Susan's Page

I have recently had some patients asking about Activia yogurt and whether they should eat it to benefit their digestive system. The answer is "no". This is another example of the power of mega million dollar marketing companies. A few buzz words and a theoretically trustworthy celebrity does not equal a truly helpful product.
It has tested badly on the patient's that have brought it in. The one in my hand now (the peach flavor) contains fructose syrup (the 2nd ingredient) and sugar (the 4th ingredient). It also has corn starch and modified corn starch as ingredients. Yuck!!
If you want to have beneficial bacteria for your digestive system it is best to have me test our for the best supplement for your body. Different people's bodies have different needs and there is no reason to guess.
If you want to eat yogurt it is also best to get tested. Especially if your body has a Candida (yeast) overabundance that isn't resolved fully yet. As a general rule, the Stonyfield Organic Lowfat and the Wallaby Organic lowfat yogurts more frequently test ok or even helpful. These both contain potentially beneficial organisms and the sugar they use is more tolerable for more people. This is not a carte ok for those yogurts for everyone, though. It's always best to test.

~Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 05:26 PM | Permalink

If any of you have gone into a deep funk when I recommended that you not use Tom?€™s of Maine toothpastes due to the foaming agent (SLS) that it had, take heart. One of my patients alerted me to the fact that Tom?€™s does make an SLS-free formula as well. You have to look for it & it is noted LARGE on the font of the package. See, life is getting better!

~Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 04:21 PM | Permalink

I have had a few patients that had armpit odor no matter what non-toxic deodorant they tried. A successful solution for these people was to rub a fresh lemon slice or wedge on their armpits after their shower. I haven?€™t tried this method myself, but they swear that it doesn?€™t leave a sticky residue and IT WORKS. As the heat of summer is coming upon us, this may help you or someone you know.

~Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 05:26 PM | Permalink

To follow up from last week?€™s health tip, I normally recommend that people sleep on their back. Usually they test best with their lower legs elevated 8-10 inches. The second best position is on the side with a pillow between the knees.

One of the issues that many stomach sleepers have communicated is that they feel vulnerable on their back. This is easily resolved for most by holding onto a pillow that is placed on their chest/abdomen.

If someone insists on sleeping on their stomach it can be helpful to have some pillows under the abdomen and chest so that the head can drop straight forward and still have breathing space. This eliminates the neck torque that I discussed in the previous tip. And if you feel like splurging, you could buy a massage table or beach lounger that has a face hole built into it and sleep on that.

If you decide you truly want to stop stomach sleeping, but find yourself waking on your stomach despite your best intentions, the ?€?tennis ball trick?€? can help. Tie a tennis ball into the crotch of a pair of panty hose and knot it so it won?€™t move around. Before bed, place the tennis ball at your mid-abdomen and snugly tie the panty hose legs around your back. Most people will move back onto their side or back if they accidentally roll onto their stomach and feel the pressure from the tennis ball.

Happy sleeping! Healthy Living!

~Susan

Posted by Dr. Susan Player at 05:18 PM | Permalink