Is natural HRT safer than Prempro?

Q. When I read the news about the link between HRT and aggressive breast cancer, I discovered that it related only to Prempro. That’s the drug that was used in the Women’s Health Initiative study.

Prempro is not a natural hormone replacement. It is a combination of Premarin (pregnant mare’s urine) and Provera (medroxyprogesterone).

I believe that the “bioidentical” estradiol and progesterone hormones I receive in a transdermal patch are much safer and give better results.

A. We spoke recently with Susan Love, M.D., one of the country’s leading experts on breast cancer. She points out that women who have naturally high levels of hormones are at greater risk for breast cancer. You can’t get any more “bioidentical” than your own hormones. Dr. Love points out that very little research has been done on such formulations, and there is no evidence that they are safer than other types of estrogen and progesterone.

Q. I have lost weight and am watching my diet, but my blood pressure and cholesterol are still too high. I really would prefer not to start taking a statin or blood-pressure pill. I’ve seen some of your suggestions for dealing with common health conditions naturally. Do you have a book that addresses these approaches?

A. Losing weight often helps with blood pressure, but may not be enough. There are foods such as beets, chocolate, eggplant, garlic and turmeric that can have beneficial effects on blood pressure. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet works as well as many drugs.

Our brand-new book, “Recipes and Remedies,” offers details on using food to control blood pressure, lower cholesterol and alleviate many other common conditions. It is available at Amazon .com or www.peoples- pharmacy.com.

Foods that lower cholesterol include cinnamon, oatmeal, fish, nuts and vinegar. Nearly all of these also can help with blood-sugar control.

Q. I have read that taking aspirin can lower the risk of getting cancer. When I asked my doctor about this, he dismissed it as a chance finding and not a controlled study. What’s the story?

A. The most recent analysis of aspirin’s protective effects against colorectal cancer was published in The Lancet (online, Oct. 22, 2010). The investigators followed more than 14,000 subjects from five randomized trials over 20 years. They found that people who took 75 mg of aspirin daily for five years reduced their risk of colon cancer by about 70 percent.

This kind of study is the gold standard in that subjects were randomized to receive either aspirin or placebo.

Of course, no one should start taking aspirin daily without medical supervision. Even low doses can cause ulcers.

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.