People's Pharmacy

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Bad Breath May Be Infectious

Posting Date: 10/18/2004

I read about a doctor recommending glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis, so I started taking it. It has been a godsend for me. In conjunction with gentle exercise it has eliminated my symptoms. Has the FDA approved this treatment?

A. The FDA has been reviewing the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin. A committee that met this summer concluded there isn?t enough data to give these supplements a green light for preventing arthritis.

Nevertheless, many people report benefit and some studies suggest these supplements can alleviate pain. Since this approach has worked so well for you, you may want to keep it up. The alternatives appear a lot riskier.

Q. Many years ago I read that people should eat brown rice to reduce blood pressure. More recently a doctor-columnist responded to a question that the rice diet works, but modern medicines are better for treating blood pressure.

Have you ever heard of this diet regimen? I'd appreciate learning more about this option for treating high blood pressure.

A. The rice diet (mostly brown rice, vegetables and fruit; no salt) was originally developed to control blood pressure, before many medicines were available. Since then, it has also been used successfully for weight loss. Research shows that a diet rich in vegetables and very low in sodium can help control blood pressure almost as well as some medications.

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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.org. Their newest book is The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies (St. Martin's Press).