Category: health-letter

After Dr. Kenneth Arndt answered a question about toenail fungus, a number of readers sent us their favorite remedies. We asked Dr. Arndt to comment on several of them.

There is still no cure for a cold, and cold medications have come under scrutiny and criticism. Some people may get better results taking separate medications for fever, cough, and congestion, rather than a combination product.

I heard that human growth hormone can help people after surgery. Is that true?

The benefits of aspirin for those at risk for heart disease are clear, but for women under 65 who are not at risk, there is no benefit to a daily aspirin. There is evidence that taking aspirin regularly may reduce the risk of stroke, regardless of age.

There is growing evidence of a link between gum disease and heart disease and pneumonia. Hospital patients on ventilators seem particularly vulnerable to pneumonia infections.

Is there a prescription medication to help me stop smoking? My doctor says no.

Used by athletes to build muscle, human growth hormone may in fact make muscles bigger, but not necessarily stronger. HGH is also marketed as an anti-aging treatment, but there are no data about possible side effects from long-term use.

Once soy was believed to have many health benefits, but studies found that it was not the wonder food some claimed. But other research finds that soy can in fact be beneficial, particularly in place of red meat.

People who undergo cataract surgery now have different types of replacement lenses to choose from, including ones that can change focus with the eye’s muscles, but these are much more expensive than standard lenses.

Vitamin D is crucial to bone growth, but studies are finding that it may help protect against other diseases such as diabetes and colon cancer. Most adults do not get enough vitamin D, but a daily multivitamin and limited sun exposure can help.