By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on August 31st, 2009%
Every time a drug company researches a medicine, they need to demonstrate that their pills work better than a “placebo” pill — a dummy pill with no chemicals, usually just a sugar pill. The fascinating issue is that even that placebo pill shows some positive benefit for patients — 30% or more patients report improved symptoms by taking a pill that logically shouldn’t be helping at all. Over the last ten years, as Wired magazine reveals in their excellent review article, the placebo effect is getting even more strong. The reasons are fascinating, but the real take-home message is that your body is capable of healing itself of many illnesses. It’s as simple as a positive mental attitude; even the simple warmth and good bedside manner of a good doctor is proven to aid patients in recovery. …Continue reading: The Placebo Effect: Body, Heal Thyself…
By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on August 30th, 2009%
Heart attacks and stroke combined are the #1 killers in most countries, including China. But there are a lot of lifestyle factors that play into this. In fact, about 90% of your risk for heart attacks and strokes can be modified by your conscious, everyday activities! This should really be an empowering figure for everyone. I’ve created a Powerpoint presentation below that highlights the major factors people can control. …Continue reading: How To Prevent Heart Attacks & Strokes…
By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on August 28th, 2009%
Wulingshan (雾灵山) is another of the many mountain daytrip options, this one in the north eastern direction past Miyun reservoir, about 2 hours drive using the relaxing and wonderfully empty Jingcheng Gaosu (“highway”).
Wulingshan is nice to drive to when Beijing is very hot; the mountain top is quite a few degrees cooler, and the view is lovely. …Continue reading: Daytrip: Wulingshan 雾灵山…
By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on August 28th, 2009%
Food quality is a constant issue in Beijing — or it should be! There are quite a few chemicals and pesticides that slip through here, so it’s very important to be aware of your foods’ supply chains. One way is to go organic, and the Yahoo group Beijing Organic Consumers has good resources, including a list of Beijing organic suppliers (a Word document you can download). It contains excellent information on retail stores as well as farms. …Continue reading: Organic Suppliers in Beijing…
By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on August 27th, 2009%
Aspirin, that wonder drug for over 100 years, can do many things besides pain relief. It can dramatically reduce a high risk person’s risk of heart attacks and strokes; there’s growing evidence that healthy persons over 40 who take a baby aspirin a day (81mg size) may decrease their long-term risk of heart disease. (But do not start this without talking with a doctor; daily aspirin use can cause ulcers and stomach bleeding, so the doctor needs to assess your risks. ) …Continue reading: Aspirin Prevents Colon Cancer?…
By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on August 27th, 2009%
Baicaopan is a spectacular mountaintop view, and definitely worth checking out – but only in the summer season, and when highway 108 is finished in late 2009. Otherwise, do not go now! It took us over 4 tortuous hours to get there; once the road is done, it should be about 3 hours. …Continue reading: Weekend Trip: Baicaopan Mountain & Meadow…
By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on August 22nd, 2009%
I am in America for a very quick and happy week, as my older brother is (finally!) getting married. I just had a nice jetlagged jog at 6am through the rolling hills of the Catskills, a beautiful quick retreat from Beijing. More next week!
By Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, on August 22nd, 2009%
A lab team in Shanghai has announced positive results from testing on 1,600 subjects, with no major side effects noted. And it looks like only one shot, and not two, will be enough. Still no details on when it will be available or who would get it first.
But again, it’s fortunate that the disease itself isn’t any more serious than the regular flu. …Continue reading: H1N1 Vaccine Almost Ready…
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