Archives

DEAR DR. BLONZ: After receiving a diagnosis of cancer -- caught early, during a routine physical -- I was told it had not spread and that the odds were in my favor. The therapy was immediate and inten... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I heard a lecturer on TikTok stating that an organic tomato can have nine times the iron of a conventionally grown tomato. Is this correct? -- B.O., Atlanta... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What is the best way to handle hot leftovers? I have always thought they should never be put in containers with airtight lids until cooled, for fear that botulism can form when anythin... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I choose high-fiber breads for sandwiches. I have learned from experience that just because the bread is brown and the label says it's wheat or multigrain, it isn't necessarily made fr... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I know that osteoporosis runs in my family, but I have an issue with lactose, so I have to be careful what I eat. I have been using a calcium-based multimineral supplement with vitamin... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have questions about foods sold in plastic containers at my local store. Can a microwave be used to defrost chicken and beef broths in these containers? These foods are produced in s... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I had to stop my caffeine intake due to a health condition. It took a few days to stop the annoying headaches, and I wondered what caused them. Things have now settled, but I do miss m... more

(Note to Editors: Dr. Blonz is away this week. This column originally appeared on Oct. 19, 2021.)... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I was reading about the acid-base balance in the body and was surprised to learn that the pH of lemon juice is lower than that of vinegar, which means it's higher in acid. This makes m... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I would appreciate advice on improving the diet of my three young girls. I run up against refusals and "not hungrys," which later become pleas for their "regular." Special consideratio... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: A vegetarian since my teens, I was recently dismayed to read from a doctor (of unknown specialty) on social media that potatoes can lose their potassium when cooked in a microwave. I u... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Something that is hyped with intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets is that they promote autophagy, which is described as cleaning out, detoxifying and renewing the body. I remain cu... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have no thyroid problems, but during a recent lecture on iodine, the presenter described a simple test to determine if you are deficient. It involved buying some iodine antiseptic an... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I keep reading about "buying locally." I can see the good in that it would involve fewer resources, but it seems that if you buy all your food from your area, you wind up with the nutr... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: A recent magazine article suggested that daily vitamins aren't necessary for adults over 65. Do you agree? -- T.G.... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: On the subject of sea salts, I am less concerned about contaminants in Himalayan sea salt because it is 3 million years old. However, I am skeptical of, and would not knowingly use, se... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have a question about minerals and absorption. Let's say that our body can only absorb 50% of the minerals in a supplement, and that supplement label shows it supplies 100% of the RD... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I remain confused as to why organic and holistic food makers don't use flavors from the food that is the origin of that flavor, such as using the compound in real strawberries to flavo... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am puzzled about the accuracy of nutrition labels on some products, particularly about calories. One example is the calories listed for almond milk. Almonds are so high in calories, ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I am hoping for your take on this "miracle ice hack" that says we lose body weight when we drink ice water, because the body has to use its calories to bring the water up to body tempe... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Tell me more about Celtic sea salt, promoted all over social media for a number of health benefits. These include alkalizing the body, balancing blood sugar, eliminating mucus buildup ... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: What are your thoughts about farmed salmon, and how color additives are used to make it look like wild salmon? Do you have issues with farmed fish? -- M.C., Hayward, California... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: We just moved to a "hard-water" area that relies on a water softener to keep appliances from getting over-mineralized. Do I need to bypass softened cold water for drinking? How much so... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I keep seeing messages that foods are now mineral-deficient, and we need supplements to prevent deficiencies. Which minerals are currently believed to be essential for good health? Are... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Please explain the change in nutrient demand, and how the kidneys change, during pregnancy. -- P.O., Arlington Heights, Illinois... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: My favorite catalog advertises a "fat freezer" to reshape your body by destroying and dissolving fat cells. You apply fat-freezing pads on your problem area and select a 30- or 60-minu... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is it true that raw foods still have their enzymes intact, and that when we eat raw foods, the body uses those enzymes to aid digestion? If so, does this mean that our body doesn't nee... more

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I hope you can clarify information about magnesium supplements on the market, including the hype that most are deficient, that it is a root cause of common ailments and the many promot... more