Chia seeds are among the most nutritious and are incredibly rich in nutrients. Touted for their health benefits for centuries, chia seeds help promote heart health, support strong bones, and improve blood sugar management.
However, they can interact with the action of certain medications-potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
Many recipes for foods and drinks that include chia seeds are becoming increasingly popular. And so, it is important to know whether you could be at risk of a harmful interaction between chia seeds and medication.
Blood pressure medicines
Chia seeds help lower blood pressure levels by promoting mineral balance and improving heart function. They also help in bringing down hypertension through a mechanism similar to that of angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors – a class of blood pressure medications, which prevent the peptide angiotensin I from binding to a site on cells and being converted to angiotensin II.
According to experts, a protein component of chia seeds also blocks the angiotensin-converting enzyme. However, if you take blood pressure medication along with chia seeds, the medicine may not be effective.
Diabetes medicine
Chia seeds help regulate your blood sugar levels and keep them in control. But if you take medicine for diabetes, lowering it even further could be harmful to your health.
Mixing chia seeds along with the medicine can lead to hypoglycemia – symptoms of which include low energy, lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling cold, and fainting.
Cholesterol medicines
Chia seeds are super helpful when it comes to reducing fat, lipids, and cholesterol levels in your blood, which is otherwise detrimental to your health.
However, regularly taking large quantities of chia seeds along with cholesterol medications can be harmful, so always consult your doctor before doing so.
Supplements
Chia seeds are packed with macro- and micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. It is important to obtain a sufficient intake of minerals; these minerals are naturally present, but if you are taking supplements, along with chia seeds, it can lead to excessive amounts in your blood.
According to experts, the symptoms may include fatigue, muscle aches and pains, or muscle twitches. Doctors say that if you are including large amounts of chia seeds along with mineral supplements, make sure to consult them to see if you need to get your blood mineral levels checked.
Laxatives
Laxatives are super effective when it comes to regulating your bowel movements. Naturally, even chia seeds help you get rid of constipation. But if you combine the two together, the additive effect of chia seeds can contribute to having loose stools or diarrhoea, along with other digestive issues, including bloating and stomachache.