Use with caution

Though commonly used for almost a century, grapefruit-seed extract (GSE) is the supplement-of-the-moment for battling summertime colds and flus. While many swear by its efficacy, it’s also important to realize that GSE does not interact well with many medicines. This is because it affects how the intestines process certain chemicals, which can exacerbate medication side-effects. While GSE may indeed have many positive uses, it is important to consult your health-care provider and research drug interactions before using it. A good source for how GSE works and what medications should be avoided can be found online at RxList: The Internet Drug Index (go to www.tinyurl.com/gseside to access).