Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Psychiatry
One Slip Can Change Everything
Everyone trips up now and again – sometimes figuratively, and inevitably with age, literally. Almost always, these mistakes can be avoided. Rushing is a risk factor. The wrong shoes are too. But did you know your personality may also affect your likelihood of a fall? Was this a factor in our recent father-daughter visit to the ER? Yes, it probably was. And how do we know? Examining the data from longitudinal studies is like looking into a medical crystal ball. If you follow people long enough, the truth has a way of revealing itself. By collecting large datasets in these studies, it’s possible to analyze detailed information on the group’s health, behaviours, environments, and medical histories. This allows the identification of patterns...Read More
Philosophy
Curriculum for a Long Healthy Life
This past week, we found ourselves in Rome – one of us in person, the other traveling vicariously on video connections. The intent was not to study ancient ruins, but to witness something much more modern and, we daresay, more vital: a graduation ceremony. The event was brimming with the exuberance of youth, the blossoming of intellectual vitality, and the naivete of ambition. These students, many of them undeniably privileged, are set to begin lives marked by education, opportunity, and health. Their beaming faces were an exhibition of a powerful truth that two great predictors of a long and healthy life are youth and education. Youth is a kind of medicine in itself. Your body repairs more quickly. Your arteries are flexible,...Read More
Philosophy, Psychiatry
Mental Health: The Missing Pillar in Universal Health Care
Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence and often called the father of American psychiatry, pushed for more attention towards “diseases of the mind”. He published his observations in 1812, and here we are in 2025 – still playing catch-up. For decades, we’ve been talking about universal health care. Canada, quite rightly, takes pride in a publicly funded system. But let’s be honest: the “universal” part has long had a blind spot – mental health. The pandemic years pulled the curtain back. Suddenly, mental health wasn’t just something “other people” struggled with. Kids, seniors, healthcare workers, CEOs – everyone got a taste of anxiety, depression, burnout, or worse. And while the physical scars of COVID-19 may be...Read More
Cancer, Dermatology
Don’t Play with Fire: A Warning about Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world. And most cases are preventable. So why are we still seeing over 5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and 90,000 cases in Canada, including well over 100,000 cases across both countries of melanoma, the deadliest form? Don’t think it won’t be you. The sun doesn’t play favourites. It doesn’t care if you’re fair-skinned or olive-toned, whether you’re working on a tan or just walking the dog. If you’re unprotected, you’re at risk. Yet, too many people treat sunburn like a harmless rite of summer. Here’s the truth: just one blistering sunburn in childhood doubles the risk of developing melanoma later in life. Recent research is...Read More
Miscellaneous, Philosophy, Surgery
The Civic Duty in Our Veins
There’s an old quote often misattributed to Winston Churchill: “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” Whether Churchill said it or not, the message is true. And nothing proves it better than the simple, life-saving act of donating blood. Any doctor who has spent decades in the operating room will tell you, donated blood is a critical part of major surgeries that are happening day in and day out in hospitals everywhere. The lives of women experiencing a hemorrhage during childbirth depend on a blood transfusion. People undergoing cancer treatment may also need transfusions. Accident victims. Children with anemia. The list goes on. But surgeons, patients and their families are all witness...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Neurology
A Quarter-Sized Breakthrough in Parkinson’s Care
Parkinson’s disease is a thief. It creeps in quietly, often misdiagnosed or unnoticed, and steadily robs its victims of motor control, independence, and quality of life. It is the fastest-growing neurological condition on the planet, affecting more than 10 million people worldwide. But there’s a remarkable bit of hope, the size of a quarter, coming out of what’s called “frugal biomedical innovation” at Western University. There’s a sobering reality about Parkinson’s. In North America, we at least have the advantage of access to care. Yet even here, diagnosis often comes far too late. The first signs—shaking hands, stiffness, slowness of movement—are often chalked up to “just getting older.” Family members may notice something, but they don’t connect the dots. By the...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Infection, Lifestyle, Medicine, Nutrition
The Bacteria Fighter in Your Fridge
We’ve always said nature is an excellent physician. The most common item from your garden may be your best medicine. Recent research has proved it. Tomato juice has been shown to kill Salmonella and other harmful bacteria. We’ve often preached the gospel of simple, evidence-based health advice—eat well, move your body, avoid sugar, and never underestimate the power of vitamins. But now we’re happy to add tomato juice, plain and simple. Research published in the Journal of Food Protection and corroborated by studies in the International Journal of Food Microbiology reveals that tomato juice has potent antibacterial properties. Scientists found that compounds in tomato juice, notably lycopene and tomatine, interfere with the growth and survival of pathogens like Salmonella. These compounds disrupt...Read More
Infection, Medicine, Philosophy
Infections: Friend or Foe?
Infections can change the trajectory of a life – and not always in for the worse. Patsy Cline, the celebrated country music singer, attributed her remarkable voice to an infection. “In childhood,” she said, “I developed a serious throat infection, and my heart stopped beating. I recovered from that illness with a voice that boomed forth like Kate Smith's!” But bad viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi usually cause illnesses that are unwelcome. And when pathogens become widespread and unchecked, which they have proven they can do, time and again, they shape human history. During the Black Death of the 14th Century, an estimated 25–50 million people in Europe died from bubonic plague. In the 18th Century, smallpox killed around 60 million. Fast...Read More
Diabetes, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Philosophy
An Appreciation for Abundant Clean Water
Everyday, dozens of times, we enjoy ready and easy access to an abundance of clean water. But this is not the case for an astounding number of people around the world. An astounding 2 billion people, a quarter of the global population, lack access to safe drinking water. What’s more, nearly half of the people on the planet (46% according to the U.N. World Water Development Report 2023) do not have access to safely managed sanitation. Think about that the next time you brush your teeth or flush the toilet. A couple weeks ago we wrote about the largely positive changes to health we have seen over many decades in Japan. This week let’s talk about Africa, where the story is...Read More
Medicine, Miscellaneous, Philosophy
Who Is Responsible for Illegal Fentanyl Use
This column is written with deep regret about what’s happening to Canada and the U.S. These two nations have been great friends for many years. Both of us, being Canadians, love the United States for many reasons. The elder of us was the only Canadian in the class of 1950 at the Harvard Medical School. That final year, afflicted by polio, the family of an American classmate extended weeks of care in their home during recuperation from paralysis. The younger of us also received an education in the U.S., at Wellesley and Harvard, worked in Washington for a decade, and has a strong network of American friends. The ideals of the United States helped shape who we are. How could we...Read More
Lifestyle
North Americans Should Replicate Japanese Lifestyle
The Japanese have an expression, “Effort never betrays you.” A visit to Japan this past week has been a reminder that hard work and perseverance are enduring elements of the national identity. Both of us first visited Japan decades ago – in 1962 and 1988. This latest visit has provided the opportunity for perspective. What’s fascinating about Japan is, whether it’s bureaucrats or street youth setting the course, the whole of society moves together in getting on board with policies and trends. This cohesion is part of Japan’s remarkable improvement in key health indicators, such as life expectancy, now among the longest in the world. It’s been easy to see this change by looking at smoking customs. Japan used to be a...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Genitourinary, Philosophy, Surgery
Religion, Rights, and Science in Kidney Transplants
If you prefer short history lessons, look no further than medicine. It was not long ago, in 1954, that the first human organ, a kidney, was successfully transplanted. Just a few weeks ago, an American man became only the fourth person ever to emerge from surgery with a transplanted pig’s kidney. These intrepid patients and their doctors are pushing the forefront of scientific discovery. But it is not just medical breakthroughs that have been needed. Religion and rights have posed sky-high barriers to overcome. There are about 95,000 North Americans awaiting a kidney transplant. What will happen to these people? Less than half will receive the organ they require. For the lucky ones, whether the wait is a short few months...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Cardiovascular, Cholesterol, Lungs
We Are as Old as Our Arteries
Sir William Osler was a wise old owl in explaining medical matters. He was a professor of medicine at McGill University in Montreal, John Hopkins University in Baltimore, and finally at Oxford University in England. He told students, “We are all as old as our arteries and it’s lucky to have good rubber in them.” If you’re lucky you’ll have soft flexible ones that expand with each heartbeat. But you’re unlucky if you have rigid ones that cause hypertension, one of the big killers. Are you interested in a natural remedy to fight high blood pressure, decrease the risk of stroke, and extend longevity? NEO40, a nitric oxide supplement, may be the right option. Discovering the nitric oxide molecule came as...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Philosophy
Good Health is a Family Affair
Helen Keller knew it better than most. She said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Good health is often viewed as a personal responsibility, but what if we told you that your friends and family may be the key to success? Science shows that the people closest to us shape our daily habits in ways we may not even notice. In fact, a study from the New England Journal of Medicine found that obesity spreads within social circles—if your close friends gain weight, your own risk of gaining weight increases by 57%! The same holds true for smoking, exercise, and even happiness. Like it or not, the choices made by those around us have a...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Obesity
Ban Foods Causing Fatty Livers in Young Children
How many parents know this shocking fact? The American Liver Foundation reports that 10 percent of young children have fatty degeneration of the liver. It’s due to horrid food consumption practices, too much sugar and fat, leading to childhood obesity before the age of 10! Once fatty liver disease takes hold, there is no medication to cure it. Only immediate lifestyle changes can slow its progression. Among the culprits are large cereal corporations that persuade children to eat sugary cereals. This at a time when obesity and type 2 diabetes have reached pandemic proportions. An economic report shows treating obesity costs North Americans $147 billion dollars and diabetes $412 billion yearly! So, why are medical professionals and politicians totally inept at...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Sex
Going Natural for Male Vitality
Mark Twain said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." But for many aging men, it matters a lot when their prized male organ starts to lose the vitality of youth. One of the most common yet often unspoken challenges is the decline in testosterone levels, a natural part of aging that can significantly impact physical and emotional well-being. Starting as early as the mid-30s, testosterone levels in men begin to decrease by approximately 1 percent per year. This gradual decline can lead to symptoms like fatigue, reduced muscle mass, irritability, and perhaps most distressing for many, a diminished libido. Not everyone aspires to be Don Juan. But for many, having sufficient upbeat libido...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Cardiovascular, Cholesterol, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Vitamins
How I Got to 101
My life has been marked by good fortune. Yes, I inherited good genes and followed a sound lifestyle. But I’ve also had the luck of the Irish. I often think about those people who lead a sound lifestyle, but who get terribly unlucky. These are people, sometimes in the prime of life, and through no fault of their own, die from accidents, infections, cancer, or dozens of other common and rare diseases. My life nearly ended when I had a severe heart attack at 74 years of age. I was advised by several cardiologists in Toronto and others I knew internationally of bad news. They said I would be dead in a few years or less if I did not take...Read More
Genitourinary, Vitamins
Facts and Myths about Kidney Stones
Margaret Thatcher, the resolute British Prime Minister known as the "Iron Lady" famously said, “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." But for the millions who endure the excruciating torture of passing a kidney stone, just once is enough. About 50 per cent of those who form one stone will feel the pain again within five years. Those who develop two or more stones will form others on an average of every 2.5 years. Kidney stones are crystals that develop on the inside lining of the kidney. The chronic irritation of these crystals may cause blood to appear in the urine. But major trouble begins when the accumulated deposit, the "stone", breaks loose. If big...Read More
Dental, Neurology
Gum Disease Increases Risk of Dementia
Have you become lax lately in brushing your teeth? Possibly not flossing as much as before? Or putting off seeing your dentist for checkups and teeth cleaning? If you've become careless, you could be playing a risky game with your brain. Studies show that older adults suffering from periodontal gum disease, having difficulty chewing food, or missing teeth, have a greater risk of developing dementia. Gingivitis like other medical problems proves the Gifford-Jones Law that one health problem frequently leads to another. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, when gums become inflamed by the bacterial plaque built up on the surface of teeth. If untreated, it progresses to periodontitis, an infection of tissue that supports the teeth. According to the...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Psychiatry
How Clutter Causes Problems
Have you ever walked into a home, or even a single room, and wondered, "How do these people live in such a mess?" Collecting and holding onto too much stuff causes many problems – economic, social, and emotional. It is not a common way to assess your health. But having a look at your home is an interesting diagnostic tool. “Cluttering” can be expensive. About 11% of American households rent a storage unit at an average monthly cost of $85. Nearly half of self-storage customers rent for a year or more, costing over a thousand dollars! Some nationalities are more compulsive about clutter. For instance, Germans and Swedes seem less inclined to pile up unused things. The Swedes have a saying that...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Cardiovascular, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Obesity
Why North Americans Are Overweight
Dr. Richard Z. Cheng, Editor-in-Chief of the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, reports that years ago hunters survived eating low-carbohydrate diets. Their food was rich in animal protein, along with berries and seeds. But often food was scarce, and hunters used any bodily fat reserves to survive. There was no becoming obese. Now, food companies offer high-carbohydrate foods, with too much sugar and too many calories. Half of North Americans are overweight, with many people suffering diseases such as type 2 diabetes and its expensive medical complications. I interviewed Dr. Cheng to get his views on dietary measures that have a chance to reverse this disastrous situation. He promotes nutritious diets that are low in carbs, ultra-processed foods, and (omega-6 rich) seed oils...Read More
Genitourinary, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous
Get Up at Night Less Frequently
Getting up often to pee at night is called “Nocturia” and it’s the great sleep disturber as we age. Frequent peeing could also signal conditions that need medical attention. So you shouldn’t ignore the problem. It’s not polite to go around asking friends how many times they pee at night. But if you did, you’d discover it’s a common malady. Is there a natural remedy to decrease or resolve the causes? Of course, there are the obvious behavioural approaches. If you drink a lot of fluids before bed, unless you are young, you’ll undoubtedly wake up with the need to pee in the middle of the night. Load up on hydration earlier in the day. This is not to say don’t quench...Read More
Lifestyle, Medicine, Obesity, Philosophy
Who Can Solve the Chronic Disease Crisis?
Elon Musk is the richest person in the world. He got the title thanks to innovative thinking and masterful moves in the business world. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk intends to apply economic efficiencies in fighting the crisis of an obesity society by making weight loss drugs cheap. In a post on X, Elon Musk wrote, “Nothing would do more to improve the health, lifespan, and quality of life for Americans than making GLP inhibitors super low cost to the public. Nothing is even close.” GLP inhibitors are a class of medications that help manage blood sugar in people with diabetes. Ozempic is the brand name for one such product that is...Read More
Nutrition, Obesity
Obesity, Diabetes, and Heart Attacks Mean Misery and Economic Disaster
Why do people inflict misery upon themselves? By gaining too much weight, people are decreasing their quality of life and dying prematurely. You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to find the clues leading to tragic or mysterious deaths. The evidence is in plain sight. We are a society in which obese people are becoming the majority. Obesity involves excessive fat accumulation – to the point of becoming a risk to health. An effort to fight obesity should have nothing to do with shaming and blaming. That’s the wrong approach, the wrong interpretation of objectives, and a distraction from what needs to be done. Instead, we must identify the steps to fight the scourge – and get on with it immediately. A...Read More
Miscellaneous, Philosophy
Ring in the New Year, But Not Literally
Albert Einstein once said, “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.” Many doctors would agree. There are patients who willfully inflict medical problems on themselves, even when they have full knowledge of the behaviours and lifestyle habits that will end their lives prematurely. There are other patients who become victims of carelessness. Nine times out of ten, problems could have been avoided. It’s time to "ring in the New Year". But a woman in Australia took those words too literally at a New Year's Eve party in 2015. The 41-year-old, who had asthma, reached into her purse for her inhaler when she began to wheeze during the festivities. Unbeknownst to her, a loose...Read More
