Q: I’ve heard that exercising lowers a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Why is that, and if I exercise, does that mean I can stop taking my Femara?
– T.E., Atlanta
A: Being overweight is a well-known risk factor for many disorders, including breast cancer. It is partly because fat cells produce more estrogen, and some tumors are fed by estrogen. The more you make, the faster the tumor will grow.
But weight isn’t the only factor, of course. Cancer is a complex condition. No, don’t go off your Femara, and please note that any changes you wish to make to your medication regimen should always be discussed with your physician. Femara is a prescribed medication that is used to reduce the burden of estrogen in the body, so it stops the “feeding” of certain cancers that grow in the presence of estrogen. It is classified as an aromatase inhibitor drug; others in this class include Arimidex and Aromasin.
Q: One of your recent columns mentioned taking Lactium (casein hydrolysate) from milk to help with anxiety. I’ve checked with several health-food stores and a pharmacist and none have heard of it. Where can I get it?
– J.G.
A: Since I wrote about Lactium a few weeks ago, I’ve been inundated with requests for a good product. The original makers don’t sell direct to consumers anymore. I found the best source for this at Swanson Health Products, which does sells directly to consumers if you call or go online. Call 800-824-4491 or visit swansonvitamins.com.
Ultimate Stress Pills combine Lactium with other stress-busting ingredients, such as Panax ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, Rooibus tea extract, L-theanine (which comes from green tea), passion flower extract and a few other soothing ingredients. The combination looks like it would be effective.
Furthermore, the company has experts on board to answer any questions you may have about their products. Ultimate Stress Pills sell for $30 a bottle (90 caps). Naturally, if you take sedatives or other anti-anxiety medications, you may want to start with lower dosages or make medication adjustments so you don’t get overly sedated. Also, if you are allergic to the milk protein casein, this product is not for you.
Did you know? Parsley might be a quick-fix remedy to neutralize bad breath. Just make sure you get the green off your teeth before you smile!
Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. To contact her, visit dearpharmacist.com.
