Columnist Muriel Stevens: Finding top sources for health news

Just recently I took stock of the basket of vitamins and supplements that have become a part of my life. When I counted the number of bottles and boxes in that very large basket, I realized I've allowed myself to become a guinea pig for every touted nostrum purported to improve the pain in an aching knee.

I've mixed and matched all of the new over-the-counters and one or two prescription "miracles." It's not so bad to be your own test panel, if you first check with your doctor. Wasting money is one thing. Endangering your health is another. It's vitally important to remember that most of these "miracles" are not regulated, nor are they standardized.

We all like to learn about the latest medical breakthrough, but most of us accept what's released in the media without thought to possible consequences.

The best sources I've found for reliable, mostly unbiased health news are the newsletters published by highly regarded universities and research centers. None of the ones I subscribe to accept advertising; they write for the layman, but do not patronize the reader and are usually independent.

My favorites are the Tufts University Diet & Nutrition Letter (800-274-7581), University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter (904-445-6414), Johns Hopkins Medical Letter (904-446-4675), Environmental Nutrition (800-829-5384), and the Nutrition Action Health Letter published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (fax: 202-265-4954).

Each one offers similar, yet different styles and information. The following stories appeared in some recent issues. The Tufts newsletter discussed the preliminary results of using B vitamins to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. They cautioned that the results are highly preliminary.

Also included: a Federal Trade Commission crackdown on supplement ads; when to see a doctor about indigestion; and the tricks used by food manufacturers to lure you to their product's location in the supermarket.

Johns Hopkins informed as to when to say no to antibiotics; deflating the danger of an aortic aneurysm; and supplied a consumer's guide to hormone replacement. The mission of this newsletter is to assist consumers in taking hold of their own health and medical care.

UC Berkeley's newsletter comes from the School of Public Health: "Can Aspirin Protect You From Cancer?"; bone density tests; wellness facts; the latest on hypertension; and a regular feature I especially enjoy -- "Well & Informed" -- were included.

Unlike the other newsletters the Nutrition Action Newsletter does editorialize, but it also contributes good information about food safety, fast food, dining out and in-depth coverage of a variety of health and environmental issues. This is one with appeal for everyone from teenagers to grandparents.

Environmental Nutrition covers a wide range of subjects: a heart disease handbook; the threat of food allergies; and the fact and fiction about fruit juices were just a few of the many useful articles. Like the NAN, Environmental Nutrition espouses a vegetarian lifestyle.

I saved the chart that appeared in one issue that gave the fat, calories, sodium and sugars in Girl Scout Cookies.

It didn't keep me from eating these tempting cookies, but I didn't eat as many.

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