Tag Archives: family physician

Myths about diabetes

Myth:  Diabetics need to eat special diabetic foods. Truth:  Diabetic foods generally offer no special benefit.  Healthy foods are what diabetics should eat.  This includes foods low in fat, moderate in salt and sugar, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Myth:  … Continue reading

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Three types of diabetes. Do you have one?

Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes are three types of diabetes each with different risks, all with increased blood sugars. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, when the body’s immune system attacks itself.  In this case the body … Continue reading

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Wanting to conceive?

If you are a woman wanting to conceive, there is no evidence that taking antioxidant supplements will improve your fertility. Research was compiled from 28 trials with over 3500 women attending fertility clinics.  Women who took antioxidant supplements were no … Continue reading

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Electronic cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes, or “e-cigarettes” were reportedly invented by a Chinese pharmacist who wanted to “find a safer way for smokers to inhale nicotine” after his father, a cigarette smoker, died from lung cancer.  The e-cigarette is designed with a lithium … Continue reading

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Pre-teens and acne. Ugh! Starting already?

What agents to start? Acne has long been viewed as a teen phenomenon, but we are seeing this earlier and earlier.  This may be due to a trend toward earlier onset of puberty, but regardless, as a clinician I see … Continue reading

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Babies need extra Vitamin D.

To prevent rickets and vitamin D deficiency in healthy infants and children, 200 international units (IU) of vitamin D is needed daily. Who needs this?  All breastfed infants unless they are weaned to at least be drinking 500 mL per … Continue reading

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Mediterranean diet can help prevent premature death.

It’s true!  About 30% of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease can pre prevented (in high-risk people) if they switch to a Mediterranean diet.  This diet is rich in olive oil, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables, and nuts.  … Continue reading

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Should Tylenol be given before vaccines?

Probably not. Here’s why… There was a 2010 study that showed that Tylenol given before vaccines can actually BLUNT the immune response to the given vaccine.  The CDC has since released a statement that there are basically no good studies … Continue reading

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Beware of medications that can impair your driving

Legal medication can impair judgment and motor skills.  A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study named a range of drugs (see below) which can potentially impair driving.  Past research on prescription drugs and driving has centered on narcotic medications.  Scientists … Continue reading

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A medicine may delay type 2 diabetes by up to 10 years?! Yes.

This is a great feat!  Although I should place a caveat that TWICE as effective as this medicine for preventing diabetes is lifestyle modification with diet and exercise (see below for specifics). Metformin is a medicine that reduces the risk … Continue reading

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