DEAR DR. BLONZ: I’m on a medication (spironolactone) that is to be taken with food so as to not upset my stomach. I’m not an early-morning eater. Does a good-sized banana plus coffee satisfy that requirement? Thanks -- C.L., Richmond, California.

DEAR C.L.: The “with food” recommendation can be for various reasons, such as when a particular type of food facilitates absorption, or if food limits stomach irritation if the medication were to sit in direct contact with the stomach lining. It depends on the drug and the health situation involved. There should be information provided with the prescription, or you could ask the prescriber or your pharmacist what “with food” would mean for that particular medication. This allows you to speak with professionals who can consider any other medications or health conditions you are being treated for.

You provided the name of your medication (spironolactone); that is one that can irritate the stomach lining, so the presence of food would limit that unwanted effect. As to whether your banana and coffee would suffice, that really depends on how your body responds. Be aware that coffee on an empty stomach can be an irritant in its own right. A small amount of protein and fat may help here, but you and your health professional will be the final arbiters. For more on spironolactone, see b.link/mdii2b2e.

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I see recommendations to drink hot water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach for its “many metabolic benefits.” The list includes detoxification and digestion because hot water can stimulate blood circulation and the lymphatic system to flush toxins from the body. Sounded too good to be true, but the poster cites the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (2010) for support. This would be so easy to do if it worked. There is no money to be made from hot water, so why would one post such information if it were false? Is there anything to this? -- F.P., Oakland, California

DEAR F.P.: Those claimed benefits from drinking hot water first thing sound too good to be true? Precisely! Social media is set up to reward blatant nonsense, as wacko posts encourage people to engage and criticize, and the conversation begins. You may find defenders of the silly stuff and wonder what that’s all about. Those defenders can be secondary identities of the original poster, all designed to increase the number of posts. Viral conversations can result in financial rewards for the posters of falsity. Don’t get conned by the blatant run of health nonsense on social media.

Finally, I found the citation referenced in that hot-water post. It does not support the claims; rather, it concerns the use of hot water by people with a specific swallowing disorder. It is not uncommon for misinformation promoters to make things up and falsely cite research. Always check with evidence-based resources. Irrespective of whether this has anything to do with your interest in this topic, be aware that swallowing disorders are nothing to be trifled with. For more on this topic, see the article at b.link/n82uxzp.

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: Thank you for the column on muscles in the aging body. As a trainer who works with many as they age, I've found that most don't realize adults can lose about 5% of their muscle mass every year. The more muscles you have, the higher your metabolic rate. As highlighted in the attached article, adults can lose 3% to 5% of their muscles per decade, with this rate accelerating after 60. This is a natural process referred to as sarcopenia. The decline, as you mentioned, can be slowed and even reversed with regular resistance training. It is important to take the time to find a reliable trainer and lift weights. -- D.B., Del Mar, California

DEAR D.B.: I appreciate the comments and compliment your career focus on helping clients in this important area of life and health. Fitness and an active lifestyle remain one of life's best returns on investment. Keep it as a lifelong relationship rather than turning to it only after an illness, injury, surgery or when you realize you are no longer able to keep up with your peers.

Take it easy when you start, especially if there are problem areas or medical issues to consider. If you are a senior who has been inactive for a while, be sure to check in with your primary care physician before beginning any training program. Fitness is a worthy goal, but the last thing you want to do is rush things. To avoid overloads or other problems, seek the advice of a trainer who is experienced in working with seniors and who has successfully dealt with your issues.

Consider taking a complete set of body measurements and noting your clothing sizes before you start. Your clothes may begin to fit differently over time. Hunger may increase with your activity level, but seek to satisfy hunger with fruits and other low-calorie, whole foods, all eaten slowly with good hydration. Keep track of your weight weekly, but be less concerned with the number and more comforted by working toward the benefits of a more active lifestyle.

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am looking to get certified in fitness and nutrition. If you know any home study courses, websites, or anyone I can call it would be very helpful. Thank you in advance for your help. -- A.C., Charlotte, North Carolina

DEAR A.C.: I see this a lot -- especially on social media -- and advise caution when dealing with certificate-granting organizations. Do some in-depth checking on any organization that grants fitness or nutrition certificates. Do scientists and academics in the field recognize such credentials as legitimate? Is the certificate-granting faculty trained with bona fide academic degrees -- not ones granted by a similar certificate-granting organization? Don't be overly swayed by the fact that an organization claims to be accredited. Outfits can form their own "independent" organizations and accredit themselves! Be wary, or you may end up with nothing more than a worthless piece of paper.

It is difficult to gain a real knowledge of nutrition via a certification/mail-order course. Nutrition is a science based on biochemistry and complex physiological concepts, and traditional colleges and universities require years to teach the basic tenets of these sciences. Consider taking community college or university extension courses in fitness/nutrition to learn more about the field you want to pursue.

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: Can dietary supplements help with alcohol hangovers? The one I am considering states an ability to bind the toxin acetaldehyde, and I recall it is involved. It says it works on all alcoholic beverages. Could you explain what this is and whether there is any reason to believe that a product like this might work? -- B.S., San Diego, California

DEAR B.S.: A toxin is any substance that can damage systems, organs and cells. Fitting that description are alcohol (ethanol) and acetaldehyde, alcohol's intermediate breakdown product. Most nutrients we eat get absorbed after they've been digested into smaller parts. This involves actions by enzymes and digestive juices, as well as the physical actions of the stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Alcohol is one of the few substances that can be absorbed directly through the lining of the stomach. This explains why we tend to feel its effects sooner, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.

The body has tolerances for alcohol intake due to the limited capacity of the liver, the organ that metabolizes (breaks down) alcohol. The enzymes in the liver can metabolize approximately one drink per hour. (More on alcohol at b.link/qvbn8h.) When consumed at a more rapid rate, alcohol and acetaldehyde get put in the queue awaiting breakdown and elimination. The "queue" here refers to all body fluids, including blood and body tissues. As the concentration of alcohol metabolites increases, we experience intoxication and alcohol's other negative effects.

Tolerance to alcohol correlates with body size. This is not so much because larger individuals metabolize alcohol faster. Rather, it's because they have a greater volume of body fluids and, thus, a larger holding volume to dilute alcohol and its metabolites before processing. Larger people may not "feel it" to the same degree as smaller individuals. This can enable greater intakes and allow alcohol's toxins to unleash their effects for longer periods of time.

Interestingly, metabolic differences have been shown between Asians (and some Native Americans with Asian ancestry) and Caucasians. Approximately 50% of Asians have lower levels of the aldehyde-processing enzymes. With them, ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde, but the process then stalls, allowing an accumulation of alcohol byproducts that can cause adverse reactions, such as increased heart rate and facial flushing. No surprise that abstinence or moderation are underlying messages for any affected in this way.

Acetaldehyde, that first breakdown product, is actually more toxic. A product that binds acetaldehyde could be beneficial. But acetaldehyde is formed primarily by the liver inside the body, not in the digestive system, where this product acts. The product has nothing to offer there.

One potential minor effect might be an ability to bind congeners, impurities in certain alcoholic beverages that can make hangovers more likely and more intense. Beverages with the highest levels of congeners include bourbon, brandy, whiskey, dark rum, dark beer and red wine. The lowest levels of congeners are in vodka, gin, light rum, lager and pilsner beer, and white wine. If it works at all, this product may only affect hangovers caused by congeners, but you should demand objective evidence.

Finally, dehydration, when the body lacks sufficient water to function normally, can also contribute to hangovers. That said, the water consumed with this supplement may be more likely to have a beneficial effect than the pills themselves. (More on hangovers at b.link/3gaup5k.)

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.