OK, guys, I'm finally dumping the fridge, as you recommend in "YOU: On a Diet." But while tossing things with more than 4 grams of sugar per serving, I noticed that my organic fat-free milk has 12 grams of sugar per serving and my nonfat plain yogurt has 6 grams of sugar per serving. Surely, they must be OK. What's the deal? - Penny, Pasadena, Calif.
The difference is between natural sugars, which are found in dairy products and other foods, and added sugars, which is what's in chocolate chip cookies. The sugar in milk and in plain yogurt is lactose, or milk sugar, and your body is programmed to break it down and use it for energy. Added sugar is a different story, and you need to keep it down to 4 grams per serving; 2 grams in snacks and sides.
But here's where it gets tricky: You can't tell the difference when it says "sugars" on a nutrition-facts label. So trust your common sense. It's a sure bet that no one's added sugar to organic fat-free milk. The sugar is in the food itself. But chocolate milk? Yogurt swirled with syrupy fruit? Figure that most of those sugars were added (unless artificial sweeteners were used). And you know there's added sugar if, under the ingredients, you find a sugar, syrup or food ending in an "-ose."
There's one other snag: Some foods that appear healthful often contain added sugars. Flavored soy milks can pack 6 to 12 grams of added sugar per serving. Flavored yogurt can have as much as 27 grams (use plain yogurt and stir your own fruit into it for sweetness).
And double-check "fat-free" yogurts and other foods. Because sugar adds flavor and texture, fat-free products sometimes have MORE sugar in them than the full-fat version.
If I'm prescribed pills that say "Take on an empty stomach" and I have already eaten a meal, how long do I need to wait before taking them? - Anonymous
After a normal meal, your stomach generally is empty enough for you to take a medication in about two to three hours. Note the phrase "normal meal." It's no surprise that it takes longer for your stomach to empty if you've overeaten (happens only occasionally, we hope!). After a heavy meal, wait four hours before taking your meds.
Also, what you eat can affect how quickly or slowly your stomach empties. Carbohydrates spend the least amount of time in your stomach; protein hangs around longer, and fats the longest. Intense exercise and mental stress can slow down digestion, too.
Don't shrug off the food precautions on drug labels. Thyroid drugs, for instance, get absorbed (and do their job better) if taken on an empty stomach. Some antibiotics, if taken on a full stomach, give you diarrhea, and that's not the worst of it - they may become ineffective, too.
Whether your meds call for an empty stomach or don't, you should always chase a pill with at least half a glass of water. Some meds, including aspirin, can hurt your stomach lining if they land on it.
I have an irregular heartbeat, but in spite of all the tests that I have taken, the results come back with nothing alarming. My cardiologist is now talking about more extensive tests. Is it possible to have an irregular heartbeat and a healthy heart? - Anonymous
It is possible that your irregular heartbeat isn't hazardous, and irregular heartbeats can occur (in fact, usually do occur) in hearts that have normal pumping function. Sometimes they're brought on by too much caffeine, or cigarettes, or alcohol. But other times, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) result from problems that aren't obvious, including clogged arteries, high blood pressure, inflammation, even an electrolyte imbalance.
Regardless of the cause, arrhythmias can trigger heart emergencies. So it is important to get the tests to figure out why they're happening. You see, the heart has to have an electrical impulse - the heartbeat - to pump, as well as normal muscle function to push blood to the rest of your body. Together, these provide your body with the optimal amount of blood for you potentially to be Dara Torres or Bill Gates.
Even if the tests come back clean, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can prevent problems that contribute to irregular heartbeats. You know the drill: Eat more fruits and vegetables, substitute healthy fats for saturated ones, get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, each day - no excuses - and keep stress under control. Don't wait for your test results - start today!
• The YOU Docs - Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz - are authors of "YOU: Being Beautiful -- The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty." To submit questions and find ways to grow younger and healthier, go to www.RealAge.com, the docs' online home.