For reader, papaya pills bring relief from heartburn

Q. I frequently have heartburn and finally found a wonderful remedy: papaya pills. Every time I have heartburn, I eat one of the pills, and the heartburn disappears.
My doctor says these are fine to use. The roll is easy to carry in my pocket or purse. I thought your readers would like to know about this great way to treat heartburn.
A. Papaya is a tropical fruit that contains an enzyme (papain) that may be helpful for digestion. Although it does nothing to suppress acid, some people report that papaya relieves heartburn.
Anyone who is allergic to latex should avoid papaya, since there is cross reactivity, which could be dangerous. Papain might also increase the blood-thinning effects of Coumadin (warfarin).
Q. I have resisted treating my elevated cholesterol and triglycerides because of concerns about side effects from medicine. But my doctor finally convinced me that my low HDL levels are a real problem.
He wants me to take niacin to lower my cholesterol and raise my HDL. I tried it a couple times and didn't like how it made me feel. What can you tell me about niacin or other ways to get cholesterol under control?
A. Niacin (nicotinic acid) has been prescribed for decades to lower cholesterol. It is also effective at raising beneficial HDL cholesterol.
Starting with a low dose and building up gradually to the dose your doctor prescribed may minimize the itching, tingling and flushing you might have experienced. You could also try time-release niacin. It is less likely to cause flushing, but your doctor will need to monitor your liver enzymes. Time-release niacin has been linked to liver damage.
We are sending you our Guide to Cholesterol and Heart Health for further discussion of niacin for HDL, fish oil for high triglycerides and drugs to lower cholesterol.
Q. Why haven't you told suffers of leg cramps that the solution is to put a REAL cork at the foot of your bed, under the bottom sheet? We have told umpteen friends, and it has worked every time.
Believe me, I am not pulling your leg. My girlfriend tried putting a bar of soap under the sheet, and it did not work. When I told her about the cork, she tried it. That was two years ago, and she still swears by it.
A. We are still trying to figure out why some folks swear by a bar of soap under the sheet. Now you tell us a cork (not the plastic type) is even better.
Neither makes any logical sense, but if they help some people, we're delighted. Both are inexpensive and safe remedies.
Q. My wife likes to give one of our cats milk as an occasional treat. The other cat gets jealous and wants some too, but it gives her diarrhea. Could we solve this problem by giving this cat the same lactase enzyme I take for lactose intolerance?
A. An easier solution would be to buy a product called CatSip. It is real milk without the lactose. Cats and dogs have a hard time digesting milk sugar. CatSip solves that problem. It also contains the amino acid taurine, which is essential for feline health. To find a pet store that carries CatSip, look online at www.catsip.com or call (800) 228-7479.
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
& copy; 2006 King Features Syndicate Inc.