Long before the advent of alarm clocks, the Sun served as mankind’s lone wake-up call. Conversely, when the dark hours of night rolled around it was an obvious reminder to rest and allow the body to recover from the active day that preceded. This was the logical pattern that served countless generations well, but that has largely been abandoned in modern times. While it’s impractical to try and reclaim this traditional sleep-wake cycle, it may be wise to inch closer to it in ways that fit our schedules. Read more »

Every once in a while I stumble across a “Where are they now?” program on television – a show documenting the lives of famous figures long after the spotlight has left them behind. A similar analogy could be made in the field of medicine. Select foods, medical procedures and supplements are always the recipients of media attention, but typically, it doesn’t last for very long. Does this mean that they’re no longer noteworthy once the spotlight has left them behind? Not from my perspective. That’s why I think it’s so important to continually update the columns I’ve written in the past. Read more »

Recently, I was having dinner at a restaurant and noticed several types of “stuffed potatoes” on the menu. If you’re unfamiliar, the name basically tells it all. A baked potato is cut open and some of the insides are scooped out and then replaced with a variety of fillings such as bacon, broccoli, cheese, chili and sour cream. The end result can be rather delicious and the price is usually right because it’s quite filling. But since I no longer eat potatoes I quickly moved on to other, more nutritious options on the menu. Read more »

Does snacking assist with weight loss or encourage weight gain? At first glance the answer may seem obvious. Many people come to the conclusion that adding a snack or two to your daily schedule surely increases caloric intake and, thereby, contributes to extra pounds. Well, that’s one theory. Another theory is that snacking between meals can help balance blood sugar and stave off overeating in subsequent meals. So which of these competing hypotheses is correct? I’ll give you my two cents on this debate in today’s Healthy Monday tip. * Read more »

Virtually all of the sciences strive to help mankind progress. What’s more, the desire to learn new things and build upon the past is a deeply ingrained characteristic of being human. On the other hand, so is forgetting the past. A case in point is the way modern science views nutrition. Surely there must be a better way of eating than the example set by generations far removed from ours. We’re smarter these days! It’s like comparing one of the first automobiles to the all-terrain, automatic, computer assisted, hybrid vehicles of the present. Right? Not if you ask some truly progressive physicians such Dr. Richard Feinman and Dr. Mehmet Oz. Read more »