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It takes (healthy) guts to fight cancer
Bear Bryant, who won six national championships and 13 conference championships as the head coach at the University of Alabama, once said, "There's no substitute for guts." And while gumption can power a lot of positive accomplishments, when it comes to fighting cancer (instead of Auburn), you want to make sure your guts are healthy enough for ...Read more
Is your LDL cholesterol level cumin down?
Cumin, a member of the parsley family, is a spice used in Asian and Indian cuisines and shows up in garam masala, curries, and rice and vegetable dishes -- either as a powder or whole seeds. But it may do a lot more than add a warm, earthy flavor to your food. A new study in Food Science & Nutrition looked at the effect of eating 5 grams of ...Read more
Osteoboost Belt Needs More Study Before Being Recommended
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old female who was first diagnosed with osteopenia and now osteoporosis. My physician has highly recommended medication or a monthly injection. I have completed hours of research and am very unhappy with the many personal stories of side effects. Evenity, the one drug that actually claims to rebuild bone, is not ...Read more
If you don't give a hill of beans about your kidney health, beware!
More than 35 million Americans are estimated to have chronic kidney disease (that means their kidneys cannot effectively clear out waste and extra fluid from their bloodstream), and 90% have no idea they have the life-shortening condition. That sets them up for kidney failure, dialysis, stroke, and heart disease. And those risks are compounded ...Read more
Working Out Which Plant-Based Milk Substitute Is The Healthiest
DEAR DR. ROACH: Everyone in my family except for me has converted to using almond milk instead of cow's milk. I just saw something on the internet that says almond milk is possibly the worst plant-based milk substitute. I trust your opinion and research. Can you please educate me on what is best? Are plant-based milks really better than cow's ...Read more
Investigating Whether Vaccine Side Effects Are Underreported
DEAR DR. ROACH: You recently posted a couple of articles about the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and the benefits versus the risks. I know the risks are based on data. But I wonder how many people have severe reactions to the vaccine, and it doesn't get reported because they don't end up going to the hospital or the doctor.
I ...Read more
The power of prehab
Did you know that one out of every nine people in the U.S. reports undergoing at least one surgical procedure in the past year? Or that for folks receiving Medicare, that number hits one in five? Unfortunately, things don't always go smoothly.
A study in The BMJ identified adverse events in more than one-third of U.S. patients admitted to the ...Read more
Comparing Treatments For BPH, From Tamsulosin To Surgery
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and I am taking tamsulosin daily. It works and helps with my daily urination. How long should I continue to take it? Are there any related side effects? Or should I consider an eventual prostatectomy? Thank you. -- A.
ANSWER: Tamsulosin is an effective treatment for most men with ...Read more
Surprise! A cup of coffee actually reduces your AFib risks
For years, doctors have told the 10 million atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients in the U.S. to avoid drinking coffee. But the DECAF study (Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?), conducted by researchers in California and Australia, reveals that one cup or one shot of espresso daily (not more) has a very positive benefit. Over six months, ...Read more
California Sober
The so-called "California sober" trend involves swapping alcohol in favor of cannabis consumption in the belief that it's less harmful to the body and reduces the danger of using more potent drugs like opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine.
A small published study suggests the approach actually does reduce alcohol consumption, at least in the ...Read more
Paxlovid Does Not Replace The Need For Covid Vaccinations
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 74-year-old woman who is in better-than-average shape for my age. I only take blood pressure meds, walk for exercise, and am only slightly overweight.
I have had seven COVID vaccinations from February 2021 to September of this year. I asked my primary doctor if I should get more, and he said "no." His reasoning is that ...Read more
Are you running on empty?
If you're a recreational runner (or a serious 7,000 to 10,000-steps-a-day walker), you want to do everything you can to avoid injury while you're enjoying the great outdoors. But studies show that up to 90% of runners will be injured doing what they love and although it's less risky, you can bet that walkers also experience twisted ankles, ...Read more
On Nutrition: Collagen supplements?
Susan T. reads this column on the Omaha World-Herald and asks: “What do you think of taking collagen as a supplement? My son saw something about the benefits of collagen and asked ChatGPT about it. The response touted the benefits of collagen, but I am a skeptic. I would like to hear the opinion of a registered dietitian. Thank you.”
It ...Read more
Life, Death and Axes
Let's look at some converging lines of population numbers. The United States appears to be trending toward a new club of nations: those in which annual deaths routinely outnumber births. Some countries in Europe and Asia, such as Japan, Italy, South Korea and Germany, already have more deaths each year than births.
The biggest driver appears ...Read more
GLP One Less for the Road
Apart from their widely celebrated effect at weight loss and diabetes management, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy might also reduce alcohol use.
In a pilot study published in Scientific Reports, researchers found that GLP-1 agonists (which mimic the effects of GLP-1 compounds) slowed the speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream, ...Read more
On Nutrition: Mechanics of nutrition
I’ve been a nutrition nerd for a long time. In my college years, I’m sure I was a source of irritation with my many questions. One professor in particular got especially annoyed when I continued to drill him to understand not just the “what” of nutrients, but the “how.”
I guess I’m still that way. And over the years, as we’ve ...Read more
Homeopathy for Endometriosis-Related Hormonal Imbalances: Natural Support for Hormonal Health
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing hormonal imbalances and various symptoms. While conventional medical treatments are available, some individuals seek alternative approaches like homeopathy to manage endometriosis-related hormonal imbalances. Homeopathy is a holistic system of...Read more
Homeopathy for Female Hormonal Imbalances: Natural Approaches for Hormonal Health
Female hormonal imbalances can cause a range of symptoms and affect overall well-being. While there are various factors contributing to these imbalances, some individuals explore alternative therapies like homeopathy for potential solutions. Homeopathy is a holistic approach that aims to address the underlying imbalances and restore harmony ...Read more
Homeopathy for Premature Ejaculation: Natural Approaches for Improved Sexual Health
Premature ejaculation is a common sexual concern that can affect the quality of intimate relationships and cause distress. While there are various factors contributing to this condition, including psychological, physiological, and emotional aspects, some individuals explore alternative therapies like homeopathy for potential solutions. ...Read more
Homeopathy for Night Sweats: Natural Solutions for Better Sleep
Night sweats can disrupt sleep and leave individuals feeling uncomfortable and exhausted. While there are various causes of night sweats, such as hormonal imbalances, infections, or certain medications, some people seek alternative approaches like homeopathy for relief. Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine that aims to stimulate the ...Read more
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