Shep Dunlevie, MD

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween!

10/30/2025

Have a fun, safe Halloween!

10/28/2025

Each year, I have patients catch the flu. Some bounce back after a week, while others end up hospitalized for several weeks. Of course, having a heart or lung condition can cause complications. But a weaker immune system can also lead to life-threatening issues. You can try lowering your risk of serious flu illness by boosting your T-cells. Here’s what you need to know. https://bit.ly/4ovIOAW

It's common for people to experience the flu differently. In some people, the flu triggers strong cold-like symptoms, while other people develop life-threatening issues. Influenza is a virus responsible for about 9 million illnesses, 4 million medical v...

10/25/2025

Each year, I have patients catch the flu. Some bounce back after a week, while others end up hospitalized for several weeks. Of course, having a heart or lung condition can cause complications. But a weaker immune system can also lead to life-threatening issues. You can try lowering your risk of serious flu illness by boosting your T-cells. Here’s what you need to know.

It's common for people to experience the flu differently. In some people, the flu triggers strong cold-like symptoms, while other people develop life-threatening issues. Influenza is a virus responsible for about 9 million illnesses, 4 million medical v...

10/23/2025

October is usually a month of great walking weather. However, if you’re walking in the brush or in the woods, your exercise may raise your risk for Lyme disease. Most people who have Lyme disease recover in a few weeks. However, some patients develop long-term Lyme disease, which is a lot more complicated. Let me know if you think you have a tick bite. Here’s more on long-term Lyme disease. https://bit.ly/4oBBG6o

Ticks are known for causing a wide range of illnesses, with the most common being Lyme disease - a bacterial illness that affects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there a...

10/16/2025

Some of my patients take turmeric supplements to ease pain, improve memory, slow aging and contribute to weight loss. Turmeric supplements are more effective when combined with bromelain or black pepper. However, the combination of turmeric with black pepper has been found to cause liver damage. Talk to me about the supplements you’re taking. In the meantime, here’s more on turmeric and black pepper supplements.

People have always turned to herbs and spices as home health remedies. Today, 24 percent of Americans use herbal medicines, supplements and tea to boost their health, according to Statista.One herb that gained a lot of popularity is turmeric (also known...

10/14/2025

Alcohol consumption can affect medications, weight and overall health, which is why I commonly ask my patients how much alcohol they drink. However, answering this question is more difficult than it seems; many factors are involved. If you’d like to understand how much you’re really drinking, here’s what you need to know.

Many people are unaware of the health effects of alcohol on the body. Educate yourself on how much alcohol you are really drinking and one drink consists of.

10/09/2025

Your metabolism’s function is to convert food and beverages into energy to power your body’s functions such as breathing, circulating blood and exercising. Sometimes, abnormal chemical reactions occur in your body that interfere with your body’s metabolism. A metabolic disorder can affect your overall health, including weight. This is one reason why I am adamant about staying on top of screenings. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining metabolic health. https://bit.ly/48U2gCV

Fundamentally, your metabolic health is about how well your body responds to and processes food. Our metabolism's job is to convert what we eat and drink into energy to power your body's functions. When everything is working well, your body has the ener...

10/07/2025

Some of my patients ask a lot of questions about Parkinson’s disease, which is understandable. It’s a life-altering, debilitating disease that’s been rising in the US. Here are four tips to help lower your risk of Parkinson’s.

Legendary National Football League quarterback Brett Favre was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD), a progressive and debilitating nervous system disorder that affects cognitive and motor abilities. In the early phases, symptoms develop slo...

10/02/2025

If I am concerned about your heart health, I may check your levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) – an enzyme that helps identify your heart attack risk. But it turns out, this test is more valuable than we once thought. A recent study found that elevated MPO levels also suggest a risk for stroke and all-cause mortality. Here’s more on MPO. Let me know if you have any questions. https://bit.ly/4d4umdk

If you've taken part in the MDVIP Wellness Program, you may have had your blood tested for myeloperoxidase or MPO. It's one of the tests that may be included when your doctor draws blood. MDVIP added this option so physicians would have an additional to...

09/30/2025

Heart disease is the leading cause of death. As you’re probably aware, lifestyle plays a major role. A few of my patients wonder if a vegetarian diet can help maintain their heart health. Here’s what you need to know.

Vegetarianism has gotten a lot of hype over the last 15 years. A lifestyle once written off as earthy crunchy, went mainstream around 2010.There are many reasons people go vegetarian, with the most popular being health. Studies suggest a vegetarian life...

09/25/2025

I have a few patients who have sworn off getting a flu shot because it didn’t work well for them. Sometimes, flu shots aren’t 100 percent effective, but they are considered the best method of flu prevention, lowering your risk of getting sick between 40 and 60 percent. Why don’t flu shots always prevent the flu? Here are three reasons.

Have you (or someone you know) sworn off getting a flu shot because it didn't work? Sometimes, flu shots aren't 100 percent effective, but they are considered the best method of flu prevention, lowering your risk of getting sick between 40 and 60 percen...