Foods to Avoid While Taking Jardiance
Maintaining a healthy diet and way of life is essential for those with Type 2 Diabetes. When taking prescription drugs like Jardiance(Empagliflozin), it’s important to pay attention to what you eat in order to optimize the drug’s effectiveness and preserve general health.
To ensure the best outcomes, it’s important to be aware of foods that might interfere with its action or pose potential risks. In this blog, we’ll discover about Jardiance and also what foods to avoid while taking Jardiance.
What is Jardiance used for?
The brand name for the drug Empagliflozin is Jardiance. Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus are the main patients for it. Empagliflozin is a member of the Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors pharmacological class.
SGLT2 inhibitors function by decreasing the kidneys’ ability to reabsorb glucose, which increases the amount of glucose excreted in the urine. For those with type 2 diabetes, this lowers blood sugar levels.
In addition to its blood sugar-lowering effects, Jardiance has been shown to provide cardiovascular benefits. Clinical studies have demonstrated a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, in individuals with type 2 diabetes who take Jardiance.
Note: It’s important to note that Jardiance is not suitable for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes or Diabetic Ketoacidosis. As with any medication, it should be taken under the supervision and guidance of a healthcare professional, who will consider individual health conditions and potential side effects.
How does Jardiance work?
Jardiance(Empagliflozin) is a medication classified as a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. Its main application is in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It’s useful to have some understanding of how the body regulates glucose in order to comprehend how Jardiance functions.
Jardiance functions by blocking SGLT2, a particular protein found in the kidneys. Reabsorbing glucose from the urine back into the bloodstream is done by this protein. Jardiance lowers blood sugar levels by inhibiting the function of SGLT2, which increases the quantity of glucose expelled in the urine.
Key mechanisms of Jardiance include:
- Inhibition/ Stopping of Glucose Reabsorption: SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance specifically target the SGLT2 protein in the kidneys. By inhibiting this protein, the medication prevents the reabsorption of glucose, allowing it to be excreted in the urine.
- Increased Urinary Glucose Excretion: The inhibition of SGLT2 results in increased glucose excretion through urine. This helps to reduce the overall glucose load in the bloodstream.
- Lowering Blood Sugar Levels: By reducing the reabsorption of glucose, Jardiance helps lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to note that Jardiance is typically prescribed as part of a comprehensive diabetes management plan, which may include lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and other medications.
Foods to Avoid While Taking Jardiance:
Highly Processed Foods:
Processed foods often contain excessive amounts of refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and high sodium levels. These can contribute to elevated blood sugar levels and may counteract the effects of Jardiance. It is on the top rank of foods to avoid while taking Jardiance.
Highly processed foods, especially those with added sugars and refined carbohydrates, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.
Jardiance primarily works by promoting the excretion of glucose through urine, and consuming foods that lead to increased blood sugar levels may counteract its effects.
Opt for whole, unprocessed foods to better regulate your glucose levels.
High-Glycemic Carbohydrates:
Foods with a high glycemic index can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Avoid refined carbohydrates like white bread, sugary cereals, and pastries, as these can lead to challenges in managing blood sugar levels effectively.
High glycemic carbohydrates, such as those found in sugary snacks, white bread, and processed cereals, can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels and are one of the foods to avoid while taking Jardiance
While Jardiance helps to eliminate excess glucose through urine, a diet high in rapidly absorbed carbohydrates may counteract its effects by continuously elevating blood sugar levels.
If the consumption of high glycemic carbohydrates is not controlled, it may contribute to persistent Hyperglycemia(high blood sugar levels), and this can undermine the intended benefits of Jardiance in managing diabetes.
Excessive Sugary Beverages:
Sugary beverages, such as sodas, fruit juices, and sweetened drinks, can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Jardiance helps lower blood sugar by promoting the excretion of glucose through urine.
However, excessive consumption of sugary beverages can counteract this effect, potentially leading to persistently elevated blood sugar levels.
When combined with the diuretic effect of sugar-filled beverages, Jardiance may cause an increase in urine production and perhaps lead to dehydration. One of the negative effects of Jardiance is dehydration, therefore it’s critical to be properly hydrated, particularly if you drink anything that has diuresis.
Sugar-filled drinks can cause weight gain because they frequently contain a lot of calories. Keeping a healthy weight can have a positive impact on blood sugar control, making weight management an essential part of diabetes therapy. Getting too many calories from sugary drinks can make it more difficult to regulate your weight. Sugar in any form makes a list of foods to avoid while taking Jardiance.
Alcohol in Excess:
While moderate alcohol consumption may be acceptable for some individuals with diabetes, excessive alcohol intake can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Moreover, alcohol can cause dehydration, and when combined with Jardiance, it may increase the risk of low blood pressure.
Diabetes sufferers’ blood glucose levels may be impacted by alcohol. Based on how much and how often you drink, you may experience both Hypoglycemia(low blood sugar) and Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
If your diabetes is poorly managed, you have high triglycerides, neuropathy (nerve damage), or pancreatitis, you should abstain from alcohol. If your diabetes is under control, moderate alcohol consumption usually has no effect on blood glucose levels.
High-Sodium Foods:
Increased urine brought on by jaundice may cause electrolyte abnormalities. Eating a lot of sodium-containing food might make this impact worse and cause dehydration. Reduce the amount of processed and salty foods you eat to help you keep your electrolyte levels in check.
Sodium is an electrolyte, and excessive intake can contribute to an electrolyte imbalance. Jardiance-induced increased urinary excretion of glucose may also lead to the loss of other electrolytes. Consuming high-sodium foods may further disrupt the balance of electrolytes in the body.
Fatty and Fried Foods:
These meals can cause weight gain since they are frequently high in calories. Some people have linked Jardiance to weight loss, and keeping a healthy weight is essential for managing diabetes overall.
The benefits of Jardiance for weight loss may be negated by consuming an excessive amount of calories from fatty and fried foods.
High-fat diets may aggravate insulin resistance, a major risk factor for the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes. While Jardiance primarily addresses glucose excretion, a diet rich in unhealthy fats may impact overall insulin sensitivity.
Jardiance has demonstrated cardiovascular benefits beyond its glucose-lowering effects. On the other hand, diets high in saturated and Trans-fats, commonly found in fried and fatty foods, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Maintaining heart health is important, especially for individuals with diabetes who are already at an elevated risk, hence making it to the list of foods to avoid while taking Jardiance.
Endnote:
While Jardiance can be a valuable tool/medication in managing type 2 diabetes, it’s essential to complement its effects with a balanced and mindful diet.
You can maximize your diabetes management strategy and advance general health by avoiding specific meals or foods to avoid while taking Jardiance, that might conflict with the medicine or worsen its negative effects.
Always consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to create a personalized dietary plan that aligns with your specific health needs and goals.
FAQs:
Does Jardiance cause weight loss?
Yes, weight loss is one of the side effects of Jardiance.
Is there a generic for Jardiance?
Yes, there is a generic for Jardiance and it is also available on OffshoreCheapMeds.
How to avoid yeast infections on Jardiance?
With Jardiance, some lifestyle recommendations to help avoid yeast infections include wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing rather than synthetic ones, keeping your genital area dry, and practicing excellent hygiene. Maintain control of your blood sugar levels as well.
Is Jardiance insulin?
No, Jardiance(Empagliflozin) is not insulin. It belongs to a class of medications known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2(SGLT2) inhibitors. While both Jardiance and insulin are used in the management of diabetes, they work through different mechanisms to help control blood sugar levels.
What drugs should not be taken with Jardiance?
There cannot be only foods to avoid while taking Jardiance, there are some drugs that are highly reactive with Jardiance like insulin and diuretics. Additionally, glinides, lithium, and sulfonylureas can interact with it. Dehydration risk may increase with certain combinations. Hypoglycemia can be exacerbated by other people.
References:
- https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/jardiance-work-3541145/
- https://medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-jardiance-interactions
- https://therxadvocates.com/blog/foods-avoid-jardiance/