Archive for James B. LaValle

Folate Making Headlines Again
by James B. LaValle (10/01/2008)

You can learn a lot about what’s good for your body - and what isn’t - by reading medical literature. But you have to be careful. Take, for instance, two recent studies that gave negative press to some very beneficial vitamins. The way these study results were reported can give the impression that we don’t need vitamins B12, B6, and folate. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Good Health Habits Pay Off - Even If You Start Late
by James B. LaValle (09/30/2008)

Even if you don’t adopt good health habits until well into middle age, a new study shows that it’s still worth your while to do so...

The Belly-Blasting Power of Antioxidants
by James B. LaValle (09/29/2008)

You have probably heard that obesity raises your risk for heart disease and diabetes, as well as other diseases. And recent studies have found that fat around the waist or belly is particularly harmful.

Fruit Juice - Bad for Your Heart?
by James B. LaValle (09/20/2008)

Fuit Juice - If you’re worried about the effects of fat and dietary cholesterol on your heart, stop. Trans-fats are the only ones conclusively proven to be detrimental. In the meantime, there’s something just as serious to watch out for. Fructose.

Contaminated Crops
by James B. LaValle (07/11/2008)

Fresh produce is a key component of a healthy diet, and I'm constantly reminding patients to increase their intake. But recent headlines have opened our eyes to the fact that when we eat fresh fruit and vegetables, we may be literally biting off more than we can chew.

Toxic Burden
by James B. LaValle (07/05/2008)

I've been talking for years about the effect of various environmental toxins on our metabolism. And now, almost every day, we read news headlines that validate what I've been saying about the importance of reducing our exposure to toxic chemicals.

What’s in Your Tomatoes?
by James B. LaValle (06/19/2008)

You may be certain that your plate is full of healthy food... but the truth might surprise you. Your tomatoes, corn, soybeans, Hawaiian papaya, zucchini, crooked neck squash, and even ice cream could have genes from cloned fish, bacteria, or viruses. That's because you're not always dealing with the "real thing." Your grocer's shelves are likely stacked with genetically modified (GM) foods.

Choose “Clean” Proteins When on a Low-Carb Diet
by James B. LaValle (06/18/2008)

The Diet That Cardiologists Are Being Urged to Recommend
by James B. LaValle (06/12/2008)

What would you do if you were a researcher and you realized that a diet that had been accepted for years is all wrong? Would you write letters and more letters, urging your colleagues to be aware that research is showing the need for a change?

How Can I Possibly Be Gaining Weight?
by James B. LaValle (05/30/2008)

These days, when two incomes barely make ends meet, you may be leading the kind of hectic life where coffee is all you make time to "eat" during the day. Unfair as it is, this black coffee stress diet can lead to weight gain. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent "stress bloat."

Take Your Water Bottle With You When You Leave Your Car
by James B. LaValle (05/27/2008)

You know that water bottle you carry with you everywhere? Or the bottles you use to feed your baby? If they're plastic, they could be making you or your baby very sick. Fortunately, there's one easy step you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from the "toxic" effects of plastic.

Taking All the Right Supplements, but Still in Pain
by James B. LaValle (05/26/2008)

You may have heard that glucosamine HCL and chondroitin can help rebuild damaged cartilage in your joints. But what if you're taking supplements to relieve your aching joints, and you just aren't feeling better?

2 Eggs or a Pop Tart?
by James B. LaValle (05/23/2008)

An egg has approximately 200 mg of cholesterol, and frying or scrambling it can up the cholesterol to approximately 245 mg. According to Kellogg's, a Blueberry Pop Tart contains no cholesterol, but it does have 39.8 g of carbohydrates - almost half of them from pure sugar. So which is a healthier breakfast - an egg or a Pop Tart?

Toxic Cosmetics!
by James B. LaValle (05/03/2008)

Would you knowingly go out and buy mercury or lead and put it on your skin? No. You are certainly smarter than that.

Caffeine Imposters Can Cost You Sleep
by James B. LaValle (04/30/2008)

Everyone knows caffeine during the day can affect your sleep. But you may not know that there are caffeine-free foods that may have caffeine-like effects on the brain.

Whey Cool!
by James B. LaValle (03/26/2008)

Muscle in your body is constantly being built up and broken down. That makes whey protein an excellent food to consider.