Dr. Ben Kim's blog

If you are not yet aware of the potential dangers of triclosan, you should know that this antibacterial agent has been strongly linked to the following effects on human health:

* Abnormalities with the endocrine system, particularly with thyroid hormone signaling
* Weakening of the immune system Read more

If you are still using antibacterial soap that contains a compound called triclosan, I hope that a brilliant study published in the journal, Aquatic Toxicology will persuade you to consider switching to the plainest bar of soap that you can find. Read more

Ingredients:

1 cup of pitted and roughly chopped black olives (sun-dried is best, but canned will do)
2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons of sun-dried red peppers, chopped
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley
2 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and pepper, to taste Read more

Have you ever wished that you knew of an easier way of peeling pomegranates? Or at the very least, a method of preparation that didn't leave small splashes of ruby red on your clothes? Read more

Generic brands of acetaminophen sold at major retailers like Wal-Mart, Safeway, and CVS have been recalled because of possible contamination with fragments of metal. Read more

Please take a minute to view the following video that describes the incredibly cruel practice of pulling sharks onto a boat, cutting off their fins for the Asian soup market, and throwing these finless sharks back into the water to die. A warning: this video contains actual footage of a shark having a fin cut off in gruesome fashion - I don't believe it's appropriate for children to view. Read more

A recent study conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) indicates that some popular brands of guacamole contain only trace amounts of avocado, the health-promoting fruit that has traditionally served as the main ingredient in authentic guacamole recipes.

This finding is a terrible shame, since guacamole made with real avocados is one of the healthiest dips that we can eat. Avocados are abundant in vitamin E, lutein (extremely important for preserving eyesight), potassium, and dietary fiber. Avocados are also rich in healthy fats, which are essential to allowing our bodies to absorb fat-soluble nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamin A. Read more

Ingredients:

2 1/4 pounds (1 kg) tomatoes
1 cucumber
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon and 1 lime
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and ground black pepper (optional)
1 ripe avocado
1/4 red onion

Directions:

Peel cucumber, then cut it in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a table or teaspoon. Chop remaining cucumber flesh into small, bite-size pieces. Read more

Please note that it's best to avoid eating persimmon skins as explained in the following post:

Persimmon Skins and Other Foods that Can Cause Obstruction in the GI tract

Crust:

Ingredients:

1 cup of almonds, soaked for 6 to 12 hours, then drained
1 cup of dates, soaked for 1 to 2 hours, then drained

Directions: Read more

Before I share a time-saving tip for garlic lovers, how about a quick review of the key health-promoting properties of garlic?

1. When uncooked and crushed or finely chopped, garlic produces a powerful antibiotic called allicin, and an anti-fungal compound called phytoncide.
2. Garlic helps to preserve needed aortic elasticity in the elderly.
3. Garlic can help to normalize blood lipid levels, thereby offering some protection against the development of atherosclerosis.