Did you know that colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the U.S.? It’s true, but the good news is that better diagnostic tests and treatments continue improving early detection and survival rates. Further, studies have revealed several ways you can try to help prevent this disease.

Historically, National Doctors’ Day has been the one day each year when patients celebrate the care and attention their physicians provide them. Yet in some medical practices, doctors celebrate their patients’ health with each visit. They take the time to talk to and examine the patient, discuss any physical changes or emotional concerns, run complete blood panels and necessary tests, and together chart a course toward healthy living.

Bone health is a concern for many Americans and justifiably so, as statistics suggest that one in two women and one in four men over age 50 will suffer from an osteoporosis-related bone fracture at some point in her or his life. Loss of bone density is a natural part of aging, attributed to the shift in protective hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Even though many people are proactive about their bone health, the number of osteoporosis-related bone fractures in the U.S. continues to rise.

The lifetime risk of developing coronary heart disease after age 40 is 49 percent for men and 32 percent for women. Almost 800,000 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each year making it the leading cause of death among men and women, and over 50 percent of those who suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest had no prior symptoms. Add the stress and lifestyle factors of being a busy executive and your risks are even higher than the average American’s.*

Summer means watching ball games, going to barbeques and visiting the beach. However, the sun exposure we get from outdoor activities helps explain why skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. 

Although the Institute of Medicine recommends drinking eight glasses of water each day to help maintain good health, CBS News recently reported that up to 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated. And while dehydration can occur throughout the year, the hot and humid weather of summer increases your susceptibility to dehydration.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of Americans living with environmental allergies is rising. Currently, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Allergies estimates that as many as 50 million people suffer with allergies and 26 million struggle with hay fever. There are some steps you can take to help control your allergies. The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America recommends:

For those of you eating Paleo and wondering how it stacks up scientifically, here's a bit of data, courtesy of Mark Sisson.

I wrote this blog at the request of several of my patients, who were interested in learning more about protein supplements. In short, there are many choices for protein supplementation available; however, in my opinion, whey concentrate is the best option.

One of the reasons I prefer whey protein is that it is one of the most biologically available of the proteins, meaning that it is readily usable by the body. This is in contrast to other forms of supplements; including vegetable-based proteins like pea protein and hemp protein powder, that are less biologically available.

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, by the end of 2015, there will be 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women and 2,350 new cases of invasive breast cancer among men.  Although breast cancer is not considered preventable, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), you can reduce your risk by: