Entries by Chet Zelasko

Observations and Questions About the Step Study

Most research papers such as the step study I began to review on Thursday have a main point, sometimes a couple points, and that’s all we take from it. But there some interesting things that may not get headlines but are still worth mentioning. Let’s take a look at some other results from the steps […]

Step It Out!

By the looks of it, “Stay Home and Stay Safe” will extend through the beginning of May and perhaps longer. As we adapt to our new normal, here is a little incentive to make exercise a regular part of your life from now on. Researchers analyzed data from the 2003–2005 National Health and Nutrition Education […]

Adjusting to Your New Normal

Today is the end of the month; it’s also the end of the first quarter of the year. I would guess that due to COVID-19, you may have to set new and perhaps different goals. I know I am; my seminar schedule has blown up completely—for now. The challenge is that we really don’t know […]

Sorry, but Some Health Writers are Scammers

The typical research paper may have findings that are controversial, but researchers are using the techniques of their profession. I may disagree with their conclusions for a variety of reasons, but at least it’s contained. Following the threads this author created was a challenge but fruitful, especially the first one. The readers of her columns […]

Investigating Supplements

Let’s turn to what the author I wrote about on Tuesday said and examine it in detail. She interviewed a variety of experts; I checked them out and they were most definitely legit, especially those who worked in the research arms of the NIH. She asked them a simple question that went something like “Which […]

Don’t Fall for a Bad Headline

The headline of the Life and Culture section of my local newspaper was this: “Supplements Are a Scam.” You know that has to get my attention. Wouldn’t it get yours? Most of us take dietary supplements every day, so I read the article. To paraphrase the opening, it went something like this “Wake up people! […]

What Should I Do?

At this point, it seems that writing about anything other than COVID-19 is doing you, the reader, a disservice. But it also seems wrong to continue to talk about the topic you can’t escape hearing, talking, and thinking about, so I’m going to head back to reviewing research and health headlines next week. For today, […]

Open-to-All Insiders Conference Call

First, Happy St. Patrick’s Day—everyone is Irish today. Second, this is the login information for tomorrow evening’s Insiders Conference Call via freeconferencecall.com; the call is Wednesday night at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. You can listen on your phone, watch on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Because I can’t answer questions live once it’s started, if […]

Everyone’s an Insider Wednesday Night

The COVID-19 virus is on everyone’s mind based on the questions I’ve been getting. So here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to hold the regularly scheduled Insiders Conference Call on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. The difference is that I’m going to open it up to my entire list of subscribers. […]

Reducing COVID-19 Stress

On the way to the studio yesterday to record my radio show Straight Talk on Health, an Insider asked me about how to assess a hotel for whether he should stay there or not. Then last night, I heard an interview with David Ropeik, author of the book “How Risky Is It?” After thinking about […]