In This Issue:

This Week on PeoplesPharmacy.com
Featured Q&A
Featured Home Remedy
High-Carb Diet May Aggravate Acne
Stars for Sunscreen Effectiveness
Does Vitamin D Help Prevent Falls?
Vitamin D Linked to Cancer Risk
Prayer Does Not Prevent Second Heart Attack
Screen Time Before Bed May Impair Sleep

---

Best Choices from The People's Pharmacy

We are pleased to announce a new edition of our book, Best Choices from The People's Pharmacy. Best Choices is filled with natural healing approaches for dozens of common conditions including:

• arthritis
• high blood pressure
• constipation
• insomnia
• diabetes
• leg cramps
• headaches
• menopause
• heartburn
• nail fungus
• high cholesterol
• osteoporosis

We also rate prescription drugs so you can get the best buys for your money. Best Choices is packed with remedies that will surprise you, statistics that will shock you, ratings to help assess your treatment options and drug information that could save your life. Purchases from the web site receive over a 25% discount off the list price of $31.95.

This special edition (524 pages) is not available in any bookstore. It contains an expansion of our People's Pharmacy Favorite Picks (home remedies) and a new chapter on Desert Island Drugs and Dietary Supplements. Some of the country's leading experts have contributed their insights on the best treatments for what ails you. This edition is not in stores or on other Internet sites. It is only available from Rodale Books and directly from The People's Pharmacy. We ship book orders Media Mail (5-10 day delivery expected).

http://ppcart.fountainshosting.com/p-249-best-choices-from-the-peoples-pharmacy.aspx

---

This Week on PeoplesPharmacy.com:

This Week's Radio Show: 603 Allergies (Archive)
Pollen, peanuts, dust mites and animal dander are just a few of the many possible triggers for sneezing, wheezing or hives. During the fall, millions of people suffer from "seasonal rhinitis," more commonly known as hay fever. What can be......
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/radio_shows/603_allergies_archive.php

Digging Out Of The Donut Hole
Q. I am about to fall into the Medicare Part D "donut hole" and would like to buy my drugs from Canada to save money for the remainder of this year. How do I know which online pharmacy to select? A....
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/pharmacy_qa/digging_out_of_the_donut_hole.php

Solutions for Stinky Feet
Q. I have read many questions about toenail fungus but not much about our issue. My daughter has hot sweaty feet that smell. She hates wearing socks because she says they make her feet too hot.What can we do to...
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/herb_home_remedy_qa/solutions_for_stinky_feet.php

Estring For Vaginal Dryness
Q. I am a 58 year-old woman, and I suffered from severe vaginal dryness after menopause. I have found great relief from Estring. It has stopped the everyday irritation I was experiencing.My libido is still a problem but I find...
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/pharmacy_qa/estring_for_vaginal_dryness.php

Can Arthritis Supplements Raise Cholesterol?
Q. I've lost the source of research I read indicating some people experience elevated cholesterol from using glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis. Were you the source of this information, or do you know of the study? Months ago my doctor...
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/herb_home_remedy_qa/can_arthritis_supplements_raise_cholesterol.php

Vodka Works For Sweaty Armpits
Q. I used to work backstage for the wardrobe department in a theatre. Actors sweat, and clothes that are not machine-washable are dry cleaned only once a week. Clothes get sweaty and smell.The solution that I was taught is to...
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/herb_home_remedy_qa/vodka_works_for_sweaty_armpits.php

Learning Lessons From Drug Disasters
Americans are justifiably bewildered. On the one hand they are told to "take your medicine--it's necessary to maintain good health." On the other, they read that many of their medicines may cause the very problems they are trying to prevent....
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/editorial/learning_lessons_from_drug_disasters.php

Daughter Down On Diabetes Drug
Q. My 86-year-old father was taking Avandia for diabetes. When concerns began to appear in the news, I did my own research and asked his doctor to take him off the drug because of fluid retention.The difference is amazing. While...
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/pharmacy_qa/daughter_down_on_diabetes_drug.php

Soften Hair And Skin With Olive Oil
Q. Years ago my dermatologist suggested I stop using all topical creams and lotions since I am allergic to them all. Twice a day I rub olive oil on my skin instead. On the weekends I also use it as...
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/herb_home_remedy_qa/soften_hair_and_skin_with_olive_oil.php

---

Featured Q & A

Antidepressant Combination May Be Dangerous
Q. I had a bad experience on antidepressant medicines.

I had been on Ativan, Tofranil and Paxil for a month when I flipped and went into a rage. I was sick of my parents and felt everyone hated me.

I was taken to the hospital in a police car because I scared my family so badly. While in the hospital I was considered a danger to myself and others.

I am now on Zoloft and doing better. It helps my depression, but my panic disorder is worse and I'm having trouble sleeping.

Why aren't people better informed about the side effects? Doctors should not discount an unusual symptom as being in our heads. I had never been on medication before and my reaction frightened all of us.

A. Antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft may produce anxiety, nervousness, agitation and insomnia. The combination of Tofranil with Paxil might have contributed to your unusual response. Paxil may lead to a toxic buildup of Tofranil.

Ask your physician whether an old-fashioned antidepressant alone might be appropriate for you. Drugs such as amitriptyline, desipramine or doxepin are less likely to cause insomnia or nervousness.

---

Featured Home Remedy

Gin-Soaked Remedies Relieve Pain in Neck
I've had chronic neck pain for years, and learned to live with it. I watched my Mom for years hobble off the couch and walk funny until loosened up. I just noticed recently that I've been doing the same for some time now.

Up until last week I was taking 800mg of Motrin just about every day, because the pain was so intense and I couldn't sleep.

A friend of mine in conversation mentioned that a patient told her about this gin and raisin remedy he tried because he had been taking Motrin every day for about a year for his arthrits.

I figured it was worth a shot. Within three days I felt remarkably better. It's been about six days and I feel 80% better. I can't wait to see what happens in a month... I just called my Mom and told her about it. I'll keep you posted.

You can read more home remedies on our website:
http://www.peoplespharmacy.org/archives/home_remedies/index.php

---

Health Headlines:

High-Carb Diet May Aggravate Acne
People with acne may need to watch what they eat. Decades ago, teenagers were told to avoid French fries, milkshakes, chocolate and other high-fat foods. Then dermatologists determined that diet did not make a difference when it came to blemishes. Now several studies suggest that diet does matter. Australian researchers randomly assigned men with acne to two groups. One was encouraged to cut out the carbs to achieve a low-glyemic load diet. They were instructed to eat more protein and eliminate sugar and foods with refined starches. The other group was told to eat as usual and make sure that they continued to get refined carbohydrate in their diet. After three months, the low-glycemic load group had substantially fewer pimples than men in the high-carb group. The investigators believe that foods that promote high levels of insulin may trigger other hormones that lead to acne. This study adds to a growing body of evidence that avoiding foods like candy, cookies, potatoes, pasta, pizza and bread may be helpful for avoiding acne.
[Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, August 2007]
http://www.eblue.org/article/PIIS0190962207004148/abstract

Stars for Sunscreen Effectiveness
Americans have encouraged to slather on the sunscreen. But SPF numbers can be confusing. Consumers can't tell which sunscreens protect against the more damaging UVA in sunlight. This wavelength can lead to deep damage to the skin including aging and cancer. Now, the FDA is proposing rules that would require sunscreen manufacturers to provide information on UVA protection. A star system will allow consumers to tell at a glance which products provide the most effective protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. They will also be reminded that even with sunscreen, too much time in the sun can be dangerous, increasing the risk of premature aging and skin cancer.

Does Vitamin D Help Prevent Falls?
Older people are often cautious about sun exposure. They are less likely to sunbathe and more conscientious about applying sunscreen before they go outside. Many just stay indoors. All this might add up to lower levels of vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin. A study from the Netherlands last year suggested that senior citizens with low levels of this nutrient were more susceptible to falls. Scottish scientists followed up by giving some patients in a geriatric medical unit 800 IU of vitamin D a day together with 1200 mg calcium. The control group got only calcium. During their stays (average one month), the patients taking vitamin D were only a little less likely to fall. There was no statistical difference. The supplementation did not raise serum levels of the vitamin. The scientists concluded that vitamin D doesn't help, but we expect some experts would quibble with the level of supplementation and short time for follow up.
[Age & Ageing, July 2007]

Vitamin D Linked to Cancer Risk
A new study has compared the risk for colon and breast cancer to vitamin D levels. Data from 15 countries showed that those with the least sun and the most cloud cover also had people with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D. They also had the highest rates of these common cancers. The investigators conclude that if everyone got enough vitamin D 600,000 cases of cancer could be prevented each year worldwide. In the United States they predict that 150,000 cancer cases would be avoided.
[Nutrition Reviews, Aug, 2007]

Prayer Does Not Prevent Second Heart Attack
Many people believe that prayer is good medicine and that it can help people recover from serious illness. Some research has even supported that view. But a new study from Duke University shows that attending worship services did not reduce their risk of a second heart attack. More than 500 men and women were questioned about their religious beliefs and practices within a month of having a heart attack. They were then followed for a year and a half. All were depressed as they entered the study, but those who worshipped more often became less depressed as time went on. That didn't seem to make any difference for their physical recovery, however.
[Psychosomatic Medicine, July/Aug, 2007]
http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/abstract/69/6/501

Screen Time Before Bed May Impair Sleep
We are told that Americans don't get enough sleep. That leaves them tired the next day and more vulnerable to illness, accidents and bad judgment. Research from Japan suggests that television and the Internet may be contributing to this problem. Nearly 6,000 subjects were surveyed. Those who used electronic media such as computers or watched television for 3 hours or more before bed were far more likely to report sleeping problems. Perhaps we need to wind down at the end of the day rather than rev up by surfing the Web.
[Sleep and Biological Rhythms, July 2007]
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1479-8425.2007.00276.x