My friend is taking 'lovastatin' drug to lower his cholesterol. Can
he also take omega-3 (fish oil) or flaxseed (oil)? What is
lovastatin's interaction
with supplements liek flaxseed and fish oil? Is there any negative
interaction? Does fish oil further help in reducing total cholesterol
and LDL?
Can he take both flaxseed and fisj oil along with lovastatin? Please
advise, thanks. |
Request for Question Clarification by
kriswrite-ga
on
15 Aug 2006 16:41 PDT
I'm posting this as a clarification, because I'm not certain you'll be
happy with the results of my research.
There is conflicting information about what omega-3s do in conjunction
with Lovastatin.
The Univerity of Maryland Medical Center says that flaxseeds and
omega-3 oil may actually help loveastatin work better. "Increasing the
amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet and reducing the omega-6 to
omega-3 ratio, may allow a group of cholesterol lowering medications
known as 'statins' (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin)
to work more effectively. ("Possible Interactions with: Flaxseed:"
University of Maryland Medical Center:
http://www.statesman.com/life/altmed/shared/health/alt_medicine/ConsHerbs/Interactions/Flaxseedch.html
)
This text is quoted throughout the Internet.
MedlinePlus, however, notes that "Omega-3 fatty acids may work against
the LDL-lowering properties of 'statin' drugs like atorvastatin
(LipitorŪ) and lovastatin (MevacorŪ)." (Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-fishoil.html
)
Both sites are considered rreliable for medical information.
Therefore, it would be best for your friend to discuss this topic with
his pharmacist.
Should your friend decide to try omega-3 oil or flaxseed, please have
him read all the information in the U of Maryland link; a pretty
comprehnsive list of interactions is listed, and your friend should be
sure nothing else applies to him there.
Also, it should be noted that it's generally recommended that the
flaxseed or fish oil not be taken at the same time of day as the
perscription drug, since this will slow down the body's ability to
absorb it. For the same reason, other supplements should be taken at a
different time of day. ("Flaxseed," Health eNotes:
http://health.enotes.com/alternative-medicine-encyclopedia/flaxseed )
If this is a satisfactory answer, please let me know.
Kind regards,
Kriswrite
RESEARCH STRATEGY:
fish oil interaction lovastatin
flaxseed interaction lovastatin
|
Clarification of Question by
khristena-ga
on
16 Aug 2006 10:57 PDT
It is rather confusing that different medical sources provide
contradicting information. He is also taking a 'baby' asprin in the
morning. He regularly eats crreal mixed with a tablespoon of
flaxseed. Will the ALA in flaxseed cancel out the effect of asprin?
Is he at risk of bleeding issues? He takes
lavostatin in the evening. He is thinking about adding fish oil in
the mid-day, but tries to find out more information about it. Will
this regimen work for him? Or he shoudl not take Omeaga-3 fish oil
any more??
|
Clarification of Question by
khristena-ga
on
16 Aug 2006 11:56 PDT
I have low cholesterol count (130), low RBC (3.9), low WBC (3.4). Wil fish oil
(omega-3) help in my case to normalize some of these counts? Does low
cholesterol count mean that the blood is too thin or too thick?
Please advise, thanks.
|
Clarification of Question by
khristena-ga
on
28 Aug 2006 13:43 PDT
I am trying to find out interaction of omega-3 oil with
cholesterol-lowering drugs. The question is not on how to lower
cholesterol counts. I am also interested in knowing if omega-3 can be
of any benefits as far as boosting the
White Blood Counts (or immune system). I hope to clarify the question. Thanks.
|
