The doctor tells me years of smoking have taken their toll on my circulation especially in my legs. I've given up now, but find walking very painful. What can I do?

Nutritionist and naturopath Jacqueline Young answers…

The good news is that this condition, also known as intermittent claudication or Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD), can be relieved by a Tibetan herbal remedy known as Padma 28. The formula is thought to be almost 2,000 years old but was revived in Switzerland in the 1960s and has since been well researched.

A recent study, combining the results of 19 trials involving 2084 patients, showed conclusively that intake of Padma could increase pain-free walking. The formula includes 18 herbs with strong anti-oxidant properties that help improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. You should take two tablets twice daily for the first month and then two tablets every morning thereafter. Benefits often appear within weeks but it is best to continue for some months.

My doctor has prescribed statins because my cholesterol level is high. I’m surprised because I’m not overweight, and I’m very careful about what I eat. I read somewhere that plant sterols are good for your cholesterol, but is it OK to combine these with medication?

GP Dr Rob Hicks answers…

Not everyone who has high cholesterol is overweight, in fact, a number of people, for example those with high cholesterol in the family, are fit and healthy but still have a high reading. The concern with high cholesterol is that a form called low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or ‘bad cholesterol’, can cause narrowing of the arteries, which in turn can cause heart attacks and strokes.

There is scientific research showing that consuming plant sterols, which are found naturally in many foods, can help to lower levels of cholesterol in the blood. Plant sterols are available in Lestrin supplement tablets and are also added to specific foods such as margarines. Taking regular exercise will also help to lower cholesterol as will reducing your intake of saturated fats while increasing your intake of fibre.