The Fables on Pharmacy Labels

Sept. 25, 2011— -- Contact Lens Solution: "No Rub"

A lens solution billed as "no rub" meets FDA requirements for killing bacteria, but it doesn't clear the dead bacteria from the surface of the lens.

"Soaking without rubbing will kill the bug but won't remove the bug body," says Christine Sindt, O.D., head of the American Optometric Association's contact lens and cornea section. "Only rubbing will restore lenses to their cleanest state." That's critical, because wearing lenses that have microbial buildup can lead to eye irritation and infection.

With the lens in your palm, rub with solution for 5 seconds. Then rinse with solution for 5 seconds. Also, wash out your lens case, Sindt says. Bacterial buildup creates a film that can prevent full cleaning.

8 Things Your Doctor's Not Telling You

Vitamin-Enhanced Water: "Good Source of Certain Nutrients Found in Fruit"

"Water products that are infused with minerals and flavors contain only some nutrients in the amounts found in fruit," says David Mallen of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. They might contain comparable amounts of minerals such as zinc and potassium, but they also may have far less of fruit's other crucial nutrients, like vitamin C.

If you really want the nutrition of fruit complete with a full serving of vitamin C, eat an orange.

Joint Health Supplement: "Contains Glucosamine, Proven to Combat Joint Pain"

The compound glucosamine, found in healthy cartilage but not in natural food sources, is often highlighted on supplement labels. But a 2010 analysis in BMJ examined data from 10 clinical trials and found that glucosamine was no better than a placebo at alleviating pain. In fact, the study authors recommended that health insurers not cover the cost of such supplements.

Supplements are not FDA regulated, so be wary of their claims. If you have joint pain, don't self-medicate; see your doctor.

Supplement your health and fitness with this a to z guide

Sunscreen: "Waterproof"

No sunscreen is fully waterproof. "Waterproof doesn't mean you can spend all day in the pool," says D'Anne Kleinsmith, M.D., of the American Academy of Dermatology. FDA guidelines only require "water resistant" sunscreens to maintain SPF after 40 minutes of water immersion.

Reapply water-resistant sunscreen every 60 to 90 minutes, Dr. Kleinsmith advises, just as you would any other type of sunscreen.

Shaving Cream: "Moisturizing and Soothing"

A shaving cream works best when you rub it into your skin, but most men just slap it on, says David C. Steinberg, a personal-care consultant. The product's oils need to penetrate in order to protect and lubricate, so the cream itself is not really "moisturizing and soothing."

Either use a gel, which forces you to rub vigorously, or treat the cream like a gel and rub, rub, rub.

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