In 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.
Read MoreA recent legal victory in the battle over fluoridation of public water supplies has brought attention to a long-debated public health issue. In a case initiated by Food & Water Watch and other advocacy groups, a federal court ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must revisit its stance on the addition of fluoride to drinking water. Historically seen as a safe and effective measure to combat dental decay, the fluoridation of water has now raised concerns about its potential long-term effects on human health. Recent studies indicate that fluoride, particularly in high concentrations, could be harmful, especially to children and vulnerable populations. This blog post explores the court ruling, the health risks associated with fluoride, and what this development means for future public health policies.
Read MoreThe European Union's decision to ban mercury dental fillings (amalgams) by January 2025 marks a significant step in public health and environmental safety. Justin Silverman covered some aspects of the ban in The New York Times on September 17, 2024, in an article called Mercury Dental Fillings and a New E. U. Ban. The author mentioned that removing mercury-containing fillings would cause further mercury toxicity. However, he neglected to tell readers that mercury-containing fillings, called amalgams, can be safely removed, leaving readers to believe they are stuck with their fillings. I will cover the ban, provide information on amalgams, explain the reasons for removing them, and explain how to do it safely.
Read MoreI recently heard an interview with Calley and Casey Means that really resonated with me regarding my concerns about the state of health in America. Their message struck a chord with me, and I believe it's crucial for everyone to hear. Casey Means, a physician who left a thriving career in traditional medicine, and her brother Calley, a whistleblower advocating against the corruption in the food and pharmaceutical industries, have joined forces to address what they see as the root cause of America’s health crisis: our toxic food environment.
Casey and Calley have a compelling story. Casey was frustrated with the medical profession's approach to treating illness, as she found herself constantly treating symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes of her patients' ailments. Calley, on the other hand, was disturbed by the overwhelming influence of big food and big pharma on both doctors and patients. Together, they concluded that our poor health is due to the modern processed foods dominating our diets, and the reason we remain sick is because the pharmaceutical and medical industries benefit from this steady stream of unhealthy patients. This post will discuss their concerns and recommend the solutions.
Read MoreAs a dentist, I encounter a variety of oral health issues, some of which can be quite alarming to patients. One such condition is "hairy tongue," a benign but often distressing condition that can affect the appearance and texture of the tongue. Despite its dramatic appearance, hairy tongue is usually harmless and can be effectively managed with proper oral hygiene and care. In this post, we will explore what hairy tongue is, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention strategies.
Read MoreWhen it comes to dental cavities, most of us instinctively point fingers at sugar. We've all heard the warnings about candy, soda, and sweets being the main culprits behind those pesky cavities. But what if I told you that sugar isn't the only player in this game? Enter salivary amylase, a digestive enzyme found in our saliva, plays a significant role in the development of dental caries, particularly through its interaction with starches like those found in bread, pasta, crackers, etc.
Read MoreRecently, I had the delightful opportunity to chat with Dr. Robert Lustig at a conference where he delivered the main address. We had previously collaborated on a panel at UCLA in 2022. If you're interested, you can watch his presentation starting at 34:15 here. Dr. Lustig is a renowned expert on metabolism, so I took the chance to discuss my recent post on the lipid energy model with him. He shared a research paper he contributed to, promising it would clear up any confusion. The post below is a summary of that paper, which you can read here. This research brings together four main theories into a single OBS/Redox model of obesity.
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 will discuss six dental care basics that your dentist may not be aware of but you should know about. I want to start by saying that if it was just about brushing twice daily, flossing, having two cleanings per year, and adding fluoride, why do so many patients suffer from cavities, gum disease, crooked teeth, no room for wisdom teeth, breathing problems, obesity, high blood pressure, and GERD? This post will explain it all.
Read MoreThe association between senior citizens falling and shorter life spans has been well-established for years. What is less well-known is that one of the most important factors in preventing falls is toe strength. This post will cover recent research on older adults that has brought attention to the importance of toe flexor strength as a predictor of falls, specifically in the dominant foot.
Read MoreQuite often, I speak about human nutrition in very specific ways. While potentially helpful, the overall impact of my message can get lost in the details. However, I do have a basic stance on the basic human diet that is one sentence long and aimed at encapsulating my core beliefs. This post will let you know what it is and give you the information it is based on.
Read MoreWhen I started out as a dentist, I believed that if people would simply avoid sugar, brush twice daily, floss once a day, come in every six months for their cleaning and check-up, and use fluoride, they would be fine. I was wrong. I had good company; many dentists believe that the problems our patients suffer are their fault. There is much more to understand, and it has been omitted from dental education curriculums, leaving dentists and their patients bewildered. This post will explain why this is so, why it happened, and what we can do to solve the problem.
Read MoreRecent studies have shown that insulin is not only important for regulating glucose levels, but also plays a significant role in maintaining healthy mitochondria, particularly in terms of fission. New research suggests that insulin spikes, which often occur after consuming processed carbohydrates, can increase the activity of two substances, RalA and Drp1, leading to the fragmentation of mitochondria. This process highlights a key mechanism through which dietary choices can impact metabolic health and the risk of obesity. This post will cover the mechanism and what we can do to avoid damaging our mitochondria.
Read MoreA very close family member was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and was not keen on taking medication. They approached me for advice. I was inspired to write this post on what osteoporosis is, how to avoid it, and how to live with it, hopefully without medication if possible. It includes both dietary and lifestyle suggestions.
Read MoreBecause I have seen over and over again the poor outcomes of non-treatment, I know many people will regret their decision not to receive treatment. The reasons people don't seek healthcare treatment are innumerable. If they were taking good care of themselves at the same time, things would not be so bad for them. But most people, through no fault of their own, have been fed a veritable pack of lies when it comes to aspects of self-care. So even when they put in an effort to be healthy, the results are minimal. The combination of lack of professional care coupled with lack of self-care is a powerful one-two punch for America. This post will cover the reasons why people don't seek care, refuse treatment when they do, and don’t care for themselves properly.
Read MoreIn today’s post, I will discuss how the mouth plays a significant role in the production of nitric oxide (NO) through a process called the enterosalivary cycle of nitrate. This process involves friendly nitrate-reducing bacteria in the oral cavity, predominantly on the tongue, which reduce dietary nitrate (NO3) from vegetables, meat, and drinking water to nitrite (NO2). The nitrite is then further reduced to NO, which helps regulate systemic blood pressure. This pathway highlights how important oral health is to cardiovascular health. But can mouthwash damage this process?
Read MoreLectins are a type of protein found in various plants, especially grains and legumes, that can bind to cell membranes. They serve a protective function for plants as they grow but can also have negative effects on human health when consumed in large amounts. Despite their natural origins, dietary lectins can be damaging and unhealthy due to their resistance to human digestion and their ability to bind to the cells lining the digestive tract. This post covers the reasons behind the potential harm caused by dietary lectins and provides advice on how to minimize their negative impact on our health.
Read More