Americans at one time lived their lives utterly unconcerned about the gluten in their diets. But an anti-gluten craze that erupted in the last decade has become so prominent that it spawned a $16-billion-a-year industry. Gluten became branded as the enemy of good health, bestselling books scared the public away from wheat, and foods marketed...Continue reading
It’s funny how we tend to find patterns in things. Left alone, we tend to gather, order, and number everything we can. Take the stars in the sky. Or the stock market. Even gambling. I loved it when I talked to my parents after an academic trip overseas. Here’s how it would start: “How long was...Continue reading
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas found in combustion fumes. Everyone is exposed to small amounts of carbon monoxide daily, but inhaling too much can lead to serious illness and even death. Common sources of CO are: fireplaces vehicle engines heaters portable generators charcoal grills gas water heaters propane stoves car mufflers...Continue reading
It’s no secret the way to feel your best every day is to get the right amount of sleep every night. How much is “the right amount”? Seven to nine hours, according to the National Sleep Foundation. For some people, that’s a big challenge. But we think that knowing about some of the specific benefits...Continue reading
“If menopause is the silent passage,” says author Gail Sheehy, “Male menopause is the unspeakable passage. It is fraught with secrecy, shame, and denial. It is much more fundamental than the ending of the fertile period of a woman’s life, because it strikes at the core of what it is to be a man.” When...Continue reading
Not every dog is every man’s best friend. To find the right one, you have to be honest with yourself about what your personality and lifestyle are like, and then you’ll need to do some research to find a dog that has a temperament to match yours. If you don’t, you could end up with...Continue reading
This article was originally published at OlderBeast, whose mission is to help 40+ guys “double down” on body-and-soul health for the 2nd half of their life. Taking care of yourself, to maximize the second half of life, is a constant challenge. It keeps reappearing in different ways – no matter how healthy and motivated you are....Continue reading
They were in their early thirties and had been trying to conceive for 5 years. He was diagnosed with azoospermia and had a thorough evaluation in New York near where they lived. Genetic testing was negative and he was told that there was no clear reason for him to be infertile. About 1 year prior to his visit, he...Continue reading
My aspiration is to clearly see and courageously confront concerns appearing for me (and other 40+ guys, too) at the mid-life point and beyond. Concerns about staying physically vital. About not looking “old.” About warding off maladies that lurk in the shadows. Among all concerns, perhaps the biggest is the most subconscious and hardest to recognize: At or beyond life’s halfway marker, we’re uncertain what our life ultimately will have meant. This “Meaning of Life” concern is caricatured as the midlife crisis and the sports car in response. But in reality, it can be more of an awakening, a broadening of vision and spirit, a healthy challenge, and an opportunity. Intensifying your focus on fitness, nutrition and overall wellness — doubling down on overall body-and-soul health — helps maximize this opportunity and achieve whatever your definition of "Meaning" is.Continue reading
As a doctor, there are certain things I’ve never said, and will never say, to patients. In the operating room, “Oops” is certainly verboten. “There is no hope,” is another. “Trust me, I’m a doctor” is a third. In some way, each of these violates the sanctity of the profession. Help Me Help You Patients...Continue reading