You let your dog lick your face as you give it a big hug. It seems harmless and affectionate. But is it healthy?
A 2011 Japanese study set out to test the common wisdom that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s.
Researchers took bacterial samples from the teeth of 66 dogs and analyzed them. They discovered that dogs’ mouths were rife with bacteria that can cause disease in humans.… Read More
Stop calling the weightlifters at your gym “muscle heads.” It turns out they may be smarter than you think
A new study shows for the first time that weightlifting can make you more intelligent.1
Australian researchers found that muscle strength is directly related to brain function. They designed a randomized double-blind placebo study of 100 seniors with mild cognitive impairment.… Read More
A massive new study shows that a vegetarian diet is no more heart-healthy than one with meat.1
Rutgers University scientists have painstakingly analyzed the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This is a major research effort that took a detailed look at the health and nutritional status of more than 12,000 Americans.2
The analysis showed that 2.3% of the people in the survey were vegetarians.… Read More
For years, women at risk for osteoporosis had few good options.
Doctors often prescribed drugs like Fosamax (alendronate). It’s the most popular in a class of medications called bisphosphonates. They are supposed to increase bone density by slowing the body’s natural process of bone breakdown.
But a landmark 2012 study in the New England Journal of Medicine exposed the dangers of bisphosphonates.… Read More
For decades, men had to make a terrible choice after being told they had prostate cancer.
They could have surgery to remove their prostate. This often had devastating side effects. Many men were rendered impotent, incontinent, or both.
They could have radiation treatment. This is less invasive. But the side effects could be just as bad as surgery.
Or they could skip the surgery and radiation…and hope the cancer would not spread—and eventually kill them.… Read More
It’s a time-honored rule followed by parents everywhere: If food is dropped on the floor, it’s OK to eat if it’s picked up in less than 5 seconds.
But does the “5-Second Rule” have any basis in reality? Does picking up food quickly thwart germ contamination?
A new university study tested the popular practice. Biologist Donald Schaffner conducted the research at his lab at Rutgers University.… Read More