Should people raise their cholesterol?

Q. How can you raise cholesterol? Mine has been low for many years, and now I have cancer. My son was just tested, and his is only 117. His ratios are OK, but I’d rather see him closer to 180 or 200. He eats a very healthy diet.

A. The association between low cholesterol levels and cancer has been controversial for decades. This is one of those chicken-or-egg questions. In other words, doctors aren’t sure whether undiagnosed cancer lowers cholesterol or whether low cholesterol contributes to the development of cancer.

Low LDL cholesterol also has been linked to a higher risk of bleeding stroke and Parkinson’s disease (Circulation, April 28, 2009; Movement Disorders, May 15, 2008).

It is unclear whether raising cholesterol would be beneficial, and it might be harder than you think. Eating lots of red meat and eggs doesn’t necessarily make cholesterol climb (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Nov. 2003).

Q. I have taken prednisone for years due to an arthritic condition. Because of stomach upset, my doctor has prescribed Nexium to prevent an ulcer. I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and wonder what can be done to counteract the bone-damaging effects of my medicine.

A. Dozens of drugs can weaken bones. Oral corticosteroids such as prednisone are especially problematic when used for long periods of time. Even inhaled steroids (Advair, Flovent, Symbicort, etc.) may pose problems over time.

There also is concern that regular reliance on acid-suppressing drugs such as Nexium (esomeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole) and Prilosec (omeprazole) might increase the risk for fractures (Archives of Internal Medicine, May 10, 2010).

Because you have osteoporosis, you are at high risk for a fracture. It is essential that you work with your doctor to develop a treatment strategy, so we are sending you our Guide to Osteoporosis. It has a discussion of risk factors, nondrug approaches and the pros and cons of medications such as Actonel, Boniva, Evista, Forteo and Fosamax (alendronate). Visit www.peoplespharmacy.com for more information.

Q. My husband had serious heartburn and suffered for years. After we read about H. pylori, he went to the gastroenterologist and was tested for this infection. Since he had it, the doctor prescribed a very strong treatment of several antibiotics that lasted 14 days.

This solved the problem. The H. pylori was gone, and he ate yogurt with live cultures every day for many weeks to replenish his intestinal flora. He has no more heartburn and eats all the spicy foods he likes. We like it on almost everything except ice cream.

A. Helicobacter pylori bacteria (H. pylori) can cause ulcers and stomach cancer, as well as less serious problems such as heartburn or bad breath. Barry Marshall, M.D., and Robin Warren, M.D., the Australian physicians who discovered that H. pylori are a major cause of ulcers, were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2005.

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.