Archives

DEAR DR. BLONZ: My question is about sour cream: How many days after it is opened can it be used safely, assuming it is kept refrigerated? -- D.G., San Diego... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am focused on diet and exercise, but how much does my family's health history impact my risk for disease? -- T.P., Tulsa, Oklahoma... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What constitutes "with meals" and "on an empty stomach" when it comes to taking medications with (or without) food? I usually eat small meals every three hours throughout the day, and ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have paid the price for researching health products online -- my mailbox is constantly loaded with promotions to help everything from heart disease and digestive disorders to stress ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Along with the tuna itself, some canned tuna contains "vegetable broth with hydrolyzed soy protein and hydrolyzed casein." Are these ingredients unhealthy? Does a can of tuna that list... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is it reasonable to take melatonin daily as a sleep aid? -- B.S., Westmont, Illinois... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: When taking pills -- vitamins, supplements, prescriptions, whatever -- is it important to swallow one pill at a time? Or is it OK to do as I do and take three, four or five in one gulp... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I wonder if you could comment on a family discussion. My father-in-law often eats an entire bag of potato chips at one sitting -- a 10-ounce bag, not an individual 1-ounce bag. He says... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: My question is not about taking supplements, but whether there is a difference in nutritional value between those taken as pills and those taken in liquid or other forms. A close frien... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I need to know more about iron and anemia, and would also like some nutritional information on dates and raisins. Are they good sources of iron for vegetarians? -- A.V., Charlotte, Nor... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: This is a follow-up question for the reader who asked about using diet drinks for a weight-loss "detox": Why not simply fast for a few days? Then you could avoid these expensive potion... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What are some safe methods for food preservation? I know that some preservatives are synthetic chemicals, but there are also preservatives in "all natural" foods. Is there a significan... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have been researching the subject of glaucoma and hoping to find nutritional approaches to preventing it. I have not been able to locate much in the way of reliable scientific inform... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I attended a presentation on toxin buildup in the intestines and how it is responsible for difficult-to-lose weight. The doctor's presentation spoke about a weight-loss detox routine i... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is it possible that cold is an unappreciated fat-loss gimmick? A social media nutritionist used the example that one glass of ice water uses up about eight calories of energy as it war... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: My new partner is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, but only weighs 115 pounds. I checked his BMI using an online tool, and it is 17.5, which indicates he is underweight. He knows this, but... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: As one with lactose intolerance, I pay the price with unwanted digestive gas if I eat dairy products that contain lactose. I now have milk without lactose, but wondered why lactose-fre... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: You mentioned that excess dietary protein could increase mineral losses in a recent column. Can you say more about that? Is excess protein hard on the kidneys that have to filter out a... more

DEAR READERS: I am encouraging all who can, and haven’t, to get vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease known as COVID-19 that’s wreaking havoc around the world. The longer significant... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Soy is present sometimes in the dishes I enjoy. At a recent meal, I was told that soy contains enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid, which block the absorption of essential nutrients. Is ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I’ve been a coffee drinker for most of my adult life, but have now read that coffee absorbs calcium -- that it can even pull calcium out of bones and lead to osteoporosis. Is that true... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have a question about water. Is it a good idea to drink more water than you normally feel like, or is it sufficient to drink only when you're thirsty? -- S.T., via email... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is it acceptable to cook frozen chicken breasts directly on the grill without defrosting them? My brother cooks them for about 15 minutes on a hot grill, turning frequently. He believe... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Our grandson, 24, is a college grad and personal trainer specializing in helping others build their bodies. He feels with all his workouts, he needs 200 grams of good protein per day a... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your column about grilling foods. When I was much younger, I would barbecue two or three times a week using charcoal. That went on for at least ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I watched some online videos from a doctor, who confidently stated there are five foods that we should never eat. His list: ice cream, popcorn, cookies, fruit juice, and burgers with a... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I understand that fiber is a carbohydrate, that it comes from plants and that it just passes through the digestive system. Does it provide any real nutrients? And if you have no proble... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I keep seeing a video ad that says we should not ever drink spring water, carbonated water or even purified water, because it is all less effective than the alkalized water made fresh ... more