As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From CNN.com blog commenter, Dennis:

“How does Alzheimer's eventually take a person’s life? I had two grandparents with this disease and both died of other things. Can you explain?”

Answer:

This is an important point, Dennis. Alzheimer's does not kill a person directly. You're not going to find Alzheimer's, for example, as a cause of death on a death certificate.

What happens as the disease progresses is controlling a lot of your body's functions simply becomes more difficult; things like eating, going to the bathroom, walking, even swallowing become a problem. And if you're not eating and you're not moving around, infections can set in. Blood clots can form as well. Your immune system starts to get weaker, putting your body at higher risk for infection – an example of this is pneumonia.

So basically the complications from Alzheimer’s disease are what ultimately take a person's life. I hope this helps.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

FROM CNN.COM BLOGGER, DAWN:

"What is the most effective way to get extra protein without meat, chicken or fish in my diet?”

Answer:

Dawn,  I can tell you, it is a myth that you need to get all your protein from a meat source. And that rule of thought is something that a lot of people have, so I appreciate you reaching out to me to ask this question. There are many alternatives and ways you can incorporate extra protein in your diet.

First let me explain why it's so important for your health. A diet rich in lean protein is going help build muscle and bone mass that adults start to lose as we age. It is going to help prevent arthritis, and overall it is going to help you maintain healthy skin and organs.

Some of my favorite foods that are high in protein are nuts, soy products and even tofu. Yes, I know many people like to scrunch up their nose when they hear tofu but give it a try! Add it to some stir-fry; add a little sesame oil for some good flavoring. Also, check out the nutrition labels on some of your favorite low-fat dairy products. A cup of cottage cheese has 28 grams of protein; yogurt has 11 grams.

Another question that comes up quite a bit is whether protein shakes are also a good choice. I think they are potentially a good option when it comes to trying to improve your protein stores. However, you want to make sure to examine the ingredient label carefully. Let me give you a couple of quick tidbits when it comes to protein shakes. Look first at the type of protein in the shake. If the source of protein is an animal source (egg whites, whey, milk protein) or a soy protein, it can be considered "high quality" protein. And make sure the type of protein is the first ingredient listed and that it doesn't contain a laundry list of ingredients. The more ingredients, the less real protein it contains. A little rule of thumb to remember is that protein typically has about 4 calories per gram so if you're seeing a lot more than that in a particular shake, you're probably getting a lot of added stuff.

How much per day? Women over age 18 should consume about 46 grams of protein a day; 56 grams per day for men.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Kathleen

“If a person was found to have MRSA cluster in the nose while in the hospital but not given anything for it, how dangerous is it to be around this person and for how long? I was wondering why they didn't give her the antibiotic for it – everything I read on line seems to lean towards MRSA as a ‘forever’ thing. Please help us to know the facts – I worry about my two very young grandchildren catching it if I get it. Thank you so much!”

Answer:

It is tough to give a definitive answer to your question, Kathleen, without knowing more about why the culture was done and whether there were signs of an actual MRSA infection. To help answer your question, a little background about MRSA might help.

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant staphylcoccus aureus.

"Staph aureus is ubiquitous, it is everywhere," said Dr. Gregory Moran, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.

Staph bacteria are very common and do not pose a big threat to most healthy people. In fact, we are exposed to staph on a daily basis. About one-third of us are walking around right now with the bacteria in our nose, and it is not affecting our health, according to Moran.

Keep in mind that there are different strains of MRSA out there. Your concern may stem from the more aggressive strains of MRSA we hear about in community settings – the strains that have proven fatal for some in prisons or among athletes. Those MRSA strains are genetically more toxic than what is typically encountered in hospitals, in addition to being resistant to some of the antibiotics we have to fight them. They most often cause skin infections, but in rare cases the bacteria can penetrate to internal organs, causing an otherwise healthy person to become very ill, and in some cases die.

Hospital-acquired MRSA strains are less dangerous to healthy individuals, but testing for them is common to avoid spreading infection among hospitalized patients with weakened immune systems or during operations. The strain of MRSA that was most likely found in this hospitalized patient would not be expected to cause problems at home. A non-aggressive strain usually would not require an antibiotic, and usually is not dangerous to healthy people.

And that brings us back to the most critical part of your question, Kathleen. Will this MRSA strain detected at the hospital harm your grandchildren? The likelihood is extremely low, however, be on the alert for the telltale first sign of a MRSA infection: a painful skin lesion resembling a pimple or a spider bite. If it crops up for you or your grandchildren, go see your doctor.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Wendy in Detroit:

"I have a daughter that I was told was autistic when she was younger, but now that she's grown I'm being told she is not and likely never was. I am told her only issue was language processing. I don't know whether to consider her misdiagnosed or recovering autistic.”

Answer:

Wendy as you might guess, without meeting and assessing your daughter,  it's difficult for anyone to determine whether your daughter was in fact misdiagnosed or not.

But here are some things I can tell you. According to experts that we've spoken with there's no specific cure for autism. So if you were born with it, you'll always have it but it may become very mild almost to the point of becoming undetectable.

If it's diagnosed early – around age 2 – and a child gets therapy early, it's possible, in some cases, for a child's symptoms to improve so much that he or she no longer meets the criteria for autism. Some people call this "recovery" and experts estimate this can happen in maybe 10 percent of children who fall under the entire autism spectrum.

It is possible as well that a child was misdiagnosed as having autism while actually having a different developmental disorder all together. Wendy, I hope that helps you.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Anthony, Burnsville, Minnesota

“I am a type 2 diabetic. If I eat right and exercise regularly, how long will it take to get my diabetic problems under control?”

Answer

Anthony, the last part of that question, “getting my diabetic problems under control” is different from saying curing or fixing my diabetes. Being realistic in terms of what you can achieve is very important.

With diabetes, your pancreas isn’t working. It is not producing enough insulin, or, because of your weight, the insulin simply isn’t working well. The blood sugars start to rise in diabetes. That can be a real problem.

There are a lot of studies looking at people who are diabetic, obese and on medications trying to figure out if they start to make some simple lifestyle changes, how long would it take for them to be able to get off the insulin. One study showed that people who ate a high-fiber, low-fat diet including unsaturated fats, and started exercising for 45 minutes a day, were actually able to go into remission in about three weeks. Remission meaning, clearly, they did not need the insulin for a period of time. Diabetes still wasn’t cured – if they stopped those important lifestyle changes, the insulin need would return again. You have to make lifestyle changes and stick with them to get yourself under control with diabetes, so eat right and exercise.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors answers readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Richard Casselli, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

"How dangerous is food containing aspartame? Do you personally avoid it? Its been linked to the possible cause of brain tumours or other nervous system defects. If it's so dangerous, why is it still in our foods? Should we be avoiding aspartame?"

Answer

This is an interesting question, Richard, and an equally interesting debate that is ignited every few years or so. The big concern for some consumer groups and scientists echoes your own: Does aspartame cause cancer?

In the 1990s a researcher suggested that rates of brain cancer seemed to surge at about the same time aspartame was introduced here. Add to that various studies in rats suggesting aspartame could cause cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and you may understand why concern about this artificial sweetener lingers.

The fact is, current evidence does not support this idea that aspartame could cause cancer, or that it is unsafe. According to the American Dietetic Association, aspartame’s safety is documented in more than 200 objective scientific studies. The Food and Drug Administration has concluded that aspartame is safe, and there are  no strong data out there to refute that.

In 2007, the most comprehensive look at the research was conducted, and the conclusion was, again, that aspartame is safe. An important caveat to that research – it was paid for by the company Ajinomoto, which makes aspartame.

Thing is, about 6,000 products – including soft drinks, gum, candy, pudding, yogurt – all contain aspartame. When a product is so widely used, it often happens that there is some scientific scrutiny. So I would imagine this debate and these studies will continue for quite a while.

You asked if I use artificial sweeteners myself. Fortunately for my waistline, I do not have an affinity for sweets, so whether the sugar is real or artificial, I tend to steer clear. I favor fresh fruit to get my sweet fix, and fruit ultimately leaves me feeling fuller.

Now, if you do choose to use aspartame, keep in mind moderation. The FDA recommends a daily intake of no more than 50 mg of aspartame per kilogram of body weight. That amounts to 22 cans of diet soda for a 175-pound man, and 15 cans for a 120 pound woman.

And you want to exercise that moderation for any ingredient in your diet. Don't go overboard with the sugar-free foods - make sure to include low-fat foods, natural sugars, and fats to your diet. Skewing your diet in any one direction will create an unhealthy imbalance.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Jack, who lives in New Jersey

My doc says I need to cut back my sodium. What is the best way?

Answer:

I can tell you, Jack, first of all this may be one of the most important questions we answer. When it comes to sodium, we simply eat too much. The average American consumes about 4,000mg per day of salt in his or her diet a day, but as an adult, we really need about half that – 2,300mg per day. Simply cutting back on sodium could potentially save about 150,000 lives a year according to the American Medical Association.

Of course, that's easier said than done. Especially because salt is hidden in almost everything we eat. Frozen foods are one of biggest culprits. Even the "healthy" frozen dinners can contain as much sodium as a person needs in an entire day. A big reason manufacturers pump their products with extra salt is that it's a good preservative – makes the shelf life longer. Canned foods, cereal and pastries are also some of the biggest culprits of '”hidden” high sodium levels. That is why reading the ingredient label is so crucial when you're shopping at the grocery store.

A good rule of thumb when reading labels is try to find foods that that have fewer than 5 ingredients. That's really going to help you make healthy food choices overall. Specific to sodium, pay attention to not only how many grams are listed on the label, but also the serving size. One can of soup lists a sodium content of 500mg, but if you examine the label a little further, the can of soup could contain three servings. That means eating one can of soup can almost tap out the amount of sodium you should have for the entire day.

One thing that we do in our house is never leave crackers or cookies just sitting out in a big box. We portion high-sodium and snack foods out which is really important because it helps limit the mindless eating that's so easy to do. Also, I've found a lot of people cook with salt or add it to prepared food for extra flavor simply out of habit. If that sounds like you, Jack, one tip is to remove the salt shaker from your table – just get it out of there altogether. You'll most likely find you don't even miss it. You can also take a trip to the spice isle next time you're at the grocery store. There are several salt substitutes and other salt-free seasonings that will add flavor to your food, without increasing your sodium intake. Incorporating just a few of these small changes into your daily diet can dramatically change your sodium intake. And Jack, I'm willing to bet you hardly notice any change in taste.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Lloyd Bartley, Bowling Green, Kentucky

“How close are scientists to developing a cure for herpes, figuratively speaking will we be seeing a break through in 10, 20, or even 30 years?”

Answer:

Well, Lloyd, there is good news and bad news on the herpes front. The good news: Researchers have made serious strides and now better understand the mechanism behind herpes outbreaks. The bad news: There is very little funding for that research.

After receiving your question we reached out to a leading herpes expert, Bryan Cullen, the director at the Center for Virology at Duke University. Cullen is hopeful that a cure for herpes could come within 10 years, once funding hurdles are crossed.

Nearly one in five people over age 12 in the U.S. is affected by herpes. It is caused by a virus - either the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both strains can cause genital herpes, but HSV-1 usually infects the mouth and produces cold sores.

Despite funding challenges, Cullen and his team are inching closer to a cure. They conducted a study recently that identified the pathway herpes takes as it infects. They now know how herpes embeds itself into the cells and how it eludes treatment. Now that they have honed in on the physiology of the disease - and its triggers - researchers believe they are steps closer to creating drugs that could cure herpes.

While we wait for a cure, there are drugs out there that can at least suppress herpes. Three antiviral drugs: acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are commonly recommended to quell outbreaks. A physician might recommend taking these drugs when an outbreak occurs to quiet symptoms; or taking them continuously to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.

And of course the best way to avoid spreading herpes is to abstain from sex, but if you are sexually active, engage in safe-sex practices such as using condoms.

Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Stanley in New Jersey:

“With all the different information available on the Web, how does one determine what to look for in a fish oil supplement?

Answer:

Stanley, I’m glad you’re being proactive about your health and considering fish oil. It’s actually one of the few vitamins and supplements I take and there’s plenty of scientific evidence to show it can be a powerful tool in preventing disease. Fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce a person’s risk of heart attack and heart disease and protect against stroke, dementia and other cognitive problems.

The American Heart Association even recommends that people with high triglyceride levels take 2 to 4 grams of fish oil supplements containing EPA & DHA. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the two fatty acids in fish oil thought to have the biggest benefits.

However, before taking any supplement you should speak with your health care provider. In the case of fish oil supplements, the FDA warns not to take more than 2 grams of fish oil per day. If you take high doses there can be side effects such as excessive bleeding or possibly an interaction with another medication you’re taking.

To get specifics on what you should look for when choosing your supplement I asked Dr. Brent Bauer. He’s the director of the complementary and integrative medicine program at the Mayo Clinic. He said he recommends three things to his patients:
No. 1 Go big. Look for large manufacturers, which will most likely have been in the business longer and are not a “fly-by-night” outfit you might solely on the Internet.
No. 2 Look for the seal. Companies including USP and NSF analyze supplements for the real vitamin level and for any impurities. The seal on the label tells you an independent company has reviewed the supplement.
No. 3 Check them out. There are groups that offer independent reports (for a fee) of different brands on the market.

I should also add that all the experts I’ve talked to say, if possible, it’s better to get your omega-3s from fatty fish such as salmon and tuna rather than from a supplement.

As a feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors will answer readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta.

From Lise in Quebec:

How are you protecting yourself from AIDS while trying to help people in Haiti? I know AIDS was already prevalent there.

Answer:

Lise, thank you for the question. Whenever possible, all medical professionals here in Haiti are following normal medical hygiene protocols; we wear gloves and make sure medical instruments are sanitized even if in some cases that’s done with alcohol.

Just to be clear, HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is not easily spread. In fact according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chances of a health care worker becoming infected with HIV from an open cut or even an open wound is no higher than approximately .3 percent.

We asked Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, about the AIDS problem in Haiti during this crisis and he said that “(AIDS) is the very least of the problems that health care workers will face in Haiti. The prevalence of HIV in Washington, D.C., is higher than that in Haiti and so you can make the case that an emergency room health care personnel who sees a lot of trauma in a general hospital in D.C. is at an even greater risk of getting stuck with a contaminated needle…than is a health care worker in Haiti”

In recent years, Haiti has shown some improvement in infection rates and antiretroviral use. As of the United Nations’ last report, Haiti has lower HIV/AIDS prevalence than the Bahamas. According to the World Health Organization, two thirds of HIV infections are in sub-Saharan Africa.