Urine-Alkalinizing Foods
Brand Names:
Clinical Names: Urine-Alkalinizing Foods
Summary
Urine-alkalinizing Foods
overview of interactions:
• foods affecting drug performance: Lithium
foods that alkalinize the urine:
almonds, beet greens, beets, buttermilk, chestnuts, citrus fruits, coconuts, cream, dairy products, dandelion greens, fruits (except cranberries, prunes, plums), kale, milk, molasses, mustard greens, nuts, spinach, turnip greens, vegetables (except corn and lentils)
Interactions
foods affecting drug performance: Lithium
• mechanism: The rate of lithium excretion increases in alkaline urine. Consequently consumption of a diet high in foods that produce more alkaline urine is associated with more rapid excretion of lithium and resulting decreased drug effectiveness.
• dietary concerns: Individuals taking lithium should eat a balanced diet and avoid excessive consumption of foods that alkalinize the urine. The foods which have the greatest effect in alkalinizing the urine are dairy products, many nuts (including almonds and chestnuts), a variety of fruits (especially citrus, but not cranberries, plums or prunes), molasses, and vegetables such as beets, kale, mustard greens, spinach, and turnip greens (but not corn and lentils). Individuals taking lithium who are concerned about how their diet may be interacting with their medication should consult their prescribing physician, pharmacist and/or a healthcare professional trained in nutritional therapies.
(Holt GA. 1998, 157; Yamreudeewong W, et al. J Fam Pract. 1995 Apr;40(4):376-84; Hathcock
JN. Fed Proc. 1985 Jan;44(1 Pt 1):124-129; Emanuelli G, et al. Enzyme. 1985;34(4):177-185.)
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Do not rely solely on the information in this article.
The information presented in Interactions is for
informational and educational purposes only. It is based on scientific
studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, case
reports, and/or traditional usage with sources as cited in each
topic. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all
individuals and different individuals with the same medical conditions
with the same symptoms will often require differing treatments. For
many of the conditions discussed, treatment with conventional medical
therapies, including prescription drugs or over-the-counter
medications, is also available. Consult your physician, an
appropriately trained healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for
any health concern or medical problem before using any herbal products
or nutritional supplements or before making any changes in prescribed
medications and/or before attempting to independently treat a medical
condition using supplements, herbs, remedies, or other forms of
self-care.
References
Emanuelli G, Anfossi G, Calcamuggi G, Marcarino C, Ottone G, Dughera L. Urinary enzyme excretion in acute and subacute experimental lithium administration.
Enzyme. 1985;34(4):177-185.
Hathcock JN. Metabolic mechanisms of drug-nutrient interactions. Fed Proc. 1985 Jan;44(1 Pt 1):124-129. (Review)
Holt GA. Food and Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998.
Robinson C, Weigly E. Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy. New York: MacMillan, 1984.
Roe DA. Diet and Drug Interactions. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1989.
Trovato A, Nuhlicek DN, Midtling JE. Drug-nutrient interactions. Am Fam Physician 1991 Nov;44(5):1651-1658. (Review)
Yamreudeewong W, Henann NE, Fazio A, Lower DL, Cassidy TG. Drug-food interactions in clinical practice.
J Fam Pract. 1995 Apr;40(4):376-84. (Review)