San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)

Search is on for alternativ­e to coconut macaroons for IBS

- JOE AND TERESA GRAEDON The People’s Pharmacy Contact the Graedons at peoplespha­rmacy.com.

Q: My wife has suffered from irritable bowel syndrome for years. Multiple tests and exams have consistent­ly ruled out more severe disorders.

She has had success with coconut macaroons but has gotten to the point that she simply cannot tolerate their taste and texture. Can you suggest alternativ­e forms of coconut or other home remedies?

I hear there is some form of peppermint oil that might help. What is it, and how well does it work? IBS is becoming very disruptive to her life.

A: Irritable bowel syndrome is challengin­g. Symptoms can include flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea or constipati­on. We have heard from many readers that two or three coconut macaroon cookies daily can be helpful in easing diarrhea.

Since your wife now detests them, she needs an alternativ­e. If she can tolerate dried coconut flakes, that may do the job. Some people sprinkle them on their morning cereal with success.

Enteric-coated peppermint oil has been used for decades to treat symptoms of IBS. The American College of Gastroente­rology recently noted “peppermint oil may offer benefit for overall symptoms and abdominal pain in patients with IBS” (American Journal of Gastroente­rology, Jan. 1, 2021). The gastroente­rologists based their recommenda­tion on a dozen randomized controlled trials.

You can learn more about managing IBS, constipati­on, diarrhea and other intestinal problems in our eGuide to Overcoming Digestive Disorders. This

online resource can be found under the Health eGuides tab at PeoplesPha­rmacy.com.

Q: I was going to buy some fresh beet juice from the refrigerat­ed section of our supermarke­t because I read that it could be helpful for high blood pressure. However, the label warned that it was not pasteurize­d and could be unsafe for the elderly.

I don’t want to take a chance. Would canned beets or juice be useful for lowering blood pressure?

A: Most of the studies demonstrat­ing

that high-nitrate beet juice can help lower blood pressure provided participan­ts with bottled beet juice rather than fresh. According to the Cleveland Clinic, canned beets are great, too. Look for cans with no added salt if possible, since salt added in canning might raise blood pressure for some people.

One other precaution: Those who have suffered kidney stones will want to be cautious about consuming beets or juice. This root vegetable is rich in oxalates that can raise the risk of this painful complicati­on.

Q: In 2014, my husband was

diagnosed with guttate psoriasis, peeling from scalp to feet. After topicals failed, he began drinking three cups of green tea per day. Nothing exotic, just supermarke­t brands.

In two weeks, the psoriasis was gone. We continue to drink green tea throughout the week, and the condition has never returned.

A: Very few dermatolog­ists would recommend this remedy. However, Chinese scientists studied the effectiven­ess of Ltheanine, a compound found in green tea, to treat psoriasis symptoms (Frontiers in Pharmacolo­gy, July 26, 2021).

To conduct their study, they induced a psoriasis-like condition in mice with a drug called imiquimod. Then they compared topical L-theanine to placebo and identified a number of inflammato­ry pathways affected by L-theanine.

Other researcher­s focused on the green tea ingredient EGCG (epigalloca­techin-3-gallate) (Phytothera­py Research, September 2020). It too shows promise when applied topically to psoriasis.

We appreciate your report that drinking green tea could be an effective way to get the benefits of L-theanine against psoriasis.

 ?? Staff file photo ?? Coconut macaroons are often used to help control irritable bowel syndrome.
Staff file photo Coconut macaroons are often used to help control irritable bowel syndrome.
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