Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, December 30, 2017

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 30, 2017 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
DON’T EAT THIS IF YOU’RE TAKING THAT 



Dear Savvy Senior,
If the prescription label says “take with meals,” does itmatter what you eat? I currently take eight differentmedications for various health problems and wouldlike to know if there are any foods I need to avoid. 

Over Medicated 

Dear Over, 
It depends on the medication. Many meds shouldbe taken with food – any food – to increase theirabsorption and reduce the risk of side effects. Butsome foods and medications can interact, reducingthe medications’ effectiveness or increasing the riskof harmful side effects. 

To stay safe, you should always talk to your doctoror pharmacist to learn the ins and outs of yourprescriptions, along with what foods and beveragesto avoid while you’re on it. In the meantime, hereare some foods you should stay away from for somecommonly prescribed drugs.

Cholesterol Medications: If you take a certain 
statin drug to control high cholesterol like Liptor,
Zocor, Altoprev, Mevacor, or generics atorvastatin,
simvastatin or lovastatin, you should avoid grapefruitand grapefruit juice. Grapefruit can raise the level ofthe drug in your bloodstream and increase the riskof side effects, especially leg pain.

Blood Pressure Medicine: If you take an ACEinhibitor drug like Capoten, Vasotec, Monopril,
Zestril and others to lower your blood pressure,
you should limit food that contain potassium likebananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach and other leafygreens, sweet potatoes, and salt substitutes thatcontain potassium. ACE inhibitors raise the body’spotassium levels. Eating too many potassium rich-
foods while taking an ACE inhibitor can cause anirregular heartbeat and heart palpitations.

Blood Thinning Medications: If you are takingCoumadin, Jantoven, or the generic warfarin,
you should limit kale and other greens, includingbroccoli, cabbage, spinach, and brussels sprouts 
that contain vitamin K. These foods can block the 
effects of these blood-thinning medications puttingyou at risk for developing blood clots. You also needto watch out for garlic, ginger, vitamin E and fishoil supplements because they can increase thesemedications blood-thinning abilities putting you atrisk for excessive bleeding.

Antidepressants: If you take a monoamine oxidase 

inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant like Marplan,
Nardil, Emsam, Parnate, or generic isocarboxazid,
phenelzine, selegiline or tranylcypromine, avoid 
aged cheeses, chocolate, cured meats and alcoholicdrinks. These contain tyramine, which can raiseblood pressure. Normally, the body controls 
tyramine levels with an enzyme called monoamineoxidase, but the MAOI antidepressant block that 
enzyme.

Thyroid Medications: If you take a medication forhypothyroidism like Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroidor generic levothyroxine, you should avoid eatingtofu and walnuts, and drinking soymilk. All thesecan prevent your body from absorbing this medicine.

Anti-Anxiety Medications: If you take medicationfor anxiety like Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, 
or generic alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepamor lorazepam, you should avoid alcohol. Thesemedications act as sedatives, binding with the brain’snatural tranquilizers to calm you down. But whenyou mix these drugs with alcohol, the side effectsintensify, and can cause you to feel lightheaded,
sleepy and forgetful.

Antibiotics: If you’re taking an antibiotic 
like Sumycin, Dynacin, Monodox, or generictetracycline, doxycycline or minocycline, you shouldavoid dairy – milk, yogurt, and cheese, and calciumsupplements and fortified foods – for a couple hoursbefore and after taking the medicine. Calcium indairy products binds to the antibiotic and preventsyour body from absorbing it, making it ineffective.

To find more dietary guidance on the drugs youtake, see reliable health sites like MedlinePlus.govor MayoClinic.org, or consider the excellent newAARP book “Don’t Eat This If You’re Taking That:
The Hidden Risks of Mixing Food and Medicine”
available at Amazon.com and BN.com for $13. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O.
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Todayshow and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….December Birthdays* 

Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, Mary Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt, 
Mignon Grijalva, Helen Reese, Levon Yapoujian, Toni Buckner, Lottie Bugl, Pat 
McGuire, Sheila Wohler, Nan Murphy, Eleanor Hensel, Sylvia Curl, Elizabeth Levie, 
Gayle Licher, Cindy Barran, and Melissa Stute. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required but you must be over 60. 
ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 
Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome 
to join. Activity may be canceled if less than five people. 


Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 
Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday November 16th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for 


Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is 
welcome, and no experience is needed. What a great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends.
Activities are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 
Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, November 15th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is
available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury. Appointments
are required by calling 626-355-7394. 


Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 11:30a.m. 
Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00a.m. to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes 


include yoga and balance exercises. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!* A voluntary
donation of $5.00 per week is suggested but not required. 
Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday monthly at the Hart Park House, share some free birthday cake
provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 


Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 


Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic class
utilizes light weights, low impact resistance and training conditioning. Class equipment is provided. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

THE MISSION INN & FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

(Riverside)

 Date: Friday, December 15, 2017 
Time: 2:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center 
Cost: $20 (Does not include dinner) 

The day begins with a 75-minute late afternoon guided tour on the art, architecture,
and history of the Mission Inn. Guests will have time for dinner, shopping, and the annual 
Festival of Lights with the nice Christmas Tree decor in the hotel lobby.
Due to the historic nature and character of the Mission Inn, tours involve significant
amounts of walking and standing; you may encounter areas of uneven ground, sidewalks 
and flooring; stairways, steps and slopes. You will be asked to sign a waiver and
release of liability by the Mission Inn. Dinner will be on your own and there are many
dining options along Main Street or at the Mission Inn Hotel.
Participants should bring money for dinner and souvenirs. Level of Walking: High.
Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394. 



Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com