* Women run a greater risk of developing gall stones if their ascorbic acid levels are low. Researchers found that women who take regular supplements of ascorbic acid had lower rates of gall stones, but strangely this protection was limited to women who also drank alcohol regularly (J of Clin Epim, 1998; 51: 257-65).

* Prozac (fluoxetine) may cause aplastic anaemia, doctors at a Barcelona hospital have reported. The case, believed to be the first reported incident of aplastic anaemia caused by the drug, involved a 28 year old man who was given a daily dose of 20 mg of the antidepressant (Lancet, 1998; 351: 1031).