Hello, all!
As the days shorten and Halloween approaches, this issue is largely about staying strong and steady for the season ahead, with one topic that’s a little spooky thrown in…
Dr. Alan Spira opens with a checklist for preparing for the upcoming El Niño, to help get your family ready for the possible “superstorms” coming our way. He then takes on creatine, a supplement that looks like it’s here to stay, explaining what it does, how safe it is, and why it may matter especially for women. Two pieces then turn to the skeleton and how we move on it: Dr. Maia Mossé on balance and fall risk, and what to address before the first fall, and Dr. Angela Jiang on osteopenia and osteoporosis, how to protect your bones, and why Asian American women deserve extra attention.
We close with happy news from the Village Square: Jeanne Rosner, a friend of TVD, has published a plant-based cookbook, More Plants, More Flavor, with every dollar of profit going to World Central Kitchen.
Oh, and did I mention that next month is Movember? Watch this space for updates! In the meantime, click HERE to learn more about The Village Doctor’s Mo’ Team!
Eric
Eric Weiss, MD, September, 2026
El Niño Home Preparedness: Practical Checklist to Prepare Your Home
With a potentially strong El Niño influencing California’s 2026–2027 winter outlook, now is a good time for Bay Area homeowners to prepare for heavy rainfall, flooding and power outages. This practical checklist covers essential steps to protect your home, stock emergency food and water, prepare for power disruptions, and assemble an emergency kit. It also highlights important medical preparations, including prescription refills, refrigerated medications and backup plans for essential medical equipment. Learn how to review evacuation plans, monitor weather alerts, assess local flood risks and prepare your household before severe weather arrives.
Creatine Benefits: What It Does, How It Works, and Is It Safe?
Creatine is one of the most researched supplements available, with established benefits for exercise performance, strength, and lean muscle development. Research also suggests it may help maintain muscle as we age, while emerging studies are exploring its potential effects on cognitive function and women’s health.
Explore how creatine works, who may benefit from supplementation, and what to know about recommended doses, loading phases, supplement selection, and safety. The article also addresses common concerns, including weight gain, kidney health, and potential side effects, helping separate established benefits from emerging research and exaggerated claims.
Balance and Fall Risk: What to Address Before the First Fall
How to Increase Bone Density: A Doctor’s Guide to Improve Bone Health
We have some news to celebrate this month. Jeanne Rosner, a friend of TVD, has published a plant-based cookbook, More Plants, More Flavor: An Invitation to Cook, Gather and Enjoy Simple Plant-Rich Recipes, and it is now available on Amazon.
Jeanne is a board-certified anesthesiologist who spent nearly twenty years caring for children at Stanford Medical Center before discovering her passion for nutrition and wellness. Since retiring from anesthesia, she has taught students in Bay Area schools about healthy food choices and balanced habits. In 2014, she founded SOUL Food Salon, with SOUL standing for Seasonal, Organic, Unprocessed, Local, a venture devoted to helping people live healthier lives through nutrition and good daily habits.
Her cookbook grew out of that work. Each recipe notes how many different plants it contains, with the goal of working up to thirty different plants a week. That target was inspired by research from the American Gut Project, which found that the more variety of plants we eat, the more diverse our gut microbiome tends to be. A diverse microbiome is associated with better overall health and may help lower the risk of chronic disease. It is a refreshingly practical idea: you don’t have to eat perfectly; you just have to eat widely.
Jeanne is donating every dollar of profit from the book to World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by chef José Andrés that brings fresh meals to people facing hunger and crisis around the world. It is a fitting home for the proceeds, since the book is really an invitation to see food as a way to nourish ourselves, gather around the table, and care for others. You can find the book on Amazon. If you pick up a copy, or know someone who might enjoy one, you’ll be helping both your own kitchen and World Central Kitchen.
*****
Yours, in health and resilience,
Eric and the TVD MD team…
TVD Newsletter is a labor of love. If you enjoy reading this, please share widely! Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Please subscribe here.
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general informational and education purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider to discuss whether any treatment, medication, or information is appropriate for you, and for guidance on any emerging updates in care. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on the information provided here.
