As much as I am not a big fan of indiscriminate use of supplements, after a few patients recently asked me what I thought of methylene blue, I figured I would look into it. Methylene Blue is a synthetic compound known for its vibrant deep blue color. Its history dates back to the late 19th century when it was initially created as a textile dye. Over the years, its uses expanded far beyond simply coloring fabric, revealing a wide array of therapeutic properties that have attracted the attention of scientists, medical professionals, and health enthusiasts.
Read MoreIn the world of modern medicine, pharmaceutical interventions like beta blockers have long been hailed as lifesavers, particularly for those recovering from heart attacks. Prescribed to millions worldwide, these drugs promise to reduce the strain on the heart and prevent further cardiac events. However, groundbreaking recent research is shattering this illusion, suggesting that beta blockers may do more harm than good for many patients, especially women. This post delves into the latest findings from the REBOOT trial, exposes how drug companies manipulate data to inflate their products' effectiveness, and advocates for a proactive, natural approach to health through "Prehab" – a regimen of exercise, quality sleep, sensible sun exposure, and nutrient-dense whole foods. By prioritizing prevention over prescription, we can reclaim control over our cardiovascular well-being.
Read MoreMercury, the gleaming liquid metal once hailed as a miracle cure, has woven a complex thread through the tapestry of medical history. Known as "quicksilver" for its fluidity and allure, it earned infamy as the root of the term "quack," tied to dubious practitioners peddling mercury-laden salves. From ancient elixirs to syphilis treatments and modern dental fillings, mercury’s role in healing has been both celebrated and condemned. Its shimmering promise masked a toxic legacy, one that modern science continues to unravel as we grapple with its health risks and environmental toll. This exploration delves into mercury’s medicinal past, its dental legacy, and the evolving push for safer practices in a world increasingly wary of its dangers.
Read MoreAcanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that often flies under the radar, yet it serves as a striking visual cue to underlying health issues, most notably insulin resistance. Characterized by dark, velvety patches of skin, typically appearing in body folds like the neck, armpits, or groin, this dermatological phenomenon is more than a cosmetic concern—it's a window into metabolic dysfunction. As insulin resistance becomes increasingly prevalent in modern populations, driven by factors like obesity and sedentary lifestyles, understanding its association with acanthosis nigricans is crucial. This post delves into the mechanisms linking these two conditions, exploring how a seemingly superficial skin change can signal deeper systemic problems and why recognizing it early could be a game-changer for health outcomes.
Read MoreSleep is more than a pause—it’s a powerful healer, quietly repairing your body and mind each night. Yet, for too many, it’s a struggle, sabotaged by a modern diet heavy on processed carbs and light on real nourishment. What if the secret to restful nights isn’t in a pill bottle but on your plate? Functional medicine points to a timeless truth: a diet rich in whole, animal-based foods and their natural fats can transform sleep into medicine, while sugar and refined grains keep it just out of reach. Let’s dive into how what you eat rewires how you rest.
Read MoreSleep apnea is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, yet it remains vastly under-diagnosed. Characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, it can lead to serious health risks like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and daytime fatigue that impacts everything from driving to relationships. Snoring is often the loudest clue, but many dismiss it as a harmless annoyance rather than a potential red flag. The reality is that those snorts and gasps could signal obstructed airways, and without intervention, the consequences can creep up silently. Fortunately, you don’t need fancy equipment to start investigating your sleep—you might already have a powerful tool in your pocket: your smartphone. By focusing on snoring and simple recording techniques, you can take the first step toward understanding your sleep health.
Read MoreWe live in a world where the abundance of food is both a blessing and a curse. The modern palate, accustomed to the seductive flavors of processed and hyper-palatable foods, often leads us astray from the path of health. Our taste buds evolved to seek out the most calorie-dense foods for survival but now conspire against us, pushing us towards foods that offer immediate gratification but long-term health detriments. Nutrient-dense foods like liver and egg yolks, which should be dietary staples, are often shunned due to their less appealing flavors compared to the sugar-laden, fat-rich alternatives. Are our taste buds trying to sabotage our health?
Read MoreIn the realm of health and wellness, the allure of quick fixes like detox and cleanse diets has captivated many, promising purification, weight loss, and rejuvenation. However, diving beneath the glossy surface of these claims reveals a lack of scientific support and potential health risks. Instead of these fleeting fads, embracing a lifestyle grounded in whole foods, natural bodily processes, and holistic well-being offers a safer and more sustainable path to health. Here, we explore why the detox myth might be more of a health mirage than a miracle, and suggest a scientifically-backed alternative for those seeking true vitality.
Read MoreIn the maze of modern dietary advice, one truth seems to be emerging with increasing clarity: our bodies thrive on nutrition that mirrors what our ancestors consumed. This isn't about nostalgia; it's about health. The industrial food revolution has brought us convenient, cheap, and highly processed foods, but at what cost? This post delves into why a diet rich in whole foods and animal-based fats, while avoiding processed carbohydrates and vegetable oils, could be the key to reclaiming our health. We'll explore the nutritional superiority of whole foods, the detrimental effects of processed carbs, the industrial horrors of vegetable oil production, and the often overlooked benefits of fats from animal sources. Join me as we explore a path back to natural, sustainable eating that aligns with our biological needs.
Read MoreYour metabolism is the engine that powers everything your body does—from breathing and digesting food to maintaining energy and regulating hormones. When it’s running efficiently, you feel energetic, maintain a healthy weight, think more clearly, and keep chronic health conditions at bay. But what happens when you sabotage this critical system? This post dives into all the ways you can ruin your metabolism (whether intentionally or not) and highlights the habits and lifestyle factors you should avoid if you want your body to thrive.
This is not advice to ruin your metabolism—it’s a tongue-in-cheek guide that shows you what not to do.
Read MoreDermatoporosis, often referred to as the "brittle bone syndrome" of the skin, represents a significant yet underrecognized chronic condition affecting skin integrity. Coined by Saurat, this syndrome reflects a progressive weakening of the skin's protective mechanisms, culminating in fragility and increased susceptibility to injury. While aging is a primary factor, environmental exposures and certain medications exacerbate the condition, leading to a range of complications from minor bruises to life-threatening skin necrosis. This blog dives into the complexities of dermatoporosis, its stages, underlying mechanisms, and potential treatment options.
Read MoreThe ongoing discussion about diet and health often includes a critical and contentious topic: the role of vegetable oils in chronic diseases. These oils, which are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are commonly found in modern processed foods. However, increasing evidence, including insights from Chris Masterjohn's detailed analysis, suggests that these oils may be linked to heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Interestingly, it may not be the PUFAs themselves that are the sole culprits; rather, it is their interaction with vitamin E that could delay the onset of these diseases, making the connection less obvious. This post aims to clarify the relationship between lipid peroxidation, vitamin E, and the long-term health effects of consuming vegetable oils, simplifying a complex but important topic.
Read MoreIn this post, I will delve into the fascinating contrast between traditional diets and the modern processed food environment. From the Maasai of East Africa, who thrive on animal-based fats, to the Kitavans and Tukisenta, who rely primarily on carbohydrate-rich foods, these diverse groups have lived free from the chronic diseases that plague modern societies—despite consuming diets that would challenge conventional dietary wisdom. Interestingly, many of these populations, such as the Kitavans and Maasai, smoke regularly yet do not suffer from high rates of cancer or heart disease. This article examines what we can learn from their lifestyles and dietary patterns, emphasizing how processed foods, especially refined carbohydrates and seed oils, are likely at the root of modern health crises. Through the lens of these traditional cultures, I explore how real, whole foods promote health and how the modern diet is undermining it.
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 MoreThe Bradford-Hill Criteria is a fundamental tool used in medicine and public health to establish the cause of diseases and conditions, especially when dealing with long-term exposures like cigarette smoking or environmental toxins. Learn how Sir Austin Bradford Hill's framework has influenced research and shaped our understanding of causation, guiding scientists in their fight against chronic diseases. This poste how this critical tool impacts modern medicine.
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 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 MoreOn average, people spend about 60 to 90 minutes each day eating, which translates to approximately 15 to 30 minutes with food in their mouths. While this might seem like a small portion of the day, the impact of the food we consume on our oral health can be significant. But what happens once we swallow our food? The consequences extend far beyond the mouth, affecting our entire body in ways that are often devastating. I will explore the profound effects of diet on both oral and overall health and highlight the importance of a whole-food diet devoid of processed carbohydrates and vegetable oils.
Read MoreCarnosine is a small but mighty molecule with significant therapeutic potential and crucial roles in muscle function, antioxidant defense, and overall health. The molecule is classified as a dipeptide because it is composed of beta-alanine and histidine and is predominantly found in animal-based foods, which is one of the many reasons I suggest including animal-based foods in our diets. It is also why carn, being a Latin root word for meat, is in its name. While it offers numerous health benefits, those following vegan and vegetarian diets are at risk of carnosine deficiency, which can lead to several health and performance issues. This post delves into the importance of carnosine, its sources, the consequences of low carnosine levels in plant-based diets, and strategies to mitigate these risks.
Read MoreMany of us are efficient at storing energy and inefficient at burning it when it comes to our metabolism. For instance, I see lots of frustrated people eating what appear to be healthy salads, yet they continue to gain weight. Two things in our diets harm our metabolic efficiency. At the end of this post, I will explain what they are and why most people have a metabolism stuck in growth mode while a decreasingly small minority can readily burn the calories they consume.
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