Most of us believe that our big brain is what sets humans apart from other species. And that’s what anthropologists thought for decades. All the fossils of our hominid ancestors indicated larger brains.
But everything changed in 1974.
That’s when the fossilized skeleton of a female human ancestor was unearthed in Ethiopia. Scientists called the specimen “Lucy.”
Her remains were 3.2 million years old.… Read More
Fish oil is America’s most popular nutritional supplement. About 19 million of us take it in hopes of staving off heart disease and other serious conditions.[1]
But the science behind it has always been controversial. Some studies show it works. Others don’t.
The confusion extends to doctors. Some enthusiastically recommend fish oil. Others tell patients it’s a waste of money.… Read More
Antidepressant drugs have become so common that it’s easy to forget that they are potent medications that can have serious and disturbing side effects.
About 13% of Americans over age 12 take them regularly. That’s a 65% increase since 1999.[1]
These medications include Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Celexa (citalopram), and Lexapro (escitalpram). A major review from Canada’s McMaster University found that they may be more dangerous than you think.… Read More
Ask anybody who has tried to lose weight…
The worst part is the hunger.
No one wants to deal with an empty, growling stomach while trying to stave off temptation.
But there’s an easier way. Sometimes losing weight is just a matter of eating foods that work for you—not against you.
Some foods naturally suppress your appetite. A little bit of them goes a long way.… Read More
Stopping rheumatoid arthritis pain may be as easy as adding one common food to your diet.
That’s the suggestion of a surprising Harvard study which found that one simple diet fix can treat arthritis. And it might also prevent the debilitating disease from ever developing.[1]
Researchers at Harvard University and the affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston examined the diets of 176 people with rheumatoid arthritis.… Read More
The FDA made big headlines a few years ago when it banned the antibacterial chemical triclosan from hand soaps and body washes.
It’s linked to cancer, thyroid disorders, and fertility problems.[1]
We should all feel safer, right?
Actually, the ban did practically nothing to protect our health. That’s because it’s filled with loopholes to accommodate the chemical and cosmetic industry.… Read More