South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Elderberry juice, extract a traditional tonic for colds
Q: I am hearing about elderberry syrup as an immune booster. Do you have any pros or cons?
A: Elderberry juice or extract is a traditional tonic for colds and coughs. Researchers have found that the extract from one Sambucus species has antiviral activity against coronavirus in test tubes (Frontiers in Pharmacology, Jan. 11, 2021). Other laboratory research has found that an extract of the flowers, in combination with beta-glucan and vitamin D3, may help reduce inflammation (Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, December 2020).
Don’t try to make your own elderberry extract at home, though. Unripe or uncooked berries, along with the rest of the plant, contain cyanide and are poisonous.
Q: My husband and I have been taking glucosamine and chondroitin for about six months to ease arthritis pain. After a cholesterol screening, we were surprised to learn that my husband’s already high cholesterol had risen 67 points, from 243 to 310. Mine remained unchanged.
My husband has been monitoring his cholesterol closely for over a decade. That’s because his brother had to have angioplasty for clogged arteries.
Have you heard from others with a similar story?
A: We have heard from many other readers that glucosamine appeared to raise their cholesterol. However, this effect has not been confirmed in the medical literature.
Many other people tell us that, like you, they have not experienced any change in lipid levels after taking glucosamine. This leaves us wondering if there is a genetic component to the variable responses you have noticed.
Q: My son had angular cheilitis for a couple of years. Sometimes it would get so bad that the corners of his mouth would bleed during the night.
I read about using Aquaphor, an over-thecounter lip balm, for this. It worked beautifully! My son was at the dentist recently when we noticed that he was getting it again and the dentist recommended Aquaphor. I told him we had several tubes at home. Once again, it did the job!
A: Sometimes these sores at the corners of the mouth are caused by yeast overgrowth. Sealing out moisture can help, and your lip moisturizer should do that. Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment contains castor oil, shea butter and beeswax as well as vitamin E, vitamin C, magnesium and a chamomile compound, bisabolol, along with moisturizers. Castor oil discourages the growth of yeast (Candida albicans) and some bacteria (BMC Research Notes, Dec. 1, 2017). Bisabolol also has antifungal activity (World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology, March 2017).
Another reader found that a change in diet got rid of the lesions: “Nothing worked for me until for unrelated reasons I completely cut added sugar from my diet. Then the symptoms just went away. Interestingly, over time my toenail fungus also disappeared — as did many other minor ailments.” Reducing sugar in the diet may make skin less vulnerable to yeast infections.
A different reader recommended oral vitamin B2 (riboflavin) to treat angular cheilitis, also known as perleche. This person suggested that soft drinks could exacerbate a lack of riboflavin in the diet.