In this sixth part of The Incredible Human series, we’ll explore our unique ability to create and appreciate art. This capacity for art, which spans painting, sculpture, dance, and beyond, reflects an essential aspect of human existence. Like music, art is present in every culture and has persisted through history, suggesting its integral role in human biology. But what is it about art that has captivated humans for thousands of years? From cave paintings to modern installations, art has served as a means of expression, communication, and connection that resonates across boundaries of language and time. We’ll dive into the reasons behind our drive to create and connect through art, how our brains perceive it, and the benefits art brings to our health and society.
Read MoreMissed appointments can be a common frustration for medical practices, especially dental offices. While most patients understand the importance of showing up for their scheduled visits, a small number of patients—often referred to as serial offenders—routinely fail to attend, even when they claim to be in pain. This not only disrupts the practice's schedule and finances but can also negatively affect the patient's health. In this post, we’ll explore how missed appointments impact dental practices, examine how the Pareto Principle applies to this issue, and discuss strategies to help reduce no-shows, including my own "same day only" designation for habitual offenders.
Read MoreDiscover the hidden epidemic of "Processed Food Syndrome" and how it links our modern diet to a range of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. This post uncovers the alarming rise in these conditions, exploring the dangerous role of processed foods, toxic additives, and industrial chemicals like atrazine and vegetable oils. Drawing insights from leading experts like Dr. Robert Lustig, Dr. Chris Knobbe, and Calley and Casey Means, learn how our food environment is sabotaging our health and what you can do to protect yourself. Click to read and take the first step toward reclaiming your health!
Read MoreIn my teenage years, I, like many others, dealt with the occasional acne breakout. It wasn't anything too severe—just a few pimples here and there, both on my face and back. However, my mother, concerned about my appearance, decided to take me to a dermatologist. At the time, I had no idea that my journey with acne treatment would involve years of daily antibiotics. The dermatologist quickly prescribed either tetracycline or erythromycin (I can't remember which came first), and I ended up taking antibiotics daily for at least four years. Looking back, I now realize the potential damage this regimen may have caused. This blog catalogs some of the issues associated with chronic antibiotic use.
Read MoreI just started doing "sun salutations" in the morning after a prolonged layoff from doing them. I had moved on to other forms of dynamic stretching, especially when I was doing CrossFit. I have been doing more sprinting, bicycle riding, and farmer's carries, and my back and legs were starting to get very tight, especially in the morning. I did a few minutes of what they call sun salutations this morning, and the results were immediate and close to miraculous. In this post, I will describe what they are and why they are a very worthwhile addition to my morning routine.
Read MoreIn the United States, data has consistently shown that individuals with a college education tend to live longer than those with only a high school education. A report from the National Center for Health Statistics found that in 2017, men with a college degree lived an average of 8.6 years longer than those with just a high school diploma, while college-educated women lived 4.2 years longer than their less-educated counterparts. The factors contributing to this disparity are multifaceted, with diet, lifestyle, healthcare access, and socioeconomic factors playing key roles. This post will cover some of the reasons why the disparity exists and what to do about them.
Read MoreIn this post, I am using type 2 diabetes as an example to highlight the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses despite significant research and pharmaceutical intervention. The true cause is often overlooked due to the enormous profits associated with treating the illness, leaving prevention and the actual cure sidelined. I will explain the reasons behind this phenomenon later in this post. First, let's examine some type 2 diabetes statistics.
In 1977, George Engel's revolutionary call for a new medical model helped pave the way for a holistic approach to chronic pain. He advocated for the integration of social, psychological, and behavioral dimensions of illness. This model allows for greater flexibility in understanding and treating pain by moving away from the simplistic correlation between pain and tissue damage and recognizing that psychosocial factors often play a substantial role. His ideas became known as the biopsychosocial model. This post will cover what it is and how it can help address the complications of chronic pain.
Read MoreThis post will relate to an encounter with one of my patients that recently made me very happy. When most patients come to me, they often assume that I am just like any other dentist. However, what they don't realize is that my practice is unique. I specialize in treating the root cause of gum disease, tooth decay, and facial development issues, taking a holistic approach that considers the entire body. This approach, which is often new and intriguing to them, sets my practice apart. Despite my recommendations, my free-range patients often continue with their unhealthy lifestyles. But I'm used to it. After all, people should be free to live their lives as they see fit. However, many of my patients implement my recommendations and transform their health. When I hear their stories, I am overjoyed.
Read MoreThis post takes a closer look at the world of pharmaceutical advertising, which is often intricate and controversial. It exposes the multi-billion dollar campaigns that may have an influence on more than just consumer choices. The promotions often prioritize lesser drugs and there is potential for conflicts of interest to arise within media relationships. This article sheds light on the profound impact of pharmaceutical advertising on both public perception and healthcare practices. It raises critical questions about the intentions behind these advertisements and examines the ethical dimensions of such heavy investments. By tracing the flow of money from pharmaceutical companies into media outlets, this discussion explores how this influx of capital could be shaping the news and information that reaches the public, possibly at the cost of unbiased reporting and the broader public health. Ultimately, this overview sets the stage for a deeper investigation into whether these advertising dollars are merely driving sales or also buying silence and compliance within the media and beyond.
Read MoreA 2017 paper by Dan M. Kahan of Yale University explains identity-protective cognition. In his paper, he explores how people's political, cultural, sexual, and social identities have a major influence on their beliefs. Kahan originally termed this phenomenon "identity-protective cognition." Intelligence evolved more as a tool to enhance personal well-being, social status, and group belonging than a means of determining objective truth. He explains that intelligent individuals can reject scientifically accurate data in favor of information that aligns with the beliefs of their cultural, political, or social groups. As a result, we should expect individuals to acquire habits of mind that guide them to form and persist in beliefs that express their membership in and loyalty to a particular identity-defining affinity group. For example, Ketanji Brown Jackson was asked what defines a woman during her hearing to become a Supreme Court justice. She said she could not give the definition as she is not a biologist. A person uninvolved in gender ideology culture can easily describe a woman. Identity-protective cognition goes a long way in explaining how insanely polarizing things get when it comes to health, diet, medication, Covid, and most other current science, politics, and community standards. This post will help explain Kahan's perspectives.
Read MoreI just watched the documentary "Bad Surgeon," which is available on Netflix. It details the privileged lifestyle and works of a physician, Paolo Macchiarini, who appeared to be pioneering groundbreaking surgeries that could help save the lives of people who otherwise would die. In the end, it is revealed that he skipped critical research, hid his devastating outcomes, used faulty techniques, and did not truly care for his patients, colleagues, family, or friends. In short, he was a sociopath only concerned with his reputation and lifestyle. He used the excuse that the people were going to die, so he thought his "experimental" procedures were an acceptable means of saving lives. His actions were no different than those imposed on us during the height of COVID by most of the governing bodies of the globe. They all tried to justify their ethical misconduct by telling us they were only trying to save us. This post will cover some aspects of medical ethics as they relate to the documentary and the COVID pandemic.
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