CONSIDER THE SOURCE OF YOUR INFORMATION OR WORSE, DISINFORMATION

The following is an updated editorial I posted earlier this year which I have expanded upon in light of highly publicized recent events which have unfolded in the media:

In the 1930's and 40's it was commonplace for advertisers to use physicians to promote the use of tobacco as a product which could cure just about anything that ailed you. It was typical to see ads such as "Smoke For Your Health!" in movie theaters and on billboards everywhere. However, by 1954, industry strategists deemed physician images in advertisements no longer credible in the face of growing public concern about the health evidence implicating cigarettes. Think of how long it took for the "NO SMOKING" campaigns to be in full force while so many Americans suffered. 

Fast forward to today. In 2015, we continue to suffer despite all the so-called health and fitness talk across multi-media platforms. We as a nation are the unhealthiest we have ever been. In addition to physicians, we now have celebrities, athletes, as well as self-proclaimed and self-absorbed so-called experts who are PAID to endorse and promote questionable, if not dangerous, products, services, and modalities. 

One of the most egregious examples (and there are many) includes the damage the physician who was summoned before the United States congress caused for his questionable content on the air. Although some people understand that programming such as this is a form of entertainment or as I see it, theater of the absurd, many more people did not, and still do not, understand that just because something is on the air or in print does not necessarily make it sound, evidence-based information. Although the Hippocratic oath should always take precedence over the quest for ratings, we as a nation have now witnessed that this is not always the case. Moreover, this is hardly the same as fashion editors and magazine publishers proclaiming that a certain style or color is the must-have of the season. Whether the public believes magenta is the color of 2015 or not will have no bearing on the quality of their health and fitness or lack thereof. We must also be wary of such publications giving health and fitness advice. A thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology, health, and fitness are apparently not requirements for employment.

When an MD, however, is given a tremendous platform before the public, he or she has the responsibility to those who do not understand the difference between sound, evidenced-based health and fitness information and the quest for ratings. So many people have been misled and hurt by erroneous and sometimes dangerous content. Disclaimers become meaningless and fall on deaf ears to viewers who cannot differentiate between what is sound and what is nonsense. 

Prolonged static stretching, non-weight-bearing activity designed for patients in a rehabilitative setting during WWI, and extended time spent in a praying mantis position going nowhere simply cannot yield the results that a comprehensive and progressive on your feet cardiovascular and weightlifting program combined with healthy, whole food nutrition will. This combination effectively increases muscle, decreases excess body fat, improves bone mineral density, optimizes organ function, reduces stress, increases flexibility, improves balance, facilitates cognitive health, and so much more. You may of course engage in any activity you like, including anything that makes you feel good, but when optimum health and fitness become your top priority, engage in the following upon consultation with an ethical board-certified physician who takes his or her Hippocratic oath seriously:

"CLIMB, LIFT & EAT WELL..."