Health ICAL CURES yth or Fact? Vitamin C for Colds For years, it has been advocated by many that taking daily supplements of vitamin C will prevent colds. An extensive reputable study in 1970 confirmed other studies showing that taking a daily dose of 200 mg or more of vitamin C daily had no effect in preventing colds, but very slightly shortened cold duration by 8% in adults and 14% in children. When vitamin C was taken after a cold started, there was no effect in shortening the duration or severity of the cold. Coconut Oil Advocates promulgating the beneficial effects of consuming or applying coconut oil claim that it helps with weight loss, improving brain function (especially in Alzheimer’s disease), treating seizure disorders, improving cholesterol levels, killing harmful organisms and curing many skin conditions. Unfortunately, at this time, most of this information arises fromword of mouth and lacks good scientific proof of any value. In fact, the American Heart Association states that we should limit our intake of saturated fat to no more than 13 grams a day, the amount found in just one tablespoon of coconut oil. No good evidence is available for its value in weight reduction or other conditions. As with many non-prescription substances, there is evidence of some benefit for certain skin conditions. Non-Prescription Dietary Supplements for Mind and Memory Health food stores and pharmacies have a wide array of natural products such as folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, along with herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba, fish oil, coconut oil and other products purporting to boost brain function and improve memory. According to publications from the Harvard Medical School, most of these products lack solid scientific evidence to prove whether they are safe or do anything to help. As with all such products that are non-prescription in Canada and the United States, these over-the-counter items do not undergo the strict evaluation process that is required for prescription drug approvals. Even their advertisements which imply such benefits are not strictly challenged. In both printed publications and those on television, ads for such products in the U.S. are required to state, “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” Usually the print is so small or the televised warning is so quick, fewwill notice it. As with all non-prescription “remedies,” you should consult your own physician about potential benefits and possible side-effects, especially since there may be reaction with drugs that you are already taking. Onions in Your Socks Another theory emanating from theMiddle Ages was that spreading onions around the dwelling would ward off the plague.This evolved through time to the recommendation of putting the onions in your socks at bedtime. When the discovery of bacteria demonstrated the cause of infection, the theory changed to advocate that onions cure disease by absorbing toxins, even though there’s no scientific evidence that it does, or that it has any effect whatsoever in warding off flu or any infection…another myth from the past. Soap in the Bed for Leg Cramps Aside from the placebo effect, this remedy for the many persons who suffer from nocturnal leg cramps has been analyzed for many years without any definitive evidence that it works. Nevertheless, there are those who swear by it, confirming that their agonizing attacks are either greatly reduced or eliminated. There is little agreement regarding any preferred soap or where it is placed under the bed sheets but, for thousands of advocates, it works. More research is necessary to determine if there is, in fact, some biochemical explanation for this benefit or whether the person’s faith in the remedy serves to alleviate or eradicate the symptoms. These are only a few of the numerous home remedies promoted most often by those who are profiting from their advocacy. Using the Internet to research the effectiveness of various remedies must be done very carefully since reputable sources for information are not nearly as prevalent as the many commercial sites advertising their effectiveness. If you are contemplating a home remedy, do your research and consult your doctor. If you try one for symptoms of a particular medical condition, if it’s safe and affordable and you experience relief, few should discourage you. 34 | www.snowbirds.org
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