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Updated: January 23, 2012 3:58AM

Q . I don’t have access to fresh organic produce. Does washing regular stuff well help reduce toxins?

A. Yes, but you’ll need to be a bit OCD about detoxing your fruit and veggies to eliminate any pesticide hangers-on. “Lettuce” tell you how it’s done:

† Wash all fruits and vegetables vigorously for 30 to 60 seconds — yes, pre-washed produce, too — using a brush and running water. This can be as effective as washing in chlorinated water, which reduces bacteria as much as 100-fold.

† Wash the “toxic 10” twice. These 10 fruits and veggies have the most pesticides: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, kale, lettuce, nectarines, peaches and strawberries. Remove and discard outer layers of leafy greens before washing; pesticides are concentrated there.

† Scrub produce with inedible skins, too — citrus, melons, squash, even bananas — especially if you’re slicing into them. The blade will drive toxins from the skin side to the inside.

Q. Lately my hips have been achy. Some days I walk more than 10,000 steps. I’d rather not take ibuprofen, so what can I do?

A. You need to see a doctor to determine what’s up. But as Nancy Sinatra once crooned to her boots, “Keep walking.” Staying active is one of the best ways to keep your joints healthy, but go a little easy until you get looked at. Meanwhile, here are some ways to ease those achy hips naturally:

† Lose some weight if you need to. Extra pounds put extra strain on joints.

† Muscle up. Strength training (even just 10 minutes every other day or so) builds muscular support.

† Get a foot checkup. Flat feet can throw off your gait and hurt your hips. You may need orthotic inserts for your well-fitting, nicely-cushioned, made-for-walking shoes.

† Take omega-3s before and after walking. They act as anti-inflammatories. Take 900 mg of the DHA form of omega-3s. We prefer supplements made from algae, not fish oil; fish get their omega-3s from algae.

† Don’t shy away from ibuprofen or aspirin if you need it occasionally. And try using a heating pad or drugstore heat wrap after walking to keep your muscles from stiffening up.

Q. I’m a 63-year-old male who’s developed pimples in my hair. I am mostly bald but don’t have acne in the bald areas.

A. More likely, you’ve got seborrheic dermatitis, what’s known as cradle cap in babies. Often it’s linked to yeast fungus, although stress, fatigue and winter weather sometimes trigger breakouts. If it’s mild, you may be able to control it with a non-prescription antifungal like 1 percent ketoconazole lotion or a daily application of tea tree oil, or through weekly use of a coal tar shampoo. Also, wash your hair daily with a mild shampoo to keep your scalp and hair clear of oil, debris and dead skin cells.

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