Q: I’m confused by what seem to be conflicting claims for herbal treatment of prostate enlargement. Does stinging nettle decrease or increase the amount of testosterone? And what is DHT? Is it good or bad? What does it do?

In the first edition of the Nutrition & Healing Health e-Tips online letter, Dr. Wright answered a question from a reader wanting to know more about “smart drugs.” This is a topic that’s been popping up in discussions more and more these days, as the pharmaceutical industry gets closer and closer to developing and patenting “designer” drugs that promise to make people smarter.

Older men get enlarged prostate glands (BPH); younger men don’t. Older men get prostate cancer; younger men don’t. Yet younger men have the highest testosterone levels. So why do the conventional medical community, patent medicine companies, and government “authorities” continue to warn us of the hazards of testosterone?

Any handyman will tell you that duct tape has 1,001 uses and always makes sure to have at least one roll available. But you might want to pick up an extra roll to keep in your medicine cabinet. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but I’m really not kidding!

High cholesterol is hardly news these days. The media, the patent medicine industry, and even the federal government (“los Federales”) have all poured a great deal of time, energy, and money into “educating” us Average Joes on the dangers of high cholesterol. Of course, they’ve also assured us that the countless patent cholesterol-lowering medications and the National Cholesterol Education Program are pretty much all we need to arm ourselves in the war against heart disease.

IN THIS ISSUE: Fish oil and 33 other natural secrets to tackle all your heart’s risks; Make that 1002 uses: Duct tape for your medicine cabinet; Is testosterone dangerous? The male side of the Great Hormone Debate; Increase your I.Q. in less than an hour with this herbal combination; Herbal prostate support-which claims should you believe?;