By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. People who take red yeast rice pills to lower their cholesterol levels may not be getting their expected protection against suffering a heart attack. North Americans spend an estimated $40 million a year on these pills. Harvard professor Pieter Cohen tested 28 brands of red yeast rice supplements purchased at major…
By John Marsh, Editor & Publisher A while back we ran a Health Matters column on Wearing Sunscreen Under a Jersey. Click the link to read that column. It provides advice on combining sunscreen with whatever protection your jersey might already afford. Hint: It may not be much. It’s already been sizzling for the past few weeks in…
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Energy drinks can raise blood pressure and may cause irregular heartbeats, according to a recent study conducted at Travis Air Force Base in California (Journal of the American Heart Association, April 26, 2017;6(5)). This extremely well-planned, -performed and -controlled study shows that two hours after drinking 32 ounces (four cups) of…
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Two excellent recent studies from Germany and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee tell us that us excess salt: causes hunger, rather than thirst; breaks down muscle and fat; and may be a primary dietary factor in the high rates of obesity, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes in North America because it raises blood levels…
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. An important article in the May 19, 2017 New York Times discusses the latest accusations that some of America’s top athletes are using supplements, both legal and illegal, in the hope that they will improve athletic performance. I will present a brief review of some of the supplements that the accused…
