Dr Russ Blog:

Ups and Downs - Does Weight Cycling Make Future Weight Loss Harder?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:38:00 GMT

Yo-yo dieting, or weight cycling, is commonplace and frustrating. We try to lose weight, are often successful, only to gain it back again. We then go through this scenario over and over again. Recently there seems to be a growing concern amongst the public that weight cycling can actually make it harder to lose weight in the future. Thus far the science does not support the idea that weight cycling makes future appropriate weight loss more difficult, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Read More

Cranial Osteopathy - Are You "Sick in the Head?"

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:36:00 GMT

Can gentle, strategically-applied pressure on your head and face offer therapeutic relief to people who have sinusitis?

Some practitioners of cranial osteopathy believe so, and also believe that the gentle manipulations employed can be used to help relieve health problems in other parts of the body.

The field of cranial osteopathy is somewhat controversial, however; the philosophy underpinning cranial osteopathy is challenged by many conventional medical practitioners. That stated, I have seen some people with sinus problems benefit from this relaxing and gentle approach. I simply recommend exploring some other options first.

Read More

New Research: Healthy Eating Prevents Depression

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:21:00 GMT

Can you eat your way out of "the blues?" Yes and no... When we're depressed we often turn to food for comfort, and that can lead to weight gain and other problems.

However, a new study out of The British Journal of Psychiatry strongly suggests that a diet high in processed, high fat, and fried foods contributes to the development of depression.

On the other hand, people who ate more "whole foods," like fruits and vegetables, and got omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fish, had a lower incidence of depression. So, eating WELL may help keep us happy (and healthy).

Read More

Curry - Spice of Life?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:34:00 GMT

Do you enjoy the delicious taste of curry foods? If so, great!

And if you've not tried curry dishes, maybe it's time to try.

A newly published study suggests that eating curry foods may help prevent some forms of cancer, perhaps especially those of the digestive tract.

So, maybe it's time to add a new Indian or Thai twist to that favorite recipe of yours!

Read More

The H1N1 Vaccine: Protection Against a Potentially Dangerous Illness

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:45:00 GMT

The H1N1 flu has arrived and many people in our own home towns have come down with it. Most have experienced a rough couple of days and then have started to get better. Others, unfortunately, have gotten severely ill.

Our health officials have acted rapidly and dramatically. They recommend that we get the new H1N1 vaccine when it is available. Take a look at the CDC's web site about the H1N1 vaccine (below), the CDC's web site about vaccine safety (below), and ask your doctor if the vaccine is right for you.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/updates/#

Read More

Is a Low Carb, High Protein Diet Good for you?

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:04:00 GMT

It's a mouse study, for goodness sake!

Yes, indeed, a study performed on mice showed that a low-carbohydrate, high-protein (LCHP) diet lowered cholesterol levels, led to lesser weight gain, AND INCREASED the buildup of plaque within blood vessels (specifically the aorta).

Mice fed standard chow had little plaque buildup, whereas those fed a "Western-type" diet chow had more but still not as much as the mice on the LCHP diet.

The findings of many mouse studies have been applicable to human health.

Read More

What is the Definition of Health?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:39:00 GMT

How do you define good health?

Most people recognize when they're healthy, just like they recognize when they're not so healthy. And yet, if you ask those same people how they would define health, many different answers would be offered.

Borrowing from Chinese medicine, a workable definition might be that health is a state of dynamic balance between all things, internal and external, that affect a human being.

But isn't it interesting that in the debate over healthcare, we still lack an agreed upon definition for what health is?

Read More

The "Skin"ny on Chicken

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:42:00 GMT

"Why can't I leave the skin on my chicken?!"

I hear that question often, and the answer is, "You can, but..."

The problem is that eating the skin of the chicken, or even cooking with it on and removing it before serving, will add a significant amount of saturated fat to the meal (in some cases doubling or tripling the amount compared with skinless chicken breasts, for example).

My recommendation? If you really like the skin on your chicken, splurge on occasion and enjoy. Don't eat chicken this way more than once a week, and make sure to follow an otherwise healthy diet and exercise program.

Read More

Go Nuts!

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:40:00 GMT

Nuts and seeds are tasty and important parts of a Mediterranean-style diet, which represents one of the healthiest ways to eat.

Many people, however, worry about eating nuts. They're afraid they'll gain a lot of weight.

Research suggests that eating a handful of nuts every few days will not by itself result in weight gain, but very well may help lower cholesterol levels and protect your heart.

So go nuts!

Read More

Pomegranate and warfarin may lead to black and blue!

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

A recent case report helps point out something we all should know – what is natural is not always synonymous with what is safe, and if an agent has the capacity for beneficial action it might also have the capacity for side effects.

Many of us have heard about the possible health benefits of drinking pomegranate juice, and there are some research data that support this suggestion. However, pomegranate juice may interfere with the metabolism of certain medications, like the blood-thinning agent warfarin (also known as coumadin). If you’re on medication and enjoy pomegranate juice on a regular basis, please mention this to your doctor and get her/his opinion.

Read More

Newly Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes? Go Mediterranean!

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:46:00 GMT

People with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes can often manage their health well through dietary and lifestyle means alone when done in partnership with their doctor(s). Underscoring this fact are results of a new study that strongly suggest eating a Mediterranean-style diet helps newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics appropriately avoid the need for medication.

And who doesn't enjoy Mediterranean food? Pasta, fresh cold water fish, extra virign olive oil, plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds...

In addition, holding to a Mediterranean-style diet appears to help lessen risk for heart disease, even in those of us who do not have diabetes.
So "Go Med(iterranean)!"

Read More

PSA, the Prostate, and a Word of Caution

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:42:00 GMT

Screening for cancer of any type makes sense, in theory, because if caught early enough treatment can be started and the disease defeated, right?

Yes, in most cases.

But what if a screening test comes back "positive" when the disease process itself was actually very minor and might not have caused health issues at all?

Such are new concerns about the PSA test and prostate cancer screening. A recent study points to over-confidence in the test results, and suggests that some men with very mild forms of prostate cancer may have undergone unnecessarily invasive treatments for the disorder.

Read More

Smoking Considered a Pandemic

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:58:00 GMT

The Third Edition of the Tobacco Atlas was published this year and the statistics are more than sobering - they are devastating.

Hundreds of millions of people will die from smoking in this century unless concerted actions are taken around the globe. The actions need to be in place for youngsters as well as adults, because a significant number of people have their first experience with cigarettes under age 10 years.

If you smoke, or if someone you love smokes, be kind to your self and understand that it's hard to quit. But be even more kind to your self and admit that you are / your loved one is valued, and it's worth the effort to quit smoking. Get help and get started now.

Read More

A Book You've Got to Read

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:55:00 GMT

The perception and process of US healthcare reform has rapidly gone through transitions, from a necessity to ensure the security of our country, to a ploy by the government to take everything over and socialize our system, to fearmongering and protectionism by those who oppose change of any kind, and everything all at once.

Let's be clear - the healthcare system of our country is unsustainable in its present form. The question remaining is, what do we do?

A big part of the answer can be found in Andrew Weil's new book, "Why Our Health Matters," due out in September. Not content to simply point out problems, he provides reasonable solutions.

Read More

"Berry, Berry Good?"

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:25:00 GMT

"The best antioxidant EVER!" "Drink your fruits!"

The ads for juices from fruits like acai, mangosteen and pomegranate practically yell at us, and there's probably a good marketing reason for this - with rare exception, there's no suggestion that drinking the juice of any of these fruits is better for you than the fruits you currently enjoy eating at a much lower price.

The juice of these fruits does provide antioxidant activity, but the health data are only compelling for pomegranate. Better to eat the fruit of things you already enjoy like blackberries, blueberries, kiwi and watermelon.

Read More

Need help when choosing vitamins and supplements?

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:19:00 GMT

Once we've made a decision to take a given vitamin or supplement, we are faced with so many product choices it can be overwhelming. Where to get help?

One place is consumerlab. com - for a moderately-priced annual fee you get access to information about vitamins and supplements, as well as information about the specific products available and their manufacturers.

When considering how much we can spend in a year on vitamins and supplements, the investment towards subscribing to consumerlab.com seems worthwhile. (By the way, I have no financial relationship with the organization!)

Read More

Are organic foods good for you and your family?

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:31:00 GMT

A recently published research paper comparing the nutrient benefits of organic vs. conventional foods has been splashed all over the news.
Unfortunately, the media is doing a disservice with their reporting on this study. The paper does not provide actionable answers to this important question, and the authors readily point out the limitations of their findings.

Most important is that potential contaminant exposure was not addressed.

We still don’t know the comparative nutrient values of organic vs. conventionally-raised foods; but we already know enough to help us make sensible food choices.

Read More

Another Way to Go Green - Mussels

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:53:00 GMT

Green lips..? Umm.. the words don't typically elicit a desirable response from your taste buds.

And yet, green-lipped mussels, like other mussels, can be prepared in delicious ways that provide a low-fat protein source, and maybe even a little known potential health benefit, too.

Studies performed on an extract from the green-lipped mussel show some people with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis experienced improvement in their symptoms. No identifiable studies on eating green-lipped mussels yet, but they can be tasty, and maybe your joints will like them, too.

Read More

Is wine really good for you?

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:41:00 GMT

"I drink wine for my health."

Well, I GUESS I can see where you're coming from with the way this topic has been covered in the media - heart healthy, right?

Indeed, some health benefits have been tied to moderate wine intake, but there are risks as well, and at least some of the benefits described can be obtained in other ways.

It's okay to enjoy wine on occasion, but the health benefits of drinking wine are not so great that doctors should advise people who don't drink to pick up the habit.

Read More

One Way Yeast Can Be a Good Thing

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:12:00 GMT

Red yeast rice is a supplement made from rice fermented with Monascus purpureus yeast. Interestingly, it naturally contains a mixture of small amounts of the active ingredients found in some statin drugs, and has been shown to help lower "bad" cholesterol levels.

A recent study suggests that red yeast rice could be a reasonable alternative for controlling cholesterol in people who cannot take statins.

BUT - it's not for everyone, has to be taken multiple times a day, and can have side effects. If you're interested in using red yeast rice speak with your doctor about it first to be sure it's a good choice for you.

Read More