Taking Zinc as Daily Supplement Won’t Change Hair Loss

from Oatka- Genesee Valley Penny Saver- 4-7-23

SWEDEN’S CAPTAIN MILO STARKS STEPPED UP IN CIVIL WAR

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am having trouble ﬁnding a reliable recommendation for the daily supplement zinc. I purchased 50-mg pills, but I think this may be too much. I am 74 and female, and I would like to include zinc in my daily supplements, as my hair has begun thinning quite a bit straight down the top of my head. -- R.M.

ANSWER: Zinc is an important nutrient, and it is certainly true that zinc deficiency may lead to hair loss. However, most people with hair loss do not have a zinc deficiency, and there is no convincing data that giving extra zinc to a person with normal zinc levels will help with hair loss. Hair loss along the midline is consistent with female pattern hair loss, which is very common among women in their 70s and usually has nothing to do with zinc. Very high amounts of zinc supplementation can be dangerous (and impair your body’s ability to absorb other trace metals such as copper), but 50 mg is a safe amount. Still, the most effective therapies for female pattern hair loss include minoxidil (usually topical, but low-dose oral is increasingly used), spironolactone and finasteride. A dermatologist is the expert on hair loss and can give you a better diagnosis by exam than I can by your description. ***

DEAR DR. ROACH: My youngest son has to have both of his hips replaced. He is only 37, but is in a very strenuous job of being a boilermaker in an oil reﬁnery. This is the hardest job in a heavy industry. His doctors are telling me that his hips deteriorated due to alcohol consumption -- is this even possible? Even if he can get through this ordeal, he is still locked into this physical type of work. The doctors say he will need another hip replacement in 10 to 15 years if he stays in this line of work. Do you agree with these statements? -- B.M.

ANSWER: Let’s take them one by one.

The most common cause of hip disease requiring hip replacement is osteoarthritis of the hips, but it is quite unusual to see someone of your son’s age require a hip replacement. Alcohol is not a recognized risk factor for osteoarthritis of the hips, but it is a known underlying cause of a much less-common condition: osteonecrosis of the hips, also called avascular necrosis.

The more a person drinks, the more likely they are to get this rare condition, even though most heavy drinkers will never get this condition. Not every person with osteonecrosis of the hip will require a hip replacement. It is frequent to have both sides of the hip affected with disease.

Untreated congenital hip dysplasia may also lead to severe hip damage requiring a total hip replacement, and it is also one cause I see in a person of your son’s age.

Prognosis after a modern hip replacement is very good. More than 90% of people are doing well, pain-free and without complications 15 years after surgery takes place. Of course, some kinds of activities such as heavy lifting and high-impact movements could make the surgical prosthetics wear out faster, but regular activities such as walking, stair climbing and most sports that are not highintensity or high-impact can be done without damage to the prosthetic.

Although further alcohol use will not affect the prosthetic hips or other bones, many other body systems are very much affected by alcohol. So, if he has been a heavy drinker for some time, it is now time to stop. His doctors can help him ﬁnd many available resources.

***

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

DID YOU KNOW?

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that around eight million adults in the United States experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a given year. Women experience PTSD at a much greater rate than men. Estimates from the USDVA indicate that 10 percent of women and 4 percent of men are affected by PTSD. Instances of PTSD are similarly prevalent in Canada, where the Canadian Psychological Association estimates that around 8 percent of Canadians who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD. Though no one is immune to PTSD, rates of the disorder among combat veterans are signiﬁcantly higher than the rates among the general population. USDVA reports that one study of 1,938 veterans found that the prevalence rate among Gulf War veterans was around 14 percent, while an older study from the American Psychological Association found that about 30 percent of Vietnam War veterans had PTSD in their lifetime.

BRUSHING BABIES’ TEETH

As soon as baby’s ﬁrst tooth appears, usually around six to eight months of age, it’s time to start brushing. You can brush baby’s ﬁrst teeth using water and a soft wet cloth or child’s toothbrush to clean all surfaces of the teeth. Brush or wipe gently in circles along the gumline. Doing this twice a day will create good habits for your child who will come to expect teeth brushing as part of their morning and bedtime routines. Use only water until eighteen months of age and then switch to a children’s toothpaste. Start with a small amount, about the size of a grain of rice. Around age six you can begin using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

The importance of baby teeth cannot be overstated, just as conscientious dental care should not be overlooked. Taking care of these little pearls as soon as they appear paves the way to a future healthy dental profile. Let us help promote your children’s healthy mouth and brilliant smile. Taught early enough about the importance of taking care of their teeth, children can learn to make a habit of daily brushing and flossing. We have convenient office hours at BATAVIA FAMILY DENTAL, 6 Batavia City Centre, please call 585.343.4246. We accept most insurances. www.bataviafamilydental.com

P.S. When young children swallow their ﬂuoride toothpaste, it can lead to a condition called ﬂuorosis that causes permanent pits and staining in teeth.

Notice of Self Storage Sale

Salmon Orthodontics Specialist with

Beautiful smiles enhance self-conﬁdence & self-esteem.

5A Batavia City Centre 116 North Center St. 16 Broadway Mall Batavia Perry Hornell (585)344-0775 (585)237-2410 (607)324-3784 www.salmonorthodontics.com

WHAT CAUSES EATING DISORDERS?

Cultural beauty standards. Men and women may believe they have to look a certain way to be considered attractive or accepted in society.Feeling the need to be a certain weight or body shape may inﬂuence how one eats or exercises to the point of extremes.

Participants Needed

VPG Medical is seeking eligible participants to test an investigational application for Android smart devices.

To participate you must:

• Be 40 years or older

• Have a history of Paroxysmal AFib

• Use a Samsung Android smartphone daily You will be compensated for your time and participation.

For more information and to determine if you qualify, please contact Margot Lutz: (585) 622-4410 • m.lutz@vpgmedical.com

375 White Spruce Blvd., Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 622-4410 • www.VPGMedical.com

Please take notice e Storage Mall - Brooks Avenue located at 1214 Brooks Ave., Rochester NY 14624 intends to hold a sale of the property stored in the below listed Storage Spaces. e public sale shall occur as an online auction via www. storageauctions.com on 4/25/2023 at 10:00AM. Unless listed below, the contents consist of household goods and furnishings. Edward Write unit #13; Cindy Mazzuco unit #27; Camri Harris unit #51; Dan Carter unit #7. is sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. See manager for details.

Gateway to the Genesee Country

OF COMMERCE

Towns Covered in Greater Wheatland: Scottsville, Mumford, Caledonia & parts of LeRoy

All ads include full color!

Published August 2023

3,000 delivered to homes

1,000 dropped at high trafﬁc locations + a digital edition Purchase a half page ad or larger to receive an article written by our content writer!

Page3.72” x 4.79” or 7.667” x 2.375”$195.00

Page3.72” x 9.77” or 7.667” x 4.79”$325.00 x 9.77” $525.00

Inside Cover 7.667” x 10.25” • Front or Back$625.00

Back Cover 7.667” x 10.25” $685.00

Front Cover Includes interior feature article and photo shoot $975.00