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.
Folinic Acid and Autism
The 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
There 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
The 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?
Body 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
The 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?
Per- 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
The 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
“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
I 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 […]
Is Cold Pasta Healthier?
Our grandson Riley has loved pasta since he started eating solid food (that’s him digging into his pasta at two; if his ear looks orange, it’s because his imaginary cell phone rang during dinner), and he often eats it cold. I mean refrigerator cold; he’ll eat it warm if we go out to a restaurant, […]
