Please read this section before you submit a question to Ask the Doctor — it may already have been answered! To read the latest, check out this week's answers.

Food/Nutrition FAQS

• My sister uses laxatives for weight loss. Does this really work?
• I'm in my mid-thirtes and have always had a high metabolism. How do I keep it?
• How does a high protein diet effect the body?
• Should my insurance company pay to help me lose weight ?
• I began losing my hair in big clumps after starting to lose weight with Dexatrim. Could Dexatrim be the cause?
• Is it normal to eat and drink very little some days?
• Am I getting the same nutritional value when I substitute the frozen food for fresh?
• How do the benefits of taking garlic compare to taking cholesterol-lowering medications?
• What does RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) mean?
• What is ipecac syrup and how does it work? How do laxatives purge the body of food, and what are their side effects?
• What, if any, difference is there between vitamin E labeled "DL-alpha" versus "D-alpha"?
• How much protein is recommended as a daily intake?
• How much vitamin A is too much vitamin A?
• I've heard that dairy products can actually make me lose calcium. Is this true?
• Is it true that calcium supplements and iron supplements cancel each other out?
• How can I wean myself off junk food?
• How can a thin person gain weight?
• Is a diet high in carbohydrates safe?
• What causes caffeine addiction?
• Which has more caffeine — tea or coffee?
• Is it dangerous to have a high triglyceride level?
• Is the phen-fen weight-loss cocktail safe?
• How can I control my fat and calorie intake when eating out?
• Can drinking too much water be bad for you?
• I broke my wrist. Should I take calcium to speed healing?
• Can tranquilizers help with bulimia?
• What can I do about pernicious anemia? (B12 deficiency)
• How can I lose weight when dieting and exercise don't work?
• What are the benefits and risks of the new drug DHEA?
• Which is better for weight loss, fenfluramine or Redux?
• Can potassium stop leg cramps?
• What foods can't you eat if you have diabetes?
• I weigh 294 lbs. and eat when I am unhappy, moody, angry. Never when I am hungry!
• My boyfriend won't eat vegetables -- what can I do?
• My fingernails don't grow very much ...
• When would Vitamin A be toxic?
• Should everyone take antioxidants?
• How can I overcome food cravings?
• Do those "burn fat quickly" pills work?
• Which vitamins should I take?
• Is it possible that my diet is too low in fat?
• What is max dosage for melatonin?
• Can chromium help me lose weight?
• How dangerous is bulimia?
• Does ginseng work?

Other Ask the Doctor Subject Areas: Alternative Medicine | Common Ailments | Drug & Alcohol-Related | Fitness/Sports Injuries | General Medical | Men's Health | Sexuality/Sexual Health | Stress/Mental health | Women's Health

Or, search Ask the Doctor by entering keywords below: