Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

656 Health News Update

There have been conflicting headlines lately about vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, and whether it can ward off cancer. Dr. Joan Lappe, a scientist who did a placebo-controlled trial in postmenopausal women, found it could help. How much vitamin D do you need?

Discarding drugs is difficult. We are warned not to toss them away where children or animals might have access to them. Flushing them down the drain puts a strain on water treatment facilities. So what should you do with leftover pills?

 The FDA is considering a new medication (rimonabant) that helps people lose weight, improve their blood fats and lower their blood sugar. But it also may trigger psychiatric side effects.

The lines are open for calls from listeners at 888-472-3366.

Guests: Joan Lappe, PhD, Professor of Nursing and of Medicine, Creighton University: first holder of The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss and Drs. Gilbert and Clinton Beirne Endowed Chair in Nursing at the Creighton University School of Nursing

 Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Chief of Endocrinology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital 

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.