Should you cut out or cut down on salt? Medical students are always taught you should limit salt intake because salt is (literally) full of sodium, too much of which can threaten heart health. This one-recommendation-fits-all concept is the… Continue Reading
Myth-or-Fact? Videos
Sunscreen Safety – Follow the Aloha
Is sunscreen safe? Is it really the best sun protection? We take sunscreen safety for granted because public health officials have done a stellar job educating the public about the dangers of excess sun exposure. But few people… Continue Reading
How to Fix Erectile Dysfunction
Myth: The only remedy for erectile dysfunction is a pharmaceutical pill. Fact: As erectile dysfunction is often a symptom of underlying cardiovascular issues, adopting lifestyle habits that bolster cardiovascular health and improve blood flow can help alleviate ED… Continue Reading
How Much Vitamin E Is Good for Your Heart?
Myth: Megadoses of vitamin E are good for your heart. Fact: Megadoses of vitamin E are risky. My Recommendation: Less vitamin E is better than more, best taken as part of a mixed tocopherol combination that includes gamma…. Continue Reading
Do Flu Shots Prevent the Flu?
Myth: Flu shots are your best defense against the flu. Fact: They’re not terribly effective and can give you a false sense of security. What to Do: Keep your immune system strong. If you Google “flu shot” you… Continue Reading
Is Medication the Only Relief for Migraines?
If you look at a physician’s desk reference for treating migraines you will literally find an A to Z roster of medications – from Alsuma to Zomig… Migraines – Beyond Drugs! Myth: Get a migraine, treat it with… Continue Reading
Is Red Wine Good for You?
Myth: Drink lots of red wine – it’s good for heart health. Fact: Many studies have reported the benefits of limited wine intake for heart health. My Recommendation: Know what the good limits are to avoid the risks… Continue Reading
Is Flaxseed the King of Vegetarian Omega 3s?
Getting omega 3 fatty acids in the diet is crucial because there is no doubt that the omega 6 oils have taken center stage in America. They are the dominant oil in processed foods. When you go to… Continue Reading
Coffee and Heart Health
Ever since I became a physician almost forty years ago, patients have always asked me whether they should drink coffee or not. Is it bad for my heart? they wanted to know… As you likely know, tea has been a… Continue Reading
Is Saturated Fat Really Bad for You?
Let me clear the deck right at the start. I don’t believe in the conventional medical theory that cholesterol is the primary cause of heart disease, nor that saturated fats are bad for you. Myth: Eating saturated fat… Continue Reading