Julie's Health Club - chicagotribune.com

Rowing the Great Lake for breast cancer

Julie Deardorff — Tue, 29 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Chicago rowing coach and charity founder hopes to be the first to row the 1,500 mile perimeter of Lake Michigan "One woman. One Great Lake. One great cause."

POM Wonderful pushes back against FTC

Julie Deardorff — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

POM Wonderful, a manufacturer of pomegranate juice and supplements, is pushing back against a recent ruling that found the company violated federal law by making deceptive disease prevention and treatment claims.

Five minutes with stroke survivor Jill Bolte Taylor

Julie Deardorff — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:05:00 GMT

Neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor has always loved the brain’s complex beauty. But she developed an unexpectedly deep appreciation for her own in 1996 after a blood vessel ruptured and she suffered a massive stroke. The life-changing moment destroyed her memory, her ability to walk, talk and read and even her personality.

Oreck to pay consumers $700,000 for unfounded health claims

Julie Deardorff — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:05:00 GMT

The claim: The Oreck Halo vacuum and the Oreck ProShield Plus air cleaner can reduce the risk of flu and other illnesses. An infomercial claimed, “The Oreck Halo has killed up to 99.9 percent of bacteria exposed to its light in one second or less,” and the vacuum’s light chamber “has been tested and shown to kill up to 99.9 percent of certain common germs, plus dangerous pathogens like E. Coli and MRSA.”

A 'free play' experiment

Julie Deardorff — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

As free play declines, children lose more than fun. One mom tries to let go. My friend Kendra recently conducted a short but nerve-wracking experiment with her two boys, ages 7 and 9. “Go out and play,” she told them. “Don’t come in until dinner time.”

Fitness factions: Blending men's and women's health advice

By Julie Deardorff , Tribune Newspapers — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:36:00 GMT

Health and fitness magazines take distinctly different approaches when motivating women and men to workout. Blending the two would be better. I'm one of those women who likes reading men's health and fitness magazines. Though they all promise bodies and sex lives that most of us will never have, I'm drawn to the funny, self-deprecating tone, the functional workout tips and the emphasis on sweat, competition and strength training.

Skechers to pay $40 million for false toning shoe claims

Julie's Health Club Columnist — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:19:00 GMT

If you bought Skechers Shape-ups or the company’s other toning shoes but still, somehow, have a flabby rear end, here’s your chance to apply for a refund.

Fatigue supplements are actually misbranded drugs: FDA

Fri, 04 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A commercial website for people suffering from symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia is rife with numerous illegal and misleading treatment claims, according to a recent warning letter sent to Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

New therapy could reduce diabetes-related amputation

By Julie Deardorff , Tribune Newspapers — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:29:00 GMT

Jim Keenan wasn't particularly alarmed by a small blister that developed on his heel. Five days later, the 62-year-old's foot was so seriously infected doctors feared they might need to amputate his lower leg.

Five minutes with Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Like other 50-year-olds, Jackie Joyner-Kersee aches a bit the day after a vigorous workout. And she has noticed that her vision isn’t what it once was.

Pharaohs of fitness

By Julie Deardorff , Tribune Newspapers — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:42:00 GMT

Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda brought the gym to our televisions, and all these years on, they're still sweating Decades after revolutionizing the fitness world, Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons are back doing what they started: starring in exercise DVDs and teaching workout classes.

Weight loss pioneer: 'Drop the fork!'

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Fifty years after starting the diet that changed her life, Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch reflects on weight loss. Five minutes with Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch:

Once obese, Cecelia now runs. And loves it.

By Julie Deardorff, Tribune reporter — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:45:00 GMT

Eight weeks ago, Cecelia Hylak-Reinholtz couldn’t run for more than five minutes without stopping. Last week, she completed her first 5-kilometer (5K) race , accompanied by her husband. Near the finish line, he surprised her by shedding his race shirt to reveal an undershirt reading: “Cecelia: My Wife, My Hero.”

Doubts cast on food intolerance testing

By Julie Deardorff , Chicago Tribune reporter — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Allergists and gastroenterologists question the use of expensive but sought-after analyses According to one lab that tests for "toxic food syndrome," eating green peppers may cause bloating or lethargy. Lemons might trigger headaches. Other common foods like corn, soy, egg whites, whey and chicken "may act like a poison in your body," the website warns.

The price of 'free' foods

By Julie Deardorff , Tribune Newspapers — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:28:00 GMT

Substituted ingredients often pack their own distasteful punch. Here's what to know and what to avoid. "Free-from" food products, whether they're labeled sugar-free, fat-free or gluten-free, are fast becoming a trendy lifestyle choice, regardless of allergies or intolerance.

Unnecessary medicine: Physician groups list 45 overused tests, procedures

By Deborah L. Shelton and Julie Deardorff , Chicago Tribune reporters — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Nine organizations release lists of medical exams and treatment that are often unneeded, costly — even possibly harmful Should you get a cardiac stress test as part of your annual checkup? A chest X-ray before outpatient surgery? A CT scan or antibiotics for chronic sinusitis?

Forty-five medical tests patients and doctors should question

By Julie Deardorff, Tribune reporter — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Unnecessary care: Campaign encourages patients and doctors to question 45 common medical treatments The new listing of 45 common treatments patients and doctors should question is part of a growing movement that challenges routine care.

Evanston to install protected bike lanes

By Julie Deardorff, Tribune reporter — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The city of Evanston plans to install a barricaded bike corridor on Church Street, which could help make it safer for those of us who ride with children in bike lanes.

Spring back into fitness

By Julie Deardorff , Tribune Newspapers — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:10:00 GMT

Tips for changing routine — or just getting back to it Think you have what it takes to get in shape? Spring is "gut check" time. And if those abs — or arms or thighs — aren't ready for public display, here are some ways to start a new workout routine:

Antioxidant growth: Fueled by marketing hype

By Julie Deardorff, Tribune newspapers — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The market for antioxidant products –- which includes everything from fruit juices and vitamin shakes to deodorant -- is poised for explosive growth over the next decade, according to a new report by the market research firm Packaged Facts.

Is this candy bar a good choice for school vending machines?

By Julie Deardorff, Tribune newspapers — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Marathon Smart Stuff Bar, which is sold in some middle and high schools, is advertised as a healthy snack in part because less than 35 percent of its calories are from fat (10 percent from saturated fat) and it is less than 35 percent sugar by weight.

'Grave concerns' about popular Bumbo baby seat

By Julie Deardorff , Chicago Tribune reporter — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Experts say infants can fall out of the Bumbo chair and be hurt, but its maker says the product is safe when used properly Needing a moment to prepare a snack, nanny Teri Deel set her 3-month-old charge in a Bumbo Baby Seat on the kitchen floor nearby.

Does Coke market to kids? You decide

By Julie Deardorff, Tribune newspapers — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

After reading my recent blog item about a study that suggested kids who play sports eat more junk food , Kevin Morris, Coca-Cola's vice president of Public Affairs and Communications, wrote to "set the record straight." He stressed that Coke doesn't market "beverage brands in venues where children under the age of 12 years are the primary audience."

The reality of 'low T'

By Julie Deardorff , Tribune Newspapers — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:57:00 GMT

It's unclear if heavily marketed testosterone replacement can stem age-related declines in muscle, sex drive or energy. A middle-aged man goes to see his doctor, complaining of a host of vague symptoms: He's lethargic, somewhat depressed and feeling a little anxious about his manliness.

Kids who play sports eat more junk food: Study

By Julie Deardorff, Tribune newspapers — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

We parents like to believe that signing the kids up for soccer, hockey and other sports can keep them lean and fit.