Articles
Raspberry Powder to Fight Travelers’ Diarrhea
Southern hemisphere travelers recommend raspberry fruit powder or cordial to prevent or treat travelers' diarrhea. Will it work for you?
How Can You Tell if Your Drug Is Recalled?
Millions of pills of losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, ranitidine and Zantac have been recalled. Would you know if your drug is recalled? Lot numbers? Nope!
People Demand to Know When to Get A Flu Shot!
We are very sorry that we did not adequately answer the question: when to get a flu shot? Many people took us to task. Here is the official CDC answer.
Flip Flops on Fish Oil: Omega 3 Fats Now Have Heart Benefits
First we were told fish oil was good for the heart. Then we were told no, it doesn't work. Now, omega 3 fats work after all. What about for arthritis?
Should You Use NasalCrom for Your Allergies?
Some readers report that cromolyn nasal spray effectively and safely prevents most allergy symptoms. Will you use NasalCrom for your allergies?
Is Sporanox a Versatile Cure or a Dangerous Drug?
A podiatrist who prefers Sporanox to treat nail fungus has overlooked some significant risks of this potent medicine.
How Liquid Soap Gives Quick Relief from Leg Spasms
A reader made the serendipitous discovery that applying liquid soap to cramping legs alleviates the spasm. Will it work for you?
Dog Owners Get Survival Benefit
A Swedish study demonstrates that dog owners are less likely to die soon after a heart attack or a stroke. A meta-analysis reinforces that conclusion.
Mushrooms May Protect Men from Prostate Cancer
Middle-aged Japanese men who eat mushrooms often have a significantly lower likelihood of being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Show 1184: How Technology Could Make Medicine More Humane
Medicine is heavy on technology but often lacking in empathy. How could technology be coupled with listening to make medicine more humane?
Clonazepam Withdrawal | Safe Sedative or Poison?
Benzodiazepines like alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam and lorazepam remain popular to ease anxiety. If stopped too quickly, benzos can cause withdrawal!
Sweet Beverages Boost Your Risk of Diabetes
People who consume a lot of sweet beverages, including fruit juice, apparently increase their risk of type 2 diabetes and possibly cancer.
Introducing Mighty Muscadine, the Super Supplement
We welcome Mighty Muscadine as a new sponsor of our radio show. Now you can save 20% on your order. Find out how at the end of the story.
Why Can’t We Trust the FDA’s Adverse Events Database?
When a doctor tells you that you need a heart valve or a knee replacement you assume she has great data. But can you rely on the FDA's adverse events data?
Herbal Medicines and Prescription Drug Interactions
Many popular herbal medicines have prescription drug interactions. Learn about them before including both herbs and drugs in your regimen.
Will MSM Improve Hair Growth?
Some readers report that taking the dietary supplement MSM can improve hair growth and make it fuller and thicker.
Does Your Medicine Pose a Cancer Risk?
Establishing a drug-induced cancer risk may take 5 to 10 years or longer. The FDA rarely requires such long-term research. That leaves great uncertainty.
Do You Need a Continuous Glucose Monitor?
Using a continuous glucose monitor, you can learn how various foods affect your blood sugar and devise a diet for optimal blood sugar response.
What Accounts for Blood Tests Showing Liver Failure?
When blood tests point to liver failure, you need to figure out quickly whether drugs or supplements you are taking could be responsible.
Simvastatin and Muscle Pain: Beware Rhabdomyolysis!
ow can you distinguish between garden-variety statin-induced muscle pain and weakness from statin-induced rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening reaction?
What Dose of Vitamin D Is Good?
People respond differently to vitamin D pills, so finding the exact right dose of vitamin D supplements may require some trial and error with monitoring.
Is Meat OK to Eat Now? Do Food Flip-Flops Make You Mad?
Public health experts have told us for decades that red meat causes heart attacks and cancer. But new studies question that dogma. Is meat OK after all?
Fish Oil for the Heart? Is It Good After All?
Fish oil for the heart has been on a roller coaster. It has been good for the heart, ineffective for the heart and now, once again, very good for the heart!
Show 1183: How to Manage Your Foot Problems
Call in your questions about foot problems and get helpful answers from Dr. Jane Andersen, board-certified podiatrist.
FDA Flip-Flops on Nitrosamines in Zantac and Ranitidine
Another week another FDA announcement about nitrosamines in Zantac and ranitidine. The FDA makes a U-turn! Still no recall, though. What should you do?
How Herbal Medicines Lower Blood Pressure
Scientists are excited to learn how many herbal medicines lower blood pressure. They activate a potassium channel KCNQ5 that relaxes blood vessels.
Will IV Vitamin C Help Fight Sepsis?
High-dose intravenous vitamin C injections did not change the biomarkers for sepsis resulting from infection. However, more people on the vitamin survived.High-dose intravenous vitamin C injections di
Are Optimists Protected from Heart Attacks?
A meta-analysis of 15 studies finds that optimists are less likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes. They are also less likely to die prematurely.
Can Restless Leg Syndrome Drive People to Suicide?
It's time to take restless leg syndrome seriously. When people can't get relief, they may become anxious, depressed and desperate.
If Atorvastatin Triggers Diabetes What’s the Best Diabetes Diet?
Atorvastatin is one of the most prescribed statins. It clearly lowers LDL cholesterol. But if atorvastatin triggers diabetes what should people do?
What Can Vitamin K2 Do for You?
Scientists are studying what vitamin K2 can do. It may help build bone and reduce calcification of major arteries, but research is ongoing.
Osphena (Ospemifene) for Vaginal Dryness and Painful Intercourse
Vaginal dryness and painfrul intercourse make sex unpleasant or unbearable. Will Osphena (ospemifene) solve the problem? What are the benefits and risks?
What Are Pros and Cons of Cinnamon for Blood Sugar?
You may be able to use a common and delicious spice to help control blood sugar. Before you do, learn about the pros and cons of cinnamon.
Will DMSO Ease Your Aching Knees?
Some people like to apply DMSO topically for joint pain. Most of the research has focused on its use for interstitial cystitis rather than arthritis.
Did FQ Antibiotic Levaquin Lead to Heart Valve Damage?
When people are diagnosed with heart valve damage they may assume it's bad luck. Research now implicates FQ antibiotics like levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin.
Do Onions and Garlic Cut the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Epidemiologists find that Puerto Rican women who eat lots of onions and garlic have a lower chance of breast cancer.
Show 1182: How You Can Use Exercise as Medicine
Doctors who use exercise as medicine offer personalized prescriptions for activity. This can be as powerful as medications for promoting health.
The Resurrection of Aspirin as an Anticancer and Pregnancy Drug
We used to say that aspirin was the Rodney Dangerfield of drugs...it didn't get much respect. New evidence suggests aspirin as an anticancer agent should.
American Diets Are a Little Better Now
Over the last decade and a half, American diets have improved, but the changes are modest. More of us should be eating whole grains and protein from plants.
Another BP Nitrosamine Drug Recall and Zantac (Ranitidine)
You won't believe this. There is a nitrosamine drug recall for the BP med losartan. Other countries are recalling ranitidine (Zantac) for heartburn. Why?