Foods To Avoid When Taking Anastrozole For Precautions
Anastrozole is a medication used for the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. As per the healthcare experts, it works by decreasing estrogen levels in the body to reverse the effects and growth of breast cancer. Now, the question arises as to whether your diet choice has any efficacy in working with anastrozole. There are few foods that can intervene in the process and effects of these medications.
In this blog, let’s discuss foods to avoid when taking anastrozole and other factors associated with the treatment.
Role of Diet in Treatment With Anastrozole
Before heading to the list of foods to avoid when taking anastrozole, it’s crucial to understand that a few dietary habits might interfere with this medicine’s function, so following specific dietary restrictions while availing Anastrozole treatment is required. In our discussion, we’ll cover Anastrozole’s nutritional impacts to understand better what foods to avoid when taking anastrozole.
Nutritional Impacts on Anastrozole
| Vitamins Effects | Dairy Effects |
| Vitamin C might decrease its absorption | Limit high-fat dairy products |
| Vitamins B are safe, still consult with your doctor | Ensure it doesn’t contain added sugars |
| Regularly monitor vitamin D levels, as its deficiency is common among patients | Opt for calcium-fortified alternatives |
| Vitamin E could increase the risk of bleeding | Low-fat dairy can be beneficial |
| Avoid multivitamins with minerals like copper and zinc | Choose lactose-free if you’re intolerant |
Always stay in touch with your gynaecologist or health experts to discuss your dietary additions or exclusions while taking anastrozole.
10 Foods to Avoid When Taking Anastrozole
Anastrozole is a drug that is mainly prescribed for women dealing with hormone-dependent breast cancer; here, estrogen dominance plays a role. So, food habits can fluctuate hormone levels in the body, and with medication like Anastrozole, it is necessary to avoid certain foods.
Here is the list of foods to avoid when taking anastrozole:
1. Soy-Based Products
The Doctor advised Soy-based foods to avoid when taking anastrozole as it contain phytoestrogens, which can interfere with medicine’s effectiveness. So, you should avoid consuming a few soy-based products like edamame, soy nuts and sprouts, tofu, soymilk, and others.
2. Sunflower Oil-Based Food
It is advised to avoid food cooked with sunflower oil as it has rich Omega-6 fatty acids that can dominate more estrogen levels in the body. It can create hormonal imbalances to reduce the effects of anastrozole.
3. Raw Vegetables & Fruits
One of the prominent foods to avoid when taking anastrozole is raw fruits and vegetables. It can create a risk of diarrhoea for the body and affects medication effects. Few patients also show the symptoms of dehydration due to the consumption.
4. Artificial Sugar & Processed Food
Processed food and artificial sugar-rich products are among the foods to avoid when taking anastrozole. The most common side effect it can create is joint discomfort, ranging from mild to severe effects. Consult your doctors for advice on sugar consumption.
5. Lamb and Beef Meats
These meats have high hormonal content that can intervene with anastrozole effectiveness. It can increase aromatase and further dominate estrogen. For these reasons, meat foods to avoid when taking anastrozole.
6. High Sodium Content Foods
For precautions and effective treatments, high-sodium foods to avoid when taking anastrozole. It can create fluid retention and increase complications of more water in the body, swelling, and weight gain. Also, it can directly fluctuate blood pressure, so avoiding these foods would be better.
7. Saturated Foods
Doctors suggest that women should avoid saturated foods when taking anastrozole for controlled cholesterols. It also increases the risk of abnormal lipid metabolism complications, interfering with anastrozole healing effects.
8. Citrous Fruits
Citrous fruits like grapefruit and other fruit-based foods are recommended to avoid when taking anastrozole as they can interfere with medications. Also, it is too acidic in nature, which increases the risk of contracting diarrhoea.
9. Avoid Alcohol
There is no doubt that alcohol should be on the list, as it can create major damage. Few women experience hot flashes and redness due to the consumption of alcohol with anastrozole. Doctors always advised to avoid alcohol with this medication.
10. Flaxseed
It is advisable that flaxseed foods should be avoid when taking anastrozole, as it contains plant-based compounds called lignans, also known as phytoestrogens. It can disrupt the level of estrogen and create imbalances in the body.
General Tips & Care To Follow With Anastrozole
Like any other medicine, Anastrozole has side effects on the body; it includes headache, hot flashes, fatigue and others. Here are some common tips to follow for the best care:
- Take Anastrozole only after consultation with your doctor, and do not increase the dosage on your own.
- Do not skip your meals; follow a balanced diet to maintain proper nutrients.
- Stay hydrated to avoid common side effects of fatigue.
- Maintain your physical fitness with regular exercise.
- Consult with a doctor for the remediation of joint pain.
Stay Healthy!
It is essential for patients taking anastrozole to be aware of their nutritional side effects and diet challenges. It is advisable to consult your doctor about any changes in diet, as every individual has different weight, body nutrition requirements, and health conditions. If you follow this blog for foods to avoid when taking anastrozole, maintaining good health would be more beneficial.
Stay tuned to Healthstrives for more health-related insights!