Craving for ice cubes led to life-saving cancer treatment
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY
In 2001, I had a very strong urge to chew on ice. After reading in your column that this could be a sign of anemia, I told my doctor about it. The blood work showed anemia, and I was advised to get a colonoscopy. This test showed cancer in the colon.
I had surgery and chemo. Testing showed the cancer had spread to some of my lymph nodes.
I wouldn't have mentioned the ice craving had I not read about it in your column. I thank you for that.
Unexplained cravings for ice, laundry starch, cornstarch or other peculiar substances often signal a deficiency of iron or zinc and should be investigated. We are pleased your doctor took your anemia seriously. The colonoscopy and subsequent treatment of the cancer may have saved your life.
You recently had a question from a woman suffering hot flashes due to menopause. I am a cancer patient and avoid soy because it acts like estrogen. I have found borage seed oil nearly eliminates my hot flashes. The cancer center checked it and said it was OK.
You were smart to have the cancer center check your supplement. Borage seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, similar to the fat found in evening primrose oil or flaxseed oil.
Although websites recommend borage seed oil for hot flashes, we were unable to find a study showing it can reduce them. Make sure your supplement has had the pyrrolizidine alkaloids removed, since these can be toxic to the liver.
Reach Joe Graedon, a pharmacologist, and Teresa Graedon, an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition, at www.peoplespharmacy.com or in care of this newspaper.
