To Your Health

I have heard about a “thrifty gene” that makes it easy to gain weight. Is it real? How would a person know if they carried this thrifty gene, and what could be done to keep from gaining weight if they do?

I have an aggressive form of breast cancer being treated by some powerful chemotherapy drugs. A friend is warning me that some vitamins should be avoided during chemo. Which vitamins are these?

My sister, who is schizophrenic but doing better on medication, is beginning to exhibit some odd behaviors. It started with her blinking a lot, and now she arches her eyebrows, makes chewing motions, and grimaces for no reason. Is this part of her mental problem?

My mother often asked me if I had a bowel movement every day, but now that I am on my own, it’s more like two to three per week. How can I get back to a daily BM without getting hooked on laxatives?

I’m “paying my dues” taking vitamins, exercising, and sticking to a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet, but my serum cholesterol still hovers around 240, and my HDL cholesterol won’t go over about 40. My triglycerides and LDL cholesterol are OK. What more could I do to improve those other two numbers?

I don’t want to overreact, but I also want to be prepared in every feasible way for potential terrorist attacks. What is reasonable with regard to nutritional preparation?

I started taking a mushroom extract a few months ago on the recommendation of a friend, and I do feel better. What is in there that could make a difference?

I have been taking methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis for more than two years with good results, but now my doctor is advising me to discontinue it because he says my liver enzymes are becoming elevated. Is there a way to avoid this side effect?

I keep hearing about a marker for heart disease called homocysteine. What is homocysteine, and why is it a problem?

I have been having a lot of stomach problems, with alternating diarrhea and constipation, but all the tests my doctor did fail to show any problems. He said I probably have “irritable bowel syndrome.” What helps that?

My child can no longer play soccer on his team because he developed “exercise-induced asthma.” My grandfather died of asthma more than 50 years ago. Could my child die from this condition? How can I help him?

I am concerned about the hepatitis vaccination now required for my child. Is this vaccination worth it?