Dr. Mehmet Oz, the cardiothoracic surgeon who became a media star thanks to Oprah, has been widely criticized by physicians and others for giving non-scientific medical advice. The James Randi Educational Foundation dishonored him with three Pigasus awards, more than any other recipient. A study in the British Medical Journal… read more "The Incorrigible Dr. Oz"
Ancient Navajo Cure for Hearing Loss: A Lesson in Spotting Red Flags
I’ve been getting emails advertising a lost Navajo remedy that can cure deafness. Nearly 33,500 people have allegedly reversed their hearing loss in just two weeks with this 100 percent natural treatment. The emails invited me to watch a free video presentation by Ben Carter. I did. What I found was… read more "Ancient Navajo Cure for Hearing Loss: A Lesson in Spotting Red Flags"
Chiropractors: Pro and Con
In a recent article in The New York Times, pediatrician Aaron Carroll asks us to rethink our biases against chiropractors when it comes to treating bad backs. He points out that lower back pain is a common problem that usually resolves over time, and that interventions that focus on relief… read more "Chiropractors: Pro and Con"
The Vicissitudes of the Egg: From Vilification to Vindication
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and other nutrients in a convenient, inexpensive package. One egg contains 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of healthy fats, plus: Vitamin A: 6 percent of Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) Folate: 5 percent of RDA Vitamin B5: 7 percent of RDA Vitamin… read more "The Vicissitudes of the Egg: From Vilification to Vindication"
Do I Really Need to Drink 200 Ounces of Water Every Day?
The word on the street is that we need to drink eight to ten eight-ounce glasses of water (8×8) every day to keep hydrated and healthy. The word on the street is wrong. The myth says: 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated In 37 percent of Americans, the thirst… read more "Do I Really Need to Drink 200 Ounces of Water Every Day?"
Why Physical Activity Does Little to Control Weight
There are things we know we don’t know and things we know we know; but sometimes the things we know we know aren’t so. An article by Herman Pontzer in the February 2017 issue of Scientific American, “The Exercise Paradox,” describes new research findings that challenge our conventional wisdom about… read more "Why Physical Activity Does Little to Control Weight"
Turmeric/Curcumin: The “Natural Remedy of the Century” or a Waste of Money?
Turmeric is a yellow spice used in Indian cuisine; its active ingredient, marketed as a dietary supplement, is curcumin. It is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is said to balance vata, pitta, and kapha, to kindle agni, and to help reduce kapha and ama. It allegedly supports the… read more "Turmeric/Curcumin: The “Natural Remedy of the Century” or a Waste of Money?"
Self-Hatred: The Cause of Autoimmune Disease?
When we get sick we naturally want to understand what is happening to us. Our first question is: What is it? We want to put a name to our suffering by establishing a diagnosis. Then we ask: “Why is this happening to me?” “What caused it?” “Could I have done… read more "Self-Hatred: The Cause of Autoimmune Disease?"
The Screening Test that Caused an Epidemic
There is a worldwide epidemic of thyroid cancer. South Korea has been hit the hardest; in 2011, the rate of thyroid cancer diagnoses was fifteen times what it was in 1993. There have also been dramatic increases in other countries including the United States, France, Italy, the UK, and Japan,… read more "The Screening Test that Caused an Epidemic"
A Questionable Letter of Recommendation for Ear Candling
The New York Times Magazine has published a remarkable article by Kathryn Jezer-Morton: a letter of recommendation for ear candling. It is part of a regular series of “Letters of Recommendation” that the magazine publishes as “celebrations of objects and experiences that have been overlooked or underappreciated.” Jezer-Morton’s article is… read more "A Questionable Letter of Recommendation for Ear Candling"