Dear Pharmacist, 
I have been taking a dietary supplement to lose weight and it works great. I’ve lost 34 pounds and feel great! I heard on The Today Show that one of the ingredients in my formula (bitter orange) was harmful.  Should I stop taking my supplement?
–J.P. Orange Park, Florida

Answer: People who use [...]

Dear Pharmacist,
I bought a home test kit (saliva test) which measures my hormones. Everything came back normal except my progesterone which was extremely low. Could low progesterone explain my symptoms of weight gain, hot flashes and depression?  –T.P. Dallas, Texas

Answer: Yes, absolutely and there’s an over-the-counter (OTC) fix. The symptoms that could plague [...]

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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 [...]