Is a diet comprised solely of meat good for you? I think you know the answer. I have been watching the National Geographic series of documentaries Life Below Zero, which features individuals who live (often alone) in harsh conditions in the Alaskan wilderness. They are self-sufficient, providing their own water, heat,… read more "Is Meat Poison? Is Fat the Antidote?"
GOLO for Weight Loss
There are lots of testimonials from people who say they lost weight with GOLO, but its effectiveness is not supported by any scientific evidence. Advertisements for GOLO seem to be everywhere. They feature people who were unable to lose weight until they tried GOLO. The testimonials are enthusiastic and feature… read more "GOLO for Weight Loss"
The Plant Paradox: Steven Gundry’s War on Lectins
Most of what Steven Gundry says in his book The Plant Paradox is demonstrably wrong. There is no science-based reason to avoid lectins. A correspondent asked me to review a book by Steven Gundry, The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in “Healthy” Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain. I intended to reserve… read more "The Plant Paradox: Steven Gundry’s War on Lectins"
Will Intermittent Fasting Help You Lose Weight?
Are you having trouble losing weight? So are a lot of other people. Have you tried intermittent fasting? Should you? According to a survey by the International Food Information Council, intermittent fasting was the most popular weight loss diet in 2018. Some have called it a fad whose adverse effects have… read more "Will Intermittent Fasting Help You Lose Weight?"
Big Success for Anti-obesity Drug
Will an expensive, new, injectable, untested medication help people lose weight? Maybe! But right now, we don’t know if it’s safety and efficacy profiles make it worth the price. When I saw this headline on an article in The Week magazine, I was impressed. Diet and exercise, when combined with existing obesity… read more "Big Success for Anti-obesity Drug"
Plenity – A New Weight Loss Pill
Plenity is a new weight loss pill designed to create a sense of fullness. It is backed by a single study where users had an average weight loss of 22 pounds. Not an effective way to achieve ideal weight, but may help some people when combined with diet and exercise.… read more "Plenity – A New Weight Loss Pill"
Eat for Life: Joel Fuhrman’s Nutritarian Diet
Joel Fuhrman thinks his Nutritarian diet will increase longevity and prevent or treat most chronic diseases. He claims it is based on science, but his evidence is far from convincing. Joel Fuhrman, MD is a celebrity doctor, entrepreneur, and best-selling author whose latest book, Eat for Life, advocates his “Nutritarian” or… read more "Eat for Life: Joel Fuhrman’s Nutritarian Diet"
Adele’s Sirtfood Diet
I recently got an email newsletter from TRC Natural Medicines. One of the articles was “Understanding the Hype Behind Adele’s Sirtfood Diet.” It’s brief enough to quote in its entirety: “English singer-songwriter Adele has made headlines in recent months for her dramatic weight loss. You might start getting questions about the… read more "Adele’s Sirtfood Diet"
The Incorrigible Dr. Oz
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"
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"