How many of you are like myself and take fish oil or flax oil supplements? This is one of the world’s most popular supplements, as many have heard about the health benefits of the main ingredient, omega-3 fatty acid (DHA and EPA).… Read the rest
Monthly Archives: October 2010
CPR Just Got Easier: No Rescue Breaths
Everyone knows about CPR — cardiopulmonary recusitation. We see it on TV and movies all the time; someone drops to the ground unconscious, and people start to perform chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing to keep them alive. It looks great on TV, but in real life the survival rate is very low — mostly because very few onlookers feel confident enough to do CPR, especially the mouth breathing.… Read the rest
Bad Acne and Diet: Is There Good Evidence of a Connection?
I recently wrote about acne and discussed how there wasn’t much evidence linking diet choices with acne. Now I’ve discovered a recent literature review published last year, which does show some linking with acne flares and cow’s milk, as well as high glycemic-index foods.… Read the rest
Muscle Aches: Ice or Heat — Which is Better?
What works better for acute muscle injury like neck or back strain — ice or heat? Most doctors say that the initial ~48 hours of an injury, with the swelling and achiness, are best treated with ice. But actual research has been fairly scanty.… Read the rest
Acupuncture: What’s It Good For — Or Not?
One of my continuing goals while working as a doctor in China is to find traditional Chinese medicines and practices that I can integrate into my Western, allopathic-style family practice. As I’ve reported a few times, I’ve been struggling to find Chinese herbal medicines that I am comfortable prescribing, usually due to lack of evidence for a clear benefit.… Read the rest