Some almonds unlikely helpful

Q. Years ago, my doctor put me on Prevacid for acid reflux. Later, when my company switched insurance, I ended up on Zantac 150. Now that I live in Ecuador, I’m taking ranitidina, which is supposed to be equivalent to Zantac.

I read with interest that eating three almonds before or after a meal could help with heartburn. My question is, do you see any problem with the almonds being chocolate-covered?

A. We’re afraid so. Although they are delicious, chocolate-covered almonds are unlikely to be helpful. That’s because chocolate may relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the ring of muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus. Heartburn happens when this muscle relaxes and allows acid to splash back up into the swallowing tube.

Without the chocolate coating, though, almonds have been winning praise: “I wanted to tell you that almonds really work to prevent heartburn. I had heartburn after dinner no matter what I ate. When I saw your column about almonds, I bought a big container of roasted almonds from Costco. I have been eating a few after dinner, and I have not had heartburn since.”

Q. You have written about beet juice to lower blood pressure, but I have never been able to find the juice in a store. Do supermarkets carry it?

A. We are fascinated by the British research indicating that a glass of beet juice can lower blood pressure for several hours (Hypertension, March 2008). In a later study, the same team found that this effect is more pronounced in men, especially those with higher blood pressure to begin with (Hypertension, August 2010).

It is not easy to find beet juice in the average supermarket. One reader found this solution: “Biotta brand beet juice can be purchased in 16-ounce bottles. We get it by the case from our health-food cooperative market. We drink a glass several times a week. I don’t really like beets, but the juice is so delicious I love it. Be aware that it colors your urine and stool red!”

Beet juice is not the only natural product that can help control hypertension. We discuss many others in our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. B-67, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. I have read about using soap under the bottom sheet for leg cramps. Has anyone else put soap in his or her socks at night to relieve heel pain? My heels feel better after trying this tactic.

A. You are the first to suggest sleeping with soap in your socks for heel pain. Others have suggested, however, that putting soap chips in their socks eases restless legs during long airplane flights. There is, of course, no science behind any of these soap stories.

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 website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Recipes & Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.”

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.