Archives

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am 5 feet 4 inches tall and weigh 110 pounds on a good day. My concern is that I have found that 1,000 calories is the most I can consume each day without becoming obese. This seems ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have shifted from animal sources to tofu as my primary source of protein. I am about 5 feet tall and I weigh 104 pounds. Is there anything about how tofu is made that I need to consi... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Do dried blueberries have the same antioxidant benefits as fresh ones? -- C.D., Albany, California... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: You often refer to the "Nutrition Facts" label in your columns, but I have always wondered about the information listed. How are these figures arrived at, by whom, and how reliable are... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I appreciate that you answer questions about health claims made on social media. I am continually amazed when I want to learn about a condition and then find it can be treated successf... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am on Medicare and had a bone scan as a part of my annual wellness checkup, which showed that I have weak bones in the form of osteopenia in my hips and spine, but other areas were i... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am a female in my early 20s and have started taking a mineral supplement to build up calcium before I start losing it. I was wondering if there is a best time of day to take this? --... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am almost 83, and often make green split pea soup using freshly bought dried split peas. I use only a small amount of salt, and ensure the peas are well-covered with cold water. I pu... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Compared with 75% lean, would 95% lean ground beef be considered low-fat? This came up during a discussion at a burger party, and we all recorded our votes. Is one that much more healt... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Nutrition labels on foods and meats show their fat content. But when meat items get cooked, such as bacon, sausage and ground meats, fat gets rendered out. Does the package labeling in... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am a borderline diabetic. I like beer, so I drink a 12-ounce bottle about three times a week. Am I doing a disservice to my health by drinking beer? What about drinking it before a m... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: There is a history of macular degeneration in my family, and I understand that lutein and zeaxanthin are nutrients needed to slow its progression. What is your view on supplements as a... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I would like your help to settle an argument at a recent dinner. There seems to be such a push to restrict salt consumption in general, but the only hazard I am aware of is that salt c... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Since the pandemic, I haven't been able to find good old-fashioned bagged barley in any grocery store. This is a product that arguably has been around since the early days of man -- no... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What is the connection between a very high-protein diet, calcium absorption and bone health? Does it matter whether the excess protein is from animal or plant sources? -- J.F., Boston... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: My husband and I will be trying to start a family next year. We are both in good health, with no chronic ailments or genetic issues. My diet is fine, but not ideal. I have managed to c... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am in my middle years, and my hair has become thin and is subject to frequent breakage. Someone suggested that I try some Norwegian kelp, as it was claimed to bolster the thyroid, wh... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I often see commercials for capsules of powdered greens and fruits and how they supply important nutrients and antioxidants, the same as eating whole fruits and vegetables. I have been... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I received information from my doctor's office that read: "Don't take a multivitamin and mineral supplement containing iron. Men can't eliminate iron except through blood loss. High le... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: We often use commercial fat-free salad dressings as an alternative to a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing. They taste fine, but my daughter asked about all the chemicals listed on ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am inquiring about placebos in research and how they work. I am also interested in whether the placebo effect can affect food sensitivities. -- D.B., Tulsa... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Growing up, I was taught that too much white bread caused constipation. As an adult, I learned that wheat bread is good for us because it includes the health benefits of fiber. Does wh... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I'm inquiring about the use of activated charcoal to help get toxins out of the body: how much to take and whether it works as a blood purifier. -- L.N., Anderson, North Carolina... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: A holistic doctor featured at a recent wellness conference stated that pasteurization destroys a critical enzyme in raw milk that is needed to absorb calcium. Is this true? -- M.Q., Ph... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have been using olive oil as much as possible in cooking and salads. Much of the time, and always in baking, I use the "extra light" olive oil from a warehouse store. Recently, I hav... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Please explain the difference between fats, oils, serum lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides. My main question is about a close friend with high blood cholesterol who is now on a stat... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Please help settle a family debate. It is my impression that when vegetables are boiled with no lid on the pot, some nutrients leave with the steam. My son says that all the nutrients ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What is your opinion of weight-loss products that claim they shrink belly fat by reducing the level of cortisol in the body? The message is that this approach can help one lose 10 to 2... more