photo 21 Jun 2 notes FDA’s new warning labels for cigarettes…will it work?

FDA’s new warning labels for cigarettes…will it work?

link 14 Jun 1 note LAUSD may stop serving chocolate and strawberry milk»

This is a no-brainer, just do it.  Looks like Jamie Oliver’s recent prowling around hasn’t been wasted…

photo 2 Jun 2 notes Goodbye, Food Pyramid.  Hello, Food Plate (along with a new government website www.choosemyplate.gov).
This is progress and a big step in the right direction.  Of course, there remains things to criticize.  I agree with this article…we’re missing healthy fats.  Nevertheless, a big applause.

Goodbye, Food Pyramid.  Hello, Food Plate (along with a new government website www.choosemyplate.gov).

This is progress and a big step in the right direction.  Of course, there remains things to criticize.  I agree with this article…we’re missing healthy fats.  Nevertheless, a big applause.

photo 19 May Now that the rain has stopped, it’s time to enjoy the rest of Bike Week LA.  Today is Bike to Work Day with free rides on the Metro with your bike!  My short ride in today was very pleasant.
Tomorrow is Bike to School Day.  Enjoy life.

Now that the rain has stopped, it’s time to enjoy the rest of Bike Week LA.  Today is Bike to Work Day with free rides on the Metro with your bike!  My short ride in today was very pleasant.

Tomorrow is Bike to School Day.  Enjoy life.

video 27 Apr
link 22 Apr Patients Are Not Consumers»

Looks like Paul Krugman’s op piece in today’s New York Times is already burning up the netwaves.  Setting Krugman’s politics and controversies aside, I believe he hits the nail on the head in stating that patients are not consumers.

A timely topic for me personally as I received a medical bill this week that had me discussing/debating this with my wife.  As a physician, I like to think that I have a little bit more insight than the layperson but as a patient myself, I fall into the very same trap that each and every other patient ultimately fall into in this country.  95% of the time, it is impossible to be an educated consumer in the healthcare marketplace.

I meant to write more, but I found this blogpost by Movin’ Meat via WSJ who does an eloquent job of stating the issues.  So, ditto.

photo 13 Apr 1 note Ah, reading this article reminds me that I still haven’t gotten around to reading Gary Taubes’ most recent book Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It—so it’s now officially on the reading queue.
My take on the article: I believe the evidence is more than convincing that sugar consumption plays a huge role in not only diabetes but also heart disease, dyslipidemia (aka high cholesterol) and cancers.  Given our entrenched views, it will take some time for the medical community to come around to the message and public health will, as always, try to catch up after that.
So…there’s fat abuse, sugar abuse, meat abuse, calorie abuse and most of all, over abuse.  Problem numero uno: We eat too much.  Number two: We eat too much of the wrong things.

Ah, reading this article reminds me that I still haven’t gotten around to reading Gary Taubes’ most recent book Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It—so it’s now officially on the reading queue.

My take on the article: I believe the evidence is more than convincing that sugar consumption plays a huge role in not only diabetes but also heart disease, dyslipidemia (aka high cholesterol) and cancers.  Given our entrenched views, it will take some time for the medical community to come around to the message and public health will, as always, try to catch up after that.

So…there’s fat abuse, sugar abuse, meat abuse, calorie abuse and most of all, over abuse.  Problem numero uno: We eat too much.  Number two: We eat too much of the wrong things.

video 12 Apr 3 notes

This is LA!

Nicholas Dahmann via Laist.com

photo 12 Apr 
Easing spring-time allergies with natural remedies

It’s definitely allergy season.  After spending a couple of hours outdoors on Saturday, I came home sneezing and literally rubbing my eyes out.  This was the worst allergy attack I’ve had in years.  Thankfully, after a good night’s rest along with lots of fluids I survived Ciclavia the next day with barely a sneeze.
This year looks as if it will be a very challenging allergy season. The Washington Post article here has a pretty good summary on treatment and management strategies.  Basically, eat well, rest, and relax and your immune system will love you.
I thought we had it bad here—but interesting and surprising to see that Los Angeles only ranks 86 out of 100 of the AAFA’s list of “The Most Challenging Places to Live with Spring Allergies.”  Then again, we have more concrete than trees here.

Easing spring-time allergies with natural remedies

It’s definitely allergy season.  After spending a couple of hours outdoors on Saturday, I came home sneezing and literally rubbing my eyes out.  This was the worst allergy attack I’ve had in years.  Thankfully, after a good night’s rest along with lots of fluids I survived Ciclavia the next day with barely a sneeze.

This year looks as if it will be a very challenging allergy season. The Washington Post article here has a pretty good summary on treatment and management strategies.  Basically, eat well, rest, and relax and your immune system will love you.

I thought we had it bad here—but interesting and surprising to see that Los Angeles only ranks 86 out of 100 of the AAFA’s list of “The Most Challenging Places to Live with Spring Allergies.”  Then again, we have more concrete than trees here.

text 7 Apr Pay What You Can Week

Dr. Gary Seto of South Pasadena Family Medicine and I will be offering “Pay What You Can” medical visits to our neighbors without health insurance all of next week, April 11th to the 15th, in order to help publicize the plight of the uninsured and under-insured in our community.

Our event last year, as part of Cover the Uninsured Week, took place the week President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.  This year, the event with take place behind the backdrop of our government’s ongoing budget battles, a possibility of federal government shutdown, and the April 15th tax deadline.


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