Fruits, vegetables may benefit brain
Q. We have heard that people who drink fruit and vegetable juice have a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Are veggie juices as good as fruit juices? What about wine?
A. Several studies suggest that food could play a role in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. A Mediterranean diet has been associated with less cognitive impairment and dementia (Current Alzheimer’s Research, August). In particular, a diet high in nonstarchy vegetables, fruits, nuts and berries seems to be somewhat protective (Journal of Nutrition, Sept. 1, 2009).
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidant compounds, and so are berries, tea, cocoa, pomegranates and wine. New research suggests that moderate social drinking, particularly wine, also may reduce the likelihood of developing cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease (Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment online, Aug. 11).
Q. I have long had all the symptoms of hypothyroidism: fatigue, “brain fog,” dry skin, trouble controlling my weight, muscle cramps, elevated cholesterol, etc. A thyroid test came back normal in my blood work.
Is it possible to be just under the radar on a blood test? I am hoping there is some natural way to normalize my thyroid without taking Synthroid or other chemicals.
A. Your symptoms are classic for low thyroid function, but it is sometimes tricky to get the correct diagnosis. You should ask the doctor for the exact results of your blood test; experts often differ about the cutoff for “normal.”
The Guide to Thyroid Hormones that we are sending you explains how to interpret such test results as well as symptoms of thyroid imbalance and treatment options. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (64 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. T-4, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.
If you are hypothyroid, you will probably feel much better on prescription thyroid hormone. The natural alternative to Synthroid or Levoxyl is desiccated thyroid gland such as Armour or Naturethroid.
Q. Back in 2005, I had a horrible persistent cough. After a CT scan, I was told it looked like lymphoma and referred to a specialist to evaluate the swollen lymph nodes and multiple nodules in my lungs.
The specialist did a biopsy and diagnosed sarcoidosis. We knew nothing about this disease and immediately began online research.
The doctor wanted to start me on corticosteroids, but I am already overweight and have mild high blood pressure, and feared the steroids would make that worse.
My wife, Pam, came across some reports of sarcoidosis being treated effectively with low doses of antibiotics. At my next visit, she gave the doctor printouts of her research. He looked it over and described it as “quackery.”
Pam is quite persuasive, however. She convinced the doctor just to try the treatment. He prescribed minocycline, a drug commonly used for acne.
Within six weeks, my cough was gone. X-rays showed no lymph-node swelling and NO nodules! The doctor is now using the treatment on other patients with sarcoidosis.
A. Sarcoidosis is a systemic autoimmune disease in which small clumps of inflammatory cells lodge in various tissues. The lungs and the lymph nodes are most frequently affected, but these granuloma clumps can appear anywhere.
Successful treatment of some sarcoidosis patients with doxycycline or minocycline has been attributed to the immune modulating effects of these drugs (Clinical Rheumatology, September 2008).