Cholesterol rose after taking glucosamine and chondroitin

I took glucosamine and chondroitin for about seven months. I had gotten little relief for my back pain, but I was willing to continue it to see if eventually it would help. Around that time, I had blood work done and found that my cholesterol had jumped from under 200 to 239. I had made no changes in lifestyle or diet other than these supplements. I haven’t taken any since.

Dozens of readers report a rise in cholesterol associated with taking glucosamine and chondroitin. In many cases, cholesterol levels go back down after the supplements are discontinued.

Studies that have looked at this issue have not found a connection. On the other hand, studies do not demonstrate benefits for mild to moderate joint or back pain, either. Since these supplements don’t seem very effective for most people, we can’t recommend them.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, I had the worst case of athlete’s foot that I have ever seen — and that is saying something, because I am a doctor and I have seen many. In the early 1990s, my mother suggested white-vinegar foot soaks. I began soaking my feet twice a day. Today, 20 years later, I continue this regimen several times a week, and I have “poster feet”: no smell, no athlete’s foot.

You don’t need to use more than a half-cup of vinegar at a time, but it should be full strength. Don’t rinse it off. Soaks of five to 10 minutes (reading, watching TV, etc.) are enough.

Your testimonial is very convincing! We also have heard from other readers who have had success treating athlete’s foot with vinegar soaks.

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist, and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition. https://www.peoplespharmacy.com.