Harvard Health Letter articles from March 2005

Harvard Health Letter archives from March 2005

Lessons to learn from the COX-2 saga.
March 1, 2005... Yes, FDA reforms are needed. And marketing distorts how medications are used. But one moral to the story is that all drugs have risks. The bad news for the COX-2 pain relievers started in September 2004. Rofecoxib (Vioxx) was pulled from...

Is it okay to be fat if you're fit?
March 1, 2005... Research suggests that physical activity may cancel out some of the bad effects of being overweight or obese. Humanity is getting pudgy, and worse. High-calorie diets and low-activity lifestyles have created a massive "globesity" problem....

The new dietary dos and don'ts.
March 1, 2005... Every five years the federal government issues new dietary guidelines that are supposed to put the country on the road to healthier eating. Apparently Americans have been taking some wrong turns because two thirds of us are now overweight and...

Overdoing the late-night nosh.
March 1, 2005... Some people get into an unhealthy pattern of nighttime eating. Depression or hormonal imbalances may be to blame. Now and then many of us enjoy having a late-night snack. And remember Dagwood Bumstead's midnight forays into the kitchen for...

In brief; More on sleeping pills.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... We have received several letters asking about over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Tylenol PM that combine a pain reliever and a sleep aid. Several people said the pills helped them sleep and wanted to know if it was a good idea to keep on...

In brief; Don't brush off flossing.
March 1, 2005... The conventional wisdom: Flossing is the best way to get rid of the bits of food and that whitish, smelly stuff that collects in the tiny furrows between your teeth and your gums. The white film is the "plaque buildup" they talk about so much...

By the way, doctor; Is it safe to take vitamin E pills?(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q Many years ago my doctor recommended that I take two 400-IU vitamin E pills each day for leg cramps. Now I hear that vitamin E may increase my risk for heart disease, and I already have had heart problems. What should I do? A The story...

By the way, doctor; Should I take Pravachol and TriCor together?(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q I take Pravachol to control my cholesterol, and because of my high triglycerides, my doctor wants to add TriCor. But my pharmacist warns against taking both medications. If I don't take TriCor, are there alternatives? A Pravastatin...