I was recently asked this question – what is the best way to work out? I find that people mean many different things when they ask this. Some mean, “What is the minimal amount of exercise that I can do and be healthy?” while others mean: “What is the best…
This has been a particularly bad flu season, though it seems we may be at the peak and about to see a decrease in infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that flu season usually peaks between December and February, and having this season’s peak at the…
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a type of diet strategy that limits calorie consumption to certain hours within a day, or days within a week. Proponents claim that going without food on a regular basis can reduce disease burden/risk and increase longevity. Some of the more popular types of intermittent fasting…
Most of us have heard of the male hormone, testosterone, and may have even blamed it for everything from extreme sports to the road rage videos on ‘YouTube’. You may also have seen ads on TV, promoting testosterone therapy for aging men. This strange cultural phenomenon – simultaneously rolling our…
I’ve been hopeful about the potential health benefits of fish oil since the late 90’s when researchers proposed that omega-3 fatty acids reduced inflammation. Our cells are covered in a lipid bilayer that contains a compliment of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, and a higher percentage of omega-3…
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, occurring in over two million people each year. Three of the most common types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Last week, characteristic features of each of these were described in…
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, occurring in over two million people each year. Three of the most common types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each has characteristic features that can help alert you to the…
The New York Times recently featured a story on Bob Harper, a celebrity fitness trainer for the hit TV show, “The Biggest Loser.” He is extremely fit and healthy, and yet had a massive heart attack at age 52. As it turns out, he has a fairly common genetic condition…
Most of us presume that taking a multivitamin every day is a good idea. “Can’t hurt, might help” is what we think. And because many of us struggle with getting in enough vitamin-rich fruits and veggies, surely a little supplement is a reasonable “plan B.” In fact, roughly one-third of…
Should you aim for an even lower blood pressure goal? There is a hot debate going on right now between physician groups about blood pressure treatment. Specifically, when should we start prescribing blood-pressure lowering medications? When systolic blood pressure is greater than 140/90? Or perhaps we should begin when it’s…