Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Tip of the Month - November 2002

Thursday, November 21, 2002

Foods with Vitamins E and C May Lower Risk of Alzheimer's

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Two studies recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that diets rich in antioxidants — especially vitamin E — may play a role in protecting against Alzheimer's disease. One study indicated vitamin C also could be a factor in prevention.

In the November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, Mayo Clinic physicians caution that neither study had an optimal design. Both relied on people's ability to recall what they ate. But even so, the results indicate that a diet relatively high in plant products such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits that contain antioxidants and other nutrients might help protect against Alzheimer's disease.

The studies also found that taking vitamin supplements didn't provide the same protection against Alzheimer's disease as food. Good sources of vitamin E include grains, nuts, milk and egg yolks. Vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits, kiwi, broccoli and cabbage.

Include Your Pharmacist on Your Health-Care Team

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Do you consider your pharmacist part of your health-care team? If not, you might be missing relatively easy access to important information about medications and your health, according to the November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

To get the best counsel, fill all prescriptions at one pharmacy. Provide your pharmacist with a list of all the prescription and over-the-counter drugs you use, including supplements or herbal products. Alert your pharmacist to new medical conditions that may affect which medications you can take safely.

Each time you present a new prescription, ask your pharmacist to review your record and check for potential problems including:

• Previous adverse drug reactions
• Duplicate medications, for example, a generic and brand-name version of the same medication
• Interactions between drugs or foods
• Drugs that may adversely affect an unrelated disease or condition

Call Your Doctor About a Cough When...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — How do you know when an ongoing cough warrants a visit to the doctor?

The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter provides these reasons to check out a nagging cough:

• You have a known risk of lung disease, such as previous lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or are a past or current smoker.
• The cough lasts four to six weeks. Possible causes could be undiagnosed asthma, backup of stomach acid into the esophagus or even side effects of certain medications.
• The cough is accompanied by a fever or shortness of breath. (See a doctor promptly.)
• A change in sputum color. Blood-tinged sputum warrants urgent medical care, especially if you have chest pain. Yellowish or greenish sputum suggests a bacterial infection and requires a doctor's care.

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