US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has been focusing on foods and their effects on health, guiding the public to eat normal, natural foods instead of processed foods.
There is no question that we are what we eat, and that some food items we eat are inflammatory, causing all sorts of ailments among us. Inflammation, like an imbalanced microbiome (“good and bad,” gut bacteria), is the initiating factor for most diseases. Foods, besides habits and behavior, have grave influences on our health and longevity.
The association between processed foods (bacon, hot dogs, sausages, etc., most deli meats) and cancer has been under scrutiny for decades. Studies have “shown that consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) which are manufactured and often contain additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer…the association may be due to the high levels of saturated fat, sugar, and sodium in UPFs, which can contribute to weight gain and inflammation, both known risk factors for cancer…additionally, UPFs contain potential carcinogens, such as titanium dioxide and nitrites.”
Various mechanisms on how UPFs increase the risk for cancer include increased inflammation, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalance.
There are countless ongoing research projects around the world seeking to validate and confirm these initial findings.
In the meantime, let’s abstain from eating processed foods and consume fresh meats, especially white meat (chicken, turkey, duck, pheasant, quail, etc.), healthy green leafy vegetables of various colors, some healthier nuts (walnuts, chestnuts, pistachios, pecans, pine nuts, hazelnuts, a little macadamia nuts) preferably not peanuts (could have aflatoxin and has phytic acid), almonds (lots of oxalates), cashews (raw cashews contain urushiol, a toxic agent found in poison ivy, may seep into the cooked ones). For diabetics, include all food items consumed in the total caloric count.
Measles does kill
Measles, a most contagious viral disease, is a dreaded infection. I lost a professor of mine to measles pneumonia. Children under 5 are most at risk for severe complications, and those unvaccinated children and adults are in danger. Measles does kill.
First thought to be anti-vax, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., emphatically stated that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, and that while Vitamin A in itself cannot prevent measles, it helps boost the immune system.
The World Health Organization has declared Measles eliminated from the United States in the year 2000 because of its great success in the vaccination program. Travelers from abroad continue to reintroduce the measles virus, besides others, in the USA, and anti-vaccination sentiments (due to ignorance or fake news on social media) make the situation worse.
The US-CDC reported there were 285 cases in 2024, and the recent Measles outbreak in Texas on March 7, 2025, “is believed to have started in a rural Mennonite community in Texas with low vaccination rates.”
This highlights the vital importance of vaccines for infectious diseases, like the Flu, COVID-19, RVS, measles, and others. The mandated pre-school vaccination program has saved billions of children and adults around the world since Edward Jenner, an English physician, introduced the first vaccine in 1796.
As I have highlighted in my upcoming book, Civil Rights Versus Science, America’s Achilles Heel, vaccines in general are safe, effective, and save lives, and the anti-vax civil rights protestors and the disinformation on social media are risking the lives of millions of Americans (billions, around the world).
The FDA is recommending everyone get vaccinated with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, which is safe and effective. Children get two doses: the first one at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at age 4 to 6. All those older children, adolescents, and adults get one or two doses of MMR if they don’t have evidence of immunity.” Those going abroad should get fully vaccinated before they travel.
Hantavirus not COVID
The Hantavirus that killed 3 individuals on board the MV Hondius cruise ship is not COVID, but since it is the rare Andes strain, it could be transmitted person to person, hence the concern around the world. The common Hantavirus infections are also caused by inhaling aerosolized droppings, urine, and saliva from carrier rodents, and do not spread person to person. This virus is where rodents are, even in anyone’s home. Drinking beer or soft drinks directly from the can could be a source of infection.
Eggs and the brain
A recent study (2025-2026) revealed that moderate egg consumption (1-2 a day) is healthy for most people and may offer cognitive benefits. Regular egg consumption (5-7 eggs per week) is linked to a 27 percent lower risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and cardiovascular deaths among those over 70 years of age. Boiled or poached eggs are healthier than fried, which is about 30-40 calories higher because of the oil or butter. Eggs have high-quality protein (6-7 g per egg), essential amino acids, key vitamins, and minerals like choline, selenium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, Vitamin D, B12, and riboflavin. Eggs also contain antioxidant lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health, and healthy fats. Choline is crucial for brain health, nervous system health, and fetal development.
Deadly gas detectors
Our homes are full of dangerous chemicals in the garage, kitchen, and bathrooms, like cleaning bleaches, ammonia, lye, sulfuric acid, detergents, air fresheners, carpet cleaners, etc. Minimizing the use of these poisons and using natural, environmentally safe, non-toxic agents is obviously healthier.
Besides those harmful agents, smoke, fire, and killer gases (carbon monoxide, butane, propane, radon, hydrogen sulfide, etc.) are potential grave hazards to life too. There are now detector alarms to protect our family and us. One of them is the 4-in-1 Gas and Carbon Monoxide Temp and Humidity detector-alarms available on Amazon. It detects other gases besides carbon monoxide. Just plug this life-saver into an electric outlet in the room you wish to monitor.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, distinguished educators, renowned scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
