Health, Not Health Care Health, not health care – that’s the debate this country should have. To have a healthy economy, you need a healthy population – a population that can work long and enjoy their lives with family and friends. The UN knows this, and just put out its position paper on world health. […]
Cholesterol – what does those numbers really mean to me? (5/31/11)
Behind the Numbers Be careful what you wish for – especially when the target is something as complex as cholesterol and heart disease. Controlling cholesterol levels has near religious status among drug companies and many researchers. Statins have been the source of tens of billions in profits for drug companies, who have continued to […]
Is sugar poison? (5/5/11)
Villain or Hero? We like our villains simple and singular, whether in politics or food. Our brains crave order, but seeing issues as part of larger systems is too complicated, too effortful and time consuming to seem worth it. Besides, it makes for lousy copy. Better to choose a villain. Recently, patients have been coming […]
Cut your light at night (3/9/11)
Light is a Drug If reading this at night, you might want to dim the lights. Q: What is the drug everyone is sensitive to? A: Light. (Some, but not all blind people are exceptions – more below) Q:What does it do? A: Change body clocks; in the daytime improve mood and create vitamin D; […]
Stand up for your health (1/17/11)
Stand Up More and more studies demonstrate that sitting down is hazardous to your health. Yet moving, even standing for a minute, marks a positive change. So it’s time to stand up and take charge of your health. Scotland and America It’s strange to see two cohort studies of approximately the same size […]