Kiwi works nearly as well as prunes for constipation
Q: Are there any natural remedies for constipation in older people? Prune juice elevates my blood sugar, but I don’t want to take a laxative.
A: Usually, the first suggestion for overcoming constipation is prunes or possibly psyllium, the soluble fiber in Metamucil. Recently, scientists presented evidence at a virtual conference showing that eating fresh kiwi fruit (two a day) works nearly as well as psyllium or prunes. In addition, people eating kiwi fruit were less likely to report bloating, pain or gas as a side effect.
Because blood sugar is a concern, you should be checking yours regularly. You may want to consider using psyllium for regularity. In addition to its effects promoting bowel evacuation, this fiber helps reduce both fasting blood sugar and HbA1C as well as triglycerides and LDL cholesterol (Phytotherapy Research, June 2020).
Q: I’m wondering if there are any remedies for dandruff around the nose and in the ears. I’ve tried alternating different kinds of anti-dandruff shampoo daily as well as Listerine and apple cider vinegar, but nothing rids me of the problem.
A: The skin problem you are describing might be seborrheic dermatitis. It’s usually itchy, with reddened skin and flakes like dandruff. This condition is common on the scalp (where we call it dandruff ) and on the face, especially the eyebrows and the sides of the nose. It can also affect eyelids, ears, armpits, groin and under the breasts.
Seborrheic dermatitis appears to get worse in response to stress (Acta Dermato-Venereologica, Oct. 14, 2020). Regular alcohol consumption might also contribute to flare-ups. Some scientists suspect that disruption of the usual skin microbiota with overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia plays a role (StatPearls, Oct. 3, 2020).
Dermatologists recommend a mild nonsoap cleanser twice a day. Dandruff shampoo is often helpful, although it hasn’t worked for you.
Italian dermatologists have recommended biotin supplements (Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia, October 2019). A brief trial might be worthwhile.
Q: I was on rosuvastatin for eight months. During that time, I repeatedly complained to my doctor about severe leg cramps. They finally got so bad that he let me stop the statin.
Within two weeks all muscle cramps were gone. What really amazed me, though, was the other things that also changed: My balance improved; my tinnitus improved; my vertigo disappeared; my energy increased; and my depression disappeared. That was seven months ago, and none of these rosuvastatin side effects has returned.
I have changed my diet, mostly following the Mediterranean plan except that I hate fish, and avoid all sugar, which has dropped my cholesterol to perfect levels. I’m horrified that doctors are so unwilling to listen to their patients as to multiple unpleasant or dangerous side effects of statins.
A: Some of the symptoms you describe are listed in the official prescribing information for rosuvastatin (Crestor). They include dizziness, depression and lack of energy (asthenia). Although there is a recognition that statins can cause muscle pain, tenderness and weakness, there is no specific mention of leg cramps. That said, dozens of visitors to our website report severe leg cramps associated with statins.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is more controversial. There are reports in the medical literature linking these cholesterol-lowering drugs to both improved and worsening symptoms of tinnitus (Circulation, March 28, 2018).