Harvard Health Letter articles from February 2005

Harvard Health Letter archives from February 2005

The very old: How different from you and me?
February 1, 2005... Some aging superstars get away with breaking the rules. For the rest of us, healthy choices should pay off. In 2002, the television show Dateline did a segment about exceptional longevity. Paul Roberts was one of the people featured....

Zetia and Zocor: Good together?
February 1, 2005... Combo pill Vytorin may help some reach low LDL goals. It seems as if they keep moving the "bad" LDL cholesterol goal line so it's harder to reach. Health guidelines say your LDL level should be 100 mg/dL or lower if you have diabetes...

Saliva shortage: Seven tips for a dry mouth.
February 1, 2005... Water's good. Sugar-free gum helps. But Listerine may dry out your mouth. Saliva is a health drink for your teeth and mouth. The three pints produced by the salivary glands each day contain antibacterial substances that protect teeth from...

DHEA makes the fat go away.(Dehydroepiandrosterone)
February 1, 2005... A study shows that the hormone could control the effects of obesity. But it's early. Don't be swayed by the promises in ads. DHEA, a hormone with a checkered past, may have a future as a way to prevent and treat the metabolic problems...

The bloom is off echinacea's rose.
February 1, 2005... The herbal remedy for colds hasn't looked so promising in clinical trials. It may not be that long-sought cure. But many people still swear that echinacea (pronounced eck-ah-NAE-sha) does a fine job of taming the all-too-common cold,...

In brief; Is it love -- or just stress hormones?
February 1, 2005... People in all societies and cultures fall in love. The common ingredients include the sensation of being in an altered mental state, intrusive thoughts and images of the beloved, and changes in behavior aimed at getting a reciprocal response....

Why Jesse likes Jennifer.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Even seemingly meaningless similarities may have a pull on us. Shared birthdays, last names, and even first initials make people more attractive to one another. Psychologists chalk this up to implicit egotism: We automatically think positively...

By the way, Doctor; Can I have my Lipitor and grapefruit juice, too?(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Q. I recently started taking Lipitor for high cholesterol. The label says: "Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice at any time while taking this medication." My doctor didn't warn me about grapefruit. Several medically trained friends...

By the way, Doctor; Do I need to be checked for a brain aneurysm?
February 1, 2005... Q. My sister passed away from a brain aneurysm several months ago. She was just 33. My doctor says I have nothing to worry about because it's not hereditary. Still, I'm worried. Do I and other close relatives need to be checked? A. I am...