Hartford Courant (Sunday)

Hot chile peppers boast variety of health benefits

PRESCRIPTI­ONS AND HOME REMEDIES

- By Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon King Features Syndicate

Q: A recent story on the health benefits of hot peppers got me excited. I love chile peppers and spicy foods and have been eating them since I was a young girl. I’m 76 now and still a “Chile Head.”

I’m wondering if dried chile powder is as helpful to health as fresh chiles?

A: When scientists study chile peppers, they usually focus on capsaicin. That’s the hot stuff in hot peppers, and it differenti­ates them from bell peppers. Dried peppers maintain their capsaicin content.

A study of Italians found that people who eat chile peppers more than four times a week live longer than those who don’t (Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Dec. 24, 2019).

Capsaicin is not the only interestin­g compound in chile peppers. They are also rich in vitamin A and vitamin C and are a good source of quercetin, luteolin and other flavonoids.

Q: I suffered for seven years from really bad nighttime leg cramps. The numerous doctors I saw told me everything from “I don’t know” to “you’re getting old.”

Then my gynecologi­st told me a calcium deficiency could cause cramps and prescribed an over-the-counter calcium supplement. He said it would probably take about a week to notice relief. He was right! I still take calcium supplement­s after 30 years and have no trouble with leg cramps.

A: We have heard from hundreds of leg cramp sufferers about their remedies. Some people, like you, report success with mineral supplement­s such as calcium, magnesium or iron. Others get no relief.

There is a wide range of remedies that people have found successful. What works for one person may not work for somebody else

Most people report, however, that swallowing a spoonful of yellow mustard is surprising­ly effective. Others insist that a sip of pickle juice works just as well. Trial and error seems to be the best way to

learn what helps most.

Q: My doctor prescribed 50,000 units of vitamin D daily because my labwork showed low vitamin D levels. I have developed pain in my right arm and shoulder so severe that I can’t put on a long-sleeved top without help. Also, I have severe restless legs every night, plus terrible insomnia. I am going to stop the vitamin D to see if that is causing all my problems.

A: The dose of vitamin D you are taking is very high. You should definitely check back with your doctor and schedule another blood test as soon as that is feasible.

Vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means that it is stored in the body. As a result, a high dose over time could lead to an excessive level. Symptoms could include muscle pain and weakness. Loss of appetite, digestive upset and fatigue have also been reported.

Q: I’ve had eczema on my fingertips for about 15 years.

I’ve tried over-thecounter cortisone creams and prescripti­ons from my dermatolog­ist. As soon as one finger would start to heal, another would develop a painful slit.

I asked a local pharmacist for anything that could help this condition. She recommende­d O’Keeffe’s Working Hands. I bought some and used it every single time after washing my hands. Within a week, the slits on all my fingers were completely healed.

Now I use it a couple times a day, and my fingers remain completely healed and pain-free.

A: We have heard from other readers that O’Keeffe’s Working Hands can help heal cracked fingertips. Among many other ingredient­s, it does contain urea, which can improve the barrier function of the skin.

Some people have reported great success sealing fingertip cracks with household instant glue or New-Skin liquid bandage.. Sealing also allows fingertips to heal more quickly.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Send questions to them via www .peoplespha­rmacy.com.

 ?? STEVE LEE/DORLING KINDERSLEY ??
STEVE LEE/DORLING KINDERSLEY

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