The People's Perspective on Medicine
If You Take Zinc, Will Your Feet Not Stink?
Some readers suggest one way to fight foot odor: take zinc supplements for a little while. How well does that work?
Will High-Dose Vitamin D Fight COVID-19?
Don't take high-dose vitamin D once you are ill. Instead, get your blood levels up before you encounter infection.
Can Vitamin C Help Combat COVID-19?
For decades, doctors dismissed vitamin C as worthless against the common cold. But could vitamin C help combat COVID-19? Trials are underway!
Where Can You Find Vitamin C in Food?
There are many sources of vitamin C in food other than citrus fruits. Are you getting enough to keep your immune system strong?
High Dose Vitamin D Fails to Help COVID-19 Patients
Hospitalized patients who got high dose vitamin D fared no better than those who took a placebo pill in a scientific study.
Will Biotin Help Soothe Split Fingertips?
One reader reports that taking biotin supplements to strengthen fingernails helped soothe split fingertips too.
Will You Lower Your Cholesterol With Milk Thistle?
MIlk thistle extract can lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It blocks the same enzyme as statins.
Does Low Vitamin D Make People Vulnerable to COVID-19?
New research from Spain and Chicago indicates that people with very low vitamin D levels are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection.
What Is the Difference Between Cod Liver and Fish Oils?
Cod liver oil and fish oils are both rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, cod liver oil offers vitamins A, D and E.
Does Vitamin E Contribute to Easy Bruising?
Vitamin E supplements help keep blood platelets from clumping, so they can lead to easy bruising. Can you get this vitamin from food instead?
Can a Supplement Relieve Neuropathy Pain?
Supplements such as benfotiamine (a special form of the B-vitamin thiamine), alpha lipoic acid and DHA may ease neuropathy pain.
Low Selenium Makes Liver Vulnerable to Pain Reliever
Both high and low selenium levels can make the liver more vulnerable to damage from excessive acetaminophen (paracetamol).
Did MSM Help Reader Regain the Sense of Smell?
One reader has not been able to detect smells, even of citrus, for many years. Taking MSM for another purpose helped her regain the sense of smell.
Cinnamon May Offer a Surprising Way to Reverse Prediabetes
A small placebo-controlled trial found that some people taking cinnamon capsules were able to reverse prediabetes and prevent progression to diabetes.
Show 1217: Natural Ways to Keep Your Immune System Strong
Dr. Tieraona Low Dog offers advice on vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements you can use to help keep your immune system strong and healthy.
Will Vitamin B1 Keep Mosquitoes from Biting You?
Studies have not shown that taking vitamin B1 pills can keep mosquitoes from biting, but new research suggests that a topical form is effective.
Have You Found a Hangover Remedy That Works?
A double-blind placebo-controlled trial found that a solution containing vitamins, minerals and five plant extracts is a hangover remedy that works.
Will Vitamin D Help You Avoid Infection?
Several research papers link low vitamin D levels to a higher risk of COVID-19. We need clinical trials to see if supplements help you avoid infection.
Can Plants Really Protect You from a Hangover?
A special supplement containing extracts from five plants (acerola, ginger, ginkgo, prickly pear and willow) reduced hangover symptoms significantly.
Reducing Cancer Risk With Vitamin D and Magnesium
A new study finds that the combination of adequate vitamin D and magnesium helps patients with colorectal cancer avoid an early death.
Quercetin Is a Natural Way to Relieve Spring Allergies
The flavonoids quercetin and luteolin can dampen mast cell response to allergic triggers and ease symptoms from spring allergies.
Peppermint Oil Can Help With IBS Symptoms
People looking for a natural way to manage IBS symptoms might want to try enteric-coated peppermint oil. Exercise could also help.
Can Your Gut Microbiome Affect Your Memory?
When their gut microbiome has more Lactobacillus in it, mice perform better on memory tests. Will you?
Can You Boost Your Resistance to COVID-19?
Adequate sleep and taking several specific supplements could help you boost your resistance to infection. Don't overlook the probiotics.
Should You Take Calcium Supplements for Leg Cramps?
A reader reports that taking calcium supplements for leg cramps at night has worked for three decades. Others prefer magnesium or other minerals.
Show 1208: Keeping Kids Healthy in the Age of Coronavirus
How are parents and grandparents keeping kids healthy when they can't go to school or the playground? Dr. Alan Greene has suggestions for families, 4/18/20.
Will Elderberry Extract Help You Recover from Flu?
Elderberry extract has antiviral activity in laboratory tests, but there are not enough good clinical trials to show whether it works against influenza.
Can You Take Quercetin for Your Allergies?
Plants make some compounds to defend themselves that can be helpful for people, too. Should you be taking the flavonol quercetin for your allergies?
What Can You Do to Control Arthritis Pain?
Staying active, even while staying at home, should help control arthritis pain. We also offer other possible treatments that may help.
What Can Help You Stay Sharp as You Age?
Maintaining physical activity and consuming blueberries, turmeric and rosemary may help you stay sharp as you age. Which will you try?
Do Green-Lipped Mussels Ease Arthritis Pain?
The research is inconclusive, but a reader reports that New Zealand green-lipped mussels ease arthritis pain for the whole family, including the dog.
Should You Avoid Coffee When You Take Your Vitamins?
Don't worry about drinking coffee when you take your vitamins. It can interfere with the absorption of Synthroid, though, while tea blocks iron absorption.
Boswellia Boosted Pain Relief from Glucosamine
A reader reports that boswellia boosted pain relief of fibromyalgia and plantar fasciitis when it was added to glucosamine and chondroitin.