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Dear Pharmacist,
I celebrate Hanukkah and my husband celebrates Christmas?  Why am I telling you this?  We both have big families and the food doesn’t stop for 2 weeks solid!  I have worked hard all year to lose 24 pounds and I’m scared to gain back all the weight. Any ideas?  –P.D.  Hollywood, Florida

Answer:  Since [...]

Readers:  This is the EXTENDED article that papers could not print due to space considerations.

Many Diseases Linked to High Insulin - The Longer Story
Insulin Testing and Dietary Supplements to Help You Reduce Insulin, Lose Weight & Feel Better

Dear Pharmacist,
I really need your help because I am now up to 14 medications for the [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I need to lose weight, about 100 pounds to be honest. I’m addicted to fast food and I hate to exercise. I take lovastatin (Mevacor) for high cholesterol; I take Alli and phentermine to lose weight. What supplements can I take along with these?
–H.R. Hallandale, Florida
Answer: Sorry, no one has invented [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I am 15 years old and my divorced parents share custody of me so I go back and forth between homes.  In my mom’s house, I am made to eat and drink foods that contain artificial sweeteners because she’s concerned about her weight.  My dad thinks sugar-free foods that contain these chemicals are dangerous [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I am constantly fatigued, my hair is thinning, and I am gaining weight. My doctor says that I have hypothyroidism and prescribed Synthroid. Can you give me more information about thyroid medications and natural ways to help myself?  –G.A. Albany, New York
Answer:  Approximately 12 million Americans have hypothyroidism.  You are lucky if your major [...]

Dear Pharmacist,

Please settle this argument. My husband says that I have put on 40 pounds because I don’t like to work out at the gym with him but I think the weight has something to do with my medicine, since it happened after I started taking birth control pills. Who is right? – B.H., Nashville, [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I splurged during the holidays and now I want to drop 10 pounds fast. Any tips?
GP Gainesville, Florida
Answer:  First of all, don’t feel guilty. Remember how much fun you had circling the buffet table and juggling that 5 pound platter of chow with the vat of eggnog. This is not the time to [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
Why do the people in the Mediterranean area have no problems with cholesterol? Is it the red wine and olive oil?
J.S., Ocala, Florida

Answer: People from the Greek island of Crete live longer than most other populations in the world, despite the fact that their diet is significantly higher in fat than what [...]