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Q: Do mouthwashes
with zinc, such as SmartMouth, really work better against bad breath?
A: They might, but more
research is needed. Zinc has been studied as an anti-halitosis
agent since the 1970s, and a few mouthwashes now contain it.
One
brand, SmartMouth, has been heavily advertised. When mixed together
(from separate bottles) before rinsing, zinc chloride
and sodium chlorite produce zinc ions, which, according to the
company, bind to receptors on the surface of mouth bacteria so
they can’t form smelly sulfur compounds. Rinsing with SmartMouth
affords 12 hours of bad-breath protection, the company claims.
Recent reviews note that various forms of zinc have
been shown to reduce oral odor, and that zinc’s effects may be enhanced
when combined with other ingredients. Smart-Mouth’s “zinc
ion technology” is supposed to make it superior to other
zinc mouthwashes. There are plenty of glowing testimonials on websites
that sell it—but little hard data to support them.
It’s
not known what form of zinc, concentration, and ingredient combinations
might offer the best protection against bad breath.
Still, if you use a mouthwash and aren’t happy with the results,
you might try one with zinc, though it will probably cost more.
SmartMouth sells for about $10 for 16 ounces. Advanced Listerine
with zinc chloride costs about $5 for a similar size.
Remember:
No mouthwash can take the place of thorough brushing, flossing,
and regular visits to the dentist. A tongue scraper is
another good weapon against bad breath.

Q: What is kefir, and how does it
compare to yogurt?
A: Kefir
is a cultured dairy product, similar to a yogurt drink, that originated
in the Caucasus Mountains
straddling
Europe and
Asia. Its promoters call it “miracle milk” because
of its alleged health benefits.
Traditionally, kefir is made by
fermenting milk with kefir “grains”—a
mixture of bacteria and yeast bound in a gelatinous matrix. The
result is tangy like yogurt, but it may also be slightly alcoholic
and fizzy, depending on the fermentation time and technique. For
safety and consistency, most commercial kefirs use powdered starter
cultures instead of the grains. In contrast, yogurt is typically
fermented with different strains of bacteria, and not with yeast.
Like
yogurt, kefir contains probiotic bacteria. Probiotics can reduce
antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and they may help irritable
bowel syndrome and other intestinal conditions. Because kefir has
more strains of beneficial bacteria than yogurt, it may have a
wider range of effects. But despite the claims, there’s no
good evidence that kefir—or any probiotic—lowers cholesterol
or blood pressure, increases energy, strengthens nails and hair,
or prevents cancer and diabetes.
Kefir is rich in protein, calcium,
B vitamins, and other nutrients. Choose low-fat or nonfat varieties.
Kefir made from soy milk is
also available. Traditional kefir is not sweet, but most commercial
products have added sugar, along with fruit (or fruit flavors),
which adds calories. Commercial brands don’t contain alcohol.

Q: Can laser therapy help me quit smoking?
A: Not
likely, but no quit-smoking method has a high long-term success
rate. Laser therapy—also called laser acupuncture
(though no needles are used) or cold laser—uses low-level
laser beams to stimulate various “energy points” on
your ears, face, or hands. It’s supposed to promote relaxation
and release pain-relieving endorphins to help relieve nicotine
withdrawal symptoms.
Many websites tout it—with outlandish
claims of up to 90% success rates and “guaranteed results.” But
there’s
no scientific evidence that it works, and no major health organization
endorses it. In a study in the American Journal of Chinese
Medicine in 2000, teen smokers were just as likely
(or rather, unlikely) to quit smoking after treatment with a real
laser as a placebo
laser. The FDA approved laser therapy for temporary pain relief,
but a loophole allows centers to offer it for smoking cessation
if they say they are conducting clinical trials—though it’s
unlikely they’re doing rigorous research.
On the other hand,
there’s no single best method for quitting
smoking. Nicotine gum and patches, certain antidepressants, hypnosis,
acupuncture, and support groups may suit different people, so if
you’re trying to quit and can’t, it is important to
keep trying new things. Laser therapy may help some people, especially
if they believe it will. But it’s pricey—about $300
or more—and not covered by insurance.

Q: If one glass of wine is good for
you, why not two or three? How about four glasses over the day?
A: For
alcohol, as for many other things, moderation is the rule. A little
is good, but more is not better.
Studies have found that
moderate drinkers have the lowest overall mortality rate—lower
than nondrinkers or heavy drinkers.
Moderate drinking is defined
as one drink a day for a woman, two for a man. A “drink” is
4 to 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof
liquor, which all contain the
same amount of alcohol.
Drinking—especially heavy drinking—increases
the risk of some cancers. Thus, the American Cancer Society recommends
restricting
alcohol or abstaining, even though moderate drinking benefits the
heart. Excessive drinking increases the risk of injuries from falls
and other accidents. It may also, of course, be a sign of alcoholism.

Q: What
are the benefits and risks of douching?
A: Vaginal
douching has plenty of risks and no benefits.
About one-third of
young American women douche routinely—for
example, after menstruation. Many douching products contain fragrances,
and manufacturers claim these will help women feel clean and “fresh.” The
vagina, however, cleans itself, and douching may kill some of the
helpful bacteria that normally reside there. This, in turn, may
promote more harmful bacterial and yeast infections.
Douching will
not prevent sexually transmitted diseases, as is sometimes claimed.
In fact, it can introduce and propel harmful
organisms further into the reproductive tract. And it can irritate
the vagina and cause chronic discharge and discomfort.
Douching
also will not prevent pregnancy. Do not use it as a contraceptive
after sexual intercourse. If you’re trying to get pregnant,
regular douching may reduce your chances. Douching has been linked
to an increased risk of ectopic (outside the uterus) pregnancies,
which can be life-threatening, and to pre-term delivery and low
birth weights. Some studies have also linked douching with pelvic
inflammatory disease.
UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, July 2008

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