Fork U with Dr. Terry Simpson

A Shocking Health Trend from the Past Today, you might see ads for detox teas, liver cleanses, and even hydrogen water. These products promise energy, better health, and a longer life. But strange health trends are nothing new. In the 1920s and 1930s, people paid good money to drink radioactive water . They believed it gave them energy, cured pain, and even helped them live longer. One brand, call...

Who Was Dr. Salisbury? First, let’s meet the man behind the meat. Dr. James Henry Salisbury was a doctor during the American Civil War. He worked hard to understand why so many soldiers got sick. He noticed that stomach problems like diarrhea and dysentery were everywhere in the army camps. Because of this, he believed the problem came from food. But instead of looking at germs, he blamed vegetabl...

The Smoothie That Changed My Mornings (And the Appliances That Helped) Let’s talk about kitchen appliances. Yes, those gadgets sitting on your counter—or hiding in a cabinet—can either make your life easier... or drive you nuts. Today, I want to share how two small appliances completely changed my mornings. And no, I’m not paid to say any of this. It Started With the Air Fryer First, let’s be hone...

🥣 The Curious Case of Dr. Kellogg: Surgeon, Cereal, and a Whole Lot of Enemas When you think of Kellogg, you probably picture cereal—maybe a sweet bowl of Frosted Flakes or Corn Flakes. But the real story behind Kellogg is far weirder than breakfast. It starts with a doctor. A good one. A very strange one. Meet Dr. John Harvey Kellogg Dr. John Harvey Kellogg wasn’t just any doctor. He was a skill...

What Is Ozempic or Zepbound, Really? You’ve probably heard about Ozempic or Zepbound. Maybe from a friend, a celebrity, or a TikTok ad. These are powerful medicines used to help people lose weight and manage diabetes. But what do they actually do? Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist —a type of drug that helps control hunger, improve blood sugar, and lower the risk of heart disease. But here's the...

Longevity Without the Grift: What Actually Helps You Age Better Everyone wants to live longer . That’s why people are plunging into ice baths, sweating in infrared saunas, and rubbing beef tallow on their faces like it’s a miracle cream. Meanwhile, supplement companies make billions selling capsules that promise eternal youth. But here’s the thing: we don’t need to chase immortality. We need to fo...

Hi, I'm Dr. Terry Simpson, your chief medical explanationist. Welcome to another edition of FORK U —where we bust myths, make sense of the madness, and teach you a little about food and medicine. Today, let's explore how our food choices impact the environment and our health. We'll discuss lab-grown meat, grass-fed beef, and sustainable seafood. 🍔 Lab-Grown Meat: The Future of Food? Imagine enjoy...

The Fry Lie: How McDonald's Fries Got Worse—Not Healthier For years, McDonald’s fries ruled the world. They were golden, crispy, salty, and delicious. People called them the best fries ever made. But then something changed. Around the 1990s, fans noticed the fries didn’t taste the same anymore. What happened? Let’s dive into the real story of why McDonald’s fries lost their magic—and how the chang...

Superfood Snake Oil: Why Kale Won’t Save You (But Also Isn’t Killing You) Every week, there's a new superfood: sea moss, turmeric shots, raw milk, lion’s mane mushrooms, and the obligatory $18 acai bowl. These so-called miracle foods promise to heal your gut, detox your liver, reverse aging, and apparently, cure loneliness if you add enough coconut flakes. But here’s the reality: “superfood” is a...

Is Fruit Bad For You? Have you heard the latest nonsense from the diet grift industrial complex? Apparently, fruit is now dangerous. Yes—fruit. The stuff that grows on trees and ends up in your kid’s lunchbox is being blamed for everything from diabetes to “metabolic collapse.” The same influencers who once screamed about seed oils are now coming for your bananas, blueberries, and yes, even your s...

Weight Loss Surgery and Mediterranean Diet to GLP-1 and the Mediterranean Diet For years, I have guided my weight loss surgery patients toward the Mediterranean diet. Why? Because it’s not only delicious and sustainable, but it’s also backed by decades of science. Now, as GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Zepbound transform how we approach obesity, the question arises again: what should people ea...

Welcome to the theater of absurdity. While the federal government waves the flag of victory over removing petroleum-based food dyes from snacks, it is simultaneously gutting critical public health programs like food inspection, bird flu monitoring, injury prevention initiatives, and scientific research grants. The result? A dazzling case study in misplaced priorities. Today, let's walk through wha...

Welcome to FORK U . Fork University. Where we make sense of the madness, bust a few myths, and teach you a little about food and medicine. I’m Dr. Terry Simpson—surgeon, scientist, and your chief medical explanationist. At FORK U, we’re not here to sell you supplements or tell you carbs are evil. We’re here to bring the science back to your plate—with a healthy side of sarcasm. Food hasn’t been me...

Butter, LDL, and the Myth of Harmless Plaque Why High Cholesterol Isn’t Just a Number—and What the Latest Science Says About Oils, Fats, and Your Risk of Death By Dr. Terry Simpson, MD – The Culinary Medicine Doc We’ve all heard the story: butter’s back, LDL doesn’t matter, and as long as you’re low-carb, your heart is safe. But what if I told you that the science—real, peer-reviewed science—tells...

The idea of Blue Zones —those rare places where people supposedly live longer, healthier lives—has become nutritional gospel. From best-selling books to Netflix specials, Blue Zones have been painted as longevity utopias we can mimic if we just eat more beans and nap more often. But here’s the thing: Blue Zones aren’t science—they’re storytelling. In this post, we take an unfiltered look at the Bl...

Dietary Myths vs. Nutritional Science: Why the Mediterranean Diet Reigns Supreme As an Athabascan physician and culinary medicine expert, I'm often amused by the dietary myths perpetuated online, particularly those championed by keto and carnivore diet enthusiasts. Today, let's debunk some of these myths—Inuit diets, Hong Kong longevity, Maasai heart health, and the so-called French paradox—and ex...

The Bitter Truth: Why Bitterness Matters More Than You Think Have you ever taken a sip of black coffee and immediately regretted it? Or maybe you’ve bitten into a grapefruit and felt like your tongue was under attack? If so, you’re not alone. Bitterness is one of the most misunderstood flavors, but it plays a huge role in our health and survival. From keeping us from eating toxic foods to helping...

The Great Egg Redemption: How Science Saved Breakfast (But Not Your Wallet) For decades, the humble egg was treated like a ticking time bomb for your arteries. Nutrition guidelines told us to avoid them, doctors warned us about cholesterol, and many Americans swapped their morning omelet for a sad bowl of processed cereal. But here’s the kicker—those recommendations weren’t based on strong science...

Apple Watch vs. Oura, Whoop, and Withings Health wearables have exploded in popularity, promising better sleep, fitness, and recovery tracking. But with so many options— Apple Watch, Whoop, Withings, Oura, and Ultrahuman Rings —which one is actually worth your money? More importantly,   do these devices improve your health, or are they just expensive digital trophies? In this breakdown, we’ll...

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods? Ultra-processed food (UPF) might sound like something concocted in a secret laboratory, but it simply refers to foods that are significantly altered from their original state. These often contain additives like emulsifiers, preservatives, and stabilizers—ingredients you wouldn’t typically find in a home kitchen. This category includes everything from convenience-sto...

Bird Flu, Flu Season, and Protecting Your Health: What You Need to Know While I typically focus on food and your health, pressing medical updates demand attention. Today, we’re tackling two critical topics: the latest on bird flu (avian influenza) and the rise in seasonal respiratory illnesses , including flu and COVID-19. With public communication from federal agencies temporarily paused, it’s vi...

Fuel, Don’t Fad: How to Eat for Health, Not Hype If you’ve ever fallen for a fad diet, you’re not alone. They promise quick results, make bold claims, and usually leave you hungry, cranky, and disappointed. But here’s the truth: fad diets don’t work in the long run. What does work? Fueling your body with the right foods. In this blog, we’ll break down why fad diets fail, how to rebuild your relati...

The Mediterranean Diet: Why It’s Still #1 in 2025 When it comes to choosing the best diet for overall health, the Mediterranean diet has topped the list again in 2025 . It’s easy to see why: it’s simple, it’s sustainable, and it delivers proven health benefits. Are you looking to manage your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease, or improve your gut health?  The Mediterranean diet offers...

Bird Flu: What You Need to Know About Risks, Realities, and Readiness Bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has far-reaching effects on public health, the food supply, and even the global economy. While human-to-human transmission hasn’t occurred, its potential to mutate poses significant concerns. Understanding how bird flu impacts us today — and how science is working to mitigat...

Navigating GLP-1 Medications and Building a Healthier You: A Fork U Guide Introduction: The Revolution Starts Here Welcome to Fork University, where science meets sarcasm, and healthy eating gets a reality check. Today, we’re diving into the world of GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Zepbound—those little injections making waves in the weight loss and metabolic health scen e. Spoiler alert: Even...