Slices of soap helped team stay cramp-free

Q. I am a trainer for our local footy team, and a few of our players suffer from cramps during the game. I use soap on the affected area for a minute or two, and then they can go back on and play.

I got sick of having to deal with this problem, as the guys have to come off the field. I decided to experiment and sliced some squares of soap and taped it to the area before they went on the field. The guys played with the soap on their legs. Guess what? It worked! No cramps through the whole game.

A. We had to turn to the Web to see whether Australian “footy” is more like soccer or rugby. (The answer, for others who have not seen it: neither. Australian- rules football does not resemble American football either.)

We are pleased that the soap has worked so well against muscle cramps. We have heard of similar results from fishermen and hikers. So far, we have not found any scientific explanation for why soap fights cramps. Find more soap stories at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I have a sensitive stomach, so drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen cause me problems. I also have heard that these drugs can be hard on the liver and kidneys. What else can I use for my plantar fasciitis and back pain?

A. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs) can cause stomach ulcers and kidney or liver damage when taken in high doses for long periods of time. Some people can’t even tolerate low doses without getting heartburn.

For plantar fasciitis, the best solutions are arch supports and stretching. Muscle pain may respond to tart cherry juice. Two separate research projects on horses and college students show that cherry juice minimizes exercise-induced muscle damage (American Journal of Veterinary Research, June 2009; British Journal of Sports Medicine, August 2006).

We discuss many nondrug approaches for reducing pain and inflammation (boswellia, turmeric, fish oil, pineapple, pectin and pomegranate) in our book “Favorite Home Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy,” available online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I had been bothered with reflux for several years, but I got good results from broccoli. During the first two weeks, I ate 1‚Ñ2 cup a day (sometimes raw, sometimes cooked). I was able to stop taking Prilosec.

Now I make sure to eat broccoli at least twice a week. I haven’t had any problems in more than a year.

A. We have heard from another reader that broccoli banished his heartburn. It is certainly a healthful addition to the diet. There is even some research demonstrating that compounds in broccoli sprouts can kill Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium responsible for stomach ulcers (Digestive Diseases and Sciences, August 2004).

Q. I worry that people are overdosing on vitamins. They’re putting vitamins everywhere these days, even in bottled water. My medical book (20 years old) says you could go a year without any vitamin A and four months without any vitamin B-12 or D. If you keep consuming these vitamins, don’t they build up to toxic levels?

A. It is possible to overdose on vitamins if you are taking high-dose supplements or drinking and eating fortified foods and beverages. But we are concerned about a growing epidemic of vitamin D deficiency. Studies demonstrate that many children and adults are low in this crucial nutrient. Vitamin B-12 also may be in short supply for older people and those taking acid-suppressing drugs to control heartburn.

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. Their newest book is “Favorite Home Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.”

2009 King Features Syndicate Inc.