Question: My doctor told me my di-hydrotestosterone (DHT) levels are high. He recommends taking patent medications to help this. I really don't want to take a patent medicine, but he says DHT is carcinogenic, and that's not good for me either. What would you recommend?

Dear Pharmacist,

I have 4 kids all in school between kindergarten and 8th grade. We are at the doctor’s office all year long. Do you have advice to help parents like me (and other students) who catch whatever is floating around?

Question: My doctor wants to put me on a prescription for my blood pressure. I have never been on any prescription drugs in my life and I don't want to start now. Diet and exercise can help, I know, but what else can I do?

Question: I know that most cries of "herbs are dangerous!" are unfounded. But can herbs react with drugs? Are those reactions dangerous?

Dear Pharmacist,

I have high blood pressure but I’m not willing to start medication yet. It’s only borderline high and I don’t have insurance. If you had to pick only one vitamin, what would you suggest?

Question: I've had very thick heel calluses for most of my adult life. I've tried everything from lotions to scraping to soaking and nothing seems to work. Is there anything that will help?

Question: My doctor recently said he suspects I have hyperthyroidism. What treatments have you used successfully?

Dear Pharmacist,

I’m concerned about diabetes, I’m overweight, and it runs in my family. My sister has your diabetes book and said you recommend Holy Basil, among other herbs and nutrients. Is that the same as regular basil and would you tell me more?

Question: One of my friends recently mentioned that she'd heard that something called pregnenolone can take care of all of the problems we have with aging. What is it? Is it something you'd recommend?

Dear Dr. Mirkin:

How does lack of exercise cause diabetes and heart attacks?