1. Do I need to take CoQ-10?
2. If I take several medications can I still drink grapefruit juice and eat grapefruit?
3. I like to snack. Is that unhealthy?
4. Is there anything besides food that boosts the immune system?
5. Is peanut butter bad for me?
6. Does 100% wheat or multi-grain or cracked wheat on a bread label mean that particular bread is a good source of fiber?
7. Should I drink tea daily?
8. Is cranberry juice good for me?
9. I have heard that avocados are the perfect food. Is this correct?
10. Is bottled water better for me than tap water?
1. Do I need to take CoQ-10?
Not if you are healthy. CoQ-10 is found naturally in the body and is manufactured by the body. It is necessary for the basic functioning of cells. Further research needs to be done to determine if CoQ-10 has any effect on cancer, muscle pain when taking statin drugs, Parkinson’s disease or congestive heart failure. It has not been shown that replacing low CoQ10 with supplements is beneficial. The use of supplemental CoQ-10 as a treatment is controversial. Taking CoQ10 cannot hurt you, however, it is very expensive.
2. If I take several medications can I still drink grapefruit juice and eat grapefruit?
Grapefruit can alter the blood levels of many drugs. The levels of some drugs might be lowered and the levels of other might be raised. Of the most commonly prescribed medications, the blood levels of the following can be affected: statins; Viagra; several blood pressure medications; several sleeping pills and sedatives. Discuss the consumption of grapefruit with your physician and your pharmacist.
3. I like to snack. Is that unhealthy?
By all means if you need to gain weight you should have snacks frequently. If you are overweight limit snacks to one hour apart and keep them to 100 calories or less. Look for snacks with no transfats and one gram of saturated fat or less. If you have diabetes limit carbohydrates to 22 grams or less per snack.
4. Is there anything besides food that boosts the immune system?
Tai Chi might be a way to boost the immune system. It is a wonderful form of movement that combines meditation, relaxation and moderate exercise.
5. Is peanut butter bad for me?
Absolutely not. Peanut butter is a good source of monounsaturated fat. These are the fats that help to lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (the good cholesterol).
6. Does 100% wheat or multi-grain or cracked wheat on a bread label mean that particular bread is a good source of fiber?
These terms are misleading. Read the ingredient list. The first ingredient should be a whole grain.
7. Should I drink tea daily?
Yes. There are many possible benefits from the antioxidants in tea. It can be caffeinated or decaffeinated. Most herbal teas do not contain these antioxidants and there are low concentrations of them in iced tea and ready-to drink tea. Brew a cup yourself.
8. Is cranberry juice good for me?
Answer: Cranberry juice may prevent urinary tract infections and it is a good source of vitamin C. You might want artificially sweetened cranberry juice. Regular cranberry juice is loaded with sugar. Cranberry juice can interact with blood-thinning medication (Warfarin).
9. I have heard that avocados are the perfect food. Is this correct?
There is no one perfect food, however avocados are a good source of the healthy monounsaturated fats. The calories in two tablespoons of avocado are about equivalent to the calories in one teaspoon of mayonnaise.
10. Is bottled water better for me than tap water?
Tap water is better for you than bottled water. Tests of many bottled waters have shown several of them contain many pollutants. Tap water is less likely to be contaminated. It also keeps all of those plastic bottles out of landfill areas and it is less expensive than bottled water. If you are concerned about the water from your tap you can filter it with carbon filters.
