6 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Healthy bodies
don’t need
supplements
DEAR DR. ROACH: After view-
ing an infomercial that praised the
benefits of probiotics, I would like to
know what you think. Probiotics have
been prescribed when one is taking
antibiotics to replenish the good bac-
teria that is lost.
When taking no medication, I
found that when I took one capsule
(30 billion live cultures per capsule/10
probiotic strains) on a daily basis, I
would get gas and diarrhea; therefore,
I stopped taking them. I thought that
this was the exact opposite reaction
that should have occurred. Please
write about the pros and cons and the
reasons/necessity for taking probiotics
on a daily basis. — D.A.M.
ANSWER: Probiotics are microor-
ganisms, usually bacteria or yeast, that
have beneficial properties. There is at
least some evidence to support the use
of probiotics for inflammatory bowel
disease (Crohn’s and ulcerative coli-
tis), colon inflammation from radia-
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) St.
Valentine’s Day magic rules the entire
week for romantic Rams and Ewes.
Music, which is the food of love, is also
strong. The weekend offers news both
unexpected and anticipated.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your
aspects favor the arts — which the
Divine Bovine loves, loves, loves. Also,
for those looking for romantic love,
Cupid is available for requests. After
all, his mother, Venus, rules your sign.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
Loving commitments continue to grow
stronger. Ditto budding relationships. A
recent move to help start up a new
career-linked direction soon could
begin to show signs of progress.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Single Moon Children might be eager
tion, irritable bowel syndrome and
other diseases of the GI tract.
However, with a few exceptions,
there is very little evidence that taking
anything (prescription or supplement)
is of benefit to people who are healthy
with no symptoms. Probiotics haven’t
been shown to benefit healthy people.
Any treatment can have side effects.
While there may be some benefits,
such as preventing antibiotics-associ-
ated diarrhea, I hesitate before recom-
mending any treatment to a healthy,
asymptomatic person.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: Does high
blood pressure cause irregular or
abnormal heart rhythms? — P.K.S.
ANSWER: Not usually. In some
people with very longstanding high
blood pressure, the heart can become
dilated — blown up like a balloon to
much more than its normal size. When
the heart, particularly the atria (the top
chambers), becomes dilated like that,
it makes atrial fibrillation more likely.
High blood pressure is very com-
mon. Irregular heartbeats are univer-
sal — we all have some every day. It
is human nature to associate one prob-
lem with another, since they are both
related to the heart. However, it’s
more likely that the everyday irregu-
larities you may have had without
noticing take on new significance
with a diagnosis of high blood pres-
sure.
That being said, since it is possible
they are related, it’s certainly worth an
EKG next time you see your internist
or cardiologist to make sure you don’t
have a dangerous heart rhythm.
Sometimes doctors order 24-hour (or
longer) EKGs for use at home, which
can be correlated with any symptoms
of heart irregularities.
The booklet on abnormal heart
rhythms explains atrial fibrillation and
the more common heart-rhythm dis-
turbances in detail. Readers can obtain
a copy by writing: Dr. Roach — No.
107W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando,
FL 32803. Enclose a check or money
order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6.
Canada with the recipient’s printed
name and address. Please allow four
weeks for delivery.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have lower-
back ache and have been seeing a chi-
ropractor, which helps a little. Would
yoga help? — A.
ANSWER: Yoga does help many
people with back pain, but it’s impor-
tant to find an instructor with experi-
ence with beginners and in using yoga
specifically for back pain. Similarly,
tai chi and Pilates exercises have been
shown to be useful treatments for back
pain.
to take that proverbial chance on love.
But your more serious side will feel bet-
ter if you take things slowly and give
your moonstruck self more time.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s a
love fest for Leos and Leonas this week.
Paired Cats might expect to be purr-
fectly in sync. And with matchmaking
friends, single Simbas searching for
romance shouldn’t have too far to look.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) More understanding on both sides
can work miracles in restoring ailing
relationships to health. Make the first
move, and you’ll be closer to your
much-wanted reunion.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Accept the fact that you are worthy
of being loved, and you’ll find proof in
what is revealed to you over the course
of the week. Also accept a compliment
offered with great sincerity.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) Planning to take a new direction in
life is exciting. And so is a new aware-
ness of someone’s special affection.
Expect a slow and mostly steady devel-
opment of the situation.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Although you might still
feel you weren’t treated quite right in a
recent matter, all that will work out in
time. Meanwhile, enjoy the week’s spe-
cial qualities and potentials.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Deciding not to give up on
a troubling romantic situation helps
start the healing process. Expect to find
some valuable insight into yourself as
things move along.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) The week is filled with
positive potentials, but it’s up to you to
make the right choices. The advice of
someone who truly cares for you and
your well-being can be priceless.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
It’s a good time to make yourself avail-
able to possibilities of the romantic
kind. Already paired? Good. In that
case, be sure to reassure that special
person of your feelings.
Siuslaw N ews
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