Dr. Chet’s Health Memos
If it’s in the health news today, I’ll be writing about it as soon as I read the research, both old and new. With my email Health Memos, you’ll know more about making lifestyle choices that will help you get and keep good health. These free, concise updates on health are emailed to subscribers twice a week. Subscribe today and get a free MP3, in English or Spanish, of Dr. Chet’s Top Ten Tips—Small Changes for a Healthier Life.
Cheesy Pasta: My Gooey Mess
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoLast Saturday I said that with all the heavy health news going on, it was time to change it up and talk about something a little lighter. Nothing could be lighter than cooking with just three ingredients to get a magnificent pasta dish. The dish is called Cacio e Pepe (Cheese and Pepper in English), […]
Folinic Acid and Autism
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThe other news related to autism was talk about the potential benefits of a pharmacological form of folate called folinic acid, an active form of vitamin B9; it’s being described as a cure for autism. In fact, the new CDC administration is fast-tracking a change in label use for the drug so it can be […]
Acetaminophen and Pregnancy
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThere have been statements circulating in the health news related to autism in the past couple of weeks, and I want to provide some perspective on both. Today it’s about a link between autism and acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol, also known in other countries as paracetamol. Acetaminophen is also an ingredient in OTC […]
BMI: Still Relevant
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThe study I reviewed on Tuesday was trying to establish that body fat as assessed by BIA was a better predictor of the 25-year death rate than BMI. Researchers made their case by using data collected in the 1999–2000 NHANES wave to establish that a measure of body fat that can be collected with a […]
Are We Done with BMI?
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoBody mass index has been used for decades as a way to assess whether someone is at a healthy body weight for their height. For just about as long, it’s been under attack for the people who feel it was not representative of their body composition; high muscle mass and bigger bones were two of […]
Forever Chemicals: Maybe Not Forever
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThe issue with forever chemicals, particularly PFAS, is that we can’t avoid exposure, especially because they are found in the water supply. That’s why a couple of recent studies provide some hope that a solution can be found in the foods we eat, specifically fiber. Study One: Oat Fiber, Cholesterol, and PFAS Canadian researchers examined […]
Should You Worry About Forever Chemicals?
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS for short) are found in water to the extent that 100% of the population has measurable PFAS in their blood. PFAS are synthetic chemicals that are used in many products such as fire and heat retardants and oil- and stain-resistant products. Teflon coating in cookware is the best example of […]
Artificial Sweeteners—Still Your Choice
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThe use of artificial sweeteners is always a contentious topic in the health field. Some people hate them, other people love them. I use them occasionally, but when it comes to benefits versus harms, I stick to the research. In this case, it’s what wasn’t stated in the headlines about the study that is important, […]
Artificial Sweeteners—Again
/in Memos/by Chet Zelasko“I’ll have the jumbo mega-burger with extra cheese, a large order of fries, and a diet cola.” Have you ever heard that when you’re standing in line? Have you maybe ordered that yourself? That’s what I thought of when I read the health headlines about the dangers of artificial sweeteners contributing to the development of […]
Why You Need a Plan
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoI recently watched a documentary about a weight loss game show that was very popular about 25 years ago and lasted for 17 seasons. The show was one Paula and I watched for a number of seasons, but eventually we lost interest as the show became more bizarre and unrealistic. The documentary was challenging to […]