It's bad enough that people are ingesting needless pharmaceuticals into their bodies willy nilly. Now the habit of using useless - and potentially dangerous - topical drugs to treat all manner of muscle and joint pain is gaining even more popularity. But unlike most pharmaceuticals, it's an almost universally accepted truth among the medical community that most of these creams and ointments don't do anything...

On a recent trip to the drug store I spotted a box of Bayer “Sugar Free” aspirin.

I never thought of aspirin as being sugared, and with good reason: it’s not. You might find some specialty brand with a coating that contains a trace of sugar, but aspirin does not contain sugar. None.

Months ago, we discussed natural alternatives to OTC pain relievers. Now, before you assume I’m some hippie snake oil peddler, mine is not a blanket, ideological opposition to pharmaceuticals; rather, it’s just that if there are more natural, cheaper, less intrusive ways to relieve pain, why not try them first?

When I first came across a new study from Australian researchers I thought it was covering familiar territory. I quickly realized I was thinking about a study I told you about several years ago, in which vitamin B-2 was shown to help prevent migraines. Turns out, the new study is actually much more promising.

Migraine patients take note: I think this team from Brisbane may be on to something big.

Last week, I had another client complaining of chronic headaches. From a Naturopathic point of view, we have a completely different perspective as to why they happen and we always want to look at the cause! We will not band-aid them by giving pain-relieving medication; but instead look at what is causing them and eliminate that from our life.

New research shows that pynogenol, an extract from pine bark, significantly decreases pain and inflammation related to arthritis.  The study followed 156 patients with painful arthritis of the knee; 77 were given 100mg of pycnogenol per day, while the remaining 79 were given a placebo. 

Dear Pharmacist,

I watched Montel Williams talk about his multiple sclerosis on Oprah. He described a knife-like, burning pain in his legs similar to what I experience. Since I’ve started taking the vitamin B12 you suggested in Chapter 15 of your Drug Muggers book, my pain has lessened. What other suggestions do you have for people with MS?

J.P.

--Seattle, Washington

Dear Pharmacist,

After recent blood tests, I have been diagnosed with Lyme disease, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Can you suggest supplements to help me get a life?

A.D. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Dear Dr. Mirkin,

What’s the best exercise program for a person with back pain?

A new study out of Taiwan has found that the nattokinase enzyme, which is derived from fermented soy, may help to prevent Alzheimer's disease.