A patient told me recently that her personal physician had questioned her about taking vitamin supplements. “Why are you taking those vitamins anyway?” Then, with a condescending tone, stated, “I don’t think you need them! I want you to stop taking them!” Really? My patient was caught off guard. Doesn’t everyone know that vitamins are not only good for us, they are essential ... Continue
10 Rewards for Losing “Unwanted” Weight
Unwanted weight gain is a real bother. Gaining just 15 lbs is enough to increase one’s risk of ugly things like cancer and heart disease. A few extra pounds can also impact our appearance, our self-confidence, our energy level, and even whether or not our clothes fit. Truly, no one wants to be overweight. It can be painful, frustrating, and downright depressing! For weight ... Continue
10 Tweets for Surviving the Holidays!
The holidays are upon us! What a great time of year! Unfortunately, the holidays can also mean less than ideal foods. Here are a few of my favorite ideas from my 2014 "tweets" to get you through the holidays while maintaining your health and avoiding unwanted weight gain. Drink plenty of sugar free beverages to stay trim and fit. Water, tea, and coffee are all ... Continue
The Human Mind…What a Terrible Thing to Waste
Protecting Our Brains as We Age Alzheimer’s Dementia is the sixth leading cause of death, and one of the most feared of diseases. As the average age increases, Alzheimer’s dementia and other forms of memory loss are becoming more common and more of a concern. Now more than ever, American’s brains tend to malfunction before we are finished with them. ... Continue
Healthy Habits: What you do habitually determines your health eventually…
One of four diseases will likely kill each of us reading this. I call these diseases the “Deadly 4”. They take the lives of most Americans, yet these diseases are mostly PREVENTABLE! The “Deadly 4” Diseases are: Heart Disease Cancer Brain Disease: Stroke and Alzheimer’s Diabetes Type 2 ... Continue
Fitness Time: Transforming Health & Metabolism in just 9 minutes a day
You and I have something in common. We want great bodies that are fit, trim, and healthy! And, we are willing to invest time and energy to make it happen. Being fit gives us the ability to perform fun activities and pursue many adventures. In fact, every day becomes more enjoyable if we are fit. Daily activities, like house chores, shopping, climbing stairs, grocery ... Continue
Chromium GTF – A True Mineral Miracle!
What if there was a simple, inexpensive mineral supplement that would work for weight loss, lower appetite, lower body fat, and lower blood sugars? What if you also knew that Americans have a 90% chance of being deficient on this essential mineral, especially if you are overweight? Would you be interested? I suspect you would. Please read on... ... Continue
Tague Tips: COFFEE
Get the latest tips, insights, and updates on Optimum Health, Weight Control, and Excellent Nutrition – just like these – straight from Dr. Tague... Many people overeat after 4 p.m. due to excessive stress and tiredness as the day progresses. Consider a 10 minute power nap or a cup of coffee! The caffeine in a cup of coffee helps you burn off an extra 34 calories, ... Continue
Appetite Control: The Secret Key to Permanent Weight Loss
Appetite: A desire (longing, craving) for food or drink. Having motivation to consume a food or drink that contains calories. Americans, as a rule, are in bondage to their persistent appetites for “problem foods”. In fact, the typical American appetite is more foe than friend. Just look around to see the evidence. Americans love to eat! And the food industry capitalizes on ... Continue
Sleep…. A Key to Weight Loss, Energy, and Health
Sleep... what a waste of time.... or is it? Psalms says it this way, “It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” In the midst of our busy lives and “productivity” we seem to have forgotten the ancient wisdom of getting adequate rest. Modern research tells us that the psalmist was right! Sleep is a ... Continue
Prostate Health: 10 Strategies To Lower Your Risk (or the risk of those you love!)
Prostate problems are one of the most common and bothersome medical problems of men as they age. In fact, current trends are that most men will develop BOTH an enlarged prostate AND cancer of the prostate if they live long enough. The older we become, the greater the risk. Applying research-based strategies to protect the prostate as we age is possible and an ounce of ... Continue
Coffee: 5 Hidden Benefits on Mental and Physical Health
I always look forward to my morning cup of coffee. Warm, comforting, and energizing, all in one! And now it tastes even better, knowing the health benefits. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in America, with over 150,000,000 daily consumers. But it has not arrived at its current level of popularity without some controversy along the way. Is coffee good for us or ... Continue
Meal Replacements: A Powerful Key to Weight Loss
For the first time in history, our world has more overweight people than underweight! Diseases of calorie excess, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and many cancers are skyrocketing. As a result, many of us will not live as long as our parents. Simply put, our food is killing us! And once the above diseases strike, regaining health may be ... Continue
Joints: 3 Strategies To Make Them Last A Lifetime
“My joints hurt...” is one of the most common and disabling concerns I hear from my patients. Pain with every step or just getting out of a chair is certainly demotivating when it comes to being more active. Unfortunately, after too many years of not getting proper care and support, the joints start making their complaint known with pain. In effect, the joints are saying, ... Continue
Sodas: Tasty, Addictive, and Deadly!
One of the most common nutrition questions I am asked is, “Dr. Tague, what do you think about sodas?” As a recovering diet cola addict myself, I sympathize with “users”. But the facts are accumulating. Be very afraid of sodas, including the diet versions. Let me explain... ... Continue
Do You Love “Wrong Foods”?
One of the curiosities in America is WHY so many people are overweight. We all know that excess weight is damaging to health, self-esteem, relationships, and the pocketbook. So why don’t more people simply decide to lose weight and be done with it? After all, we’re the nation that first put a man on the moon. We are perhaps the most productive, knowledgeable, and capable group ... Continue
4 Reasons NOT to Lose Weight
“Shall I lose weight or not?” The answer to this question is often THE ANSWER that will determine one’s health and weight destiny. The logical answer often is a definite “YES, absolutely I will lose weight!” However, in reality, the answer for most Americans is “No, not right now.” Let’s look at some of the reasons: Why people “Just Say No” to weight loss: Reason #1: “Weight ... Continue
How To Sabotage Your Metabolism… Without doing a thing!
Americans are feeling tired and they are gaining “unwanted” weight at alarming rates. Maybe you are an exception. I hope so. But, if you are at least 30 years of age, you likely have gained weight “against your will”. Think back to age 21. What was your weight? Has it changed? If you are typical, it is up ½ to 1 pound (or more) for each year. ... Continue
Blueberries: Nature’s Gift for Health
When it comes to blueberries, I consider them one of nature’s true jewels. These beautiful berries are a delight to the eyes, delicious, and have healing powers that make them one of nature’s top “super foods”. And, if you haven’t kept up with the latest information on blueberries, you may be missing out on one of the tastiest medicinals on the planet. ... Continue
3 Ways Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Weight Gain
Did you know that 100% of Americans, eating common American foods, are NOT getting recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals? Did you know that those same Americans who obtain the lowest amounts of vitamins and minerals gain the most weight? Both of these facts have been proven through research, and they are not going to change any time soon. ... Continue
Stress: The Health “Terminator”
Stress... We feel it frequently, and, if we are honest, we often accidentally “invite it” into our lives. Yet one thing is certain.... no one likes stress! I suspect you have felt unwanted stress in your life this week. Think about it... Maybe it has been every day this week? Or, perhaps you are the rare individual who has managed life so well that unwanted stress stays at a ... Continue
Choosing a Weight Loss Plan: Keys for Success if…. “I’ve just got to lose 40 Pounds”
I overheard a revealing father to son comment while eating breakfast out recently. I couldn’t help but hear the family of 3 at the table next to me. Both parents were overweight by 40+ pounds, as was the 20 year old son. The mother was discussing that she was only on one medication. “I am so thankful” she said. The son replied, “Yes, but I don’t take any medicine.” The father, ... Continue
Fat Cells: The Real Reason For Unwanted Weight Gain AND The Microscopic Key to Weight Loss Success!
Our bodies are made of cells. Muscle cells make up muscles, brain cells make up our brain, and bone cells make up bones. But for some reason, when it comes to body fat, the cells making up that fat (adipocytes) are rarely discussed or acknowledged. The fact is, without abnormal fat cells, unwanted weight gain cannot occur! Let me explain.... Imagine if something triggered your ... Continue
Popular Post: “Early Death” and Why The Battle is Personal
Periodically, we repost our most popular articles for new readers and for review. I miss my dad. He was a great man who, at the age of 82, died too early. He had a difficult childhood, to say the least, and that probably had something to do with it. Growing up during the Great Depression, Dad was forced to leave school after the 8th grade; he was needed at home to help ... Continue
Multivitamins, Minerals and Optimum Health… Why I Still Take Mine
I found myself scratching my head this week at the following news headline: “Multivitamin researchers say ‘case is closed’ after studies find no health benefits.” Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater! The powerful statement was obviously intended to discourage us from using nutritional supplements as part of our personal nutrition plan. After hearing the ... Continue
Overcome Fatigue: 5 Strategies for Creating Energy
Fatigue is truly epidemic! Almost without exception, when I interview patients, it becomes apparent that energy levels are just not what they should be. The onset of the fatigue has typically been subtle, and it has then worsened over time. I’ve observed that fatigue has become a new epidemic, while it was relatively uncommon 30 years ago. What has changed? And what can we do ... Continue
22 Surprising “Side Effects” of Weight Loss…
You may not have thought about it, but weight loss has some amazing “side effects”. We all know that medications have side effects, some of them life threatening. And that is true of common prescriptions for common conditions. Since we typically associated “side effects” with prescription medications, let’s consider some common current examples: ... Continue
Vitamin C: Nutrition “Hero”
Fatigue, easy bruising, dental problems, joint pain, bleeding gums, and even death were common among British sailors in the 1700’s. The symptoms were easily prevented, however, by eating lemons and limes. The sailors, later called “Limeys”, were suffering from vitamin C deficiency, later known as scurvy. ... Continue
Coconut Oil: Tropical Treasure for Health
“Eating fat is bad for you.” “Saturated fat causes heart attacks.” “Oils are bad for you, avoid them like the plague.” Likely you’ve heard these statements from well-meaning people, perhaps even from physicians. I say... “Not so fast....” The latest research has some surprising news regarding fats and oils, and many medical “hard facts” are being thrown out as a result. The ... Continue
Weight Loss Success: Why Meal Replacements?
For the first time in history, our world has more overweight people than underweight! Diseases of calorie excess, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and many cancers are skyrocketing. As a result, many of us will not live as long as our parents. Simply put, our food is just not working for us! And with any of the above conditions, regaining health can be ... Continue
Olive Oil: Lubricant for Life!
Olive oil... You’ve heard that it is really good for you, but how? And does it make that much of a health difference? Does it need to be a certain type? Isn’t olive oil just a fancy type of fat and to be avoided? These are just some of the questions I’ve received regarding olive oil. This article is written to bring clarity on the confusion. And, you need to know why olive oil ... Continue
Why “Fad” Diets Failed My Patients… Strategize for Success!
I’ve seen thousands of patients who have previously “failed” to achieve meaningful results using popular fad diets. In fact, the failure of “fad” diets to solve my patients’ struggles has been so troublesome to me that it has caused a great deal of contemplation and reflection over the years. And, many times, I’ve lost sleep over the very common and extremely dangerous problem ... Continue
Nutrient Deficiency in America: Avoid the Epidemic
“Malnutrition” - What comes to mind? If you are like me, it is the disturbing and painful image of the frail, fly-covered, “nothing but skin and bones”, impoverished children of Africa. After seeing the suffering, we’ve all sensed that tug on our hearts to do something. Malnutrition seems all too painful and all too unnecessary in this age of plenty. ... Continue
Optimum Health… A Philosophy for Life!
I use the term “Optimum Health” frequently. After all, health matters... And when it comes to our health, mediocrity and compromise have no place. Optimum Health is a real-world personal goal that I embrace, and it is also my chosen professional mission as I seek to empower others to achieve and maintain Optimum Health. ... Continue
Blood Pressure Control by Healing your Blood Vessels!
Over 1,000 people will die in the U.S. today and every day this year from uncontrolled high blood pressure! An elevated blood pressure of 140/90 or higher, known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, two of the “Deadly 4” killers in America. High blood pressure is also associated with such scary things as impaired memory, slower thinking, ... Continue
Food Cravings: 3 Keys for Control
Ever experience a “consuming desire” or “yearning” for a particular food or snack? Maybe even when you absolutely “know” you are not hungry? But still, you just can’t get the thought of your favorite treat out of your mind until you indulge... If so, you have experienced what researchers call a “food craving”. Cravings for “wrong foods” (chocolate, salty snacks, crunchy treats, ... Continue
Fish Oil, Prostate Cancer, and Optimum Health… Why I Still Eat Fish and Take My Omega-3’s
I couldn’t help but wonder at the “fish oil and prostate cancer” headlines this week that were apparently intended to “scare” men from eating fish and taking fish oil. The research details being proclaimed, that fish oil is associated with prostate cancer risk has been debated before, but I consider the emphatic fears being communicated both new AND unbalanced. Even previous ... Continue
Clickers: A Power Tool to be Trim, Fit, and Healthy
My patients have a single goal in mind... to be “trim, fit and healthy”. And once they apply proper tools and strategies, they transform into “superstars”. One of those core strategies is to increase physical activity without spending countless, painful hours at the gym. A simple tool we recommend is the “Clicker”, a very accurate and reliable professional quality pedometer ... Continue
Obesity is a Real Disease!
The American Medical Association made headlines June 18, 2013 by acknowledging that obesity is, in fact, a true disease. For those struggling with overweight and for those of us engaged in the medical battle against obesity these past 20 years, this was not really news, but an affirmation of sorts. Indeed, both the medical causes and complications of obesity are just as medical ... Continue
Nutrition, Supplements, and Health
“As long as I cut my calories, does it otherwise matter WHAT I eat?” “Do I need vitamins and minerals?” “Do nutritional supplements really work?” “Is there a nutritional option to my prescription medications?” “If I simply take a ‘one a day’ multivitamin, isn’t that enough?” “My friends are getting cancer and heart disease, can I improve my chances with nutrition?” These are ... Continue
Nutrition, Optimum Health, & Preventing the “Deadly 4”
As a physician, my mission is your Optimum Health. Then, as I consider the best health-care approaches for you and others, I ask two questions: 1) How healthy are you now? And 2) If there are concerning trends among individuals, what can I do about it? These compelling questions had me research the top causes of death in America. Here is what I found... There are 4 diseases, ... Continue
Nutrition for Weight Loss and Health
Nutrition... just what is it and why does it matter? This is absolutely the core question that MUST be answered if we are pursuing optimum health and optimum weight. Nutrition is, by definition, the nourishment necessary for health and growth. My passion is to apply nutritional concepts that empower people to achieve optimum health. The reason and core method is simple. ... Continue
Metabolism: Does a Sluggish Metabolism Cause Weight Gain?
We hear the word “metabolism” frequently. And, if yours is “sluggish”, it likely impacts you daily. Although we have a general sense of what metabolism is and how it affects us, few people can accurately define it. Metabolism can be thought of as the body’s chemical processes that allow 3 crucial aspects of life to occur: Energy for body activity and body heat to stay ... Continue
Appetite Control: The Key to Managing Calories, Weight and Health
Appetite goes far beyond the stomach-growling ache we know as “hunger”... you know, the gnawing feeling when our stomach is “crying” for food. Appetite is actually any motivation or desire to put calorie-containing substances into our mouths. It is increasingly rare for us in the U.S. to be so “hungry” that our stomach is in pain. Since food is literally everywhere and readily ... Continue
Calories & Weight Control: 3 Keys to “Manage The 1%”
Calories (the measure of energy contained in food) are the ONLY source of power for humans. In fact, calories energize human metabolism and human function in all its glory. Whether building muscle and bone, thinking thoughts, growing hair, or fighting disease-causing viruses and bacteria, only calories can meet our energy needs. ... Continue
4 Truths for “Feeling Fabulous” in 2013
I value the real life experience of health (including feeling great!) as much or more than anyone I know. Although I think all would say they value health, some rarely take intentional steps to pursue it. Sure, they may take common prescriptions to treat disease symptoms, to lower blood pressure, to ease pain or discomfort or to adjust mood (or you may know some who simply ... Continue
Health Promoting Gifts That Say “I Love You”
I love and appreciate health, don’t you? And, I love seeing people pursue health. It’s a wonderful thing, and it warms my soul. Particularly since “health seekers” are almost always successful, at least when they are empowered with effective tools and strategies. It turns out that improved health is not that hard to achieve for most people, most of the time. The human body ... Continue
“Early Death” and Why The Battle Is Personal
I miss my dad. He was a great man who, at the age of 82, died too early. He had a difficult childhood, to say the least, and that probably had something to do with it. Growing up during the Great Depression, Dad was forced to leave school after the 8th grade; he was needed at home to help provide for the family. His mom, a single mother, had several hungry mouths to feed. It ... Continue
Maximizing Our Memory: Part 3 – Memory and Aging
Brain Shrinkage with Aging and Associated Memory Loss Mental function, unfortunately, does deteriorate with age and is associated with the unpleasant reality of “brain shrinkage”. Brain scans confirm that the brain normally shrinks 0.5% per year. We now believe that the decline in mental function is a very long-term process, over at least 20-30 years. Maintaining a healthy ... Continue
Maximizing Our Memory: Part 2 – Nutrition
For some reason, the vast majority of people find that their memory ability could and should be better. And, this concern only becomes more common with age. Enhancing and protecting our memory ideally begins in our youth. We naturally achieve a peak ability to remember in early adulthood and then find that the inborn memory ability declines over time. Adults learn tricks to ... Continue
Maximizing Our Memory: Part 1 – Lifestyle
Maximizing Our Memory Our memory is truly one of our greatest assets. It’s crucial for every aspect of life: career, school, relationships (remembering names, faces, events, interests of others, etc), and everyday life all depend upon our ability to recall previous facts and bits of information. We then must know how to apply that information to solve a variety of problems ... Continue
Nutrition: A Key To Health
By Dr. Rick Tague Far too many individuals end up with health (or lack thereof) as a life distraction instead of a resource for greater productivity. Does that really have to happen? And what impact is unnecessary disease having on the world around us as attention and resources are being devoted to recapturing lost health that should have never been lost in the first ... Continue
Memory Loss and Aging
By Dr. Rick Tague Brain Shrinkage and “Cognitive Decline” Mental function, unfortunately, does deteriorate with age and is associated with the unpleasant reality of “brain shrinkage”. Known in research studies as “cognitive decline”, this process is now known to begin at least by age 45. In fact, research shows that reasoning ability declines 3.5% over the 10 years from our ... Continue
Fast Facts Regarding Gastric Bypass Surgery
By Dr. Rick Tague A common misconception of gastric bypass surgery is that it works by malabsorption of food calories. In fact, only 5-10% of the weight loss from gastric bypass surgery is the result of malabsorption. However, the surgery does effectively reduce appetite and intake by 1,418 calories per day. It is recommended that most dieters use safer, non-surgical ... Continue
Why Pursue Prevention? A Personal Strategy…
By Dr. Rick Tague I heard an intriguing quote this week, “America is not about prevention… We would much rather build a hospital at the bottom of a cliff than build a fence at the top.” What a sad commentary on our society and our health care system! While attending Tulane Medical School, I also had the privilege of attending the Tulane School of Public Health. As a student ... Continue
How Do I Choose A Physician To Help Manage My Weight?
By Dr. Rick Tague For many years now, the State of Kansas has placed a number of restrictions on various weight loss treatments. Since many weight loss medications are controlled by the Drug Enforcement Administration, there are both federal and state regulations that must also be followed. Currently, only authorized physicians with D.E.A. certification may prescribe these ... Continue
3 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight (And None of Them Are Willpower)
by Emily Farris, Kansas City Enhance Health & Wellness Magazine, featuring the medical practice of Rick Tague, MD, MPH & TM Download the PDF here » ... Continue
Seasonal Affective Disorder
By Dr. Rick Tague Are you prepared to face the “Winter Blues”? Everyone tends to feel a little “blah” when the days are short and cold, but for some people seasonal change brings with it something more serious than the blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of depression that 20% of Americans struggle with. ... Continue
Your Routine: Your Key To Success!
By Dr. Rick Tague Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you a person who has discovered a success-producing routine! You and I have both seen it. Look around you at those that are floundering in some area of life. Almost always, they have failed to discern and implement a daily routine that allows them to flourish. Examples are all around us. A highly experienced ... Continue
Self-Control and Weight Loss: Is It The Answer?
By Dr. Rick Tague I have tremendous respect and concern for individuals seeking to enhance their health through weight loss and positive nutrition. In fact, serving them is my passion. And I know from years of working with such clients that weight reduction and maintenance is a very difficult task if one is not empowered with all the right tools and strategies. People ... Continue