Fenugreek a natural approach to controlling blood sugar

Q. What is fenugreek? I have been diagnosed as borderline diabetic. The doctor said that with proper diet and exercise, I can beat the diabetes. My neighbor said this over-the-counter product helps keep blood sugar in check. Do you have any additional information?

A. Fenugreek is an herb used as a culinary flavoring in Indian cooking. Research in animals shows that it can help lower blood sugar.

There are many other natural approaches to controlling blood sugar, including cinnamon, bitter melon, oolong tea and vinegar. Several years ago a physician shared a patient’s success with nopal cactus (prickly pear) tea.

We have discussed these and many other practical ways of coping with type 2 diabetes in our new book, “Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy” (Rodale Books). Diet and exercise are the cornerstones of blood-sugar control. Whatever you try, make sure your doctor is supervising your progress.

Q. I’m a woman who takes a multivitamin, a B-50 complex, a calcium tablet and a couple of prescription pills daily. Within a half-hour of taking my vitamins, I pee a bright yellow color. Doesn’t this mean the dosage is excessive? Should I cut the tablets in half?

A. Your vitamin B-50 complex contains riboflavin (vitamin B-2). This fluorescent yellow compound is rapidly eliminated through the urine and is responsible for the bright yellow color you have noticed. It’s not dangerous, and you don’t need to cut the pills in half, though if it bothers you, you could purchase a lower dose of B vitamins.

Q. My wife had been taking black cohosh for menopausal symptoms for several months when an annual checkup showed that some of her liver enzymes were elevated. After ruling out various forms of hepatitis, fatty liver disease or other liver pathology, her doctors concluded that the black cohosh was probably the source of her problem. She discontinued the black cohosh, and her liver enzyme panel is back to normal. I just thought you should know that not everyone does well on this product.

A. The British equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) issued a warning last summer that black cohosh may cause liver disorders. Such reactions are believed rare but can be very serious.

Q. For all of his 65 years, my partner has gotten seasick whenever he was on a boat. This was true even for two years serving on a ship in the Navy.

We just took an Alaskan cruise on which I served as a guide. He felt just fine, even though some others did not.

Why? Because we read your column about ginger capsules, available in health-food stores. He took the capsules with meals three times a day. He got great benefit and had no side effects. I am telling everyone I know!

A. Thanks for sharing his experience. Ginger has a long history against motion sickness.