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Facebook misinformation alienates son

Dear Annie: I have two sons. My older one was always a source of difficulty growing up. He loved to read encyclopedias and science-related books. This led him to correct his teachers at times. Needless to say, this did not go well for him and made him an object of bullying in public school. I sent him to private school where they recognized his gifts, and he blossomed. Fast-forward 40 years. He is married (no children) and has a good job. Recently, he scolded me for forwarding items on Facebook that I found interesting. He said they were not factual and that I should fact-check before ...

Olive oil can serve as remedy for many ailments

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 76-year-old male in good health. I go to the gym three days a week, eat well, and fast one day a week. I have been reading about taking a tablespoon of olive oil at night as a remedy for all kinds of things such as digestion issues and arthritis. I tried it, and I swear that the first day after ingesting, I felt less pain in the arthritis in my hands and feet. Is it me, or do you find evidence that this practice is helpful? Also, does it matter what kind or brand of olive oil one uses? I bought special olive oil that is polyphenol-rich; it is lighter and more ...

Spaying and neutering pets and feral animals

Dear Heloise: Boy, I cannot say kudos enough to C.H., in Indiana, who wrote about the responsibility that owners should take when getting a pet –– any type of pet. I live in town and feed about 25-30 feral cats, some of which I believe actually come from a neighbor to eat. I also have seven that I had rescued, neutered, and given shots but had to keep inside because of their circumstances. When I can tame a feral cat enough to touch it, I take it to the vet to be neutered, checked for worms and ear mites, and given shots before I turn it loose. Just letting any pet run loose on the ...

Women shouldn’t have to cook all the time

Dear Heloise: Reading the “Meatloaf Like Mama’s” letter really made me want to write you. To remind people of the letter, the reader has four boys/men, and she makes a great meatloaf. So, why didn’t she teach them how to make it? When I read that “the oldest son is getting married and asked his future bride to get the recipe,” I truly wondered why he did not get the recipe and learn how to cook it himself. Are we still in the 20th century? In fact, as a mother, teaching your sons how to cook will make them more appreciate a woman who can cook for them as well. I don’t ...

Stevia is OK for borderline prediabetic patient

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you OK’d stevia, which I had heard could negatively impact our microbiomes. I am borderline prediabetic, and I had stopped using stevia accordingly. However, I hate unsweetened coffee. Can you comment on stevia’s impact on our microbiomes in your column? –– M.M. ANSWER: I wish I could give you an answer that everyone would agree with, but the literature is conflicting. I found a well-done trial from 2024 showing that there were no significant changes in the microbiome (a term for the whole complex array of bacteria and other tiny life forms ...

Helping people be better gift-givers

Dear Annie: First, I just want to say how much I appreciate your columns! I always enjoy your insights. Recently, my newspaper ran the column with a letter from “Feeling Undervalued,” the woman who was frustrated that her husband didn’t buy her small gifts for occasions like Valentine’s Day. I thought your advice was great, but I wanted to share what worked for me in the same situation. After 15 years of marriage, I realized my husband simply had no clue about how to pick out flowers or small gifts for me –– just like the letter writer’s husband. He didn’t know what ...