Dr. Peterson's Blog

January 7th 2009 - I have been warning audiences of the dangers of elevated levels of homocysteine for many years. A common response is, "Why should I listen to you when my doctor says there is no reason to check homocysteine levels?" Physicians do not :: continue

July 13th 2008 - The July 1, 2008 issue of Pediatrics carried the latest statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding cholesterol in children. The committee recommendations include screening children's cholesterol levels beginning at age :: continue

November 27th 2007 - A Cornell University study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, will appear in the December 8th issue of the journal Eating Behaviors. Researchers asked 320 college students what they considered their ideal body weight. :: continue

August 21st 2007 - One of my favorite mentors often had audiences perform physical examinations on themselves during his lectures. He would ask the attendees to place their hands at the sides of their chests and slowly slide them down toward their hips. :: continue

July 27th 2007 - The true liars are at it again. This time its a massive campaign to mislead consumers about the merits of drinking purified water. For those of you who missed my April 2006 Health By Design letter a true liar is someone who knowingly :: continue

May 16th 2007 - A new research study has shown that drivers who have turned on their car’s windshield wipers are more likely to be involved in automobile accidents than drivers who are not using their wipers. Lead investigator Joe Blow, M.D., Ph.D. stated :: continue

November 30th 2006 - It is estimated that 2 million men in the United States are taking formulations containing saw palmetto to ease or prevent symptoms related to enlargement of the prostate gland. In February a study was published (N Engl J Med. 2006 :: continue

September 25th 2006 - Spinach has been off of store shelves for the past two weeks as a result of an outbreak of illness associated with the leafy green. The specific source of the outbreak has not been confirmed, but it has been isolated to the Salinas :: continue

August 23rd 2006 - When I talk with individuals about their use of tobacco, I am struck by how many believe that they are doing so safely. They do not feel that they are endangering their health because they are using “safe” forms such pipes, cigars, :: continue

August 12th 2006 - I recently attended the Annual Scientific Assembly of the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians. As in past years, the lectures were highly biased toward the use of prescription drugs in the management of disease processes. In each :: continue