Do What Works For You

From time to time, I have the opportunity to host a medical talk radio show (The Weekly Check Up). Recently, my guest was a rheumatologist. One of the callers asked about the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint pain. Our expert told the listeners that there is no clinical data that supports the efficacy of these supplements. However, he went on to say that he has seen many individual cases of success with these remedies.

This answer immediately reminded me of Dr. Mark Moyad, an expert in preventative and alternative medicine for whom I have tremendous respect. In fact, I would recommend anything that he has written. He cuts through all the you-know-what and breaks things down to a common sense approach. For instance, if a diet helps you lose weight and makes you feel better, it is probably a good diet for you.

During a typical presentation, Dr. Moyad will cover an encyclopedia of supplements. He will then reveal a common thread. Whatever supplements happen to be heart healthy are also cancer healthy. And GI healthy. And eye healthy. And so on. In other words, if you focus on your heart health, you are really focusing on everything. Of course this advice is not limited to supplements, but also applies to diet and exercise.

So, at the risk of sounding like Yogi Berra, do what works.