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To help our readers achieve and maintain optimum health by providing the latest findings from the world’s leading experts in both mainstream and natural/complementary medi cine, and guidance through the increasingly complex and often hostile health-care system. Bottom Line/Health is an independent publica tion that neither accepts outside advertising nor answers to any institution. Our only allegiance is to you, our reader.

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with your doctor before using this remedy, since fruit contains high amounts of natural sugar.) • Zinc. Used within 24 hours after symptoms start, zinc lozenges can shorten the duration of a cold by at least a day. Use the lozenges until the cold is gone, but don’t take more than four lozenges a day. • Vitamin C. Throughout cold season, take 500 mg of vitamin C twice a day to prevent colds…or 1,000 mg twice a day to recover from a cold more quickly. (If you get diarrhea from this dose, reduce the amount you take accordingly.) LARYNGITIS

at health-food stores). Lean over the pan with a towel draped over your head to trap the steam. Being careful not to burn yourself, breathe the steam for a few minutes, two to three times a day. SORE THROAT

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Barrie R. Cassileth, PhD Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD University of Exeter, England Charles B. Inlander Harlan Krumholz, MD Yale University School of Medicine Marianne J. Legato, MD Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Richard O’Brien, MD American College of Emergency Physicians Jack M. Rosenberg, PharmD, PhD Long Island University Bernie Siegel, MD Exceptional Cancer Patients Rosemary Soave, MD Weill Medical College of Cornell University Jamison Starbuck, ND Walter C. Willett, MD Harvard School of Public Health __________________________________________ Bottom Line/Health USPS 001-537 (ISSN 1092–0129) is published monthly by Boardroom Inc., at 281 Tresser Blvd., Stamford, CT 06901-3229, $59.90/ yr., $6/issue. Periodicals postage paid at Stamford, CT, and additional mailing offices. Canadian and foreign price $66.90/yr. (US funds). Canadian GST#: 126735513RT. Postmaster: Send address changes to Bottom Line/Health, Box 422318, Palm Coast, FL 32142-2318. Bottom Line/Health is a trademark of Boardroom Inc. Copyright © 2013 by Boardroom Inc. Quotation not permitted. Material may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form whatsoever. Editorial questions and comments should be directed to Bottom Line/Health, Box 10702, Stamford, CT 069040702…or BLHealth@Boardroom.com. Subscription inquiries, payments, changes of address and mailing list re moval inquiries should be directed to Subscription Services Department, Bottom Line/Health, Box 422318, Palm Coast, FL 32142-2318. To resolve subscription problems quickly, telephone 800289-0409. On occasion, we make our subscribers’ names available to companies with products or services in which you may be interested. If you do not want to be included in these mailings, please notify us in writing.

Most colds clear up in a week or so, but they’re sometimes followed by laryngitis, inflammation of the larynx (voice box) that can last for several weeks. In addition to resting your voice as much as possible, try this… • Steam with eucalyptus oil. Few remedies are better than steam and eucalyptus, a powerful decongestant, for quick relief of laryngitis. What to do: After boiling a couple of cups of water in a saucepan, turn off the heat and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil (available

A sore throat is usually due to a viral infection. If the pain is not severe—and the soreness starts to go away within a few days—you probably won’t need medical treatment. If the pain doesn’t go away, or it seems to be getting worse, see your doctor to check for strep throat. For a simple sore throat… • Gargle. Use a salt–baking soda solution. The salt draws fluids from the tissues and reduces swelling and pain. Baking soda makes the gargle more soothing. What to do: Add about one-half teaspoon each of salt and baking soda to one cup of warm water… and gargle for 30 to 60 seconds. Important: Do not gargle with commercial antiseptic mouthwash. Even though it temporarily reduces bacteria in the mouth, it may damage mucous membranes in the throat and increase the risk for infection. More FROM dr. horovitz

A Surprising Cause of Hoarseness f you’re hoarse, but it’s not due to a cold or overuse of your voice (as is often the case with singers, politicians, preachers and sports fans), there may be another cause—and it’s often overlooked. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a condition in which stomach acid backs up into the larynx or throat (pharynx). It’s similar to what happens with heartburn—but without the typical “burn” in the chest. What to do… • Follow heartburn-prevention strategies. The same steps that you follow to prevent heartburn—eating smaller meals…avoiding greasy, fatty foods…not eating within a few hours of going to bed…and raising the head of the bed a few inches—will also help prevent LPR. • Neutralize stomach acid. Alginate is a compound that neutralizes acid and helps prevent it from surging out of the stomach. It is an active ingredient in heartburn products such as Gaviscon. • Try DGL. Taken in pill or powder form before meals when you’re feeling hoarse, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) helps prevent stomach acid from damaging the larynx. Drugs such as Prilosec have a similar effect, but they increase osteoporosis risk. DGL is a safer remedy.

November 2013

Bottom Line/Health