I have taken Zocor for several years to control my cholesterol, and it keeps the cholesterol around 200. It does nothing for my elevated triglycerides, though, and my ratio has been around 5, although it should be under 4.

I started taking fish oil concentrate for itchy dry skin. It certainly helped, but to my surprise I discovered, by accident, that the fish oil seems to have had a dramatic effect on my blood lipids. The triglycerides have dropped more than 160 points and now are within the normal range. The cholesterol ratio is down to 4. And most startling of all, my cholesterol is now just 94. Is there a connection between fish oil and cholesterol? My doctor is considering cutting my dose of Zocor, since he says 94 might be just too low.

Fish oil is well-known to lower cholesterol and triglycerides and raise good HDL cholesterol. It also reduces the risk of blood clots and stabilizes the electrical activity of heart cells, reducing the chance of irregular heart rhythms.

We agree with your physician that a cholesterol level of 94 could be too low. There is some research to suggest that very low cholesterol is associated with depression and bleeding strokes.

I am a tea drinker green, black and herbals. I grew up putting milk in my black tea, but I drink iced tea and herbals unadulterated. I happened to overhear a conversation in which someone said putting milk in tea destroys the healthful benefits of the phytochemicals. Is this a fact? If it does have some effect, does it completely negate all the benefits of the black tea?

Don’t worry about the milk in your black tea. According to Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., chief of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University, milk doesn’t interfere substantially with those beneficial plant chemicals.

Recent research has confirmed that the antioxidant compounds in tea can be very good for you. Controlled studies have shown that tea drinkers are less likely to die from heart attacks. There also are studies suggesting that green tea might have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activity.

Will the daily use of one teaspoon of Metamucil over a long period of time become habit-forming? Would one’s system become dependent upon the psyllium for regular bowel elimination? Do you have any other suggestions for dealing with constipation?

Psyllium (the component of Metamucil and similar products) provides soluble fiber and is not a stimulant laxative. There is no need to worry about becoming dependent upon it. There are many other safe approaches to solving the constipation problem. Over the years readers have shared their favorite remedies, including fresh dates and uncooked prunes, chocolate, hot water with lemon juice, sugar-free gum and blackstrap molasses.

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, N.Y. 10017, or e-mail them at www.peoplespharmacy.com.