Re: Toprol XL inhibited by antioxidants?

jackmax wrote:
My wife has labile blood pressure that spikes really high.  Her
physican prescribed Toprol XL which didn't seem to help much until she
stopped using Vitamin E supplements when the blood pressure suddenly
stabilized.  We found one refence online (University of Maryland
website) theorizing that Vitamin E inhibits the effect of beta blockers
like Toprol, but have been unable to verify that information.
 Last night, her blood pressure spiked again, after she had been eating
a lot of blueberries for a couple of days.  Is it possible that the
antioxidant effect of blueberries is acting the same as the vitamin E
in reducing the effect of Toprol?  Are there any studies that might
shed more light on this effect including other foods to be avoided?
Thank you very much.

It sounds like you and your wife are doing a great job paying attention to the details of her health - it's not easy to navigate something as tricky as labile blood pressure! The connection between Vitamin E and beta blockers like Toprol XL is interesting, and while there isn't a ton of definitive research on it, some studies and anecdotal reports suggest that high doses of Vitamin E might interfere with how beta blockers work. Antioxidants, including those in Vitamin E, can sometimes affect how medications are metabolized or absorbed, so it's not entirely far-fetched.
As for the blueberries, they're packed with antioxidants too, so it's possible they could have a similar effect if consumed in large amounts. However, there isn't a lot of direct research linking blueberries (or their antioxidants) to reduced beta blocker efficacy. That said, everyone's body reacts differently, and it's worth considering whether the blueberries might be playing a role in her recent spike.
To get more clarity, it might be helpful to keep a detailed food and symptom diary for a while. Track what she eats, when her blood pressure spikes, and any other factors (like stress or activity levels). This could help identify patterns or triggers.
It's also a good idea to bring this up with her doctor. They might have more insights or suggest adjusting her medication or diet. If you're looking for studies, PubMed or medical journals could be a good place to start, but her physician is likely the best resource for personalized advice.
Wishing you both the best as you figure this out - it's definitely a puzzle, but it sounds like you're on the right track! This is a response to the post seen at:
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=8830310#8830310