Readers swear by pickle juice to cure hiccups or leg cramps

October 4, 2007 at 2:00a.m.

Q. The best hiccup remedy I have found is dill pickle juice — 1 to 2 ounces does the trick.

A. You are not the first reader to sing the praises of pickle juice for hiccups. Perhaps the salt or the vinegar is responsible.

Some people also maintain that this unconventional approach helps their leg cramps. One reader shared this: “I have tried nearly everything for cramps in my legs and feet [including Ivory soap under the bottom sheet], all to no avail. I was speaking with my aunt and expressed my dilemma with this crippling pain. She told me that she had solved the same ailment with dill pickle juice!

“At the next inkling of a cramp, I hobbled to the kitchen, swallowed a hearty shot glass full of pickle juice, and the pain almost instantly went away. I was not troubled again that night and slept soundly.”

Pickle juice is high in sodium, so people with high blood pressure or heart failure should stay away from this remedy.

Q. Help! My menopausal hot flashes are becoming unbearable and debilitating.

I have tried many remedies. Some helped a little (like cutting down on caffeine), but others, like soy, did nothing.

I work with liver transplant patients, and the specialists say that the herb black cohosh can damage the liver. That’s why I’m afraid to try it.

I finally broke down and tried an estrogen patch my doctor prescribed. I had an adverse reaction to it in less than a week. What can you recommend?

A. Although there are reports of liver problems associated with black cohosh, this appears to be an uncommon complication.

A new study suggests that a patented pine bark extract can help ease hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. The compound is Pycnogenol, derived from the French maritime pine.

The study included 155 women aged 45 to 55. After six months of treatment with Pycnogenol or placebo, those treated with the pine bark extract had significantly fewer symptoms and lower cholesterol levels than those taking placebo (Acta Obstetrics Gynecology Scandinavia, August 2007). It might be worth a try.

Q. I took red yeast rice to control my cholesterol. It worked wonders for me. My doctors couldn’t believe my perfect readings.

After taking the red yeast rice for eight months, I started having an ache in my leg. I tried taking magnesium, which helped a bit. Then my hip and leg both started aching, so I stopped the supplement.

I know red yeast rice is somewhat similar to statin drugs and they can cause muscle pain and arthritis. Since it did such a good job controlling my cholesterol, I would like to use it again. But I do not want to hurt myself. Would CoQ10 be helpful?

A. Many people report disabling pain from statin-type cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor or Zocor. This reaction is less common with red yeast rice, but some people experience pain and weakness with the supplement.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential natural compound that can be depleted from the body by statin-type medications. Taking extra CoQ10 may diminish pain and weakness.

We discuss the science behind red yeast rice for lowering cholesterol and the value of CoQ10 for people taking statin-type drugs in our book “Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy.” It is available in libraries or bookstores or on the Web at www.peoplespharmacy .com.

XIn 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.