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Entries in Cohen, Suzy (39)

Friday

10Apr2009

Help for Hemorrhoids

Apr 10, 2009

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph., is a licensed pharmacist with nearly 20 years of clinical experience. The author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist (HarperCollins, July '07) and Drug Muggers; she is "America's Most Trusted Pharmacist," and has helped millions of patients in various clinical settings, such as retail, hospital, nursing home pharmacies, and through her nationally syndicated column, "Dear Pharmacist." A former spokesperson for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Suzy Cohen is a member of the Institute of Functional Medicine, The Association of Natural Medicine Pharmacists and The American Pharmacists Association. You can subscribe to Suzy's free weekly newsletter or ask her a question at her DearPharmacist website.

Suzy Cohen--

Dear Pharmacist,

I have hemorrhoids that are very uncomfortable. What can I do to treat them and prevent the flare ups? --J.C. Ocala, Florida

Answer: Hemorrhoids (also called “piles”) are blood vessels that have become abnormally enlarged and swollen around the area of the rectum. They cause a lot of pain for about 9 million Americans and are most often triggered by straining on the toilet; straining occurs because of constipation, often the result of consuming processed foods and too little fiber. It’s interesting though that one Oreo cookie has the same amount of fiber as 15 - 20 grapes, yet cookies are constipating, grapes are not. If we all had 20/20 hindsight, we would not eat constipating foods or other offenders such as dairy, meat, fried foods, sugar and anything that comes out of a box.

Medications -- such as allergy pills, cold medicine, over-the-counter sleep aids and patches or pills used for motion sickness can cause or intensify hemorrhoids. So can iron and calcium supplements. While hemorrhoids can be a pain in the hiney, they are fortunately very treatable; only rarely is surgery needed. Another important aspect to curing hemorrhoids is water --drink it! Here are other tips and remedies:

Ice: Apply an ice pack to the area for 10 minutes three or four times daily.

Probiotics: These supplements provide your intestines with a friendly camp of healthy bacteria and improve digestion and elimination. Take probiotics with anything else in this list.

Creams: Pharmacies carry products to relieve pain, itching and inflammation such as presoaked witch hazel wipes (like Tucks) and hydrocortisone creams (like Preparation H). Hemorrhol by Life Flo is a unique natural product sold at health food stores that contains cat’s claw, green tea extract, cod liver oil and witch hazel.

Stool softeners and laxatives: If your body tends to produce hard stools, take a stool softener like Colace (docusate). Laxatives like Metamucil (psyllium fiber), Dulcolax (bisacodyl) or Senokot-S (senna and docusate) are widely available. Aloe vera juice, sold at health food stores, is a natural laxative that has health benefits beyond the bowels.

Mullein Tea: It’s fine to drink the tea, but for hemorrhoids I have a better idea to reduce swelling. Steep the tea bag, then cool it in the refrigerator. Use it to swab the anus.

Comfrey Leaf: Buy the powdered root and make a paste out of it with water to apply externally. You can also take supplements by mouth. Comfrey is historically used for varicose veins because it strengthens connective tissue.

Butcher’s Broom: You can find ointments and suppositories which help ease pain and improve circulation. Oral supplements are touted for varicose veins.

Silica: Silica helps strengthen and normalize tissue. If you buy Cellfood’s liquid silica you can supplement with it orally, and also squirt some on a cotton pad to apply to the painful area. Horsetail capsules (Equisetum arvense) are also a source of silica.

Did You Know?

Magnesium supplements can help relax you, reduce muscle tension and relieve constipation.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned or information within this column is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FirstLook Book Review: Drug Muggers by Suzy Cohen

Natural Solutions For Erectile Dysfunction

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Friday

27Mar2009

Coffee Lovers Rejoice with Yerba Mate

Mar 27, 2009

Suzy Cohen--

Dear Pharmacist,

My husband and I are tea lovers and we were so glad to find out about matcha green tea from your article last year. Are you aware of other healthy tea drinks such as this? --P.M. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Answer: Yes, as a matter of fact. When I was traveling through northern California, I stumbled upon a cool cafe that only serves yerba mate, pronounced “yerba-mah-tay.” The drink gives you energy like coffee with the same fantastic health benefits as green tea.

The most popular brand of yerba mate is made by Guayaki, a company that cultivates the South American herb. I like their brand (and they don’t pay me to say that) because they use USDA certified organic herbs, they are fair-trade and kosher. Their beverages are easily found at supermarkets and health food stores nationwide.

Yerba mate has been used medicinally for centuries. It contains powerful antioxidants, essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. There’s no doubt this drink can increase alertness, mental clarity, immune function and general well-being because it sweeps away free radicals that cause destruction in the body.

Just like coffee and chocolate, yerba mate contains stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine so it sparks more energy, but it seems to cause less (if any) jitteriness and palpitations. There is enough evidence to suggest that the carotenes, B vitamins and antioxidants in yerba mate can reduce your risk cancer. That said, a small study suggests that drinking more than one liter of yerba mate per day could increase one’s risk for oral cancer. Experts suspect this finding is due to drinking piping hot beverages all day long. I’ve examined the literature for months and have decided that yerba mate is good for you in moderation.

Both yerba mate and coffee contain an antioxidant called chlorogenic acid which appears to protect the liver from cirrhosis and possibly cancer. Amazing, but too much of this compound might increase levels of homocysteine, an inflammatory chemical.

If you visit Argentina or Paraguay for example, you will see people walking around sipping yerba mate out of hollow gourds, much the same way that Americans tote their cup of Starbucks. Yerba mate is sold in bags, just like coffee. To make it use a French press, or a regular coffee maker. If it tastes bitter, it’s because you’ve used boiling water, you only want to use hot water, not boiling. Be fancy like me and make a yerba mate latte! Sweeten your brew with some agave syrup (or vanilla syrup) and make the latte by frothing some almond milk or vanilla hemp milk. You can learn more about the health benefits of yerba mate, where to buy it, and how to make it by visiting www.guayaki.com or calling 888-482-9254.

Did You Know?

This won’t come as any surprise to my loyal readers, but a new study found that eating lots of bacon, hot dogs, cold cuts and red meat can dramatically increase your risk for cancer.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned or information within this column is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Many Pain Syndromes Respond to Anti-Inflammatories

Natural Ways to Fight Dandruff

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Wednesday

11Mar2009

Many Pain Syndromes Respond to Anti-Inflammatories

Mar 11, 2009

Suzy Cohen--

Many People in Pain Share One Thing in Common

Alternate: Many Pain Syndromes Respond to Anti-Inflammatories

Dear Pharmacist,

After recent blood tests, I have been diagnosed with Lyme disease, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Can you suggest supplements to help me get a life? --A.D. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Answer: Lyme disease -an infection transmitted by ticks- can cause headaches, severe muscle and joint pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, memory loss and difficulty concentrating. It sounds a lot like fibromyalgia and CFS doesn’t it? I can’t determine whether or not you genuinely have all three conditions. Regardless, your complex disorders each have various causative factors and their own cluster of symptoms. They are almost always associated with high levels of pain-causing inflammatory chemicals, one of which is called TNFa.

It stands for Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, and we shorten it to TNF. This bad boy increases your risk for tumors, and it causes systemic pain (think pain all over). It’s associated with chronic low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, Alzheimer's, peripheral artery disease, Crohn’s disease, asthma, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and guess what else, fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome! If you are reading this and suffer from one of these conditions or any type of “itis” problem (like pancreatitis, arthritis, etc.) talk to your doctor about reducing TNF and other nasty pain-causing chemicals like substance P. It’s not a cure-all, but it may help.

Doctors often prescribe injectable drugs like Enbrel, Remicade, Cimzia and Humira to block TNF. Certainly, this is one option but this class of drugs makes me nervous. New studies suggest that TNF blockers almost double your risk for shingles and they may cause life-threatening fungal infections. To reduce Substance P, doctors usually prescribe narcotics like Vicodin, Percocet or morphine which dull your sense of pain. Whether or not these are right for you is between you and your doctor. Believe it or not, there are natural TNF blockers in your own kitchen:

Curcumin: It’s a natural yellow dye found in the spice turmeric. High-quality curcumin supplements are terrific antioxidants and many studies prove that curcumin reduces TNF.

Ginger: A powerful anti-inflammatory. Buy it fresh, not powdered. Peel it, and grate about an inch into your soups, sauces or morning juice. Steep it in hot water to make tea which is terrific for nausea and indigestion. If you supplement take about 1,000 mg two to four times daily.

Cook with fresh rosemary and oregano. Green tea lowers TNF also. If you want to supplement, consider Zyflamend, a unique product that combines many strong anti-inflammatory herbs that may help with the painful disorders I’ve discussed today. I have no connection to the makers, I just like to point you in healthy directions. This product is sold at health food stores, online and there is information at www.newchapter.com

Did You Know?

If you drink a glass of red wine each night, thiamine supplements can protect your gut lining.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned or information within this column is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Natural Ways to Fight Dandruff

Rosemary Kills Childhood Cancer Cells

Protection For Pancreatitis

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Monday

09Mar2009

Natural Ways to Fight Dandruff

Mar 9, 2009

Suzy Cohen--

Dear Pharmacist,
I’ve had dandruff for years and it’s so embarrassing. I’ve tried everything, but I think you’re smart so I want your advice. Can you help me? I’m fed up to my head and shoulders! – S.J. Toms, River, New Jersey

Answer: Okay, funny man, I got that but don’t quit your day job just yet. Head & Shoulders is just one popular shampoo for dandruff and it works by reducing a fungus thought to cause dandruff called “malassezia.” This fungus and another yeast called pityrosporum ovale could probably be found on every scalp, but some unlucky folks are more susceptible to infection. The flakes you see are just dead skin that has come off, and it causes itchiness and redness. A more severe type is called “seborrheic dermatitis” or “cradle cap” in babies. Sensitivity to wheat protein, which is called gluten-intolerance or celiac disease, is often associated with this condition.

Read labels on dandruff products to see what the active ingredients will do for you:

Salicylic Acid or Sulfur: Products that contain these ingredients help prevent flakes and scalp build-up. Sebolux is a sulfur-based shampoo and Neutrogena’s T/Sal contains salicylic acid (which should not be used if you’re allergic to aspirin).

Ketoconazole: This is an antifungal found in Nizoral A-D shampoo, which is sold over-the-counter. It helps deal with the fungus malassezia, so it gets to the cause rather than the symptoms.

Selenium Sulfide: Reduces the amount of fungus on the scalp. You will find it in Selsun Blue shampoo (1 percent) and in the prescription product “Selenium Sulfide” (2.5 percent). It may damage your jewelry so be sure to remove it before using these products.

Coal Tar: This agent, also used to make asphalt driveways, slows down skin cell production so you don’t flake as much. You will find it in products such as Denorex and Zetar shampoo.

You’re probably itchin’ to know what home remedies might work. I’ll tell you, but please don’t e-mail me if you reek of salad dressing or look like a cast member from Grease. Rub a mixture of apple cider vinegar and lime juice (equal parts) into your scalp for 3 minutes, then shampoo/rinse. Or you can massage coconut oil into your scalp for 5 minutes, then shampoo/rinse. Do this several times a week.

And my final secret weapon is rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) that boosts immune function and reduces inflammation. I’ve recommended it in prior columns because it may help with arthritis, tumor prevention and memory disorders. You can drink tea or take supplements. Careful ladies, rosemary can stimulate menstrual flow although studies suggest it can reduce risk for breast cancer. For dandruff, mix 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls of rosemary essential oil into your shampoo. For added benefit, also add a teaspoonful of tea tree oil, neem oil, or grapefruit seed extract to your shampoo.

Did You Know?
Nicotine is a drug mugger of biotin and can accelerate hair loss.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned or information within this column is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FirstLook Book Review: Drug Muggers by Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.

Natural Ways To Reduce Cancer Risk

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Sunday

22Feb2009

Natural Ways To Reduce Cancer Risk

Feb 22, 2009

Suzy Cohen--

Dear Pharmacist,

I am very afraid of getting cancer because it runs in my family. The stress makes me vigilant about eating right, I’m a vegan and I take medicinal mushrooms and vitamin C every day. Am I on the right track? --V.D., Salt Lake City, Utah

Answer: Yes, and your fear is understandable. An estimated 1.5 million people heard the word “cancer” as a diagnosis in 2008. With cancer, you have to be mindful of the “free radicals” in your body. You want as few as possible. Free radicals are molecules that damage innocent cells. They are normally neutralized in a healthy body. But if you smoke, expose yourself to pesticides, sun damage, pollution, maintain a poor diet, or eat artificial sweeteners and preservatives, you severely reduce your body’s defenses against those free radicals which cause “oxidative” damage. Guess what neutralizes it? The “anti” oxidant, of course, such as vitamins A, C, E, D, selenium and ubiquinol.

Free radicals trigger the release of bad chemicals in your body such as IGF-1, IL6, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and TNF-a. These chemicals increase pain, inflammation and the growth of cancer. Foods that increase inflammatory chemicals include processed meats (like hot dogs), red meat and eggs which are high in arachidonic acid, dairy protein (casein) and wheat protein (gluten). Recently, a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that meat and dairy increase levels of IGF-1 by 15 percent, and IGF-1 fuels prostate cancer.

If you cut down on foods that trigger immune reactions and eat more organic fruits and vegetables you can improve immune function. There are also natural supplements and foods that increase vitality, energy and immune function. These include rosemary, broccoli, olives, ground flaxseed, probiotics, cat’s claw, curcumin, omega 3 fatty acids, ginger, N-acetylcysteine, spirulina and finally, clinically tested brands of modified citrus pectin (MCP). Anecdotal evidence suggests some ingredients in Essiac supplements can strengthen the immune system too.

I’ve also grown fond of “organic germanium” because this dietary supplement is a strong immune booster that sweeps away free radicals and floods your cells with oxygen. That’s important because cancer growth is interrupted by oxygen. A number of clinical trials support the role of organic germanium (Ge-132) for cancer prevention because it increases T-cells, B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells -think “sheriff” kind of killer cell. Germanium may help with depression, fatigue and heavy metal poisoning. Always talk with your oncologist about introducing new supplements.

At home, I make “anti-everything tea.” I heat 2 cups of water with some sprigs of fresh parsley, dandelion, cilantro, rosemary, cinnamon spice and a teaspoonful of fresh grated ginger; add half a teaspoonful of matcha or dried blueberry loose leaf tea. Steep for 3 minutes and sweeten with stevia or agave syrup.

Did You Know?

Grapeseed oil is an excellent alternative to olive oil, especially in salads, or when cooking at high temperatures.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned or information within this column is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.