THE PANDEMIC AND US, PART 1

The fear of catching the COVID, pandemic related lockdowns, protective measures and social distancing requirements have cut us off all from our friends, family members, relatives, our workplace and the whole outside world, without any warning or preparations making us worried and feel helpless. Why is it so important to connect and communicate with our friends and family members?

THE HUMAN VIROME

Biologists estimate that there are about 380 trillion of viruses living on and inside of our body, as well as inside of our microbiome bacterial population. What is a virus and what is the origin of viruses?

HYPERTENSION

We all know what high blood pressure (BP) and we also know that we must take blood pressure medications to control our blood pressure… but many don’t know when the right time is to take their medications for the best effect. Do you know when the best time is to take your blood pressure medication?

INTERMITTENT FASTING FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Since the basic tenant of weight loss is to consume less calories, it is obvious that fasting intermittently, we would consume less food and therefore lose weight. How safe is intermittent fasting? Does it work? What is the best time to eat and why?

CHRONONUTRITION

Emerging scientific evidence on diet and nutrition point to the fact that not only what we eat, but also when we eat makes all the difference for our weight and our health. Why?

FOR TRYING TIMES, LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Laughter is our body’s and our mind’s natural, inborn coping mechanism for stressful and difficult times. Epidemiologic studies have shown that people who are cheerful and laugh a lot, have a longer and happier life span. How can we cheer ourselves up with laughter in these trying times?

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND CORONAVIRUS

President Trump’s coronavirus infection morally became very difficult and concerning for me. From a moral perspective, one could easily say that since he brought it onto himself, his family, the people around him and his countrymen, therefore he deserved what he got. On the other hand, one of the basic moral principle is that life is sacred, no matter whose life it is.

CHOLESTEROL

Do you know what your cholesterol levels are? Too much good cholesterol is just as bad as too low good cholesterol. It significantly increases the risk of premature death from heart diseases and even certain cancers. Read on for the changing story behind HDL, the “good” cholesterol.

M E L A T O N I N AND I N S O M N I A

I strongly oppose taking OTC or prescription sleep medications. They are only partly effective, soon lose their effectiveness, have many side-effects and can be addictive. To me, the best medicine for occasional sleeplessness is melatonin, a naturally produced hormone.

NAIL BITING (ONYCHOPHAGIA)

30% of American children and adolescents are chronic nail-biters. Child psychiatrists consider nail biting is a “body focused abnormal behavior” and it is often associated with nervousness, insecurity and anxiety. Why does this happen? And how do you stop it?