It always surprises me when I run across a patient who is lacking a sweet tooth; they are certainly members of a minority. But let’s keep in mind that sugar is not found only in candy and soda; it’s in most processed foods, from pasta sauces to some peanut butters, rice, bread, crackers, yogurt, and much more. When we rely on quick meals and snacks, we find considerable amounts of added sugar.

The answer may seem obvious, but the question is intriguing: Does a positive outlook matter? It’s so easy to be critical and pessimistic; we live in a complex world. But will we live longer if we see our glass as half full, and not half empty?

Just last January, the US Surgeon General released a new advisory on alcohol consumption and cancer risk. Dr. Vivek Murthy concluded that...

So many factors play a role in determining how long and how well we live, including our personal health habits, where we live, and our...

Recent outbreaks of measles in the United States are raising alarm among public health experts. In 2024, 285 cases were reported in 31...

We are all aware that the state of our health revolves around diet, exercise, and lifestyle. But consider this: Good health may also...

The FDA has redefined the definition of healthy foods. What has changed?

The variety of uses for CBD is rapidly growing. Is CBD effective? Is it safe?

You have an urgent need for medical care. Let’s consider your three main options: your primary care doctor, urgent care…or the emergency room.

Do you reach for the salt shaker without thinking; dine at fast-food restaurants on a regular basis; partake in snack foods, canned foods or frozen foods? If so, salt may be a problem for you. Is salt really so bad? Sodium is one of the electrolytes necessary for hydration, blood volume, heart rhythm, brain function, and the functioning of our nerves and muscles. It becomes a problem only if we consume too much, and unfortunately, nearly all of us do.

We’ve all had an X-ray - on a bone, or a joint, or checking for a cavity in the dentist’s office. Did you know that one of the most common uses of X-rays is for mammograms? A mammogram is the very best way to detect breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective. When should a woman get her first mammogram, and how are they interpreted?

We’ve all been told how important it is to be well-hydrated. What are the best things for us to be drinking?

I have written over 400 health-related columns over the years. Using the Internet to find legitimate scientific information is a skill I had to acquire. There is an abundance of information out there, and it can be difficult to differentiate fact from fiction; science from pseudoscience.

Everyone’s talking about cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol levels have a significant impact on our health. Are there treatments for high or low cortisol levels?

Today’s column may seem obvious, but let’s go for it anyway. Why is it better to eat fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds and nuts, then, say, a fast-food burger? So many of us continue to ignore well-proven science; is it simply because we love the taste of meat and dairy? Does a plant-based diet require a huge amount of effort and discipline? Have the benefits not been sufficiently proven?

I get a lot of questions about the vaccine for hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a viral illness that can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. The World Health Organization estimates that 254 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B in 2022, and that there are 1.2 million new infections each year.   Hepatitis B can be prevented by a series of three vaccines that are safe, available, and effective.

Warts: so common, and so annoying. I see them nearly every day in my practice. At some point, most of us will have one or more.

I spend a lot of time discussing nutrition with my patients, and get questions about olive oil every day. Is it the best oil? Does it have downsides?

Do you notice that you (or a loved one) frequently ask others to repeat themselves? Does speech sometimes sound muffled? Is it difficult to understand words, or follow a conversation, particularly in noisy settings? Are there problems hearing certain consonants or high-pitched sounds, and is the TV or radio volume always set on high?

Have you ever had toenail fungus? It isn’t pretty. It can make the toenail yellow, thick, and cracked. Wearing shoes can be uncomfortable.