HAPPY NEW YEAR. I generally do not make “doctor” remarks on this blog, but this is the once per year exception I grant myself. It is time for my annual New Year’s rant. Sit back and enjoy while I try to fix the world by calling out internet health and nutrition BS, again.
Peter Finch as Howard Beale in Network (1975) “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
Special Note: This is an update to my annual New Years rant. This version started in 2014 and is updated yearly. Why am I qualified and you should listen? Around this blog I use the pseudonym of DrDan but in real life I’m a board certified pediatrician, Dan Mikesell DO, FACOP. I have earned a voice.
I started this “tradition” in 2010, the first year of the blog in response to the wacko dietary and health advice I was seeing all around me. I cracked and whipped off I Call BS, what I would call an “I’m mad as h_ll, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” post. It felt so good, and it was a great public service announcement.
This is not medical advice, just my educated outlook on the problem of false and misleading medical and health advice on the internet. See your doctor if you need medical advice.
The issue continues to worsen. The BS is everywhere. Homeopathic remedies populate the local chain drug store. Made up science and conspiracy theories abound. Add in the general disregard for the truth and science, and they think they are free to say anything.
Even the mainstream media is spewing the cr_p. There is good old Dr. Oz talking about superfoods to fight infections. Even CNN recently had one of the biggest internet “food experts” commenting on food contamination. She was almost entirely wrong. Apparently, her degree in computer science skipped biology 101.
You are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.
We now live in a culture where everyone thinks that “I’m entitled to my opinion” implies that all opinions are equal and that ignorance is just as good as scientific knowledge. No, sometimes you’re just wrong.
You can have your own opinion but not your own facts. 30 minutes of Google does not make your beliefs fact. A flat-earth, anti-vax loudmouth on the internet agreeing with your beliefs is not “fact.” You can find support for any wrong idea.
The Fools of Social Media – It is on you if you fall for the BS.
Social media is full of health and nutrition “advice,” almost 100% false. If you saw it on social media or most websites/blogs, it will almost for sure be wrong.
In previous years, I called some of them “well-meaning but clueless.” But now I believe they are either outright shysters or just too uninformed/uneducated to understand facts from fiction.
They want you to believe only they have the magic or secret knowledge. They will have compelling stories sprinkled with pseudo-scientific BS, and if you don’t know better, you might believe it.
The more sophisticated ones will have “scientific” references. DON’T TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT. Most of the references either don’t exist, don’t say what they claim or are just packed with fake science.
Even if you read the reference, if you are not used to reading scientific articles, things like conclusions that are not supported by the details of the article or bad statistical analysis may still escape your detection.
And don’t forget that one study/article is by no means acceptable proof of anything to real doctors.
Cleansing or Cleansing Diets
Why is it that the bloggers and “experts” who are recommending cleansing activities are also the ones expounding their wacko diet information? If their recommendations are so great, why do they need cleansing?
Your liver and kidneys do this work for you. They don’t need the help of these “experts” and their made up BS. When your liver and kidneys do need help, you need a lot more than a made up “cleansing” can do.
Any blogger or other “expert” who is suggesting “cleansing” should be automatically in your “do not trust anything they say” list. More total BS.
Essential Oils
They sound so good. High cost and no sound scientific evidence or even close to believable claims. A new version of “snake oil.” Shameful. Absolute BS.
“Alternative” cancer treatments
Alternative cancer treatments seem to be the rage now. To think all you really needed was a coffee enema or a juice cleansing is just amazing to me.
These are the most shameful scam imaginable that will kill you or your family when you are at your most vulnerable.
Oncology is one of the most data-driven rapidly advancing areas of medicine. Oncology over the years has been very successful in gathering and analyzing data. And then coming up with new innovative treatments and sharing those treatments across the world for all to benefit.
I did my pediatric oncology training at St. Judes and referred many patients there over the years. St. Judes and their adult equivalents are true heroes on the front line of medicine, giving selflessly to society and their patients.
DON’T DRINK THE KOOL-AID.
Nobody can stop you. If you are on either end of the bell-shaped curve in your belief, you most likely to be WRONG. It is shameful for you to preach or impose you believe on others.
So What To Do With All This?
Here are some helpful clues to look for when evaluating these things.
Keywords/phrases that should make you run the other way
- Cure – you know nobody can guarantee a cure. If they do, it is a lie.
- Boost, support, or promotes the immune system or something else. – Don’t fall for these BS phrases which mean they have no proof it really does anything. Show me a proper study. They just want your money.
- Emerging studies or emerging science reveals. The snake oil is smelling strong.
- Leading experts – you can be sure they aren’t – I call BS ever time.
- Colon health – again show me the studies and define your terms.
- “Detoxifying” or “cleansing,” Please see above.
- Non-GMO – I boycott any food that says that. Fear-mongering is not nice. Companies that exploit fear for profit over science need to be boycotted.
- “Natural” – almost always used to mislead you to believe something is safe and effective. Almost for sure not effective or minimal effect. Also may not be safe.
- pH- if they talk about changing the pH of your blood, it is wrong or if true very very dangerous (but it is not true).
- Clean eating or “real food”- totally wrong. See this article.
- Other bothersome phrases: wellness, organic, poison, toxin, toxic, amazing, trick, hack, secret, alternative are all keywords that should automatically raise flags of concern.
Where the information comes from is another clue:
- Social Media – WRONG with few exceptions.
- Friend or relatives – Almost always wrong.
- Your mother – usually better than you think
- Your doctor is usually good but not always. MD or DO only, please.
- Infomercial – BAD… really bad…. always
- Doctor or Dietitian (R.D.) from your hospital system – Almost always good.
- There are many nutrition “degrees” people are getting now. I only trust R.D.s.
- An advertised product is almost always bad.
- Advertised drugs. You probably don’t need the expensive prescription drug with side-effects that include death for a “disease” which you didn’t know existed.
- “Expert” on morning TV – frequently bad so watch for the keywords above.
So who do you believe?
- Most doctors are good resources for you. But a few have gone to “the dark side.”
- Your local nonprofit hospital system will usually have your best health in mind.
- Major websites like WebMD, the CDC, and your local hospital system will all have helpful information. Most medical practices have websites with trusted links. Mine did.
- Even your insurance company wants you healthy, and many provide excellent resources. Even if your insurance company is a blood-sucking leech on society, a healthy you is still cheaper than a sick you. Let them help you.
- DO NOT go to Google. I love Google, but they do not verify information in their searches (not their job), and you are very likely to get very bad information. Google is not your doctor and not a health professional.
- If they tell you the AMA or doctors don’t want you to know a secret, hold on tight to your wallet and run hard in the other direction.
Final thoughts:
- NEVER make a significant change in your diet or exercise program without consulting your doctor.
- Anti-vax is a hoax and has killed many children. Vaccines have never caused autism, but the deadly diseases the vaccines prevent do kill. I have seen it.
- Alternative cancer treatments are killers. These are the most shameful scam imaginable that will kill you or your family when you are at your most vulnerable. Get to a board-certified oncologist you trust.
- Your 1 hour on the internet “researching” does not equal your doctors years of training. You are entitled to your opinion but not your own facts.
- If it sounds stupid or too good to be true, it probably is stupid and too good to be true.
“Hey, Let’s be careful out there.” Michael Conrad as Sergeant Phil Esterhaus in Hill Street Blues
Now I feel so much better.
So if you believe the liars and shysters shame on you.
DrDan
Special note: I will be approving all comments before publishing. If you want to disagree, start your own blog and say whatever you want. My blog is not your public platform. I will publish comments that I consider scientifically sound, but ranting or pseudo-scientific BS will not be published so don’t waste your typing. If I don’t like it, I will delete it.
Robert Macfadzean
May 27, 2019 at 9:17 pmFound your blog today while looking for a good way to grill pork chops. The brine, brown sugar, and garlic powder worked great. Also went to Academy and bought a grill surface temperature thermometer … I’d wondered about that, but never went further … thanks for addressing that issue. I’ll be reading more.
Radiologists: Why can’t you talk to the radiologist who analyzes your CT Scan or MRI? PCPs basically go by the narrative report, never show you the pictures. My example is a large difference in blockage in my carotid artery reported by the radiologist and eventually from the vascular surgeon when I was sitting side by side with him. 60-70% blocked-Radiologist. 80-90% blocked vascular surgeon … and I could see that from the pictures. (I’m 75, engineer by trade, and guilty of googling to try to learn more about whats going on with my body – usually from papers written by MDs and DOs if they don’t cost to download.)
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
May 27, 2019 at 10:57 pmHi Robert,
Welcome to the blog. Hope the chops worked well for you. For the surface thermometer (which I would think an engineer would love… data, data and more data), check out https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/grill-temperature/ discussion.
Radiologist discusses and reports their findings with the ordering doctor. I have never seen one discuss with patients unless I’m there with them to show the parent the tumor or something really bad.
All doctors should read their own x-rays (my opinion) and then when my read disagree, it is time for a discussion or meeting with the radiologist until there is agreement. At least that was my practice but I’m old and retired. But there is a big decision difference between 60-70 and 80-90%. Maybe time for another opinion when in doubt.
I doubt if you will get to the “landmark” studies free on the internet. I had access to 500 paid medical journals when I was a professor. You just won’t get to the right stuff. Plus you would need multiple articles and integrate that into clinical practice. You would need medical school and residency. Just get the second opinion if in doubt. Your family doctor should be able to arrange that for you.
Good luck with it.
Dan
Patti
May 6, 2019 at 3:42 pmYour site is totally fantastic and I will be referring my friends and family…and complete strangers to it immediately. I thought the recipes were fantastic, but little did I know that beautiful dogs and brilliant rants awaited. Thanks, Doc!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
May 6, 2019 at 5:04 pmHi Patti,
Welcome to the blog.
Glad you’re enjoying it. I do love to rant.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Laurie
May 6, 2019 at 2:29 pmThank you so much for your lifestyle commentary, recipes for one or two, especially your grilled turkey breast recipe, and your pup to dog photos. I would love to know your thoughts on stem cell therapy, especially as it relates to the aging brain and regeneration of bone or tissue.
Thanks for a great blog.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
May 6, 2019 at 5:03 pmHi Laurie,
Welcome to the blog.
Glad you are enjoying it.
Now onto you questions. First, I’m a retired general pediatrician and no longer have a license. So my opinion needs to be taken in that light. Wrong age group, not keeping up now.
I do have a bit of insight into the very complex area of stem cells mainly through my son-in-law who is a full professor doing research with stem cells. Meaning is is unbelievably complex and while holding great promise, I don’t believe there are much real help yet.
Like any cutting edge research, there will be those who will profiteer on the hopes the press reports. Just let me inject some “stem cells” (probably fake) and you will be cured. That will never happen. Read my comments on cancer above. Of course it will be very expensive and never covered by insurance. So be very very careful.
I would NEVER use things like stem cells outside of a major university research center where there are strict controls about risks vs benefits. I’m going to stop right here since it is not something I keep up on and there might be some limited specific uses that are well researched that I’m unaware of.
Hope that helps some.
Dan
Laurie
February 21, 2019 at 11:02 amDr. Dan, Just found your blog today, searching for carnitas recipe. Your New Year’s rant is wonderful!!! As if you took thoughts straight out of my mind! I am a psychiatric social worker and cannot tell you how much of my time is spent dissuading clients from believing false claims re health things…and this is when they are taking their psych meds! Everyone wants the miracle fix, but that doesn’t exist! Trust the science! Especially important with the crazy political scene currently!
Thanks for your straightforward comments. Appreciated!
DrDan
February 21, 2019 at 7:24 pmHi Laurie,
Welcome to the blog.
I do love doing this post every year and save notes for it through out the year if something I want to cover comes up.
I fought the immunization battles for years. Keep up the good fight.
Thank for the note.
Dan
nancy
January 16, 2019 at 9:20 pmHello, Dr. Dan….I just read this post and just love it! I’m a retired RN, worked 42 years mostly in Cardiology, but also in Pediatrics, General Trauma Surgery, and ER….Also spent some years working in Administration/QA back in the days when getting accreditation from the Joint Commission was most important. Thankfully, I am now retired and can relax and enjoy cooking, one of my favorite things to do. Being a single widow since ’82, I have found it a challenge to find recipes that “fit” one or two people….Thankfully, I found your blog several years ago and use so many of your recipes now. Being 75 yrs. old and having grown up on a farm, I cook plain old real food…always have. Just had my 6 month checkup a month ago…all was good…all labs normal….I walk when the weather permits (I live in Illinois and right now, no walking in big snows)…..I have an afternoon cocktail most every day…I sleep when I feel like it. I basically just live life in moderation and feel very thankful for each day I get to have in good health. Thank you so much for writing this blog…I love and use many of your recipes because they fit my life of eating plain, real food.
DrDan
January 16, 2019 at 9:34 pmHi Nancy,
Welcome to the blog.
So glad you enjoyed my rant. I rewrite it every year and it makes me happy to get it out of my system.
Hope you are enjoying retirement as much as I am. This blog was a hobby for my last 6 years of practice but it took off just as I retired. I still treat it like a hobby but it is much bigger now.
My cooking is kind of old rural Iowa… just like Illinois I suspect. So probably the style you would like with a little science and medicine added in.
Hope you continue to enjoy retirement.
Dan
Patricia E
January 14, 2019 at 3:02 pmBravo, Dr Dan
DrDan
January 14, 2019 at 11:19 pmHi Patricia,
Welcome to the blog.
This post always makes me smile as I rewrite it every year.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Jacquie Gariano
January 1, 2019 at 6:34 pmThank you, Dr. Dan,
I’m a retired RN and always tell family and friends, Talk to your MD, ask questions, listen to what they are saying and if you still have questions, ask for a 2nd opinion. Also do not to confuse your MD’s degree with a Google search. People can be so stupid in their health care and it can and will kill them.
DrDan
January 1, 2019 at 9:32 pmHi Jacquie,
Welcome to the blog.
Patients do seem stupid to us medical people but most of them are just don’t know any better. Even though we told them.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Marcia
January 1, 2019 at 10:56 amThanks for the rant Dr Dan. I wish you would rant more often! Your pups are beautiful! Love Love your recipes & your approach to cooking. I am cooking my way through your website. PLEASE keep the recipes coming.
DrDan
January 1, 2019 at 9:34 pmHi Marcia,
Welcome to the blog.
I do love to rant but once a year is enough.
Glad you like the recipes too.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Mattie
December 31, 2018 at 8:32 pmI’m new to your blog but loving it. This was so funny and informative. Keep up the great work, advice and recipes, they are a breath of fresh air in this internet run world.
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 8:44 pmHi Mattie,
Welcome to the blog.
Glad you enjoyed my rant. It will be back and updated in one year.
Hope the recipes work well for you.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Adrian
December 31, 2018 at 6:35 pmThank you! I appreciate your candor and honesty.
I am new to this blog…have been searching for healthy recipes for one or two people.
I look forward to trying some of your recipes!
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 7:54 pmHi Adrian,
Welcome to the blog.
I enjoy doing this post once per year. It makes my inner doctor smile.
Hope you find recipes that work for you.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Ryda
December 31, 2018 at 6:30 pmYou missed one that I have deleted, redeleted (is that a word? My computer doesn’t agree with me). But hey lose 91 pounds in 10 days?!? Keto, Keto! Keto!! Where is the truth in advertising? The only way I know of that being possible is if you are gutted in surgery. Sorry I carry a small box with me in case I need to stand on and wave my arms. Keep up that fine rant (you can rant more than once, I don’t mind).
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 7:52 pmHi Ryda,
Welcome to the blog.
Your right that 91 pounds in 10 days is one of those “too good to be true” things. A pound of fat tissue is about 3600 calories. So you would need to lose about 32,000 calories per day. Most people eat about 2000 calories per day so you need to exercise 30,000 calories worth per day with no caloric intake. Most runners burn about 100 calories per mile. Hummmm, not possible.
There is value in a ketogenic diet for seizure control and I have had success controlling uncontrollable appetite in impaired children. But, as a general diet, it is still not recommended and probably never will be. I did not dive into the fad diets. That would be a book, not a thousand-word blog post.
Thanks for the note and have a Happy New Years.
Dan
Stephanie
December 31, 2018 at 4:11 pmThanks for sharing your honest, concise information (said as I sheepishly delete an essential oil roll-on that promotes relaxation and a feeling of well-being from a shopping cart I started earlier today, saving me $9.) I enjoy your recipes and the thought you put into making them easy for the kitchen-challenged to follow. Happy 2019!
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 5:10 pmHi Stephanie,
Welcome to the blog.
That $9 can go to an ok bottle of wine that will really relax you and do the “well-being” thing.
Glad you enjoy the blog. Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Jane
December 31, 2018 at 3:56 pmThank you Dr Dan!
Good advice, straight from the hip!
Love your recipes.
Happy New Year to you and your family, the ones with two legs, and with four legs.
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 5:05 pmHi Jane,
Welcome to the blog.
It makes the old doctor in me smile.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Kathleen
December 31, 2018 at 3:14 pmGreat post. My daughter is a pediatrician in an affluent area. The parents there are always fighting her over vaccines, among other things. She just has to hang tight. I wish they could read this article.
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 4:59 pmHi Kathleen,
Welcome to the blog.
I doubt they are my demographic. They are the kale people. I have no kale recipes.
Tell her stiff upper lip and hang in there. She is fighting the good fight. I had it easier since most of my kids in recent years were kids or grandkids of my previous patients. They did what I wanted.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Sandra
December 31, 2018 at 2:03 pmGreat post. I enjoy it every time. I think you and I went to the same school of common sense. I can’t believe what I hear sometimes, it beggars belief. My daughter has recently bought into the “Manuko” honey craze. It will , to quote my dear old mother, cure a wooden leg if you read the the ads. Keep up the great blog.
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 2:27 pmHi Sandra,
It wouldn’t feel like New Years if I don’t do my post. It makes me smile.
And yep, a lot of lack of any common sense out there.
That is a new saying for me. I think I will use it some.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Stephanie
December 31, 2018 at 12:24 pmThis time of year can be stressful as we all contemplate ways to be more healthy. Thank you for the practical words I can use to avoid the shysters and crazy cures that bombard us. Also, thanks for the humorous delivery!
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 12:29 pmHi Stephanie,
Welcome to the blog.
Glad you found it useful.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Nick, MD, FAPA retired
December 31, 2018 at 11:44 amI agree with everything you say about the quackery. Unfortunately, everything you say about infomercials may apply to many direct to patient medication ads. The monoclonal antibody drugs seem to promise miracles, but a close look at the disclaimers shows a lot of backpedaling. A surgical subspecialist referred my wife to an internal medicine subspecialists, and there were video screens urging her to “ask about” services provided such as vitamin infusions. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just suggest this to the individual whom you have determined to need the service? Mainstream “science based” medicine often isn’t.
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 12:09 pmHi Nick,
Welcome to the blog.
I had added a section of advertised drugs and “ask about” but it was long, boring and incomplete. I do mention it a bit in the lists. Hopefully, they see your comment. I promise to work on it for next year.
My response to “ask about” was to offer to sell them the drawbridge 10 miles away and they could make a fortune trying to collect tolls. And I always loved the initials they use for diseases to make it seem so common. Even if I know what the initials were for (sometimes I didn’t), I would make them tell me what it stood for. Also, I wouldn’t talk to the drug reps of companies that did that and told them why.
You are right that some of our fellow physicians need to be more evidence-based. That term started about the time I went into practice 40 years ago. It describe my beliefs exactly.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Sue
December 31, 2018 at 11:43 amBravo! It’s a good deed when you use your public voice on this issue. I sometimes despair that people are no longer being taught to think critically and it is an important life skill.
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 11:54 amHi Sue,
Welcome to the blog.
I think the schools or parents have let us down somewhere in the critical thinking area.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Eileen Rice
December 31, 2018 at 11:22 amRant more often. I’m librarian and researcher. Because it’s on the net is meaningless. Check your sources and use Snope.
But seems to make no difference. People WANT to believe this crap.
I am also Dr Mom – years of experience. But I always know when it’s out of my field of expertise- check with an expert. And often more than one.
Nowadays though, talking to tu hand!
Love the recipes and dogs!!
Thanks again and for letting me rant- need more of us!!!
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 11:44 amHi Eileen,
I’m surrounded by librarians in my family so we so understand.
On knowing what you don’t know. This is the most important lesson I tried to be sure I grounded into the heads of my 3rd-year medical students. Nobody knows everything. Every good doctor knows how to say “I don’t know”.
Glad you liked the recipes and Molly and Lilly say thanks.
Happy New Years.
Dan
Frank Fulmer
December 31, 2018 at 11:21 amGood rant I risk your risk your life.know I am a grouchy old man. It has to be true cause my wife said so. But the key to that is old not stupid. How did people become so guillible. The internet is useful in a lot of ways but not to risk your life with.
DrDan
December 31, 2018 at 11:50 amHi Frank,
Welcome to the blog.
I call myself grumpy but grouchy work. Use old guys need to stick together sometimes.
You really wonder how they are so gullible. This is my little attempt to help the issues.
Thanks for the note and Happy New Years.
Dan
Wendy Day
January 2, 2018 at 1:50 pmGreat post. One thing more. The same advice goes for pet health. Consult your veterinarian!
DrDan
January 2, 2018 at 7:29 pmHi Wendy,
You are so right. My Facebook has almost as much pet BS as human. I get the same fingernails on the blackboard feeling.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Corey Anderson
January 2, 2018 at 12:22 pmThis post only solidifies even further my respect and admiration for your Blog Site. I’ve long enjoyed your simple, time-tested recipes and cooking techniques, but have somehow missed your “I Call BS” posts. Opinions vs Facts, there’s a difference and opinions can actually cause harm. Check the references. Amen Dr. Dan, amen. Happy New Year from a Pediatric Cardiac ICU RN and ECMO Specialist and Fellow Foodie!
DrDan
January 2, 2018 at 7:35 pmAhh shucks…
I think it is what 98% of doctors and nurses want to say. I have a public voice so I exercise it occasionally.
One of my daughters is a PICU doc and we all LOVE our nurses.
Thanks so much for the note.
Dan
Pat Monahan
January 1, 2018 at 11:33 amI was a librarian for many years in a large urban library. Amazing the people who called the reference line (quaint concept now) to have us diagnose their ailments, or read from our medical reference books, which we would not do. When the internet came along, it was worse. We told them to refer to the Mayo Clinic or National Institutes of Health sites.
The TV ads directly marketing to the “patient” are the worst.
Thank you for your “rant”, and, of course, your wonderful recipes, Happy New Year!
Margaret McRoden
January 1, 2018 at 9:53 amRight on! The only sites I follow are Mayo Clinic and WebbMD. I have googled things like ‘’gastroparesis’ and found a diet that later was confirmed by my Nutritionist, with the exception that I not drink liquids with my meal. Even when I use google to check carbs I use more than one reference. I’m having a hard time adjusting from a high fiber diet….white rice? White bread? Who eats that?!
I totally agree with your ‘rant’, my only complaint is doctors who prescribe new drugs with harsh side effects rather than starting out with less harsh ways of treating things like Type II Diabetes. And gastroparesis. I don’t understand seemingly intelligent people who take advice from movie stars and fad medical advice. There’s a TV Doctor that I quit watching because he would rave about ‘new’ treatments and products. Thanks for letting me sound off……I can understand your need to ‘rant’! Looking forward to recipes I can use.
Patricia
January 1, 2018 at 1:40 amWonderful Post.
Nancy
December 31, 2017 at 7:01 pmThank you for this great post! As a practicing RN for 42 years, I agree completely with all of your notes and points. I retired from nursing in 2008, feeling huge “burn out” after treating, caring for, so many patients who took no responsibility for their own health. And “patient teaching” was such a huge part of my work but I so often felt it was never used by patients. So glad you do this “year end” post and I hope many who read it will use this knowledge wisely in their everyday life. And thanks so much for your blog!! I use many of your recipes, love them all!! Your crockpot french onion soup is a major favorite for me! Happy New Year to you and your family! Keep the goody recipes coming!!
Cathie Horne
December 31, 2017 at 5:15 pmAlways enjoy your annual rant. Going to check out the pot roast recipe. Can’t believe I missed it. Enjoy your white chili recipe monthly during the cold months. Looking forward to 2018
Anne
December 31, 2017 at 5:07 pmHappy New Year Dr. Dan !
Love, love your delicious blog !!
There are a lot of people out there that just do not have common sense.
They believe anything anybody tells them
Thanks for telling it as it is .
Kay
December 31, 2017 at 11:29 amI’m new to your blog, and this is my first time to read your Rant. I appreciate it very much. I have too many relatives who swear by the benefits of essential oils. Over the years, I’ve politely listened and have sometimes agreed about its lovely smell! I also enjoyed the photos of your dogs. What a fantastic mix of fun and seriousness! And as an additional note, I do believe in the power of positive thinking and/or prayer. Happy 2018!
Charles
January 1, 2017 at 8:36 amSo, that would be a “no?”……….
Loved your post, you have the right slant on an array of subjects.
nancy
December 31, 2016 at 11:18 pmAs a Cardiology RN of 42 years (now retired, thank God) I loved your “rant” and whole”heartedly” agree with all you said. Thanks for a great post! (After 42 yrs. at it, well, some folks just never learn,,,,saw it over and over). Love all your recipes, especially the “Wifo Pot Roast” which I cook at least twice a month…just for me, cause I’m hooked on a really good pot roast and all the fix’ins! Happy New Year, Doc!
DrDan
December 31, 2016 at 11:37 pmHi Nancy,
I do love Wifo Pot Roast… I have the original Wifo make it. We do it about once a month.
Us medical people all are use to these people. You laugh to yourself and move on. You can’t convert them and don’t have the time for it anyways. But it just feels good to unload occasionally.
Have a great New Years
Dan
Catherine Copus
December 31, 2016 at 9:44 pmI’m a new subscriber to your blog. I enjoyed your rant today and would like to hear more about these topics if you choose to publish more in the future.
I have also made the baked drumsticks they were delicious, and the crockpot ham bone and bean soup but the soup was way too salty for me.
Happy New Year!
Catherine
DrDan
December 31, 2016 at 10:22 pmHi Catherine,
Welcome to the blog. I’m glad you enjoyed the rant but I only do it once a year. I’m now retired as a physician and have no plans on working hard enough to do this frequently. I suggest SciBabe on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scibabe/ who keeps up on the ongoing science topics and loves to call out BS.
Dan
Sandra
December 31, 2016 at 5:42 pmI’m no expert but I loved this rant and agree with everything you say.. Love the recipes too, keep up the great work
Irene Takamizu
December 31, 2016 at 5:34 pmI agree wholeheartedly. Been telling folks the same for years, but no one listens. Old ladies are invisible and seventy years of knowledge worthless. I hope more people listen to you.
Happy New Year.
Laura Pasquale
December 31, 2016 at 4:14 pmDr Dan thank you so much for this. Wishing you your family (and all your readers) all the best in 2017. Looking forward to your future posts :)
Always love those pictures of your fur babies.
Nancy Teeter
December 31, 2016 at 9:57 amI’m an RD and I love today’s blog. Keep up the great work!
N Teeter
Tucson, AZ
DrDan
December 31, 2016 at 10:01 amYou liked the RD thing…right. I had to do it.
Joan Garneau
December 31, 2016 at 9:28 amThank you for your realistic outlook and advice. People who cook from scratch are cooking good,healthy food.
DrDan
December 31, 2016 at 10:03 amThanks Joan, Happy New Years
Dan
Karen Tipton
December 31, 2016 at 9:28 amI said it last year, and I’ll say it this year: I LOVE this post! Once again, thank you Dr. Dan! Happy New Year to you and your family, including your beautiful girls!
DrDan
December 31, 2016 at 10:04 amIt does make me feel better.
Nikkk
January 26, 2016 at 9:32 pmI just came across your blog and in fact tried your baked drumsticks tonight, which by the we’re were friggen fantastic!
I wondered if you’d be willing to share your thoughts on the essential oils wagon. There’s so much info out there from both sides. It’d be nice to hear from someone thats not paid or radical on either side, some real thoughts and facts by a non paid medical professional. Ya know?!?
If not totally understand :-)
DrDan
January 26, 2016 at 9:52 pmSo easy. There is one side with science and facts. And one side with made up facts and pseudoscience. As I said above, people are entitled to an opinion but not their own facts. You can add essential oils to the key words that should make you hold on tight to your money and run away fast.
Elizabeth
January 7, 2016 at 8:24 pmGood read. PubMed is also a good place to get full text, peer reviewed articles from major scientific journals. Should you stumble upon a “too good to be true”, PubMed can allow to see if there really are any studies to back it up.
Sherri
January 2, 2016 at 12:21 pmI just found your blog and I am so happy that I did! Love your rant and couldn’t agree with you more!
DrDan
January 2, 2016 at 12:54 pmThanks Sherri, I control myself the rest of the year but I just have to let it go at New Year’s.
Dan
Suzanne
January 2, 2016 at 7:00 amHappy New Year to you and your family and I love your rant. Just finished watching mysteries at the museum about the cleanse, popular in 1900’s, lot of people died for sake of being skinny (not thin) love when celebs dr’s? say new discovery. Sorry I digressed, I want to thank you for all the great recipes you post. Keep them coming, that way I make sensible portion sizes for hubby and I and we maintain a good healthy life.
DrDan
January 2, 2016 at 12:53 pmThanks Suzanne, Glad you enjoyed the rant and the blog.
Dan
Anne
December 31, 2015 at 7:15 pmHere, here – great advice! Thank you and have a happy new year.
DrDan
December 31, 2015 at 7:39 pmHi Karen and Anne,
Thanks for the support and have a great holiday
Dan
Karen
December 31, 2015 at 6:59 pmI LOVE this post!