health & diet Archives - The Examining Room of Dr. Charles

The Health Risks of Grilling on Aluminum Foil (Is It Safe?)

drcharles — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:16:26 +0000

Is it safe to grill on aluminum foil? As the weather heats up, and the allure of grilling returns, it is important to consider some of the potential health risks. One of the great joys of my life is “manning” the grill – beer in hand, wafting smoke rising through the air, a delicious anticipation […]

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What Is “New Car Smell,” and Is It Unhealthy? (Yes!)

drcharles — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 13:26:13 +0000

What is “new car smell” and is it bad for you? As I shopped for a new car last year, I realized that my priorities were considered odd by most car salesmen. The three most important characteristics I desired in a new car were good gas mileage, good crash safety, and relatively low concentrations of […]

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Does Nutrisystem Work? A Doctor’s Thoughts on the Diet (2020)

drcharles — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 13:50:56 +0000

I was recently asked by a patient: “Does Nutrisystem really work? And if so, how does Nutrisystem work?” I’ve never really examined the merits or nutritional underpinnings of Nutrisystem enough to provide a coherent answer, but in this post, I will review the positives and potential negatives that can be seen upon a brief review, […]

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The Self-Defeating Logic of Gym Memberships

drcharles — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 17:24:22 +0000

I belong to a local gym. I’m supposed to go there to exercise. I pay $40 a month for the privilege, but I would estimate that I actually get to the gym twice a month. This failure to find the necessary time to work out is by itself a self-defeating, exercise-discouraging proposition. By equating exercise […]

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The Rise of Apps to Monitor Chronic Disease

drcharles — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 18:04:24 +0000

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about the increasing sophistication of personal apps on your electronic device to help monitor and treat conditions such as diabetes, COPD, CHF, and hypertension. Although not a new idea by any means, the concept of self-monitoring with apps is getting more sophisticated. Instead of simply entering data […]

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How To Read a Prescription for Glasses (It’s Easy!)

drcharles — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 20:56:56 +0000

I get asked how to read prescriptions all the time, including those for glasses. Reading a prescription for eyeglasses from your optometrist is simple, here’s how: (short video) How to Read a Prescription for Eyeglasses / Common Abbreviations Ordering prescription glasses online from somewhere like EyeBuyDirect or glasses.com? Be sure you know how to read […]

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Banning Trans-Fatty Acids in Restaurants Saves Lives, Improves Mouth-Feel

drcharles — Thu, 04 May 2017 15:40:02 +0000

Good news for supporters of trans-fatty acid bans: in New York State counties that implemented restrictions on their use in restaurants and eateries, there were significantly fewer admissions to local hospitals for heart attacks and cardiovascular events. Specifically, researchers found a 6.2% decline in admission for hearts attacks and strokes combined, and an even greater […]

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The Inherent Badness of Refinement

drcharles — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 19:40:21 +0000

I had an interesting conversation with a psychologist friend of mine who specializes in treating sexual addictions. She did not tell me anything interesting in terms of specific cases, practices, or titillating bedroom details, but rather piqued my awareness of the brave new world of dating and casual sex as facilitated by apps like Tinder. […]

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Low Carb Versus Low Fat Diets, and How My HDL Went Up 20 Points

drcharles — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:06:31 +0000

Which is a healthier way of eating – low fat or low carb? Several recent studies have been published addressing this question, and the answer seems to be that lower carbohydrate diets, with moderate amounts of fat (yes, even some saturated fat), produce healthier cholesterol levels, reduced markers of inflammation, improved cognitive function, and greater […]

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Food Truck Examining Room, an Evolving Concept

drcharles — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 04:07:25 +0000

Given that our health care system has become a bloated carcass of once honorable intentions, I think a fundamental redesign of the examining room is in order. For beyond the doctor and patient, the physical room which contains their ebullient repartee is the next logical target for improvement. Here is one radical idea that may […]

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