Blog — Dr. Scott Solomons

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Dr. Scott Solomons

RFK Jr. Speaks Out: The Corrupt Influence of Big Food and Pharma on Our Health

Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a significant announcement that he was suspending his campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, a decision driven by his deep concern for Americans' health and well-being. His focus, which mirrors mine, was on the urgent need to address the toxic food environment contributing to a health crisis in the United States. His speech, a powerful call to action, brought to light several critical issues, echoing the sentiments of those advocating for a healthier, more sustainable food system. The impact of his message is significant and cannot be ignored.

Kennedy, known for his outspoken criticism of big pharma and big food, pointed out the pervasive influence these industries have over our health agencies. His frustration with how these industries dictate health policies and dietary guidelines resonated with many who are aware of the deep-rooted corruption within these sectors. The concern is that the pharmaceutical and medical industries are more interested in maintaining a steady stream of unhealthy patients rather than addressing the root causes of chronic diseases. This post will cover some of his concerns and discuss the possible solutions.

Hairy Tongue

As 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.

The Hidden Culprit Behind Dental Cavities: Salivary Amylase and Its Role in Tooth Decay

When 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.

Diet, Functional Medicine, Oral Health, PaleoScott Solomons, DDSAugust 19, 2024Dental Caries, Dental Cavities, Salivary Amylase, Tooth Decay, Oral Bacteria, Alpha-Amylase, Salivary PH, Carbohydrate Digestion, Plaque Formation, Oral Health, Dental Plaque, Cariogenic Food, Preventive DentistryComment

A Unifying Theory Explaining the Obesity Epidemic

Recently, 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.

Understanding Chronic Pain: A Biopsychosocial Perspective

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.

Transforming Health Beyond Teeth: The Joy of Ancestral Medicine

This 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.

Good News: Dental X-rays Are Much Safer Than You Think

In the past, lead aprons were commonly used in dental X-rays as a way to protect against radiation. In 2017, the ADA said it was no longer appropriate to use lead aprons when taking radiographs. However, recent research suggests that thyroid collars are also not necessary due to advancements in dental X-ray equipment and practices. According to a detailed review, modern technology significantly reduces stray radiation exposure, making lead aprons and thyroid collars sometimes unnecessary. The American Dental Association (ADA) has updated their guidelines to reflect these findings and to avoid repeated X-rays and increased radiation exposure caused by the use of unnecessary protective gear.

The Six Things We All Need to Know About Oral Health

This 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.

The Real Effect of Pharmaceutical Ads on TV May Surprise You

This 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.

The Major Cause of Falls in the Elderly May Surprise You

The 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.

The Basic Healthy Human Diet In One Sentence

Quite 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.

Improving The Foundation for the Practice of Dentistry

When 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.

Processed Carbs, Insulin and Mitochondrial Health: Why We Are obese and Exhausted

Recent 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.

Diet, Functional Medicine, General HealthScott Solomons, DDSJune 10, 2024Mitochondria, Mitochondrial Fission, Mitochondrial Fussion, Insulin, Insulin Spike, High Fasting Insulin, Processed Carbohydrates, Modern Diet, RalA, Drp1Comment

The Dangers of Identity-Protected Cognition

A 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.

BehaviorScott Solomons, DDSJune 3, 2024Dan M. Kahan, Identity-Protected Cognition, Society, Identity, Motivated Consumption, Misinformation, Disinformation, MalinformationComment

Gell-Mann Amnesia and The Death of Vitamin D

Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann discovered the quark and noticed that when he read a news article about his area of expertise, he found the information to be erroneous. He then wondered whether the other articles he read in the same publication that were beyond his area of expertise were also false. In essence, we turn the page and forget the lies we just read and find credibility in the rest of what we read. Murray's friend and famous author, Michael Chrichton, coined the term Gell-Mann Amnesia to explain the phenomenon. If one news item is wrong, why believe the others are true? As we will see with The New England Journal of Medicine’s dismissal of the importance of vitamin D, why should we believe anything they print?

General HealthScott Solomons, DDSMay 27, 2024Gell-Mann Amnesia, Vitamin D, COVID-19, VITAL Study, Hydroxychloroquine, IvermectinComment

How Do You Get All Of Your Nutrients?

For many years, the prevailing wisdom has been that vegetarian and vegan diets offer superior health benefits compared to diets that include animal products. This perspective is usually coupled with unfounded concerns over the health impacts of consuming meat, eggs, and animal fats and legitimate ethical considerations about animal welfare. When I inform people that I am on the carnivore diet and choose not to eat many fruits, nuts, and vegetables, the question I get asked most often is, " How do you get all of your nutrients, then?" The reality is that question should be posed to those who choose vegan and vegetarian diets because, as we will see, plant-based foods don't contain all of our required nutrients. However, animal-based diets do. This post will cover the misguided belief that plants provide complete nutrition and cover which nutrients are the most likely to be missing or deficient.

Alcohol Substitute for Keto and Carnivore Dieters and Hangover Haters

Many of us in the health community are stuck when it comes to get-togethers, especially informal parties where alcohol is the expected agent for breaking loose. It's hard enough sometimes to refuse offers to try some of the processed foods hosts and guests offer, but refusing alcohol seems to kill the mood outright when refused. As a result, I usually drink alcohol at such times so as not to be a killjoy, and I always regret it the next day. Additionally, drinking can kick us out of ketosis and mess with our metabolism. I am happy to report that there is an alternative that gives you the feeling of alcohol with none of the toxic effects or hangovers associated with alcohol. This post will cover what it is and how you can experience it.

Osteoporosis

A 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.

Lack of Self Care and Untreated Illness: Adding Insult to Injury

Because 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.

Diet, Functional Medicine, General HealthScott Solomons, DDSApril 29, 2024ADA, Medical Costs, Accessibility, PreventionComment

Can Mouthwash and Dental Cleanings Cause High Blood Pressure?

In 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?