People's Pharmacy

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Is Cranberry Sauce Safe With Blood Thinner?

Posting Date: 12/05/2005

?My platelet count dropped to 1,000. Now it has gradually come back up to 266,000. I was diagnosed with ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), triggered by the quinine in the water. It nearly killed me.?

Although ITP is rare, this life-threatening blood disorder can be triggered by quinine. We describe other ways to treat restless legs or cramps in our Guide to Leg Pain. You can download it for $2 from our Web site (www.peoplespharmacy.com) or send a check with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. RLS-5, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. I take fish oil to lower triglycerides. I recently found it also helps with dry eyes. I used to have to put artificial tears in my eyes daily to help, but I don?t anymore.

A. There is now research demonstrating what you discovered by accident. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Oct. 2005) suggests that dry eye syndrome is less common in women who get more omega-3 fats. Fish oil is rich in these fatty acids. Women who consumed more tuna were less likely to complain of dry eyes.

Q. My doctor recently put me on lovastatin because my cholesterol is 245. I have read that taking red yeast rice can help lower cholesterol. Are there any risks in taking this product together with a statin?

A. Because red yeast rice also contains lovastatin, it would be inadvisable to combine these products. You might end up with too much statin in your system. Side effects such as muscle aches, weakness and joint pain might result.

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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.com. Their newest book is The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies (St. Martin's Press).

2005 King Features Syndicate, Inc.