People's Pharmacy

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Flavoring Agent Fights Flatulence

Posting Date: 01/17/2005

A. SAMe stands for S-adenosyl-L-methionine. It is made in the body naturally and is crucial to a variety of important biochemical reactions. According to a research review by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ?These data indicate that SAMe is more effective than placebo for relief of symptoms of depression [and] pain of osteoarthritis?Treatment with SAMe was equivalent to standard therapy for depression and osteoarthritis.?

When antidepressants like Prozac don?t work well enough, adding SAMe may boost the drug?s benefits (Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dec. 2004). But you don?t have to be depressed to benefit from this dietary supplement. It also helps with joint pain.

Q. Have you heard of senna leaf tea for constipation? It seems to work fine, but do you know of side effects if it's used long-term?

A. Senna comes from an African shrub (Cassia senna) and has been used a laxative for centuries. Although the FDA has approved senna as an over-the-counter product, it stimulates muscle contractions in the lower digestive tract and is considered harsh.

Many gastrointestinal specialists recommend against the long-term use of such products. It can cause dependence and deplete the body of essential nutrients.

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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).