It’s no secret that obesity, and its twin sister disease of diabetes, have become epidemics of every modernizing country. I work in a family medicine clinic in China and am now witnessing firsthand the expanding waistlines of Chinese people, as they quickly adopt the “Western” diet.… Read the rest
Yearly Archives: 2011
Happy Birthday, Dad. Alcoholism Took You Too Soon.
My dad would have been 76 years old today. “Should have been 76,” I need to clarify — but he died far too early, eight years ago from cirrhosis of the liver. He was a wonderfully warm-hearted man with a hearty laugh, but he was also an alcoholic who slowly drank himself to death.… Read the rest
Want To Use China's Twitter But Don't Know Chinese? Here's How.
How many of you use Twitter to find health information? I have a Twitter account to spread information, but here in China I cannot access it, so I’ve become a big fan of Weibo, China’s microblogging website that is similar — but far superior — to Twitter (my Weibo account is here; my screen name is “医生圣西睿智Richard”).… Read the rest
Want To Lose Weight? Eat Yogurt! So Says Powerful New Study
OK, everyone, brace yourselves: a new study shows that potato chips cause weight gain! I’m stunned, people, simply stunned.
Sorry, pardon my slight sarcasm here. It’s been a long day, and I’m also just a bit jaded with studies that state the obvious.… Read the rest
Sunscreen SPF over 50? It's Now Banned
How many of you simply must have the strongest sunscreen? How many Americans are paying premium markups for SPF 70, 90 — or higher? Starting next summer in the United States, you will no longer be able to buy any sunscreen with a rating over 50.… Read the rest
Good News: Newer Medicines Actually Help Stop Smoking
Today (May 31) is World No Tobacco Day and a good time for all smokers to sit back, take a deep breath and think about quitting their habit. I’m very happy to report that your family doctor finally has a couple good prescription options for you.… Read the rest