South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Coffee and caffeine may protect you from dementia
Q: I have read articles suggesting that coffee may have health benefits, especially against dementia. As a result, I try to drink four or five
6-ounce cups a day. Does this seem sensible?
A: When coffee is roasted, compounds form that appear to have neuroprotective activity (Frontiers in Neuroscience, Oct.
12, 2018). Coffee contains compounds such as caffeic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and phenylindane that contribute to this effect.
Caffeine also may be protective. A review in the journal Nutrients (Feb. 6, 2021) concludes that “caffeine may exert some beneficial effects in (Alzheimer’s disease).”
When cocoa or chocolate is added to coffee it may be even more helpful. Italian researchers reported that older people consuming two or more cups of mocha coffee daily were less depressed and had better scores on cognitive function tests (Nutrients, Feb. 6, 2021). They note: “This is the first study focused on the association between a specific coffee preparation method (i.e. mocha) and cognitive impairment and late-life depression in a homogeneous population of non-demented elderly subjects with (subcortical ischemic vascular disease).”
Q: I’m the poster child for taking fiber to control diarrhea. After an ileostomy for ulcerative colitis, I was a slave to Imodium to control constant loose stools. A doctor prescribed psyllium fiber instead of Imodium for my malady. Miracle of miracles, the fiber not only gave me relief from the diarrhea, it made the stool much softer.
Another benefit was lower cholesterol. After nearly 30 years, I’m living proof of the benefits of a tablespoon of fiber before each meal.
A: Most people think of psyllium as a way to control constipation. But this soluble fiber can also help combat diarrhea (Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, March
1, 2021). In addition, psyllium can lower LDL cholesterol (Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases, Jan.
16, 2021). Scientists have discovered that this fiber can also lower the glycemic index of a meal (Foods, Feb. 27, 2021).
Q: About two months ago, after getting my sneakers wet during a rainstorm, I developed seriously stinky feet.
I tried new shoes and every anti-odor spray and powder, but nothing worked. I was about at my breaking point until I tried rubbing alcohol. I put it on my feet after a shower and use it as disinfectant on my shoes. My feet have been odor -free ever since.
A: Some readers have used rubbing alcohol to disinfect their shoes and reduce foot odor. It makes sense that it might help to apply alcohol to the feet as well. Other people use amber Listerine foot soaks. This mouthwash contains 26.9% alcohol.
Q: For years I have taken Zovirax or Valtrex to stop fever blisters. If I take either one when I first notice the irritation, it stops the fever blister right then. Amazing! I thought your readers would like to know.
A: Acyclovir (Zovirax) was one of the very first antiviral drugs developed by the pharmaceutical industry. It was followed by valacyclovir (Valtrex). Both compounds can effectively stop herpes simplex 1 outbreaks (cold sores) if taken at the first sign of a lesion. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Send questions to them via www.peoplespharmacy.com.