If you’ve been taking calcium supplements as prevention against osteoporosis and then quit because of the concerning findings of previous studies – you may not have needed to, says a new Harvard study. In an earlier HealthyAnswers newsletter article [Why You May Want to Stop taking Calcium Supplements, September 2012], I alerted my readers to … Read more
Bones can become weak at any age, but just growing older does put you at higher risk for fractures and/or developing osteoporosis. However, it isn’t a given that you suffer bone loss or weakness as you age. You can continue to have healthy bones long into your golden years if you give them what they … Read more
My patients are always asking me, “Dr. Brachfeld, what can I do to make my skin look younger?” You may be wondering the same thing – especially if you’re over age 40 and starting to see telltale lines around your eyes, corners of your mouth, dull, rough looking skin and a lack of firmness that … Read more
Like many of my patients, you may be wondering what you can do to keep your bones stronger as you get older. If so, you might be interested to learn about new research in four different areas that answer that very question. Let me explain. Watch the Salt and Save Your Bones (and Kidneys!) As … Read more
For years, doctors (including me!) had been telling their patients (especially postmenopausal women over 60 and older men) to take calcium supplements to prevent risks of osteoporosis. Now, with recent research findings, many doctors are holding off on telling our patients to take calcium supplements. Perhaps you routinely take calcium supplements as well. If so, … Read more
A few of my patients – mostly the guys and gals who are more athletically inclined – come to me complaining of what they describe as a nagging “pain in the rear” which often makes it hard to walk, sit for prolonged periods comfortably, or even continue exercising. I immediately recognize this symptom as one … Read more
Several of my patients have rheumatoid arthritis. Most of them also have a little extra poundage than I would like them to have. Many of them feel that it’s been their aching joints that have kept them from exercising more and so they have gained weight. However, looking back at their records, in many cases … Read more
Lately, several of my patients have asked me what I think about adding marine phytoplankton – tiny sea plants – to their diets for their reported health benefits. I tell them that I think it’s a great idea and thought you’d also like to know what marine plants can do for just about every system … Read more
I frequently discuss the latest vitamin research with my patients to ensure that they are getting the maximum daily allowance. One of the big “superstar” vitamins that I tell them about is Vitamin D, specifically D3, a powerful, workhorse variant of D. Many patients were surprised to find that their lab tests showed a deficiency … Read more
I don’t think a week goes by without one of my patients asking me about whether or not to eat soy products. The question of eating soy has become a fairly controversial subject as, indeed, there are some good health benefits gained by consuming certain types of soy, but there can also be some bad health effects of consuming soy as well.
Lately, several of my patients have asked me about adding flaxseed to their diets. They’ve heard a lot about the important health benefits of Omega-3 fats and that flaxseeds are high in these good fats. While I agree that adding Omega-3 fats by adding flaxseeds to your diet is highly beneficial, you also need to exercise a little caution in doing so. Let me explain.
If you’re like most Americans, you slather on sunscreen before going outside, you wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat, and you stay indoors during the peak hours of the day. It turns out, you may have gone a little overboard. Sunlight is your body’s main source of vitamin D. When sunlight hits your skin it catalyzes the production of vitamin D, and vitamin D is very, very important to your health.