Good Housekeeping Magazine 2009, US Edition (Health)
February 2009
p. 35. Medical Money saver. “ The next time your doctor offers you a free drug sample for an ongoing condition, think twice before accepting. Drug companies typically give out only more expensive brand name drugs for samples, and in the long run, that can cost you money. If you do well on medication, your doctor is likely to keep prescribing it, instead of a generic, which - in the months after the freebies run out - would be significantly cheaper.” Source: Wake Forest University.
My comment: Many pharmacies offer to substitute the brand name medications for generics. Also, you can ask your doctor to prescribe you a generic if any available for that particular medication.
P. 97. Sweet cough cure. Buckwheat honey is a safe alternative to OTC cold meds, say Penn State researches: It’s actually more effective than dextromethorphan, a common cough syrup ingredient. Study leader Ian Paul, M.D., recommends ½ teaspoon for ages 1 to 5, one teaspoon for 6 to 11, and two teaspoons for 12 every couple of hours as needed.
P. 125. Portobello mushrooms from Dole. Most of us don’t get enough of vitamin D - a real concern, because low levels are linked to cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. What’s more, very few foods provide much of the nutrient. One package of Dole’s Portobello mushroom caps and slices contains 800 Ius of D, the daily amount experts suggest. The secret is a simple flash of light during the growth process, which helps the mushrooms synthesize more D, without changing the taste.
April 2009
p. 35. Your doctor has prescribed the anticlotting medication Plavix. Would you rather pay $225 for a month supply - or $128? That’s how much the price varied between two stores in a recent Florida survey, which also found prices were not always rock-bottom at chain stores; some independent pharmacies were at least competitive.
Bottom line: If you take more than one medication, shop around for each, says researcher Walid Gellad, M.D. “You might find your best deals at separate stores.”
p.36. Pistachios Lower Cholesterol. A daily 1.5-ounce serving (74 nuts) can drop LDL 9 percent, significantly cutting your risk of heart disease. The nuts’ phytosterols appear to help stop the absorption of cholesterol from other foods you eat. That amount equals 240 calories, but it’s the same as 15 ounces (48) of not-so-heart-healthy corn chips.
Source: Pennsylvania State University.
p.87. Help Prevent Eating Disorder. Adolescent girls who eat five or more meals a week with their families are about one-third less likely to develop dangerous eating patterns (like self-induced vomiting and using laxatives or diet pills) than those who dine with their folks less often, reports a recent study from University of Minnesota.
