Using Supplements To Lower Heart Risk Isn’t Backed By Evidence
DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had a CT scan, and my score was 184. My cardiologist put me on 40 mg of Lipitor, which I reluctantly took for three weeks until I developed severe pain in my feet and hands. I stopped taking it, and the pain went away.
I’m a 64-year-old male in excellent shape. I’m currently taking a chelation supplement, vitamin K2 (MK-7), and red rice yeast with CoQ10. Do you have any suggestions for the treatment of my issue? — A.D. ANSWER: I’m sorry to say that I disagree with all of your choices. Lipitor is a reasonable choice for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes in a person at an increased risk, such as a 64-year-old man with a coronary calcium score of 184. (I can’t give a better assessment of your risk without knowing a lot more about you, such as your blood pressure and cholesterol.) Muscle aches are not uncommon with statin drugs like Lipitor, but research has shown that in most people with muscle or joint aches who take statins, the medication is not the underlying cause. (In one study where a person didn’t know whether they were taking a statin, the symptoms disappeared. In another, a person who changed from a statin to a placebo every two months was very likely to have no more pain on the placebo than they would on the statin.) Nonetheless, there are other statins that might not cause pain, as well as alternatives like ezetimibe and bempedoic acid, which do not increase the risk of muscle aches and have been proven to reduce heart risk. A recent large trial on chelation using powerful intravenous infusions did not show any improvement in hospitalizations for heart disease, heart attack, stroke or death compared to a placebo. I don’t recommend an unregulated oral supplement. Although people who take menaquinone-7 (also called vitamin K2) have a lower heart disease risk than those who don’t, a randomized trial to prevent calcification of the aortic valve found no benefit. I did not find a trial showing that treating people with vitamin K2 led to a reduced heart risk. Red yeast rice contains the same active ingredient as the statin drug lovastatin, but at such a low dose that cholesterol levels were not substantially lowered in a recent trial. CoQ10 has been repeatedly shown to be no better than a placebo at reducing statin side effects. In addition to medication therapy, it’s important not to underestimate the effects of a healthy, plant-based diet and regular moderate exercise. • • • DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on stevia. It was interesting and helpful, but what I did not see mentioned was the fact that stevia side effects “might include bloating.” Boy howdy! We’re talking gas city when I ate some sugar-free chocolates that contained stevia instead of sugar. The flatulence resulting from these stevia chocolates lasted for hours. Stevia produces worse gas than refried beans, onion rings or Brussels sprouts. My advice for anyone eating any food supplemented with stevia is to make sure that you stay home during the hours following ingestion so you can pass gas in private. — Anon. ANSWER: Stevia itself doesn’t cause gas in most people. But when I looked up the brand of sugar-free chocolates you mention (the name of which I’m not going to print), I found that they have a large amount of maltitol and sorbitol. These are sugar alcohols that are sweet, do not get absorbed, and are very well-known for causing bloating, gas and diarrhea. Not everyone will get these side effects, but I am almost sure it was the sugar alcohols, not the stevia, that caused your symptoms. Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer
individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to [email protected]. © 2025 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved 
Physical Activity and VacationIt can be tempting to skip exercise on vacation! However, staying active is key for maintaining overall well-being. Here are some practical tips:
1. Set Realistic Expectations. Vacations are meant for relaxation, but don’t ignore your exercise routine altogether. Be realistic about how often you can work out during your trip. Remember, any exercise is better than none. 2. Plan Ahead. Before you travel, check out your options. Some hotels have fitness facilities. 3. Stay Active. If you cannot find a gym, find other ways to keep moving. Walk instead of driving. Take the stairs. Perform body weight exercises like push-ups. These small efforts add up. Read Walk Your Way to Fitness, store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/5530, for more information. 4. Embrace Adventure. Get creative with your activity. Instead of sticking to your usual routine, plan an adventure. Try biking or hiking. Explore new trails. Go kayaking. Different activities engage muscles you might not use regularly. 5. Do Not Stress. Don’t worry about missing your usual workouts. Enjoy your vacation time and relax. Be sure to return home ready to get back into your fitness routine. So go ahead, explore, and keep moving while making memories. Adapted from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Words on Wellness, August 2024.
Most of us know that water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Wood burns at 575 degrees and glass melts around 900 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the National Safety Council, sparklers can burn up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. We don’t let our children and grandchildren put their hand inside a boiling pan of water yet every year around the 4th of July we hand them sparklers and let them run around the yard.
Thousands of people are taken to local emergency rooms due to fireworks-related injuries each year. In 2017, 8 people were killed due to fireworks-related mishaps according to the National Safety Council. Although the Dubuque Fire Department does not condone the use of fireworks for personal use, we understand that people will continue to use them. Here are some safety tips to help ensure you and your loved ones are as safe as possible when around fireworks. Never allow young children to use fireworks of any kind, including sparklers. Sparklers have been known to cause third degree burns. When older children are using fireworks, make sure they are under close supervision from a responsible adult. Never let an adult handle fireworks’ if they are impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. Only buy and use legal fireworks from a reputable seller. When using fireworks, the people handling them should be wearing protective eyewear, long-sleeved shirts and tighter fitting clothes to help prevent clothes from catching on fire. Always use fireworks away from other people, flammable or combustible materials and houses or other structures. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there is an average of 18,500 reported fires each year due to fireworks-related incidences. Lastly, leave the fireworks to the professionals. Grab a chair, find a good spot to watch and just enjoy the show. This will guarantee that you and your loved ones will have a safe and enjoyable holiday. If you have any questions or would like further information I can be reached at 563-589-4195 or at [email protected]. |
• Add a cinnamon stick or softener sheet to your vacuum bag when you change it. While you clean, you will distribute the good smell throughout your home.
• To ripen a green tomato, wrap it in a sheet of newspaper or place it in a paper bag. It can then be left on the counter for several days to ripen. • “Need to remove fruit or food coloring stains on your hands or your countertop? White vinegar will clean it off. It’s good for so many things.” — R.N. in Washington • “Instead of baking soda, I use three or four charcoal briquettes in a bowl to control odor and moisture in my refrigerator. I place the briquettes in a shallow dish, then cover the top of the bowl with a small piece of cheesecloth and secure it with a fat rubber band. The best thing is that I can still use these briquettes on the grill. In the summer, they get changed very regularly.” — M.L. in Virginia • Have a stained coffee pot but don’t want to use a harsh chemical cleanser to scrub that stain off? For gritty cleaning power, try using a tablespoon of milk and a tablespoon of salt. The salt gives you scrubbing power, and the milk’s acids help gently dissolve the stains. Send your tips to
Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc. 
Make and Bake a Rustic Tart With Kids
PHOTO CREDIT: Donna Erickson
Opportunities for families to experience life’s simplest pleasures abound during the summer days. They take minimal planning and yield happy rewards. We enjoy impromptu evening bike rides, free concerts in the park, or a jaunt in the country to pick berries.
On the return home, I choose juicy nectarines, peaches and plums at a roadside stand — a perfect combination with berries for preparing a delicious rustic fruit tart. Also called a galette, it is free-form and goes together easily, and the best part is that kids can get actively involved. Tell them they can be the “King and Queen of Tarts” as you show them how to stir, knead and roll out the pliable dough. Actually, it’s perfect play for “royalty” of all ages! For a large family-style “Rustic Fruit Tart” to serve 6-8, you’ll need: DOUGH
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus 3-4 tablespoons for rolling out dough
1/2 teaspoon salt 10 tablespoons unsalted, cold butter cut into 1/2-inch chunks 3-4 tablespoons ice water FILLING
1 cup berries (I like a combination of blueberries and raspberries or blackberries)
2 1/2 cups of peeled and thinly sliced fruit such as nectarines, peaches and plums 4-5 tablespoons sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (optional) Pinch of salt Here’s the fun: For dough, place flour and salt in a mixing bowl, and let kids stir together with clean fingers. Scatter butter chunks into flour mixture, and toss and rub between fingertips until butter is the size of peas. Use a pastry blender, if you prefer.
Drizzle ice water over mixture and work it with your hands until all the flour is moistened and the dough comes together. Knead a few times on a flour-covered surface, shape into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 F. Remove disk from refrigerator. If it is too hard to roll out, let stand in room temperature for 10 minutes. On a floured surface, roll out dough into a 12- to 14-inch circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed cookie sheet and chill about 15 minutes. Toss together the fruit, sugar, flour, lemon juice, zest and salt. Remove dough from refrigerator. Mound fruit filling in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold border edge up and over fruit mixture in slightly overlapping pleats to form the sides of the tart, but leave the fruit center open 4-5 inches. Remember, it’s rustic, so it doesn’t need to look perfect! Brush dough with a little water, sprinkle with sugar, and bake 50-55 minutes (or until golden brown). Cool on rack, slide onto a serving plate, slice, and enjoy with vanilla ice cream! • • •
Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com. © 2025 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd. 
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