DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) trial published in NEJM showed that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods and with reduced saturated and total fat can substantially lower blood pressure. This trial was published in 1997 – results were seen with 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day but our…
Category: lifestyle
reducetarian
While it does not meet the ethical argument, it does check the boxes for the health and environmental argument. Reducetarian
endurance exercise & AFIB
MODERATION Endurance exercise is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. I have observed this effect since I started practice in Boulder 15 y ago. I have spent hours with my patients, discussing the role of moderation in exercise. Here is data to support this recommendation. Meden Agan The temple of Apollo at Delphi bore the inscription Meden Agan (μηδὲν…
risk thresholds – alcohol
Lancet study re. alcohol use. These data support limits for alcohol consumption that are lower than those recommended in most current guidelines.
beans the magical fruit
Of course, this blog post is about the magical health properties and not the poem, but here goes: Beans, beans, the magical fruit The more you eat, the more you tootThe more you toot, the better you feelSo we have beans at every meal! Both beans and lentils are part of the legume family. Difference between…
social prescribing
Social prescribing, sometimes referred to as community referral, is a means of enabling physicians, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services. Social prescribing is taking off in the UK as this article from the Guardian suggests. Ways to Wellness is one such program in Newcastle, UK. Social…
fasting exercise
If one is seeking to achieve weight loss with diet and exercise, a good strategy might be to not eat until after exercise. NY Times article on this: Summary of the article : working out on an empty stomach in the morning may not prompt us to overeat later and might, instead, lead to calorie…
food for thought
Michelle L. O’Donoghue interview on Medscape with Caldwell Esselstyn and Kim Williams. https://wb.md/2YHcteE I love Esselstyn’s phrase – “nothing with a mother or a face”. How does he respond to “can I do plant based diet halfway?” – “Yes, you can have a small heart attack or stroke or a modest amount of erectile dysfunction…
supplements
Vitamins and supplements are DRUGS! They are NOT substitutes for healthy living. NIH DIETARY SUPPLEMENT FACT SHEETS – check this before taking any supplement. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA. The manufacturers do not need to prove health benefits and so they use vague promises. Doctors who sell this snake-oil out of their offices…
planetary health diet
Animal products industry is the most destructive industry on the planet. 1/2 of Earth’s surface (North America, South America, Europe and Australia combined) is being used to produce animals for your consumption or growing produce to feed them. Vaclav Smil from MIT does a great talk on how we are “harvesting the biosphere“. Humans and…