Will zinc help ease woman’s hirsutism?
Q: I am a woman in my 20s, and I have a problem with facial hair. In researching this, I read an article suggesting zinc supplements for controlling hirsutism in women. But I also found articles that said zinc can be used by men to grow beards. I found this confusing. What are your thoughts?
A: Your question sent us to PubMed to check medical literature. We were fascinated to find a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of magnesium, zinc, calcium and vitamin D supplementation (Biological Trace Element Research, March 2018). In this trial, 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, which often causes hirsutism, took placebo or a combination of 100 mg magnesium, 4 mg zinc, 400 mg calcium and 200 IU vitamin D for three months. At the end of the study, the women taking the supplements had significantly less facial hair and less inflammation. These doses are quite reasonable, so you may want to try it.
Q: I’ve read that spices like cinnamon, rosemary, cloves, turmeric and the like are anti-inflammatory and help prevent dementia, control blood sugar and blood pressure. As I understand it, they should be taken in moderation (1/4 teaspoon or less) with food but frequently. What can you tell me?
A: There’s growing evidence that dementia is associated with brain inflammation (Human Molecular Genetics, April 19, 2018). Spices like sage, rosemary and lemon balm have been shown to improve memory (Phytomedicine, Jan. 15, 2018). There also is research supporting the use of ginger or turmeric to help control blood sugar (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Jan. 9, 2018; Pharmacological Research, February 2018).
Q: My primary reason for joining any health spa always has been because of the sauna. I was thinking I was a lazy sort. Now I read that sitting in the sauna is as good as the workout itself.
A: Evidence is mounting that sauna bathing has health benefits. Spending 15 minutes a day in a Finnish type sauna has been shown to reduce the risk of strokes (Neurology, online, May 2, 2018). Other benefits may include lower blood pressure and reduced risk for dementia (American Journal of Hypertension, Nov. 1, 2017; Age and Ageing, March 1, 2017). It’s a good idea to exercise as well as enjoy a sauna bath. Researchers have found that fitness because of aerobic exercise combined with frequent sauna bathing offers better health benefits than either alone (Annals of Medicine, March 2018).
Q: Both my mother and mother-in-law were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Mom was 76, and my mother-in-law was 72.
They lived very different lifestyles: Mom dealt with severe anxiety and depression, while my mother-in-law was a happy-go-lucky, active and vivacious health nut. The only common denominator they shared is that they both took diphenhydramine to sleep. Their doctors advised this!
Of course, our mothers might have developed Alzheimer’s regardless. I do believe diphenhydramine exacerbated the tendency.
A: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an old-fashioned antihistamine that was originally developed to treat allergies. Because it often makes people drowsy, drug companies have added diphenhydramine to overthe-counter sleeping pills. Virtually all “PM” nighttime pain relievers contain this drug.
Diphenhydramine is an anticholinergic medicine because it interferes with the action of the brain chemical acetylcholine. Long-term use of strong anticholinergic drugs has been linked to the risk of dementia (BMJ, April 25, 2018). A review of sleep medicines in older adults concluded that “Diphenhydramine should be avoided in the elderly” (Clinical Therapeutics, November 2016).