The YOU Docs — Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz — are authors of the best-selling "YOU: The Owner's Manual" and "YOU: On a Diet." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home.
The YOU Docs
Is there an alternative to drugs for low thyroid?
Q. I was diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism a few months ago, and my doctor suggested I start taking a low dose of hormones. I've read that once I start taking them, I can never stop. Is there an alternative? I really would like to avoid the hormones...
Does your calcium have you covered?
Q. I have restless leg syndrome, and the twitching drives me crazy at night. I am taking a medication for it, but it doesn't seem to be doing any good. What causes this syndrome? Is there anything else I can do to get a good night's sleep? — Martha,...
Health issues you can stop worrying about
Q. How likely it is to get an infection from a toilet seat? — Freda K., via e-mail A. About as likely as your winning a $5 million lottery ... without buying a ticket. Most dried secretions lose their ability to infect you. To gain access to your...
Which vitamin is best to buy?
Q. I get totally overwhelmed when I need to buy supplements. There are so many brands, and I have no idea which to trust. What do you recommend? — April, via e-mail A. You're smart not to just buy any old product. Supplements are classified as...
What should I know about vitamins?
Q. I want to start taking a multivitamin to be sure I get all the nutrients I need, but I'm hesitant because in the past, taking a multi increased my appetite and made me gain a lot of weight. Why might that have happened, and how I can avoid that this...
When is it smart to stop your meds?
Q: My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about four years ago. His doctor put him on metformin before he had a chance to change his eating habits and lifestyle. He got control within a few months, thanks to your tips, and he has had normal A1C...
Healthy inside, look good outside
Q. The silicone breast implant that I received 22 years ago has ruptured. Is it urgent to get it removed? I've been told that about 80 percent of old implants have silent ruptures. — Diane, Elizabethtown, Ky. A. You don't have to be operated on...
What's the best way to lose weight?
Q. I quit smoking for two years, but in the process I gained 30 pounds — and I hate it. I've started smoking again in hopes I can lose the weight. I know it's not good for me. I'm 61, a little under 5 feet tall, weigh 138 pounds and hate how I look....
