Another Problem with BMI — the Obesity Paradox
It's been pretty well accepted that being obese, or even overweight isn't good for you. But some data has suggested that these states actually might be healthy — a situation known as the obesity...
View ArticleNew Laughable Study Blames Carbs for Lung Cancer
Could diet be responsible for lung cancer? We know the leading cause is cigarette smoking, but what about the 10 percent or so of cases that occur in non-smokers? A new study suggests that a diet high...
View ArticleHydrolyzed Protein Infant Formulas Don’t Prevent Allergies or Autoimmune...
When family history suggest an infant might be prone to developing allergies or autoimmune disease, the standard advice to parents is often to feed the baby formula in which the protein is broken down,...
View ArticleWho’s Your Daddy? Even With Twins, Inquiring Minds May Want To Know
When a mother gives birth to two non-identical babies, it's usually safe to assume they also had the same father. But that assumption isn't always true. In (hopefully) rare cases, the "twins" are...
View ArticleTo Avoid Heart Disease Forget Diet, Get a Dog
What everyone "knows" is that dog ownership is good for one's health. But are there data to support that? Yes, a preliminary study from Sweden provides some confirming data. Continue reading →
View ArticleLong-Acting Contraceptives Increase Female STD Risk
The use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal implants, while helping protect against unwanted pregnancy, also have their downsides. That's because teens and young women who use them frequently...
View ArticleDrinking Too Much Water as Deadly as Too Little
Warnings about dehydration — especially for elite athletes abound. Water stations are frequent at marathon races. But as a recent report shows, you can have too much of a good thing, and excessive...
View ArticleOuch! Don’t Depend on Acetaminophen for Arthritis Relief
Acetaminophen has become the go-to analgesic for many painful conditions. And when used appropriately, it can be effective for headaches and fever reduction. But it's not useful for inflammatory...
View ArticleIf You Can’t Fight ‘Em … General Mills Adopts GMO Labeling
With the defeat of a federal law designed to prevent 50 individual states from coming up with their own GMO labeling laws, General Mills has decided to switch rather than fight. It's going to label all...
View ArticleFor Ex-Smokers, One CT Scan May Be Enough
Heavy smokers and ex-smokers are at increased risk of lung cancer. Low-dose computed tomography screening can detect tumors at an early stage. But how often should a smoking-compromised person undergo...
View ArticleJapanese Longevity Linked to Healthy Eating
The Japanese population is known for living long lives — and a new study suggests that adherence to that culture's version of a dietary guideline is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause...
View ArticleBlacks & Whites Differ in Smoking Patterns, and Quitting
Black and white Americans, especially men, differ with respect to their risk of lung cancer from smoking exposure. But depending on the metric used, the reasons for this difference is not clear. A new...
View ArticleNew Marker for Identifying Concussions on the Horizon
The topic of concussions has been much in the news of late, and it’s been concerning that the condition can be difficult to discern. But a new blood test may make that diagnosis much simpler and more...
View ArticleStop Blaming Cats for Bad Driving!
Cat-haters are always eager to find reasons to bad-mouth our feline friends. The latest is road rage — blaming a cat-carried parasite for aggressive behavior. But that concept just doesn't hold water....
View ArticleRats Help Save Lives in Africa, Seriously
While on first glance this story appears to be an April Fool's joke, it isn't. Really. The giant African pouched rat may be the latest weapon in the fight to eradicate tuberculosis. It's already proved...
View ArticlePumping Veganism, Ex-Mr. Universe Now a Weakling
A former Mr. Universe claims that going vegan has made him healthier and stronger. But he attained his title on a non-vegan regimen, so how much faith should we put in his claims? Continue reading →
View ArticleFDA Proposes New Useless Regulation on Arsenic In Baby Food
The FDA is now proposing new limits for arsenic in babies' rice cereal — 100 parts per billion. But of the samples now on the market that the agency tested, most were at, or very close to, that level...
View ArticleMaybe Dairy Fat Isn’t So Bad After All
For years, we've been getting advice to lower our consumption of fat to help prevent obesity and related ills. But a new study suggests that one group of fats — those found in whole milk — might...
View ArticleCanadian Food Guide Under Attack — Here’s Why
Canada, like the United States, provides some dietary guidance for its citizens. And again, like the U.S., not everyone is happy with the result. Our northern neighbor has also been experiencing an...
View ArticleBeing Hooked on Hookahs Can Damage Lungs
Hookah smoking has greatly increased in popularity, with hookah bars and lounges attracting the young, in particular. Some may be influenced by the odd belief that passing tobacco smoke through water...
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