Q. Could you give me any suggestions regarding the treatment of lactose intolerance? I cannot tolerate most milk products, with the exception of ripened cheeses. Should I be able to tolerate yogurt? My digestion has improved by eliminating refined foods and taking some vitamin supplements but I still have a coated tongue most of the time, and occasional constipation. Any suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated. - W.M., St. College, PA.

Q. Recently, I purchased a heme water distiller after the contaminated water controversy aroused my concern. Since much of our water is from the Missouri River, this seemed to be the safest and least expensive method of assuring pure drinking water. After further reading on the subject, I am doubtful if my family is getting the proper amount of minerals. We try to follow nutritional eating habits and take natural vitamin/mineral supplements. I use four teaspoons of sea water to every half gallon of distilled water. but would very much appreciate any help, comments. or suggestions you may have on this matter. - P.H., Columbia, Missouri

Q. Dear Dr. Airola:

Regarding your July 1976 Forum, and the question asked by a reader about whole sea salt, I have found the kind that is sun-dried on the coast of Brittany in France. It is imported and distributed by Erewhon, Inc. Their address is: 342 Newbury St., Boston, Mass.02115. The Los Angeles address is: Erewhon, Inc., 8454 Steller Drive, Culver City, CA 90230. I hope this will be of help to your readers. I looked long and hard for a whole sea salt, and finally tracked it down. - Miss Karin Lidh, Boston, Mass.

Q. Brewer's yeast seems to be the most popular supplement these days. Your writings must be, to a great degree, responsible for its popularity. However, my problem is this:

1. I tried brewer's yeast with calcium lactate added, to balance the phosphorus-calcium ratio, one teaspoon in a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, one hour before dinner. I slept all night, but the next day I did not feel rested.

   After several days, having had the same result, I stopped the brewer's yeast and my night's sleep returned as before the yeast - not great, but enough to make me alert the next day.

2. I tried brewer's yeast without calcium - one teaspoon in a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in the evening. Result: I couldn't sleep all night. Then I tried having it in the morning. Result: great the first day - I had a lot of physical energy, and mentally I was very alert and stimulated, almost like having a brilliant mind for a day. The problem is the extra energy didn't wear off by night time, resulting in poor sleep and a lesser than average feeling of well-being the next day. I have tried lesser amounts of yeast - as low as a third of teaspoon in the morning, with the same results.

May I please have your advice or explanation as to what I may be doing wrong? Thank you. - N.T., Philadelphia, PA.

A. You are doing several things wrong. Apparently you have not read my long and detailed article on brewer's yeast in the September 1976 issue of Let's LIVE. I suggest you study it carefully.

First, I would never recommend drinking that much orange juice, period - with or without yeast. Orange juice contains too much sugar, which is a very bad combination with the protein-rich yeast. Yeast should be taken mixed with grapefruit or lemon juice: 1 tablespoon yeast in 1/2 glass of grapefruit juice, or mixed with the juice of 1/2 lemon in 1/2 glass of water.

Secondly, yeast in juice should never be taken at night, but one hour before a meal, on an empty stomach. When you take a glass of orange juice just before going to bed, the sugar from the juice raises your blood sugar level too high, which interferes with your sleep. Also, orange juice contains lots of vitamin C, which can also keep you awake.

Q. What heated oils, if any, are safe to cook with? I understand vegetable oils become carcinogenic when heated. -K.K., Sacramento, CA

Q. I've had trouble for a number of years with my bowels being loose. I use Colon Cleanse and Bentonite. I wonder if I am doing the right thing? Would you recommend a high colonic treatment and how often? I live on a vegetarian diet, lots of fruits, and a large liquified salad every night, and supplement with natural vitamins. I eat about 5-6 eggs a week, and perhaps some cheese once weekly. I don't eat too many grains, only have beans and rice occasionally. I eat nuts and mostly raw food. Can you advise me nutritionally? - Mrs. K.A.H., Brooklyn, New York.

A. Now, let's talk some common sense: Constipated people should eat foods that would be laxative - foods that facilitate more frequent bowel movements and prevent constipation; on the other hand, those with loose bowels should eat constipating foods - foods that would prevent too frequent evacuation, such as cooked grains, cheese, milk, carob, cooked vegetables. You are doing just the opposite. Yet you take bowel loosening and cleansing medication (albeit natural), and even contemplate taking high colonic treatments. Your diet is not only highly laxative, but also lacks sufficient grains. Grains, seeds, and nuts are very important foods for optimum health. Cooked grains, especially as in cooked cereals and bread, help to normalize bowel movements.

Here are a few nutritional tips applicable to a condition such as yours:

• One might eat less eggs and more natural, aged cheese.
• Take a carob drink twice a day. (two teaspoonfuls of carob powder in half cup fresh milk). Dried blueberries, 2 tbsp. a day, is excellent for diarrhea.
• Eat at least once daily, a cooked whole grain cereal with fresh milk. Wheat is the most constipating of all cereals.
• Eat one or two slices of whole-grain bread with natural cheese every day.
• Stop taking Bentonite and other cleansers.

Preparing For Pregnancy

Q. I would like to become pregnant in the future, but would first like to prepare for the pregnancy. What advice, in terms of nutrition, vitamins, etc., would you give to future mothers? Do you recommend any current publications or literature on the subject? Do you feel preparing for a pregnancy assures its successful outcome, i.e., a healthy baby? - K.I.F., Los Angeles, CA.

A. I must commend you for your attitude, understanding, and a sense of responsibility in regard to motherhood. Yes, preparing for a pregnancy will definitely improve the chances of delivering a healthy baby, although it would of course, not guarantee it - so many other factors are involved.

To prepare yourself for pregnancy, nutritionally speaking, make sure your body obtains the Optimum Nutrition. Follow the nutritional program - the Airola Diet - as outlined in my book, How To Get Well. Avoid smoking (including grass), alcohol, and all drugs. Not knowing your age, I find it difficult to advise you regarding vitamins and supplements, but even if you are young, you should take such supplements as brewer's yeast, kelp, fish liver oil, and natural vitamin C and B in addition to your diet of high quality organically grown foods. Also, do not ignore exercise - you need plenty of exercise in fresh air to build a strong body and good resistance to disease and to produce a healthy baby - nutrition alone will not do it. Relaxation, peace of mind, exercise, and optimum nutrition work wonders together.