Ask Dr. Weil: Control symptoms of Behcet's with diet

A Behcet's (pronounced "bay-sets") is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes symptoms in various parts of the body, most commonly sores in the mouth and on the genital organs. More serious symptoms can include inflammation in the eyes and tissues inside the body. Because Behcet's is a multisystem disease that can involve all the organs, it can even affect the central nervous system, causing memory loss and impaired speech, balance and movement. The disease is rare in the United States and is most common in the Middle East and Asia. But Dr. Randy Horwitz, medical director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, tells me that doctors at the clinic have seen several cases recently.

The cause of Behcet's is unknown but is likely to be a manifestation of autoimmunity, with blood vessels being the targets of an abnormal immune reaction. Treatment should be managed by a rheumatologist — a medical specialist who treats autoimmune diseases — to monitor the course of the disease and to watch for signs of organ involvement.

Although there's no cure, symptoms can be controlled. Dr. Horwitz tells me that conventional anti-inflammatory drugs are the mainstay of treatment but that the patients treated at our clinic have done very well when they follow the anti-inflammatory diet. Also, include foods prepared with turmeric and ginger, both of which have anti-inflammatory effects.

He also recommends acupuncture to deal with any joint pain and arthritis symptoms and a mind/body approach such as hypnosis or biofeedback to reduce stress and promote healing. Because a recent medical study associated the use of dairy products with worsening autoimmune symptoms, I would advise anyone with the condition to try to eliminate milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream and all food products made with milk or milk solids or casein (the protein in cow's milk). Decreasing animal protein and replacing it with vegetarian sources like soy is also a good idea. Dr. Horwitz also recommends avoiding wheat, because some reports have noted that celiac disease (sensitivity to gluten, a protein in wheat) tends to accompany Behcet's.

Chloramine or chlorine in drinking water?

Q Most water-supply companies nationwide are switching to chloramine instead of chlorine for water disinfection. What are the effects of it on humans and pets?

A Chloramine is a chemical compound made by reacting ammonia with the active ingredient in chlorine bleach. Although it is a weaker germicide than chlorine, it is more stable, which is why water systems are making more use of it.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, chloramine provides better protection against bacterial regrowth in water systems with large storage tanks and dead-end water mains. The EPA says that like chlorine, chloramine effectively controls biofilm, a slime formed by bacterial growth that coats and corrodes pipes and can harbor dangerous concentrations of coliform bacteria. Because chloramine tends not to react with organic compounds in water, consumers may have fewer complaints about the chemical taste and odor of treated water.

Like chlorine, however, chloramine is toxic. The EPA states that neither poses health concerns to humans at the levels used for drinking water disinfection, but even at those levels, both can harm fish and amphibians. Chlorine produces byproducts that contribute to cancer and birth defects and, in itself, may contribute to heart disease, but at least it dissipates rapidly when water is boiled or left standing and exposed to air. Chloramine does not. So, if you have an aquarium and your water is disinfected with chloramines, you'll have to treat it with a dechlorinator, available at pet shops, to prevent the water from killing your fish — and think about whether you want to drink water that can kill marine animals.

If you're concerned about chloramine and other toxins in your water, I recommend having your water tested (this will probably cost more than $100) to see just what it contains. The test results can help you decide whether you need a filter and what kind would be best.

In my home and offices I use a distiller of a type called D-3 that can be mounted under the sink, works silently, produces cool water (some distillation systems produce hot water when the unit is replenishing its storage reserve), and is self-sterilizing. The D-3 comes with a built-in pump, automatic drain, and all the hoses, fixtures and "extras" that end up adding to the price of other purification systems.

Although the system is expensive (more than $2,000, installed), the cost works out over time to be much less than that of bottled water. I've always thought distillation was the best water-purification method and that distilled water is best for drinking.