Q. My daughter’s friend is pregnant and eats Vicks VapoRub. I read in one of your articles about people eating something that’s not food. Is it caused by some sort of vitamin deficiency?
A. Vicks VapoRub may have many uses, but it should not be eaten! This familiar salve contains camphor, which can be toxic when ingested. Even if it didn’t harm the woman herself, there is the baby to consider.
People sometimes feel compelled to eat strange things if they are deficient in minerals, particularly iron or zinc. Your daughter’s friend should be tested to see if she is missing one of these essential minerals. Correcting the deficiency should ease her craving for Vicks.
Q. Several years ago, our optometrist prescribed my husband a product called TheraTears Nutrition to relieve dry eyes. The daily dose of three softgels contains omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil (EPA 450 mg, DHA 300 mg), 1000 mg organic flaxseed oil, 183 IU Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol), and 20 mg mixed tocopherol concentrate (including gamma tocopherol).
The last time my husband’s cholesterol was checked, it had dropped from around 250 to 150! Could TheraTears Nutrition have contributed to this change?
A. We checked with the scientist who developed this nutritional supplement, Jeffrey Gilbard, M.D. He says there are a number of anecdotal reports that this dietary supplement can lower cholesterol. In addition to relieving dry eyes, there is some data suggesting that TheraTears Nutrition may improve dry mouth symptoms in people with Sjogren’s syndrome.
Q. Thank you for highlighting the fact that birth control pills reduce libido in some people. I had this problem and had to figure it out myself. Doctors sent me for psychological counseling when the problem was hormonal.
Libido does not return automatically when you stop the oral contraceptive. A short (2 or 3 weeks) daily dose of bio-identical testosterone will bring desire back. I took 1 mg (sublingual) bio-identical testosterone prescribed by my doctor and prepared by a compounding pharmacy.
Another thing about the Pill: The progesterone has a depressant effect for some people. Doctors may prescribe antidepressants instead of addressing the cause of the problem.
A. According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (Jan. 2006), women taking oral contraceptives may have less interest in sex as well as less arousal. This seems to be caused by lower levels of testosterone circulating in the bloodstream.
The therapy that worked for you (stopping the Pill and taking testosterone for a short time) might help other women. A doctor familiar with the effects of birth control pills on sexuality should supervise the treatment. We have prepared Guides to Female Sexuality, Sexual Dysfunction and Estrogen and Progesterone for a more in-depth discussion of these concerns. Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (63 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. WPZ, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Q. Why do blood pressure readings vary so much? Mine was 124/72 in the morning and went to 144/85 in the afternoon. I don’t take blood pressure pills, just OTC allergy medicine.
A. Blood pressure varies throughout the day, but decongestants in allergy pills may raise it.
