Dr. Morton Tavel

    Products marked “gluten free” are all over markets these days. This is a boon to people with a rare condition called “celiac disease” and other unusual health problems that require gluten avoidance, but many gluten-free foods are poor healthy choices. What is Gluten? Wheat, barley, rye, and hybrids of these grains (like triticale) contain…

THE REAL STORY Anyone who watches TV these days is bombarded with supplements touted to improve memory or even (unlawfully) suggest the prevention or delay of the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, forget about those over-the-counter products that make those promises. Perhaps the most blatant and widely publicized example is provided by Prevagen,…

   Recently I was challenged by the idea that healthcare competition was limited to standard, conventional medical care, but additional fields such as homeopathy and chiropractic were excluded. Such competition allegedly unfairly limits the choices to the public. In order to reach accurate conclusions, however, some historical facts are required:    During the nineteenth century…

    I recently encountered a lengthy video presented by what appeared and sounded like “Doctor Phil,” well known TV psychologist, who, in conjunction with Doctor OZ, another TV “medical expert,” were extolling the virtues of a “fantastic” product, “GlycoLean drops,” which ostensibly “cures” diabetes, and in the process, eliminates the need for medications and/or insulin…

     As one ages, maintaining physical fitness becomes increasingly important —not just for quality of life but also for longevity. While muscle strength is a familiar concept, growing research shows that muscle power—the ability to exert force quickly—is a crucial factor in predicting one’s longevity. Muscle strength and muscle power are two separate but related…

      Because of much public hype, this product is presently under a cloud of suspicion: The suspicions include the following:                  THE FACTS    Recently presented by qualified scientists in the critical publication, Skeptical Inquirer, are the chemistry, usage, risks, and underlying misinformation about glyphosate:     Agricultural advances have made farming and our foods…

   Research shows that about one-third of all Americans report feeling lonely, which constitutes an epidemic that takes a toll on people’s physical and mental health. Mental health problems linked to loneliness include higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicide, anger, and violence. Loneliness also affects physical health, contributing to an increased risk of heart disease,…

Nutritionally, organic and conventional produce are very similar. Reviews of studies comparing the two show only small, inconsistent differences in vitamin and mineral content. Mineral content is largely dependent on the soil. Vitamin content is largely dependent on temperature and sun exposure. Organic produce is grown without synthetic pesticides, but it is not completely pesticide-free.…

    A recent randomized trial, organized at Harvard, suggests that they may do just that. The study found that taking a vitamin D pill daily protected “telomeres” from shortening. Telomeres form the protective ends of the long strands of gene-carrying contents (chromosomes) inside all cells. When we’re born, our telomeres are relatively long. As we…

I often encounter the question whether generic drugs are just as safe and effective as their brand-named counterparts. Basically the answer to this question is yes. To gain FDA approval, the generic must demonstrate that it has the same active ingredient, and that it is identical in strength, dosage form, route of administration, and labeling…