Inquiring minds - notes from our editor

Better Nutrition, March, 2004 by John Monahan

We recently received a letter from a Mr. Gregory Barnes of Santa Barbara, California, asking us--in effect--to provide a natural health expert to whom readers could send their question.

Our reply: a new monthly column called "Ask the Doctor" (p. 78) written by Frank Ervolino, ND. Dr. Frank, as we've come to call him, maintains a private naturopathic and acupuncture practice while serving as an acupuncture physician at the Mind/Body Institute at the Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, Florida

Dr. Frank welcomes your questions, which you can send to him at editorial@betternutrition.com.

Two of the common questions we receive from readers are: "How do I lose weight?" and "How can I control cholesterol?"

In her article "Friendly Fat," Kim Schoenhals explains how conjugated linoleic acid (used with other regimens) may actually help you shed unwanted pounds (p. 42). And starting on p. 46, Don Breaux provides a nearly overwhelming set of natural substances said to have cholesterol-reduction properties in "All in Vein."

Also this month, actress Jennifer Beals tells writer Jennifer LeClaire how she overcame chronic fatigue and Epstein-Barr through a change in diet and lifestyle ("The Flash Is Back," p. 36). The outspoken Ms. Beals is sure to be an inspiration for the thousands of other people who've been told by their physicians that "there's nothing more we can do for you."

Finally, congratulations to our holistic beauty and health advocate Kat James on the success of her book, The "Truth About Beauty, which just entered its third printing. If you didn't catch her recent appearance on TBS' Movie and a Makeover show, don't miss her upcoming public television special--naturally called The Truth About Beauty--which airs this month on PBS stations throughout the country. Catch Kat's column on personal care for men on p. 61.