Dr Google and I
New Zealand Listener|June 25 - July 1, 2022
"Dr Oz is probably one of the top three most dangerous sources of health information in the world."
STEPHEN DAVIS
Dr Google and I

A few years ago, while running a journalism school in Sydney, I a stark health warnA received ing from my GP.

Unless I changed my diet and lifestyle, he said, I was on my way to being diabetic and I would be booking an appointment with a cardiac surgeon in about three years' time. I took him at his word and embarked on a vigorous regime of diet and exercise. Soon, my test scores returned to normal.

Back in New Zealand, I resumed my lifelong love affair with Kiwi-style baking (infinitely superior to the Australian equivalents). Raspberry buns, Sally Lunns, cream-filled chocolate profiteroles - I love them all. But I was exercising every day and confident I had it all under control, so when I received my latest HbAlc result - the test of your blood glucose (sugar) levels I reacted to the fact that it was shockingly high by questioning the result.

I went online and did a Google search to see if stress could be a factor - the test came as I was facing multiple deadlines: for the paperback edition of my book, my new podcast and, of course, this column. I even wrote to my GP suggesting there had been some kind of error in the test and could I take another one please.

Denne historien er fra June 25 - July 1, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 25 - July 1, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA NEW ZEALAND LISTENERSe alt
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 mins  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024