Blog

November 20, 2011

Losing weight in middle age lowers heart disease risk

The New York Times “Well” blog reports that according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, “overweight adolescents who slim down in middle age may […]

November 20, 2011

Dietary changes may lower cholesterol better than statins

On its website, ABC News/Good Morning America reports that dietary changes may “do a better job” than taking statins to lower cholesterol.

November 18, 2011

Hunger hormones cause post-dieting weight gain

NBC Nightly News recently reported that a new study gives us clues of “why it’s so hard to keep weight off once you have lost it.”

November 17, 2011

Marijuana causes brain changes similar to those in schizophrenia

HealthDay reports, “Marijuana causes disruptions in concentration and memory similar to those that occur in people with schizophrenia, according to a new study” published in the Journal […]

November 17, 2011

Will new tests promote abortion of an ‘undesired sex’ baby?

Art Caplan, MD, is a physician and bioethicist, who is prochoice, but shares the significant reservations I have about a new blood test that helps a […]

November 16, 2011

Study finds no link between cell phones, cancer

Major media sources provided coverage of a large study from Denmark that found no association between cell phone use and elevated cancer rates.

November 15, 2011

Study associates profanity on TV with foul-mouthed children

USA Today reported that according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, television may be turning “children into fountains of four-letter words.”

November 15, 2011

Pediatrics group warns against secondhand TV in kids under two

In continuing coverage, USA Today reports that in the journal Pediatrics, “the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for the first time included warnings about ‘secondhand television’ in […]

April 21, 2009

Considering an Alternative Therapy? Here are signs that it may be fraudulent and unsafe

According to HealthDay News, alternative therapies, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, or acupressure, are becoming increasingly popular. But you should always use caution when experimenting with […]

April 21, 2009

What Are Friends for? A Longer Life!

Tara Pope, one of my favorite columnists, reports in the New York Times: “In the quest for better health, many people turn to doctors, self-help books […]

April 21, 2009

His Brain, Her Brain: The Impact upon Patient, Personal, and Professional Relationships

In 2008 I was honored to be asked to present this topic to the 36th Annual Conference of the American Academy of Physician Assistants in San […]

April 24, 2009

Embryonic stem cells without embryos gives even MORE reasons to oppose embryonic stem cell research

I came across two studies released just this week that give me even more reasons to oppose the morally-flawed idea of killing embryos for embryonic stem […]

April 24, 2009

Amazing new study suggests breastfeeding may lower a mom’s risk for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease later in life

I’ve been an incredibly strong advocate of breast feeding since my earliest days as a family physician, writer, and medical journalist. But, my support and advocacy […]

April 24, 2009

Faith-Based Health and Healing – Part 12 – Biblical Principles on Which to Base Medical Decisions and The Power of Faith

This is the last entry in this series — which has been one of the most popular I’ve written. I hope it’s been helpful for you […]