Let Them Eat Cake

A cardiologist challenges the conventional wisdom about diet, exercise, and heart health.

Rob Siegel is a cardiology fellow at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He treats patients and investigates the interaction between lifestyle, obesity, and heart health. See full bio

October 23, 2009

Should I Give My Kid The Swine Flu Vaccine?

A mother asks tough questions about whether to give the H1N1 "Swine" flu vaccine to her toddler.

This doctor addresses her questions the best he can. Read More

May 11, 2009

Let Them Eat Cake

Do you eat Brussels sprouts? Do you sweat on an elliptical trainer? Do you ever wonder whether the things you do for the sake of your health are helping you? Sometimes your sacrifice will help, but sometimes you can quit worrying and enjoy life. (Read on: Purpose statement for this blog appears at the end of this post.) Read More

April 15, 2009

What's up with "Colon Cleansing?"

Drove past a van on my way home today; the van advertised “Cleanse Your Colon,” with a phone number under the ad. Has our country gone crazy? Read More

January 1, 2009

Doctor’s Diary: Drug Companies Buy My Booze

Starting today the pharmaceutical industry has agreed to stop handing out the prescription-drug-branded trinkets you see in doctor's offices. However, lavish "educational" dinners for doctors will continue. Learn what happens in this by-invitation-only world. Read More

July 11, 2008

Cholesterol, Kids, and Screaming "Shamefully!"

This week the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy statement recommending that kids receive blood tests to check their cholesterol levels, and to start cholesterol medication in some who have high cholesterol.

Pandemonium ensued!

March 30, 2008

Is Sunlight Good or Bad for You? (The Real Answer Is Here!)

Sunlight causes cancer (bad)! It also helps us make vitamin D (good). Should we avoid it? On Wednesday the Indoor Tanning Association gave us their opinion. Are they correct? Read More

March 21, 2008

The Claim: Caffeine Causes Birth Defects

My pregnant friend has studiously avoided cats (toxoplasmosis), alcohol (fetal alcohol syndrome), tuna (mercury), soft cheese (listeriosis), and sushi (oy gevalt). Recently she sent me this, wondering if she should also give up her daily macchiato habit:

“Too much caffeine during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage, a new study says.”
New York Times, January 21, 2008, “Pregnancy Problems Tied to Caffeine” Read More

Diet Basics

Why do we wrestle with what we eat and how much we eat? Sometimes we eat the right foods in the right portions, and sometimes we eat the entire dinner table and all the wrong foods. Why is it so hard to eat healthfully? Whether you're trying to lose a few pounds or maintain a nutritious diet, you'll find answers to your questions here.

Go to the Diet Basics page for more on Diet including:

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