Grapefruit juice, long known to have dangerous interactions with
numerous prescription medications, appears to actually improve
the use of a promising cancer drug. Researchers at University of
Chicago Medicine found that a glass of grapefruit juice so
improved the body's uptake of a potent drug called sirolimus
that they could cut the drug dosage by a third to reach the same
desired effect as a full dose. The lower dose meant that
patients had far fewer side effects from the drug. If this same
mechanism can work on similar drugs — something the researchers
say is hopeful — doctors could prescribe other medications at
lower doses, reducing side effects and saving money. The study
is reported today (Aug. 7) in the journal Clinical Cancer
Research. The researchers, led by Ezra Cohen, a cancer
specialist at the University of Chicago Medicine, harnessed the
same pharmacological properties that make grapefruit juice so
menacing when taken with prescription drugs. [Top 10 Cancer-
Fighting Foods] Grapefruit juice inhi