DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is there salicylic acid in raspberries? And if so, isn’t that the active ingredient in aspirin? An article I read said that having raspberries could be as effective as drugs for pain from conditions such as arthritis or gout. If true, is there any concern for those of us who are told to avoid aspirin because of its effect on blood-clotting? -- D.F., Hayward, California

DEAR D.F.: Salicylic acid (salicylate) is indeed present in raspberries, along with a variety of other plant foods including fruits, vegetables and spices. Naturally occurring salicylates serve a variety of functions in the plant world, including acting as a type of plant hormone. (Now you know why some florists advise customers to put an aspirin in a vase of cut flowers to help them last longer.)

The active ingredient in aspirin is a type of salicylate -- in that case, acetyl salicylic acid. So, if the compounds are similar, can the salicylic acid in raspberries (or other foods) provide pain relief “as effective as drugs,” and do those on anticoagulants need to be concerned? The answer to both issues is “doubtful,” because of the relatively small amount of the substance present in food.

Studies rank the salicylate content of foods from “negligible” to “very high.” The “very high” ranking applies to foods containing more than 1 milligram per 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving. A 100-gram serving of raspberries, which would be approximately 50 berries, is estimated to have about 5 milligrams of salicylate. Compare this with a single adult aspirin tablet, which contains 325 milligrams of acetyl salicylic acid.

Curious thing about advertising: They may tout the presence of a compound and all that it can do, but there is often this disconnect when it comes to the amount of the compound per serving. Often, that amount isn’t up to the task.

I don’t want to knock berries; they are great foods. Red raspberries, like other berries, have a host of healthful phytochemicals. Consider that pain can have an oxidative component in addition to its inflammatory component. Berries provide antioxidants along with their (admittedly low) dose of salicylate. Bottom line: It’s fair to say that eating raspberries can help the cause of some types of pain, but over the line to claim that they can be as effective at pain relief as a pharmaceutical agent designed, dosed and chosen for the job.

As for the coagulation (blood thinner) issue, a small amount of salicylate is not much to be concerned about. It would depend, of course, on how much you eat, what other food sources of salicylate might be in your diet, and how tightly your blood coagulation needs to be monitored. An appropriate dose of an anticoagulant is usually determined through a series of blood-clotting tests, and from that point on, it is important not to make changes in diet or medication that would affect clotting. There are often periodic tests done to be sure that coagulation remains within specific limits. The person to consult is the physician who handles this aspect of your health.

Finally, certain forms of salicylate are used in processed foods and drinks as preservatives and flavoring additives. There are non-food uses as well, with salicylates being found in many personal care products. As a final note, some individuals are sensitive to salicylates and need to limit their intake. More info on salicylate intolerance, and a list of food sources, can be found at tinyurl.com/yagos9kc.

Send questions to: “On Nutrition,” Ed Blonz, c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.

DEAR DR. BLONZ: A nutritionist doctor suggested a commercial baking yeast (Red Star Yeast) to lower my cholesterol. I have not wanted to go on statins, and was happy to try this widely available product. I know that everything has a side effect, and was hoping that you could discuss the side effects and efficacy of this choice. I am concerned, in particular, by the fact that I am experiencing bloating. -- S.P., San Jose, California

DEAR S.P.: The commercial baking yeast you mention is NOT associated with lowering elevated blood cholesterol levels, and is probably not the “yeast” you had been told to take. Let me explain.

Yeasts are single-cell microscopic organisms that can grow with or without oxygen. The common baking yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is an active yeast that uses oxygen and consumes carbohydrates (flour and simple sugars), creating energy for growth and producing carbon dioxide as a byproduct. The addition of small amounts of the appropriate yeast to baked goods results in gas production, which causes the food to rise during the baking process. If this is what you are taking, that is very likely the cause of the bloating you are experiencing.

Other types of active yeasts are used in beer brewing and winemaking. There are subtle differences. Such yeasts can grow without oxygen, which causes the organisms to produce alcohol as a byproduct. In a carefully controlled process, the gas that is produced can be captured to make beer and sparkling wines.

Brewer’s yeast, however, is an inactive yeast that is the same organism. It is sold as a dietary supplement and can be a source of certain nutrients, especially the B vitamins. There are also nutritional yeasts, such as torula yeast and whey yeast, which are organisms cultivated specifically for use as nutritional supplements. Vegemite and Marmite are yeast extracts sold as nutrient-rich dietary supplements.

I don’t know the credentials of this individual, but I am wondering if they might have actually recommended “red yeast rice.” Different from the above, this is a rice product that has been fermented with the yeast organism Monascus purpureus, also called “red yeast.” This yeast organism produces monacolin K, a substance that is associated with an ability to decrease cholesterol production by the human body. It does this by slowing down the activity of a key liver enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis.

Be advised that the monacolin K in red yeast rice is actually a statin. It is the same one found in lovastatin, a commonly prescribed drug for high cholesterol. It can be effective when taken as prescribed by your physician. As with other statins, there can be side effects and interactions with other medications. There are also issues about taking certain statin substances along with grapefruit juice (see tinyurl.com/ybasfccf). Read more about red yeast rice and monacolin K (lovastatin) at tinyurl.com/ycbkw7nu.

Red yeast rice is sold as a dietary supplement, and there may be issues of quality control; seek assurances that all products, and every pill, has the same level of active ingredients. It is also essential to inform your health professionals if this is something that you are taking or considering.

Send questions to: “On Nutrition,” Ed Blonz, c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What is your advice regarding spray dietary supplements? I am also interested in dietary supplement foot pads, which are promoted for detox and weight loss. Are these safe and effective, as the ads promise? I would appreciate your opinion. -- M.C., San Jose, California

DEAR M.C.: Dietary supplements are substances taken orally; in other words, there is a swallow involved. The substances are regulated as foods, not drugs. Read the “FDA 101: Dietary Supplements” at tinyurl.com/yaaugh5f for a larger perspective.

Dietary supplements, by definition, are a category of food intended for ingestion as a tablet, capsule, powder, softgel or liquid. The “spray vitamins” I am aware of involve spraying a mist into your mouth, followed by a pause -- ostensibly for the active ingredients to be passively absorbed (in theory) through the highly vascular tissues in your cheeks, under the tongue and elsewhere in the mouth.

If we stopped there, this would not fit the regulatory definition of a dietary supplement. Simply put, there has to be a swallow somewhere in the process. To skirt this issue, spray products often include instructions to swallow after use. Absent this inclusion, there is a risk of a regulatory “knock on the door” at some point. Irrespective of regulations, it cannot be assumed that any spray product’s active ingredients will make it into the body when the product is used as directed.

The topic of drug delivery through the tissues in the mouth has been discussed in scientific literature. There have been studies showing that small amounts of vitamin B-12 can be absorbed through the vascular membranes in the mouth and nose, which would have some application for individuals who have problems with B-12 absorption, but any advantage for others is questionable. Only certain types of compounds can pass through oral membranes. The science here is rather heady, but there is an application with certain types of pharmaceuticals: Oral absorption can be facilitated by additives designed to assist with the process, but these artificial, nonfood compounds are not allowed in dietary supplements.

The bottom line is that mouth and cheek tissue can serve as a portal for certain substances, but it is far from an open-door policy.

As for foot pads, there is obviously no “swallow” involved, so these are not even dietary supplements. They are a drug or a medical device, and unapproved at that. Such products cannot legally bear a “Supplement Facts” label. I could find no evidence that these types of products are effective with “detox,” weight loss or any medical condition.

Consumer protection organizations, including the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general of the states, have acted to stop the marketing and sale of such products. The fact that you might see them for sale should not be taken as an indication of their efficacy or legality.

Send questions to: “On Nutrition,” Ed Blonz, c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.