Soy OK for cancer survivor

• Is soy good or bad for an overweight breast-cancer survivor? I've heard both.

Breast-cancer survivors sometimes have been warned to avoid soy-based foods because of the natural estrogenlike compounds soy contains. A recent study of survivors from Shanghai, China, showed that is not necessary. In fact, women in this study who ate the most tofu, miso and other soy foods were less likely to experience a recurrence of their breast cancer than those who ate the least soy-based foods (Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec. 9, 2009).

Experts caution that this good news might not apply to supplements containing soy compounds such as genistein. You should be able to enjoy miso soup, tofu and tempeh without worry.

• Recently, I heard a suggestion that niacin would be better and cheaper than Vytorin for lowering cholesterol. I know there has not been an extensive study on this. I exercise and watch my diet pretty well and wonder if I might be better off on niacin. Would I need a prescription?

The study you heard about was published in The New England Journal of Medicine on Nov. 26. Niacin was compared to ezetimibe (Zetia), one part of the combination medicine Vytorin. All 200 of the patients in the completed study took a statin cholesterol-lowering drug, but some took prescription niacin and others took Zetia in addition to the statin. Niacin worked better than Zetia for cardiovascular health.

Niacin has more than 50 years of successful use against high cholesterol. We discuss the benefits and risks of niacin along with other drugs and natural approaches in our Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. C-8, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site, www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Although niacin can be purchased without a prescription, we think it only should be used under medical supervision.

• I have had dry mouth for years due to medication. Recently, with my diabetes diagnosis, it has gotten much worse. It is hard to talk and swallow.