I've planted vegetables and herbs this year, but they're getting kind of buggy. Are there safe pesticides I can use?
- Claudia V., Boise, Idaho
Pesticides are responsible for allowing farmers to grow huge quantities of crops for an ever-expanding population, but - and it's a big but - we keep finding out they have all kinds of unintended side effects that damage bees (fewer bees, less pollination, fewer crops), disrupt hormone function in people, animals, fish and insects (affecting development of sperm, fertility and, some conjecture, sexual identity), cause behavior and cognitive problems (ADHD in children) and trigger cancer (such as leukemia). And they show up in breast milk; some studies find 60 percent or more of samples contain harmful chemicals.
In addition, contamination of ground water by pesticides is a worldwide problem, and pesticides that are banned for use on agriculture in this country (and manufactured by U.S. companies) are routinely shipped overseas for use on vegetables that then are imported back into America.
So for home gardeners, the smart move is to make your own natural pesticides. Some of our favorite home remedies:
• Throw a kegger for slugs! Shallow plates of beer set out around plants (slugs love strawberries, corn, beans, lettuce ... and beer) will distract and drown the plant-munching pests.
• Go Italian: Bugs hate garlic and onions. Save all your skins and ends from cooking, throw in a hot pepper, and soak them in a bucket of water for 48 hours. Strain and spray to discourage thrips, aphids, grasshoppers and chewing and sucking insects.
• Juice 'em up: Use the peel of four organic lemons and their juice; steep in 1 gallon of hot water. (Some people add a teaspoon of natural soap.) Strain and spray to control aphids.
• Counterattack: Plant radishes next to cucumbers to scare away beetles; rosemary, mint and thyme near cabbage to scare away cabbage worms.
Let us know how your garden fares this year!
I read that taking cox-2 inhibitors or pain relievers like ibuprofen is risky for the heart. Should I stop taking them for my joint pain?
- Sally K., Lexington, Ky.
You probably are referring to a recent study that got a lot of publicity. The study looked only at patients who were already at increased risk of vascular disease; it wanted to see how non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - including the selective cox-2 inhibitor diclofenac, and ibuprofen and naproxen - affected them. The findings: Naproxen seems to pose the least risk for vascular complications in folks with cardiovascular problems. Cox-2 inhibitors and perhaps ibuprofen seem to be the more risky choices. But you need to know a bit more ...
First, cox-2 inhibitors were developed in part to help protect the stomach (and sometimes intestinal) lining, because traditional NSAIDs can cause internal bleeding. However, almost a decade ago, two cox-2 inhibitors, rofecoxib (Vioxx) and valdecoxib (Bextra), were taken off the market because they increased many people's risk for stroke and heart attack. But cox-2 inhibitors that are still available, such as celecoxib and the newer versions like diclofenac, have helped a lot of people manage chronic inflammation and pain. When they're prescribed and administered by a competent medical professional, they are useful. And if you are at risk for adverse stomach and intestinal reactions, your doctor may recommend diclofenac. On the other hand, if you're at risk for a second heart attack or stroke, maybe you need to take naproxen or aspirin instead. Each patient needs to talk with his or her doctor to determine the best choice of medication; it depends on your overall health profile.
And we are fans of aspirin - an effective anti-inflammatory pain reliever that appears to have many other far-reaching benefits, from potential anti-cancer properties to protection against dementia. But it, too, can be hard on the stomach, so always take it with a glass of warm water before and after. And that's not a bad system for taking any NSAID, either!
STRAIGHT TALK ON SUN SAFETY
We should talk. Did you know your lifetime odds for developing skin cancer are a whopping 1 in 5? Treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers (melanoma is the most life-threatening form) jumped by almost 77 percent from 1992 to 2006. And even more startling: From 1970 to 2009, melanoma diagnosis increased by 800 percent in young women and 400 percent in young men.
Thankfully, regularly using sunscreen can slash that risk. (And so can never, ever going anywhere near a tanning bed!) But with store shelves packed with hundreds of brands of sunscreens in all kinds of formulations, choosing the right one can be downright confusing. Here's how to stay safe in the sun this summer:
Step No. 1: Choose a sunscreen with minerals. We're concerned about chemical sunscreens with active ingredients that are absorbed into the skin and, in small amounts, into the bloodstream. Some act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking hormones in the body. We don't know yet what the health effects could be, so play it safe. Look for sunscreens that contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. These finely crushed minerals work by reflecting and scattering the sun's ultraviolet rays like a protective shield. (In contrast, other sunscreens absorb the sun's rays, releasing the damaging energy as heat.) Our top choice is zinc oxide because it's best at blocking both UV-A rays, which harm cells deep in the skin, and UV-B rays, which cause sunburn.
Step No. 2: Avoid chalky-looking skin -- go micronized. Like you, we prefer invisible protection over a thick white coating that'll leave you looking like an extra from "Beach Blanket Bingo." So buy a sunscreen containing micronized zinc oxide that won't leave you looking smeary. (There is some concern that nanoparticles of zinc oxide, and also of titanium dioxide, allow for absorption into the skin, making these potential body pollutants. We'll keep you informed as data emerges.)
Step No. 3: SPF 30 is all you need. Higher sun protection factors offer little extra shielding. Staying in the sun too long because you think you're covered could lead to skin damage. Step No. 4: Use plenty -- and re-apply. Most people skimp on sunscreen, missing out on full protection. The only protection your skin needs is an ounce (a shot glass worth) of SPF 30 micronized zinc oxide, spread thickly to cover all skin exposed when you're wearing a bathing suit (it depends on your body size, natch!). Reapply - usually every two hours, or sooner if you're swimming or sweating.
Step No. 5: Dress to thwart the sun. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when gardening, strolling or sitting by the pool or shore. Tightly woven, dyed fabrics block more rays than gauzy or white materials. But since those rarely give more protection than SPF 6, consider using sun-guard clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 15 to 50. You also can wash sun protection into clothing with laundry additives containing the sunscreen Tinosorb.
Step No. 6: Shade your face and peepers. Slap on a broad-brimmed hat and large sunglasses. These protect delicate facial skin (which deserves a dose of sunscreen year-round) and eyes; they take the brunt of sun exposure in all seasons.
Step No. 7: Take vitamin D-3 and omega-3 DHA. It's true that well-protected skin misses out on the sun exposure your body needs to produce vitamin D. But that's no reason to go outdoors unprotected. A daily vitamin D-3 supplement assures you of a year-round supply of this important vitamin. The sun's rays are too weak to make sufficient D year-round in the northern half of the U.S. and Canada, anyway. Aim for 1,000 IU of vitamin D-3 daily.
Meanwhile, dig into salmon or wild trout twice a week, or get 900 mg of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA from a daily algal oil supplement. One reason sunshine harms skin is that it suppresses the immune system. A new report reveals omega-3 DHA keeps immunity strong, even when you're playing in the summer sun.
• Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at email@example.com.
(c) 2013 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.