Ask Dr. Etingin: Arsenic in rice; Chronic laryngitis

I’m reading a lot of disturbing information about arsenic in U.S. rice. Is rice farmed in the U.S. safe to eat?

Inorganic arsenic is a common toxin that gets into groundwater, soil, and ultimately foods worldwide. While arsenic can get into any farmed food, it is most common in rice because of the water in the paddies.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has linked arsenic with four cases of lung and bladder cancer for every 100,000 people in the United States, which is significantly less than 1 percent of all lung and bladder cancer cases.

Rinsing prior to cooking your rice, as well as boiling and removing any excess water from the pot after cooking, can help reduce the arsenic level in your rice. Also, if you use more water than your recipe calls for and drain the excess after cooking, the arsenic will be concentrated in the excess water that you drain. Or try a rice brand that comes in a boil-in bag and is removed from the water.

White rice has the least amount of arsenic because the husk is removed. Arsenic tends to soak in the husk, so there is more arsenic in brown rice than white rice. However, more white rice is consumed worldwide than brown rice, so that is also a factor. Rice is filled with healthy nutrients, such as fiber, magnesium, potassium, copper and vitamin B6. If you choose to reduce your consumption of rice, be sure to substitute it with other healthy whole grains to ensure you get all your necessary nutrients.

I’m suffering from chronic laryngitis. Are there natural methods I can use to soothe my vocal cords?

Chronic laryngitis is a medical condition that can occur for a variety of reasons—overuse of your vocal cords, excessive coughing, smoking, too much alcohol, acid reflux, exposure to irritants such as chemicals or dust, and even irritation caused by constant use of inhalers. To understand your cause, seeing your doctor is recommended, especially if your laryngitis lasts more than a few weeks. If not treated, it can lead to polyps, and while benign, they can cause permanent vocal cord damage.

If you smoke, the best thing you can do for your vocal cords is to quit. If you drink alcohol, it’s best to quit, or cut down to no more than one drink per day. Getting your acid reflux under control is also important. Work with your doctor to understand your reflux triggers and to eliminate or cut back on those foods and determine whether you need medication.

Gargling with warm salt water in the morning can help moisten your throat. Rest your voice—don’t sing, yell or talk loud or excessively. Even whispering can cause serious vocal cord damage.

A humidifier can add moisture while you sleep. Cough drops with honey can help alleviate a cough and moisten your throat. Tea with honey and ginger is soothing, as are broth and broth-based soups. And be sure to drink plenty of liquids, including at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day

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