Berkeley Wellness Alerts

Q: What is chi running? A: It’s a form of running that incorporates some principles of tai chi, a martial art that uses slow, dancelike, low-impact movements, often done now…

Q: Is using a bidet a healthy way to clean yourself after going to the bathroom? A: It may be, though it likely depends on several variables, including the design…

Q: I take medication to lower my blood pressure, which is now under control. Are my risks for heart attack and stroke as low as if I never had hypertension?…

Arsenic, a naturally occurring element and industrial byproduct, poses a significant health risk to millions of people worldwide when it leaches into drinking water. It’s highly poisonous at high doses,…

HDL doubts • Dukan diet • LED screens & sleep • pomegranate claims • calcium supplements • other bone-building nutrients • eating for exercise • heart benefits of working out…

Twenty years ago there were concerns about electromagnetic radiation from old-fashioned computer monitors, so much so that many experts suggested sitting at least an arm’s length away. That’s no longer…

Q: Why do some of us hate cilantro, while others love it? Am I missing out on nutrients if I avoid it? A: You’re not alone in your distaste for cilantro,…

Q: What is blood flow restricted exercise? Is it effective—and safe? A: According to some studies, blood flow restricted (BFR) exercise can produce some pretty impressive results, though it’s not…

Q: Can strontium improve bone strength, especially in people with osteoporosis?Q: A: Apparently. Found in small amounts in soil, drinking water, and food, this chemical element is not classified as…

After years of having it drilled into their heads, most people now know that LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the “bad” cholesterol package that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and…

The news keeps getting sweeter about dark chocolate and other cocoa products. Since we last reviewed the research, several studies have further highlighted its potential for improving cardiovascular health—by improving…

Q: Does the “G-spot” really exist? A: The debate continues. First promoted in a best-selling book in 1982, the G-spot was named after Dr. Ernst Gräfenberg, who did research on…

Q: Is it true that cooling your hands can make exercising easier? A: Possibly. Some people avoid exercise because they don’t like getting hot and sweaty. If you’re very overweight,…

Q: Are instant and other quick-cooking oats as nutritious as steel-cut? A: Yes. All oatmeal starts out as whole oat kernels, called groats. The outer hull is removed, but the…

Twenty-five years ago the term “antioxidant” was new to the public. Today it’s big business, with sales of products making antioxidant-related claims reaching $65 billion in the U.S. in 2011….

Q: Why do people sleepwalk, and is there a cure? A: Sleepwalking is a disturbance in non-REM sleep (stages of sleep in which there’s little or no eye movement and…

Q: Can women use the higher-strength Rogaine formula, approved for hair loss in men? A: Yes, with some caveats. Technically, only the 2 percent Rogaine (minoxidil) formula is approved by…

Q: I’ve read that carbs and protein have 4 calories per gram, while fat has 9 calories. But when I multiply out these numbers on food labels, I often come…

Not too long ago, calcium was the least controversial dietary supplement. Millions of people take calcium, hoping to keep their aging bones strong and prevent osteoporosis-related fractures, which half of…

Each year the flu puts more than 200,000 Americans in the hospital and causes anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 deaths. With the exception of the H1N1 flu (also called swine…