People’s Pharmacy | Difficult people really do make us age faster
Q. I was excited to read your article about dealing with difficult people shortening our lives. I shared it with my husband, and we discussed steps we can take to limit the damage from “hasslers.” We have a great relationship, but increasing family and work obligations have exposed us to people who are clearly bad for our health. Thanks for suggesting strategies for minimizing the risk.
A. We too were fascinated by the research showing that hasslers in our lives can make us age faster (PNAS, Feb. 24, 2026). The first step is to recognize who these people are. That’s why we advocate for a mood ring, smart watch or other wearable device which can alert you to your stress level. Some hasslers are unavoidable, but your encounters may go better if you are prepared, not hangry or rushed.
Q. Sometimes people lose the ability to absorb vitamin B12, even if they are getting plenty in their diets. With lack of absorption, supplements might fail to solve the problem. In that case, using sublingual (under the tongue) vitamin B12 tablets can work well, since this allows the vitamin to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream via the mucus membranes of the mouth. esearch has shown that this approach works as well as injections and is far more convenient and consistent. Sublingual B12 changed my life. It didn’t take too long for the confusion and other symptoms of deficiency to abate. I’m a fan.
A. Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin found in animal-sourced foods such as meat or eggs. Consequently, people who avoid such foods may need B12 supplements. You are correct that some people lose the ability to absorb vitamin B12 efficiently. Some common medications, such as metformin or omeprazole, can also interfere with absorption. So might bariatric surgery. Inadequate vitamin B12 can result in neurological problems, changes to the blood, fatigue, weight loss and infertility.
Doctors usually treat poor absorption with regular injections, although the timing of these may need to be individualized (Food and Nutrition Bulletin, June 2024). There are relatively few good studies comparing sublingual supplementation to intramuscular injections (Irish Journal of Medical Science, June 2024). Available comparisons suggest sublingual B12 raises circulating levels of the vitamin about as well as injections do.
Q. My dog has had loose stools and diarrhea for a long time. Nothing from the vet has really helped for any period of time. Once the prescription was finished, the diarrhea was back. My sister suggested I try coconut macaroons. One every couple of days has finally brought my dog back to normal.
A. You should check in with your veterinarian about this remedy. Eating coconut macaroons works for some people with chronic diarrhea, but vets worry that the sugar in these cookies could harm dogs. Ask if offering your pet plain unsweetened coconut would be reasonable. We have been intrigued by this remedy for years, but we did not know how it works. Scientists induced inflammatory bowel disease in white mice and found that giving virgin coconut oil alleviated the inflammation (Journal of the American Nutrition Association, Mar-Apr. 2024). You can learn more about coconut macaroons for diarrhea in our eGuide to Overcoming Digestive Disorders. This online resource may be found under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them (Crown)
This story was originally published April 8, 2026 at 2:00 AM with the headline "People’s Pharmacy | Difficult people really do make us age faster."