Thursday, April 19, 2007
Q. Your column often covers high-cholesterol issues. Why don't you mention the value of adding a daily dose of organic apple cider vinegar as a great way of reducing cholesterol?
I add 1 to 2 teaspoons to my morning cranberry and orange juice, and my cholesterol is down from 184 to 132. It's tasty and a whole lot cheaper and safer than the medicines the pharmaceutical industry pushes on us.
A. Apple cider vinegar is a traditional remedy that is often suggested for lowering cholesterol. A Japanese study has shown that acetic acid (vinegar) added to the diet can lower cholesterol and triglycerides in rats (British Journal of Nutrition, May 2006). We have not seen such a study in humans, however.
Q. My husband was diagnosed with diverticulitis. He was treated with antibiotics, but the doctor said he could have another attack at any time.
My husband avoids seeds and nuts, but a different doctor says food has very little impact. I now give my husband lots of fruit, yogurt and acidophilus milk and he is taking FiberCon daily. Is there anything else that might help?
A. Your husband might want to try probiotics (good bacteria). Such products can be bought under refrigeration in health food stores. One reader reported: & quot;After 10 years of being diagnosed repeatedly with diverticulitis and treated with antibiotics, my digestive system went crazy, and I lost bowel control.
& quot;More antibiotics and prednisone were prescribed. One doctor wanted to do surgery, perhaps a colostomy, on my bowel.
& quot;I sought a second opinion and the doctor prescribed probiotics (VSL#3). A week later I was fine. After four years I have no more diverticulitis, and my system works fine. No diarrhea. & quot;
A recent study found that a combination of anti-inflammatory medicine and probiotic VSL#3 worked better in recovery from diverticulitis than either treatment alone (International Journal of Colorectal Disease online, March 28, 2007).
Q. I have always had a problem with dry hands in the winter. The skin on my hands dries out, splits and peels off time and again. Ten years ago a co-worker told me about Bag Balm. (I later read in a magazine that it was a well-kept beauty secret. As a male, I don't worry about the beauty part.)
It can be bought in a 10-ounce tin at most feed-supply stores for use on cows' udders. It has an antiseptic in it and works great on dry, split hands.
A. Bag Balm is an old-fashioned farmers' favorite that can help moisturize human hands as well as cows' udders. Another such product is Bova Cream, found at co-op farm stores.
We discuss barnyard beauty aids and other effective hand moisturizers in our Guide to Skin Care.
Q. I just wanted you to know that I read your column recently about the power of green olives fighting hiccups. My 5-year-old got the hiccups the next day. Guess what? One green olive did the trick.
Coincidence or science? Who knows, but we're convinced it worked!
A. We're delighted to learn that this unusual remedy worked for your child.
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; 2007 King Features Syndicate Inc.