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.

Early in my career, the rock stars of the pharmaceutical industry were the Viagra reps. They were treated like royalty when they visited medical offices, often because they left samples behind. There are new stars these days: the GLP reps. By now, almost everyone has heard of Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, or Zepbound. (These four names actually represent only two different drugs, as each drug uses a different name depending on whether it is intended to treat obesity or diabetes.

Did you know that some 85% of us will get an HPV infection in our lifetime? HPV is a group of more than 150 viruses, and is spread primarily through sexual contact. (Note that it is possible to get an HPV infection through non-sexual activity, such as non-sexual skin to skin contact.)   HPV includes mostly low-risk strains (which cause warts). However, the high-risk strains are associated with an increased risk of certain cancers (cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal). A

Are your black plastic kitchen tools, toys, and to-go packages safe? An alarming recent study concluded that they are toxic, and as a result, my kids tossed their kitchen utensils. A week later, the environmental advocacy group Toxic-Free Future announced that their initial results were incorrect.     I was slow on the uptake and did not throw mine away. Evidently, I saved some money. Sometimes we panic before having all of the facts.   Toxic flame retardants actually can get

Who has heard of POTS? It’s not a Disney character, or items in our kitchen. More and more people are being diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a condition that causes the heart to beat faster than normal when we transition from sitting or lying to standing.     The name actually does make sense: P ostural relates to the position of the body, O rthostatic refers to standing upright, T achycardia means a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute, and S yndr

I have been asked to write an article about the health benefits of consuming mushrooms. This is quite difficult for me, as mushrooms are my one irrational dislike. But I do like a challenge, so here goes my most honest attempt.   Mushrooms are a fungus; neither fruit nor vegetable. They grow in a variety of colors and sizes, and instead of producing seeds, they release microscopic spores that form under the cap. They grow above ground, or on the surface of a food source. They

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?