Archives

DEAR DR. BLONZ: How does fish farming affect the environment? Also, what are the nutritional differences between fish raised on a farm and those caught in lakes, oceans or bays? -- K.B., Springfield, ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Our daughter has eaten mostly vegetarian throughout her teens. She is not a vegan -- she eats seafood and dairy -- and she has been happy and healthy with her diet. Now comes an ideal ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Omega-3 fats are touted when naturally present, and are now being promoted when added to other foods. Are all omega-3s the same? In terms for a non-science major, please explain what t... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am asking you to weigh in on a discussion at my workplace. Assuming that a well-balanced breakfast isn't an option, would it be better to have a pastry for breakfast or no breakfast ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I continue to hear that wine has health benefits and isn't really a problem unless you overdo it. I have been a wine drinker, but do not want to put myself in harm's way. -- W.D., Sacr... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have some questions based on the discovery of lead in drinking water in Flint, Michigan, and elsewhere. A couple of months ago, I used an electric sander on a number of windows and d... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Please explain tryptophan's role in foods, and the reason it is being promoted as a separate dietary supplement called 5-HTP. -- C.L., Phoenix... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is there an optimal form for a dietary supplement? Both my husband and I are over 60, and I was wondering if our bodies might better assimilate our daily vitamins and minerals from a c... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Can you explain for me and your other readers the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? Are foods and supplements containing these things beneficial? -- B.S., Walnut Creek, Cal... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have begun taking statins for my elevated cholesterol. I've been advised to stop drinking grapefruit juice and eating grapefruit, because it impedes the body's ability to get rid of ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I continue to read that we should not mix carbohydrates and proteins together. Is this the current thought among scientists? -- S.W., Portland, Oregon... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: In a package of catfish filets I purchased, I noticed a number of ingredients of concern, given that I need to limit my intake of sodium. These include sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is it true that there are important enzymes in raw milk that are destroyed by pasteurization, and that these enzymes are needed to assimilate the calcium from milk? I heard this from a... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have an allergy to crab and lobster, due to the iodine. Shrimp doesn't bother me at all, but my big question is whether scallops fall into the crab/lobster category or into the shrim... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have concerns about my son's coach asking his athletes to eat a great deal of protein, as much as 18 eggs a day (yolks and all), to gain more muscle weight. I have been unable to fin... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have a question about carbohydrates. You have stated that once a carbohydrate is converted to fat, it can never become a carbohydrate again. If glucose is so important to the human b... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What are the concerns about the use of soy and flax if you have breast cancer? -- S.B., Chicago... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I've always thought that if I have all my fruits, vegetables and grains -- organic, when possible -- along with other foods in the amounts recommended, I should not need any dietary su... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: My partner had an emergency heart valve replacement and is now on the blood thinner Coumadin, perhaps for the rest of his life. The surgery saved his life, so we are extremely grateful... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am wondering if I get the same benefits from drinking iced tea as hot tea. Also, does the decaffeination process change the tea's beneficial characteristics? -- D.D., San Jose, Calif... more

Dear Dr. Blonz: I wanted to comment about the column you wrote on stomach upset from taking supplements. I, too, need to watch these. I learned to take them right before the meal, not after. This way ... more

Dear Dr. Blonz: I wanted to comment about the column you wrote on stomach upset from taking supplements. I, too, need to watch these. I learned to take them right before the meal, not after. This way ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am 70 years old, in good health and hope to stay that way. I tend to get at least five or six servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and a lot of grains. I also take a multivita... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I eat well and have a pretty active lifestyle. I take a daily packet of multivitamins and minerals -- nothing fancy or excessive, just a small group of pills that should provide 100 pe... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What controls how much cholesterol is in the body? Can we manufacture more cholesterol than we get in food? If I were to go vegan and effectively cut out all dietary sources, would tha... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: My boyfriend takes a dietary supplement that contains bovine colostrum to increase his lean muscle mass. Coincidently (or maybe not), he is noticing that his heart has been racing a lo... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria, and it is important that I go on a low histamine diet -- at least, that is what I have read. Is there any guidance that you might pro... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have concerns about contaminants in fish oil supplements. Is an omega-3 supplement sourced from flax a better alternative? -- F.L., Phoenix... more