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Each month we feature one full
article from the current issue of the WELLNESS LETTER, plus our
Ask the Experts column, in addition to brief summaries of the
other articles, listed below.
Tough Questions About a Hard Plastic
Plastics are one of the greatest inventions of all time, and modern-day life depends on them. They are ubiquitous—in everything from lightweight bottles, appliances, home insulation, and electrical wiring to winter coats, car seats, bicycle helmets, medical syringes, and heart stents. But we get many questions from readers about the safety of plastics—especially plastic bottles that contain bisphenol-A. Called BPA for short, this industrial chemical has made headlines lately because of concern that, by mimicking estrogen, it may cause developmental and reproductive problems, among other adverse effects. What risk, if any, does BPA pose? Full
Story
Density: a Mystery Factor in Breast Cancer
Whether a woman will get breast cancer, and if so when, is difficult to predict. An important factor is age—your risk rises with each decade. A family history is another important factor, since breast cancer has genetic components. Early onset of menstruation, having no children, and never breastfeeding raise the risk a little more. Having dense breast tissue, it’s now known, also increases the risk, and so do certain benign breast conditions. Though there’s long been argument about their importance, the latest research confirms that women and their doctors should be aware of these factors. If you have either or both, you may need to be especially vigilant.
That Statin Study
In November a study on statin drugs made news around the world and led many people to wonder if they should start taking the drugs, even if they have normal cholesterol levels. Here is our take on the JUPITER study.
What You Need to Know About Fish Oil Pills
Nearly every month some study links fish and the omega-3 fats they contain with a variety of health benefits, primarily a reduced risk of heart disease. The U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines, the American Heart Association (AHA), the World Health Organization, and other groups around the world recommend eating fish at least twice a week, preferably fish rich in omega-3s, such as salmon and sardines. But most Americans average only 2 or 3 ounces of seafood a week, and they often choose less-fatty types such as canned light tuna, whitefish, and shrimp. Some people simply don’t like fish, or they worry about the mercury, PCBs, and other contaminants sometimes found in fish. Thus, many are turning to fish oil supplements, which are a booming business. If you’re considering the supplements, here are answers to some questions you may have.
Can Creatine Boost Your Athletic Performance?
Of all sports supplements on the market, creatine monohydrate is one of the most popular. It is also one of the most researched. Dozens of controlled studies have been done over the past 10 years, with most finding that it has some benefit, particularly for certain types of sports. But that hardly means you should jump on the creatine bandwagon. Here’s an update.
Crazy Shoes: a Rundown
There are advantages to going barefoot: it increases foot strength and flexibility and may improve balance and gait. Looking at human skeletons from thousands of years ago, scientists concluded in a recent study that feet were healthier before the invention of shoes. Of course, shoes are a practical and social necessity in the modern world. To resolve this dilemma, manufacturers have designed shoes that attempt to mimic going barefoot, or at least remove the negative effects of conventional footwear. There are lots of glowing testimonials from devoted users, but not much scientific data to back the claims. Here are five that caught our eye: Vibram FiveFingers, Vivo Barefoot, Nike Free, Z-Coil, and Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT)
ASK
THE EXPERTS
Our readers ask: How long are you contagious when you have a cold? Are baby carrots made from "deformed carrots" and soaked in chlorine? How good are heel scans for measuring bone density? Is ghee better for you than butter? I know that raw fish can contain parasites, but what about lox and Nova? Full
Story
WELL & INFORMED
Tips, Short Takes, and Other News You Can Use
Top seeds . . . The greatest gift (organ donation).
WELLNESS TIPS
• If you are over 75, you can stop being screened for colon cancer, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Of course, if you have symptoms, previous abnormal test results, or a history of colon cancer, you still need testing, as do people with inflammatory bowel disease or certain inherited disorders.
• If you don’t have time for long workouts, short bouts of exercise can be just as good. A recent British study, for instance, found that 10 three-minute bouts of brisk walking over the course of about five hours were as effective in lowering triglycerides (fats in the blood) and resting blood pressure as one 30-minute bout.
• To lessen eye strain when working at the computer: Keep the monitor at arm’s distance, with the top at eye level so that you look slightly down at the screen. Limit glare by positioning your lamp so it does not reflect in the screen, dimming overhead lights, and closing blinds. Enlarge print size on the screen, as needed. If you wear glasses, have the prescription checked regularly.
• If you have arthritis in your hands, are prone to recurrent tennis elbow, or simply have a weak grip that limits your activities, a hand-grip exercise device may help. Sold in some pharmacies and on the Internet, these devices are usually putty, foam, or gel-like balls, or handle-like grips (sometimes spring-loaded) that you squeeze.
• Drive with special care when it rains after a dry spell. Obviously, driving in the rain can be hazardous, but it’s most risky if the rain occurs after several weeks of dry weather, according to research done at the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley a few years ago.
• Steer clear of total release foggers, also called "bug bombs," used to kill roaches, fleas, and other insects. They can cause acute reactions, including trouble breathing, coughing, nausea, burning eyes, headaches, and dizziness, especially if you return to the room too soon. Moreover, they contain highly flammable ingredients, which can set off explosions.
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