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.
Chemicals in Our Environment
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoWe have always lived in a world of chemicals. Some were always part of the planet, such as water and the minerals in the earth; more and more, they’re made by humans when they convert raw materials into chemicals that we can use. As you can imagine, the problem is that whether raw or processed, […]
Chemicals in Foods
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThe last Memo focused on nutrients from foods versus nutrients from supplements. Coincidently, a long-time reader sent me a link to an article about the Dirty Dozen, recently published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Paula also sent me articles to read on our exposure to chemicals in cleaning products and our environment. As a […]
Food or Supplements? Yes!
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThe results of the polyphenol study examining the impact on cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors were mixed. Here’s what the researchers found: The Upside Polyphenols in foods and supplements were effective in reducing risk factors for CVD, both independently and when combined. This wasn’t a seminal paper that changes approaches to nutrition forever, but there were […]
Food or Supplements?
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoOne of the changes I’ve made in selecting topics to write about in these Memos is to read the table of contents of the scientific journals to which I subscribe, especially the nutrition journals. It’s easier to see what’s controversial by looking at news feeds, but they miss a lot of positive nutrition science. One […]
Erythritol: Reserve Judgment for Now
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThe study published in Nature Medicine on erythritol is complex to say the least. I gave you three quarters of the results. There was one more part that I want to cover and then give you my primary issues with the study. As I said in Tuesday’s Memo, I’ve posted a Straight Talk on Health […]
Is Erythritol Safe?
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoHealth writers have been talking pro and con about a new study that was published about erythritol, a commonly used sugar alcohol. The paper demonstrated an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) if a person had too much of the sweetener in their bloodstream. In that sugar alcohols are found in more and […]
Protein Intake: Perspective Required
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoThe research paper that concluded that higher protein intake was associated with muscle loss and sarcopenia seems to offer more questions than answers. That’s actually a good thing, because future research can examine those questions. But there are questions that the researchers didn’t mention. Researcher Observations This is an observational study. Simply put, the subjects […]
Is High Protein Intake Associated with Sarcopenia?
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoIf there’s one thing I’ve learned studying health, fitness, and nutrition for 35 years, it’s this: what we thought we knew yesterday may change based on what we learn today. Given that, I was still surprised to see an article in my news feed with a title “High Protein Intake Associated With Sarcopenia.” The Taking […]
Exploding Gallbladders: Just the Facts
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoLet’s take a look at the actual case study on the exploding gallbladder and figure out what’s relevant and what’s conjecture—by all parties. The Case Study The paper was the result of a close examination of the medical information gathered when a 69-year-old man went to the emergency room at SUNY Brooklyn Medical Center with […]
Exploding Gallbladders!
/in Memos/by Chet ZelaskoHealth Memo readers frequently forward health-related articles to me to ask my opinion; I read them all and respond to the sender if asked. Combined with my health news feeds, I read a lot about health—opinions about health, that is. I’m going to share a couple with you in the next few Memos and—wait for […]