Dr Joe Unplugged
Dr Joe Unplugged is your home for open commentary on health, wellbeing, and life in the broadest sense. We will explore diet, exercise, sleep, and stress amongst other health matters as well as issues that may impact you and your well-being in direct or indirect ways....
It’s Christmas!
If Christmas did not exist it would need to be invented. Perfectly timed at the end of the year, it allows many people worldwide to celebrate in some way, shape or form. This may be a formal religious celebration or simply a catch-up with friends and family. Given...
We Need Our Sleep
The importance of sleep cannot be overstated, as human beings spend more time sleeping than engaging in any other activity, yet many still neglect its crucial role in overall health. Human beings spend more time being asleep than anything else. It is estimated that at...
Do Not Despair
Let us start with the part we can all agree on – the average weight in most countries has increased over the last 40 years, albeit the number of those with serious weight issues is much less than the numbers quoted. This is because although the Body Mass Index (BMI)...
Reigning in the Medical Industrial Complex
That medical science has advanced over the last century and that it has provided benefits for many is a statement of fact and the obvious. It is also possible to have too much of a good thing. More to the point, as with most industries, and yes healthcare is an...
Moving On Whilst Learning
Pandemic recovery has led the vast majority of people to move on from Covid and resume their lives. This is evidenced by data on travel, the low uptake of additional boosters, and the fact that masks are now a rare sight. Some have chosen not to move on, and they are...
Hitting 100
There is a lot of doom and gloom in health. Whilst the media report on the occasional “breakthrough” or “game changer” medication, which usually isn’t, most of the commentary is downcast. We have epidemics of everything from viruses to obesity to vaping. Each of these...
Who Will Think Of The Children?
All actions have consequences. Sometimes these are immediate and sometimes the effects are not seen for a period of time. For example, you can plant an apple seed today and it will take years before there are apples on the tree that you can eat. Similarly, childcare...
An Unnecessary Lose-Lose
It is the nature of life that mistakes happen. Smart teachers in life will frame error as inevitable and a valuable learning experience. Others can become so fearful of 'getting it wrong' that they get almost paralyzed by indecision. This principle also applies in...
Purpose – The Eighth Pillar of Health
Human behavior and society have evolved significantly over the last 2000 years, yet it is interesting to reflect on how little humans have actually changed. On the surface, we have modern accommodation, transport, and communication technology far beyond what could...
The Lion Is Out And About
The truth about COVID-19 origins remains a topic of intense discussion and debate. Augustine of Hippo, who lived in the 4th century, said, “The truth is like a lion; you don't have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.” Recent events show that nearly 1700...
Is It Really About Health Of The Public?
The truth about low-fat diets becomes evident when looking at the striking differences in society from the 1970s to today. Those old enough to remember that era will recall how people looked different, and those too young can see the changes in pictures of groups from...