Archive 2008 2009 2010 2011

Q: Is it okay for me to take iodine pills to protect myself from the radiation released from Japan’s nuclear plant? My friend’s naturopath recommends seaweed, Rad Tox and Aztec Healing Clay for two weeks. Would that be better?
A: Don’t take iodine pills. There has been no evidence of harmful levels of radiation in North America resulting from the disaster at the Fukushima reactors in Japan.
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Q: What is “tapping,” and can it really help me overcome my fear of flying?
A: Known as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), this alternative (many say “fringe”) method originated in the 1990s to treat phobias, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems.
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Q: Is toothpaste a waste of money? I read that brushing with plain water gets teeth just as clean.
A: It’s true that the brushing action, not the paste itself, removes the plaque and cleans the teeth. But doing without toothpaste is pretty spartan, as you know if you’ve ever run out of it.
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UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, July 2011