Golden raisins difficult to find

Q. I am keen to try gin-soaked raisins for arthritis but cannot locate any place here in Australia to buy golden raisins.

No one, from supermarkets to health stores to grape growers to the Department of Agriculture, can tell me if anyone in Australia even produces them.

The majority of places I’ve contacted won’t even respond to my queries.

It’s been suggested that I try sultanas, but they have not been treated with sulphur dioxide as golden raisins have.

Can anyone tell me where in this country I can buy golden raisins with sulphur?

A. You are quite correct that Australian sultanas, which come from Thompson seedless grapes, do not normally contain sulfites, so you can’t buy “golden raisins” there.

This preservative is used in the U.S. to keep them light-colored.

Perhaps Australian regulators keep sulfites out of sultanas because some individuals are so sensitive to this preservative that they develop a dangerous allergic reaction if exposed to tiny quantities.

Some people feel that raisins without sulfites also work: “It is NOT necessary to use only golden raisins. When I first heard about this remedy, golden raisins were not mentioned, so I have been eating nine gin-soaked dark raisins a day with success. I have found that my knees don’t swell, and I can even get up from the floor without hanging onto something.”

Q. I frequently cut your column out of the paper, copy it and share tidbits with my family. I keep them in a scrapbook, but it is becoming unwieldy.

Do you have a collection of your best health tips? It would make a great gift for the holiday.

A. We have a new book, “Recipes and Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy,” with many of our favorite hints for health along with delicious meal plans. It is available for $14.95 (plus $4 s&h) from Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy (Dept. R&R), P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027 or online at www.peoples- pharmacy.com.

Q. I just got blood test results back and found out that my triglycerides and cholesterol are high. The doc wants to put me on Crestor.

I was hoping to lower these blood fats to a healthy level with exercise, diet and weight loss.

My doctor said I have no choice but to go on drugs.

I hate taking medication.

What advice can you offer?

A. Ask the doctor if a trial period of exercise, diet and supplements could be your first effort.

Adding high-dose fish oil should lower triglycerides and help with cholesterol.

You also may want to cut back on simple carbohydrates and add psyllium to your regimen.

Some people find that red yeast rice also is quite effective for lowering cholesterol.

Daily exercise is beneficial.

If this approach doesn’t work, you can always start medication.

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. Their newest book is “Recipes & Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.”

2010 King Features Syndicate, Inc.