruit and estrogen absorption thing has little evidence on whether or not its positive or negative in its effect, but i felt the need to ask this and if anyone can shed some light:

I drink a LOT of dried grapefruit infused green tea, could it have the same positive or negative effect as fresh grapefruit?

I'm not looking for any particular outcome, just wanna make sure i'm not doing something inadvertently harmful >_< I really like my grapefruit tea LOL ~ Alternatively; it would be nice to know if I am actually doing the opposite xD

[Ltl89]

Okay, this is going to be a very ignorant response, so be warned, lol.  I have heard that grapefruit can cause liver enzymes to accelerate absorption of medication and enhance it's effects.  I know a lot of pill heads recommend drinking grapejuice with their opiates for this reason cause you get a stronger effect and I've been told to avoid using it while I am on Cymbalta cause it can do similar things.  I've heard it can have an impact on hrt as well, but I avoid it because I am on cymbalta so never went to far into it.  Like I said, take all of this with a grain of salt, but I do know that it can interact with liver enzymes and it can have some impact with certain medications.

[LittleEmily24]

Far from ignorant xD more information than I had to start, thats for sure lol

[Ltl89]

with that in mind, it's usually not a good idea to drink grapefruit with those types of medications.  I'm not sure if hrt is the same, but I believe I've heard things in the past about avoiding it while on hormones.  Like I said, I'm ignorant on this subject and only sharing what I've heard and experienced with other medications. 

[Sarah Louise]

Many medications tell you Not to drink or eat Grapefruit due to interaction with the medication.  Two medications I am on say this.

[LittleEmily24]

But doesn't Dried grapefruit differ from fresh grapefruit? I'm sure the nutrients/enzymes/overall nutrient structure must change or change the effect it could have on medications no?

I mean, i love grapefruit but i usually only eat it maybe once a month to avoid getting any adverse effects after what i've read up on in relation to HRT. But i'd figure that dried grapefruit mixed with tea leaves would change its effect on the whole thing overall.

[KayXo]

Grapefruit appears to inhibit conversion of estradiol and estrone to weaker/inactive compounds, thus increasing their overall concentration in the blood and increasing the overall effect of oral estradiol. Same thing seems to occur with progesterone but the effect is quite variable from one individual to another. 

I don't know if dried grapefruit has the same effect, if the compounds in it responsible for the interaction (furanocoumarins, flavonoids) are active.

Discuss with your doctor/pharmacist. I used to take some with my oral estradiol. I still take some with my oral progesterone. But to each their own. Check with your doctor, always! 

[Ltl89]

But doesn't Dried grapefruit differ from fresh grapefruit? I'm sure the nutrients/enzymes/overall nutrient structure must change or change the effect it could have on medications no?

I mean, i love grapefruit but i usually only eat it maybe once a month to avoid getting any adverse effects after what i've read up on in relation to HRT. But i'd figure that dried grapefruit mixed with tea leaves would change its effect on the whole thing overall.

Honestly, the best person to ask is likely your doctor or pharmacist.  I would just err on the side of caution until you can get a more conclusive answer.

[Shannon14]

The grapefruit juice inhibits enzymes in the cells of the intestines responsible for metabolism of certain medications. This can lead to an increased concentration of the medication in the body. Depending on the medications therapeutic index, toxic levels can be reached.
Oral meds, including estradiol to a minor degree, are affected. There is no effect on injected, transdermal, or pellets.
Studies have been mostly done with juice, so I wouldn't know about dried grapefruit but would certainly be cautious and ask your doctor about it.