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.
Observations: One Thing
Our pretend daughters helped me cut down a dead pine tree a couple of weeks ago (we don’t have any actual daughters, so we just chose two young women we especially liked and pretend they’re ours). I can remember when that pine was planted. It grew from about seven feet tall to well over 25 feet in 15 years. Every tree that was planted in our yard has grown like crazy and thrived. Why did this one die? It had plenty of water. We had a tree service feed and protect the trees against pests and diseases.
The . . .
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Observations: It Can’t Be Fun
I need a mental break from the research and scientific analysis, and I’m thinking maybe you do, too. I like to observe life around me, so I’m going to share some observations this week.
The obesity rate is higher than it’s ever been according to a recent study (1). The two groups that are the fattest in the U.S. are Baby Boomer men and black women in any age group. I observe men my age as well as black women who are struggling just to walk. That can’t be fun to carry an extra 100 . . .
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Breast Cancer Follow-up Options
After treatment for breast cancer, you have a decision to make: do you take the medication to prevent reoccurrence? The decision always lies with the individual after considering all options; my role is to explain the options based on the current research. It goes without question that everyone should try to have the healthiest lifestyle possible including diet, exercise, and supplements. Those will help improve the outcome, medication or not, but this is about whether to take the medication, so here we go.
The Medication Option
Basing the decision on current research, taking the letrozole would seem . . .
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Research on Breast Cancer Reoccurrence
This week, I’m providing my answer to a long-time reader who asked what I thought about taking the estrogen-receptor blocking medication letrozole in light of some side-effects she had. One of the important considerations is how much the medication will help prevent breast cancer reoccurrence. It just so happens that the American Society of Clinical Oncology had their annual meeting last week, and one of the papers presented addressed the issue of long-term use of letrozole (1). Here’s what the abstract said.
Researchers recruited close to 2,000 women who previously had early-stage . . .
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A Breast Cancer Question
If you’re a long-time reader, you know Paula had breast cancer that was successfully treated about 18 months ago. We’ve been through the process, so we know there are no easy answers when it comes to cancer treatment. The same is true for what to do after treatment. This week, I’m going to talk about a question someone recently asked me about post-cancer treatment for breast cancer. The question applies to Paula as well as the person who asked the question, and I think it may help any woman faced with the same question.
A . . .
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Calcium vs. Magnesium: Is It a Battle?
Let’s finish up this calcium versus magnesium controversy that seems to exist by answering the last questions.
When should you take these minerals? My simple answer is any time you want. However, based on most research, taking calcium and magnesium with food will help with absorption. The reason ties back to the form being a non-issue. When you eat food, you release stomach acids which help break down food and that includes the supplements you take. Is it an oversimplification? Yes, but it’s one that doesn’t really matter. I’ll get to that later . . .
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The Controversy: Calcium vs. Magnesium
When it comes to calcium and magnesium, the controversy seems to be about supplementation.
- What is the best form of each mineral?
- When should you take these minerals?
- Do they interfere with each other?
I’ve read more of the research on these topics than I care to admit. I won’t give you chapter and verse answers; I’ll just give you what the totality of the research says.
What’s the best form of each mineral? It really doesn’t matter. Calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide are the most criticized . . .
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Calcium vs. Magnesium
The 100th Indianapolis 500 was run on Sunday. A relatively unknown rookie, Alexander Rossi, won the race. Based on sports news reports, there were more lead changes and more position changes than in many Indy 500s. With 33 cars and drivers, changing track conditions, accidents, bumps, spins, and pit crews, the number of variables that contributed to the win by one driver and the loss by all the rest are too numerous to even try to attempt to calculate. Anyone who says they can do it is delusional.
What does this have to do with calcium and magnesium? There are . . .
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Improvements in the Nutrition Facts Labels
The new nutrition facts labels are out and as promised, I’m going to tell you what I think is important about them. Let’s get right to it.
- The listing of calories per serving is large enough that you can actually read it without searching for it. This is the biggest positive change; I had problems finding it at times and now, it’s the biggest type on the label.
- The serving size is clearly identifiable. This should eliminate the misdirection food manufacturers used to use to suggest that a half . . .
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The New Nutrition Labels
Over 20 years in the making, examined and discussed for over two years: the new Nutrition Facts labels are finally here. I’m glad. I’ve seen people of all ages standing in grocery stores puzzling over the labels and trying to figure out whether an item is one they should purchase or not.
Why did it take so long? The most important reason is that nutrition research takes time. Together with that, they’re trying to determine what is important for an entire population. You may be gluten intolerant or allergic to eggs—that’s important to you. But . . .
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