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November 2001
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Foods, Too, Can Interfere With Medications, If You’re Not Careful
By Kerry Neville, M.S., R.D.
While herbs are receiving much attention lately for interacting with drugs, foods, too, can pose problems. Most people know that food can impede the absorption of certain drugs. Other drugs are easier to tolerate if taken with food; sometimes food even aids absorption.
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Not All Bacteria Are Bad: Probiotics Promise Help To G.I. Tract, Immunity
By Amy Aubertin, M.S., R.D.
In today’s world of food safety scares, antibacterial kitchen cleaners and bacteria-resistant cutting boards, the message is clear: Eradicate bacteria if you want to stay healthy. Sound advice. Unless, of course, you are talking about a different breed of bacteria—bacteria that are actually good for you. Such friendly bugs, which naturally inhabit the intestinal tract, have taken on the sobriquet "probiotics."
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Ready Yourself for Recovery: Tips for Pre- and Post-Op Nutrition
By Catherine Golub, M.S., R.D.
Preparing for surgery demands more than fasting the night before and signing a medical release. You’ll heal more quickly and with fewer consequences if your body is nutritionally replete before a major operation. Even with minor surgical procedures, wound healing can be delayed if the body is not nutritionally prepared. For the average person undergoing elective surgery, eating balanced meals and taking a multivitamin/mineral is probably sufficient pre-operative preparation. After surgery, however, it’s a different story.
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With Meridia, Weight Drops, But Not Blood Pressure
The prescription weight-loss drug sibutramine (Meridia) appears to be highly effective for weight loss, according to a recent clinical study. However, if you suffer from high blood pressure, Meridia may not be for you.
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Iron Eases Cough From ACE Inhibitors, But Poses Risk
Prescription drugs like captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec) and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), collectively known as ACE inhibitors, are widely prescribed to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. They are very effective, but are often accompanied by an annoyingly persistent dry cough. This troublesome side effect occurs in up to one-third or more of people who take ACE inhibitors.
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Arsenic in Deep Water
When President Bush took office, he riled environmental groups by suspending President Clinton’s directive to lower the allowable limit for arsenic in drinking water from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb, the level advised—but yet to be implemented—by an expert panel back in 1999. Bush sent scientists back to review research findings from the last two years on the health effects of arsenic, as well as the economic cost of lowering levels. Well, they have.
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Mooove Over, Milk: Soy Mustaches Are Healthful Too
By Julie Walsh, M.S., R.D.
Soymilk used to come in one variety—muddy brown with a gritty texture. And it tasted about as good as it looked. Now, manufacturers are making the 5,000-year-old beverage decidedly creamier and more flavorful than ever before. If you haven’t tried it lately, give it a second chance in order to enjoy soy’s unique health benefits.
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Correction
In the article on herb-medication interactions in the October 2001 issue, on page 4, the drug propranolol (Inderal) does not belong under Calcium Channel Blockers, but simply under the larger category of Anti- Arrhythmic Medications. The herb interactions, as listed, are correct.
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Cranberries: Antioxidant Benefits Behind the Tartness
The Folklore: We serve cranberries at Thanksgiving as part of a tradition that began at the first Thanksgiving dinner, when the Pilgrims reportedly served cranberries brought by Native Americans. The natives taught the colonists how to use the red fruit as a natural dye and about its medicinal value in treating arrow wounds, blood and intestinal ailments and preventing scurvy.
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Research Roundup
The risk of developing pancreatic cancer is greater for people who are overweight, but can be reduced with regular, moderate-intensity exercise, according to Boston researchers.
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