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Rob Shmerling

@RobShmerling

Rheumatologist, editor/writer, love teaching and limericks, Tufts Jumbo, Nashville born but (sadly) lost my southern accent. I'm ok with being an ok boomer.

 Mashpee, MA
health.harvard.edu
Joined April 2016
  • Tweets478
  • Following795
  • Followers2.1K
An ode to the microbiome And so it has come to this A sign of the apocalypse? It may seem absurd Microbiome’s the word Even in school New curriculum: Stool! Bumper stickers I’ve seen: Bark less and eat beans! (1/3)
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What can magnesium do for you? How much is enough? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/what…
What can magnesium do for you and how much do you need? - Harvard Health

What can magnesium do for you and how much do you need? - Harvard Health

Magnesium is a mineral the human body needs to function properly - especially for a healthy cardiovascular system, nerves, muscles, and bones - though the benefits of supplements are largely overso...

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Ever wonder if your breakfast cereal is good for you?Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/is-y…
Is your breakfast cereal healthy? - Harvard Health

Is your breakfast cereal healthy? - Harvard Health

In the US, more than a quarter of children and adolescents have ready-to-eat cereal for breakfast most days of the week. Advertising touts cereal as a healthy choice, but a recent study disputes th...

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Can the vaccine for shingles prevent dementia? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/can-…
Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia? - Harvard Health

Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia? - Harvard Health

It's fairly common for a medical treatment to cause side effects - but far more rarely, a side effect provides an unexpected benefit. This might be the case for the shingles vaccine, as evidence is...

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E-bikes and E-scooters are great! But are they safe? health.harvard.edu/blog/the-…
The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe? - Harvard Health

The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is soaring, but are they safe? - Harvard Health

The convenience, affordability, and flat-out fun of e-bikes and e-scooters are undeniable. But as their popularity grows, the rate of accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters is climbing. ...

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Are you getting health care you don't need? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/are-…
Are you getting health care you don't need? - Harvard Health

Are you getting health care you don't need? - Harvard Health

Just because you can get a particular test or treatment or take a supplement doesn't mean you should. One study suggests as much as 20% of all health care in the US is unneeded. Skipping unn...

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Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/ever…
Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should - Harvard Health

Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should - Harvard Health

When you have a medical appointment, your health provider writes notes on the visit that are available to you. It's a good idea to read these - though you may be surprised or confused by som...

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Health care should improve your health, right? - Sometimes it does the opposite. Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/heal…
Health care should improve your health, right? - Harvard Health

Health care should improve your health, right? - Harvard Health

Modern medicine offers ever-expanding ways to heal and prevent disease, but it's also true that health care can cause harm. Some harms are preventable while others are much harder to control...

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The cicadas are here: How's your appetite? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/the-…
The cicadas are here: How's your appetite? - Harvard Health

The cicadas are here: How's your appetite? - Harvard Health

Trillions of cicadas are expected to emerge in the US by the end of June, especially in the Midwest. In many parts of the world insects are considered a low-cost source of calories and prote...

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Is there a good side to drug side effects? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/is-t…
Is there a good side to drug side effects? - Harvard Health

Is there a good side to drug side effects? - Harvard Health

Not all drug side effects are created equal: some are tolerable, some are dangerous -- and some may turn out to be surprisingly beneficial with weight loss and hair growth as superstar examp...

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A new drug approved for menopausal hot flashes & night sweats! Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline -health.harvard.edu/blog/harv…
Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline - Harvard Health

Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline - Harvard Health

A new type of nonhormonal medication to prevent hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause, Veozah, was approved by the FDA in 2023. An ad for the drug has useful information, but some key quest...

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Your amazing parathyroid glands - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/your…
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Can AI answer medical questions better than your doctor? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/can-…
Can AI answer medical questions better than your doctor? - Harvard Health

Can AI answer medical questions better than your doctor? - Harvard Health

When a study asked doctors and artificial intelligence to respond to selected patient questions, a chatbot received higher ratings for empathy and quality. But a closer look at the research ...

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How well do you worry about your health? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/how-…
How well do you worry about your health? - Harvard Health

How well do you worry about your health? - Harvard Health

It's impossible to never worry about your health - but are you worrying about the right things? Popular fears and Google and TikTok searches suggest our top concerns may bypass common health...

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Does drinking extra water really help you lose weight? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/does…
Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight? - Harvard Health

Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight? - Harvard Health

If you've ever tried to lose weight, you've probably heard the advice to drink water before a meal because it makes you feel fuller and you'll stop eating sooner. It seems like a reasonable ...

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Why people think it does and what the evidence says. #HavardHealth bit.ly/48EjXTz
Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight? - Harvard Health

Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight? - Harvard Health

If you've ever tried to lose weight, you've probably heard the advice to drink water before a meal because it makes you feel fuller and you'll stop eating sooner. It seems like a reasonable ...

health.harvard.edu
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Can watching sports be bad for your health? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/can-…
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Seeking fitspiration on social media? And what is "fitspiration" anyway? Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/seek…
Seeking fitspiration on social media? - Harvard Health

Seeking fitspiration on social media? - Harvard Health

Fitspiration describes social media posts intended to inspire physical fitness and promote health. But is this type of motivation helpful? A recent study looked deeper into the trend. ...

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Are poinsettias, mistletoe, or holly plants dangerous? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/are-…
Are poinsettias, mistletoe, or holly plants dangerous? - Harvard Health

Are poinsettias, mistletoe, or holly plants dangerous? - Harvard Health

It's commonly believed that poinsettia plants are poisonous, but are they? If they are dangerous, what can happen if some is ingested? What about other popular holiday-season plants like mis...

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Genes protective during the Black Death may now be increasing autoimmune disorders - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/gene…
Genes protective during the Black Death may now be increasing autoimmune disorders - Harvard Health

Genes protective during the Black Death may now be increasing autoimmune disorders - Harvard Health

Genes that helped people survive during the time of the Black Death are more likely to be found in people with autoimmune diseases alive today. Does this tell scientists anything about what ...

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Wondering about what veins do and how to keep them healthy? - Harvard Health health.harvard.edu/blog/vein…
Veins are a key player in the body: Here's why - Harvard Health

Veins are a key player in the body: Here's why - Harvard Health

Thousands of miles of veins throughout the body bring blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen and nutrients, and get rid of carbon dioxide before returning to the heart to be pumped out again. How do ...

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