Dr. Ben Kim's blog

Here in the greater Toronto area, I am noticing more traffic on the roads.  It appears that most countries are well on their way to systemically opening up non-essential services.

Chances are high that COVID-19 will linger and even spike again in the months ahead. Wearing a face mask when we go out and cleaning our hands with sanitizer or soap and water whenever we return home are prudent habits to maintain over the next year or three, and for the elderly and immuno-compromised, these habits should be maintained as a way of life during colder months, as they markedly reduce risk of experiencing a respiratory infection.

Anyone who doubts the efficacy of utilizing face masks to lower rate of spread should take a close look at the R0 value of SARS-CoV-2 in New York City vs. Seoul, Korea, two cities with similar population size and density. In South Korea, few people think twice about wearing a mask while out in public during cold and flu season, so the masses have been diligent about wearing masks as COVID-19 has spread globally. As of May 6th, 2020, Seoul had 2 reported deaths from COVID-19 while New York City reported over 19 thousand deaths attributed to COVID-19.

One reader asked for additional measures that we can take to stay healthy over the long term.

Beyond prioritizing getting restful sleep, taking time to breathe slowly from our diaphragm, and spend a few minutes daily opening up our spine, shoulders, and hips by hanging from a stable overhead bar, two other measures that clearly support longevity are: Read more

Updated on May 5, 2020

One of the most common health concerns that I receive questions on is how to prevent osteoporosis. I routinely review bone scan test results and food diaries of people who diligently follow conventional recommendations on calcium intake and are discouraged by worsening test results.

In my experience, the most common mistake that people make is eating too much dairy. Many health practitioners routinely advise their patients to get anywhere between 1200 to 1500 milligrams of calcium every day, and many people turn to milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products to meet this requirement. Read more

If you work at a desk or counter on a regular basis, chances are that you slouch forward to some degree, at least enough to cause mild to moderate tightening of the muscles that line your chest, anterior shoulder region, and even your upper arms.

This is a stretch that can you can do daily to help reverse these and other effects of slouching. Read more

Heel raises and toe raises work the posterior and anterior lower leg muscles and tendons. They also improve proprioception and balance. I suggest doing 1 to 3 sets of both, 10 to 20 repetitions per set. Read more

Last week, I shared a few thoughts on what I expect to happen in the months ahead - for those who may have missed this, please feel free to view:

https://drbenkim.com/new-normal.htm

Many thanks to all those who wrote in with positive feedback and questions on the points that were touched upon.  What follows are my answers to a few of the questions that I received. Read more

Recently, I was interviewed by a high school student on a variety of health and economic matters.  When asked to name three things not related to food that we can do every day to support optimal health, I replied with the following:

1.  Prioritize getting high quality sleep daily - this one habit alone is arguably the single best way of supporting our physical and mental health. Read more

If you look through our archives, you’ll find a more comprehensive guide on hanging and brachiating to develop and maintain optimal shoulder mobility. Read more

This is a follow-up to a previous video on how to build more useful strength with a focus on integrating upper body, core, and lower body conditioning for better overall body awareness and neural activation.

Start with a basic squat with a boxing stance where one foot is forward and your arms are up in front of you with your fists hugging the sides of your head for protection. Read more

When doing strength work, it’s ideal to combine upper and lower body movements, which fosters better overall body awareness and neural activation.

Virtually all non-sedentary activities of daily living and sports require integrated activation of the upper body, core, and lower body. Read more

This smoothie is an excellent choice for times when you're looking to cleanse and feel light but still need enough substance to propel you through a busy day.

Hemp seeds are an excellent source of plant protein, providing all essential amino acids that your body can't manufacture on its own. Hemp is also a rich source of essential fatty acids - both omega-3 and omega-6 - that support optimal functioning of your cardiovascular and nervous systems. Contrary to popular myth based on the common origin of hemp and marijuana, it's virtually impossible to test positive for marijuana use from eating a small amount of hemp seeds on a regular basis. Read more