Couch Potatoes May Head to Early Death: Report
By Nicole Ostrow - Jun 15, 2011 4:00 AM GMT+0800
They found that among a group of 100,000 people, each two-hour increase in television watching per day was associated with 176 new cases of type 2 diabetes, 38 new cases of fatal heart disease and 104 deaths a year. Photographer: Floresco Productions/Getty Images
Watching television, America’s most- popular daily activity after sleeping and working, can raise the risk of diabetes, heart disease and premature death when people do it for too long, according to an analysis of eight studies.
For every two hours of TV viewing, the risk of type 2 diabetes increased 20 percent, the risk of cardiovascular disease rose 15 percent and the risk of early death rose 13 percent, according to the research published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
In the U.S., people watch an average of five hours of television a day, the report found. The findings suggest people reduce their TV viewing in exchange for activities that require more physical exertion to help combat an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle, researchers said.
“Spending too much time watching TV is bad for health,” said Frank Hu, an author of the report and professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, in a June 12 e-mail. “Couch potatoes should be aware of the health hazards of prolonged TV watching habits. Perhaps TV programs or manufacturers should carry a warning label about the health hazards.”
Hu, along with co-author Andres Grontved, a visiting researcher in the Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition, analyzed studies from the U.S., Europe and Australia that linked television viewing with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature death.
104 Deaths
They found that among a group of 100,000 people, each two- hour increase in television watching per day was associated with 176 new cases of type 2 diabetes, 38 new cases of fatal heart disease and 104 deaths a year. Europeans and Australians spent an average three to four hours watching TV each day, less than Americans.
Lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet and obesity can explain the higher risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death in those who watch television, Hu said.
“Sedentary lifestyle, especially prolonged TV watching, is clearly an important and modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” Grontved said in a statement. “Future research should also look into the effects of extensive use of new media devices on energy balance and chronic disease risk.”
More than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes and about 90 percent of them have type 2, where the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, according to the World Health Organization. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death worldwide, killing more than 17 million people each year, according to WHO. By 2030, more than 23 million people will die from cardiovascular diseases, mainly from heart disease and stroke, according to the organization.
Life Balance
Jen Brennan, clinical nutrition manager at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, said in a June 10 telephone interview that people need to balance their TV viewing with good diet and exercise.
“I do believe it comes down to choices people are making in their lives,” said Brennan, who wasn’t an author of today’s report. “People need to learn to make healthy lifestyle choices. If they’re choosing to incorporate television into their life, they need to be mindful of the way they’re eating and their other activity throughout the day so they maintain balance in their lives.”
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
7 Ways to Prepare for Alzheimer's Disease
Learn the Facts and Risks of the Progressive Brain Disorder
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common brain disorder among those 85 and older. It affects all types of memory function – from recognizing loved ones to tying your shoes. We asked doctors, attorneys and elder-care specialists for advice on spotting telltale signs of dementia and how to put financial and medical stopgaps in place for you and your family…
It starts with simple loss of memory – forgotten words and names, lost objects. Over time, people with Alzheimer’s disease forget the past, their loved ones and how to do simple activities.
Not only does Alzheimer’s disease cause a person to decline slowly, it also requires care for as many as 10-15 years – draining loved ones of energy and often depleting life’s savings.
“Anyone who’s watched a loved one go through Alzheimer’s disease feels traumatized,” says Richard Caselli, M.D., professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic Arizona and clinical core director for the Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “It’s frightening to see a capable person brought to total dependency.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the second-most feared illness among Americans, trailing only cancer, according to a February 2011 telephone survey of 1,007 Americans conducted by Harris Interactive for the MetLife Foundation.
Of those surveyed, few had done any planning for long-term illness. Only 41% had talked to their families about the possibility of suffering a brain disorder. Just 21% had made financial arrangements, and only 33% had considered care options.
But, experts agree, it’s best to plan for Alzheimer’s before signs of dementia hit. In fact, you should consider these issues as you plan for retirement, says Rajiv Nagaich, an elder law attorney in the Seattle area and a board member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys.
Use your fear to take action, advises Lauren Kessler, author of Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer’s (Viking Adult). After her mother died from the disease, she worked in an Alzheimer’s care facility.
First, learn about the brain disorder, Kessler advises. Then follow these 7 expert-recommended tips.
1. Understand the risks.
Statistics tell only part of the story. As many as 5.4 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease, and deaths from the illness rose by 66% between 2000 and 2008, according to the Alzheimer’s Association (AA).
If your parent has or had Alzheimer’s disease, you’re at a greater risk for signs of dementia.
Alzheimer’s research has identified a gene called APOE-e4 which may be responsible for as many as 25% of Alzheimer’s cases, according to the AA.
But most doctors don’t recommend genetic testing – even if your relatives had Alzheimer's.
That’s because APOE-e4 is “not a perfect predictor,” Caselli says. “It doesn’t tell us when, or if, somebody will develop Alzheimer’s disease.”
The greatest risk factor is something you can’t prevent: old age.
According to the AA, most people with the disease are age 65 or older, and the risk of developing it doubles every five years after that. Of Americans aged 65 and over, 1 in 8 has Alzheimer’s, and nearly half of people aged 85 and older have signs of dementia.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s – which strikes before age 65 – has a stronger genetic link. But it's also relatively rare, accounting for fewer than 5% of all cases.
2. Keep your heart healthy.
Protecting your heart can reduce risk slightly, says Deborah Blacker, ScD, M.D., director of the Gerontology Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
“Anything you can do to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease,” such as eating well and exercising, reduces your risk of dementia, she says.
Observational studies – based on autopsies of Alzheimer’s patients – indicate this may be because vascular damage to the brain (such as that caused by small strokes) can add to signs of dementia.
A 2004 study of 153 deceased members of the Catholic clergy – known as the Religious Orders Study –found the presence of one or more infarctions (death of tissue due to obstructed blood supply) increased risk of dementia by 2.8-fold.
Each heartbeat pumps 20%-25% of your body’s blood to your head. Your brain cells rely on this blood as a source of food and oxygen, making the health of your heart vital to mental acuity.
3. Watch for confusion or personality changes.
Don’t worry about occasional memory lapses, says Caselli.
“We all lose our keys or forget an appointment from time to time.”
Signs of dementia go beyond simple loss of memory.
“If you – or those around you – see a change in use of language, movement or judgment, it’s time to get things checked out,” he says. The exact changes will be different for everyone, he adds. But the time to become concerned is when they’re noticeable and affect daily life.
Here are some visible red flags of Alzheimer’s disease:
• Loss of memory that disrupts daily life
• Difficulty planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time and place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• New problems remembering words
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood or personality
4. Talk to your family.
“You need to have a discussion with your children about illness in general, before the disease strikes,” Kessler says.
Tell your family your wishes, and speak with them openly about how you want your care to be handled if you get a brain disorder and your judgment is impaired.
“Alzheimer’s is a family affair,” Caselli says. “The patient doesn’t make decisions or manage his own care. It’s the caretaker who drives him, looks after his finances and supervises him round the clock.”
5. Make legal and financial decisions early.
“Whether or not you’re at risk for a brain disorder, it’s wise to prepare for long-term disability,” Caselli says. “There are other conditions (such as stroke, cancer and heart disease) that can disable you, and it can happen to any of us.”
It’s best to consult a financial planner or lawyer with a specialty in elder law, says Nagaich.
“The most critical thing is to set up your estate so you don’t become a burden on children and loved ones,” he says.
Ask your lawyer or financial planner to investigate whether you qualify for Medicaid or veteran’s benefits. (Medicare will not cover long-term care, he says.) Look into setting up a trust or purchasing long-term care insurance for your family to draw from if they need to pay for your care.
Also consider setting up a power of attorney so your family can step in and manage your affairs. Consider adding a requirement that all medical decisions be made by your family in consultation with a geriatric care manager, Nagaich suggests.
“A geriatric care manager helps your family navigate medical issues,” he explains. “She may be able to select the least expensive and most appropriate help.”
Your attorney or financial planner can recommend someone, he says, or you can find one through the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
6. Research long-term care.
Many people are scared of ending life in a long-term care facility. But for people with Alzheimer’s disease, it may be the best option, Caselli says.
“There can be a lot less stress and better quality of life for people with the disease if they’re in a place scientifically designed to deal with a person with Alzheimer’s,” Kessler says.
For example, she says, when someone with Alzheimer’s disease is cared for at home and starts to wander, the response is usually to lock the doors.
“Imagine how frustrating it must be when every door you try to open is locked,” she says. “You don’t have the language to express how you feel, so you tend to act out.”
In the long-term care facility where Kessler worked, “there was one locked door,” she says. “But there were plenty of other doors. People were able to walk off their stress.”
When planning for retirement, consider a complex for seniors with a “step-up” facility that offers more services, such as skilled nursing or memory care. This allows you to choose where you’ll be cared for.
If you’re not ready for that, it’s still a good idea to know which facilities are available in your area, and how you’ll pay for them, if needed.
7. Get tested.
Even though detecting Alzheimer’s disease early won’t stop it, medications can delay worsening of symptoms for 6-12 months, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
But “it’s better to be diagnosed early,” Caselli says. “We can’t slow the progression of a brain disorder, but we can help you make plans. You can avoid all kinds of problems: taking medications the wrong way, driving when it’s not safe.”
If you’re concerned, start by visiting your family physician, who may refer you to a neurologist, psychologist, or psychiatrist for further testing. Alzheimer’s research hasn’t come up with a single test, but your doctor can perform a variety of different ones.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, these tests combined can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease with 90% accuracy:
• Analysis of your complete medical history
• Tests of your mental status. These will include a mini-mental state exam (MMSE), which is a series of questions designed to test everyday mental skills, and a mini-cog, which tests cognitive skills such as memory.
• A complete physical and neurological examination
• Blood tests and brain imaging to rule out other conditions
.
How Much Do You Know About Alzheimer's Diease?
More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and that number could climb to 16 million by 2050. Women face a higher risk of developing it than men, and are also more likely to become caregivers.
By Ellen Wlody, Special to Lifescript
Published June 05, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common brain disorder among those 85 and older. It affects all types of memory function – from recognizing loved ones to tying your shoes. We asked doctors, attorneys and elder-care specialists for advice on spotting telltale signs of dementia and how to put financial and medical stopgaps in place for you and your family…
It starts with simple loss of memory – forgotten words and names, lost objects. Over time, people with Alzheimer’s disease forget the past, their loved ones and how to do simple activities.
Not only does Alzheimer’s disease cause a person to decline slowly, it also requires care for as many as 10-15 years – draining loved ones of energy and often depleting life’s savings.
“Anyone who’s watched a loved one go through Alzheimer’s disease feels traumatized,” says Richard Caselli, M.D., professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic Arizona and clinical core director for the Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “It’s frightening to see a capable person brought to total dependency.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the second-most feared illness among Americans, trailing only cancer, according to a February 2011 telephone survey of 1,007 Americans conducted by Harris Interactive for the MetLife Foundation.
Of those surveyed, few had done any planning for long-term illness. Only 41% had talked to their families about the possibility of suffering a brain disorder. Just 21% had made financial arrangements, and only 33% had considered care options.
But, experts agree, it’s best to plan for Alzheimer’s before signs of dementia hit. In fact, you should consider these issues as you plan for retirement, says Rajiv Nagaich, an elder law attorney in the Seattle area and a board member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys.
Use your fear to take action, advises Lauren Kessler, author of Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer’s (Viking Adult). After her mother died from the disease, she worked in an Alzheimer’s care facility.
First, learn about the brain disorder, Kessler advises. Then follow these 7 expert-recommended tips.
1. Understand the risks.
Statistics tell only part of the story. As many as 5.4 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease, and deaths from the illness rose by 66% between 2000 and 2008, according to the Alzheimer’s Association (AA).
If your parent has or had Alzheimer’s disease, you’re at a greater risk for signs of dementia.
Alzheimer’s research has identified a gene called APOE-e4 which may be responsible for as many as 25% of Alzheimer’s cases, according to the AA.
But most doctors don’t recommend genetic testing – even if your relatives had Alzheimer's.
That’s because APOE-e4 is “not a perfect predictor,” Caselli says. “It doesn’t tell us when, or if, somebody will develop Alzheimer’s disease.”
The greatest risk factor is something you can’t prevent: old age.
According to the AA, most people with the disease are age 65 or older, and the risk of developing it doubles every five years after that. Of Americans aged 65 and over, 1 in 8 has Alzheimer’s, and nearly half of people aged 85 and older have signs of dementia.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s – which strikes before age 65 – has a stronger genetic link. But it's also relatively rare, accounting for fewer than 5% of all cases.
2. Keep your heart healthy.
Protecting your heart can reduce risk slightly, says Deborah Blacker, ScD, M.D., director of the Gerontology Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
“Anything you can do to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease,” such as eating well and exercising, reduces your risk of dementia, she says.
Observational studies – based on autopsies of Alzheimer’s patients – indicate this may be because vascular damage to the brain (such as that caused by small strokes) can add to signs of dementia.
A 2004 study of 153 deceased members of the Catholic clergy – known as the Religious Orders Study –found the presence of one or more infarctions (death of tissue due to obstructed blood supply) increased risk of dementia by 2.8-fold.
Each heartbeat pumps 20%-25% of your body’s blood to your head. Your brain cells rely on this blood as a source of food and oxygen, making the health of your heart vital to mental acuity.
3. Watch for confusion or personality changes.
Don’t worry about occasional memory lapses, says Caselli.
“We all lose our keys or forget an appointment from time to time.”
Signs of dementia go beyond simple loss of memory.
“If you – or those around you – see a change in use of language, movement or judgment, it’s time to get things checked out,” he says. The exact changes will be different for everyone, he adds. But the time to become concerned is when they’re noticeable and affect daily life.
Here are some visible red flags of Alzheimer’s disease:
• Loss of memory that disrupts daily life
• Difficulty planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time and place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
• New problems remembering words
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood or personality
4. Talk to your family.
“You need to have a discussion with your children about illness in general, before the disease strikes,” Kessler says.
Tell your family your wishes, and speak with them openly about how you want your care to be handled if you get a brain disorder and your judgment is impaired.
“Alzheimer’s is a family affair,” Caselli says. “The patient doesn’t make decisions or manage his own care. It’s the caretaker who drives him, looks after his finances and supervises him round the clock.”
5. Make legal and financial decisions early.
“Whether or not you’re at risk for a brain disorder, it’s wise to prepare for long-term disability,” Caselli says. “There are other conditions (such as stroke, cancer and heart disease) that can disable you, and it can happen to any of us.”
It’s best to consult a financial planner or lawyer with a specialty in elder law, says Nagaich.
“The most critical thing is to set up your estate so you don’t become a burden on children and loved ones,” he says.
Ask your lawyer or financial planner to investigate whether you qualify for Medicaid or veteran’s benefits. (Medicare will not cover long-term care, he says.) Look into setting up a trust or purchasing long-term care insurance for your family to draw from if they need to pay for your care.
Also consider setting up a power of attorney so your family can step in and manage your affairs. Consider adding a requirement that all medical decisions be made by your family in consultation with a geriatric care manager, Nagaich suggests.
“A geriatric care manager helps your family navigate medical issues,” he explains. “She may be able to select the least expensive and most appropriate help.”
Your attorney or financial planner can recommend someone, he says, or you can find one through the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.
6. Research long-term care.
Many people are scared of ending life in a long-term care facility. But for people with Alzheimer’s disease, it may be the best option, Caselli says.
“There can be a lot less stress and better quality of life for people with the disease if they’re in a place scientifically designed to deal with a person with Alzheimer’s,” Kessler says.
For example, she says, when someone with Alzheimer’s disease is cared for at home and starts to wander, the response is usually to lock the doors.
“Imagine how frustrating it must be when every door you try to open is locked,” she says. “You don’t have the language to express how you feel, so you tend to act out.”
In the long-term care facility where Kessler worked, “there was one locked door,” she says. “But there were plenty of other doors. People were able to walk off their stress.”
When planning for retirement, consider a complex for seniors with a “step-up” facility that offers more services, such as skilled nursing or memory care. This allows you to choose where you’ll be cared for.
If you’re not ready for that, it’s still a good idea to know which facilities are available in your area, and how you’ll pay for them, if needed.
7. Get tested.
Even though detecting Alzheimer’s disease early won’t stop it, medications can delay worsening of symptoms for 6-12 months, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
But “it’s better to be diagnosed early,” Caselli says. “We can’t slow the progression of a brain disorder, but we can help you make plans. You can avoid all kinds of problems: taking medications the wrong way, driving when it’s not safe.”
If you’re concerned, start by visiting your family physician, who may refer you to a neurologist, psychologist, or psychiatrist for further testing. Alzheimer’s research hasn’t come up with a single test, but your doctor can perform a variety of different ones.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, these tests combined can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease with 90% accuracy:
• Analysis of your complete medical history
• Tests of your mental status. These will include a mini-mental state exam (MMSE), which is a series of questions designed to test everyday mental skills, and a mini-cog, which tests cognitive skills such as memory.
• A complete physical and neurological examination
• Blood tests and brain imaging to rule out other conditions
.
How Much Do You Know About Alzheimer's Diease?
More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and that number could climb to 16 million by 2050. Women face a higher risk of developing it than men, and are also more likely to become caregivers.
By Ellen Wlody, Special to Lifescript
Published June 05, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Is Your Cell Phone Harming Your Health?
That cell phone you’re carrying in your purse has been linked to serious health problems like infertility, and now a new World Health Organization (WHO) study says they may cause brain tumors. Learn which phones have the highest radiation ratings and 10 tips to reduce your exposure. Plus, what really causes cancer? Test your knowledge with our quiz…
Many of us feel like we can't live without cell phones. We use them to keep in touch with friends, check in with our kids and stay on top of email. But could these miraculous little devices make us sick in return?
In the past several years, studies have warned that phone radiation could be dangerous and even cause cancer, spurring some experts to call for safety regulations.
On Tuesday, World Health Organization (WHO) cancer experts said that scientific evidence links cell phone use as “possibly carcinogenic.”
“It’s time to start demanding safer cell phones from manufacturers and higher safety standards from U.S. regulators – not to try and remove them from society,” says Devra Davis, Ph.D., former epidemiology professor at University of Pittsburgh and author of Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family (Penguin Group).
Still, many researchers and government agencies dispute the idea that these devices pose major health risks.
Could your phone really harm you? Here’s what you need to know about mobile radiation, along with tips for limiting exposure.
Radiation: A fact of wireless life
All cell phones, cordless phones and wireless computers emit radiofrequency (RF) energy, a form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
Very high levels of some kinds of electromagnetic energy – for example, the type you’d get from X-rays – can be harmful, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That’s because they’re considered ionizing, meaning they increase chemical activity inside your body’s cells.
But cell phones produce low levels of EMR, which are considered non-ionizing.
Most cell phone RF energy comes from its antenna, which sends and receives your voice and text messages, says Kerry Crofton, Ph.D., author of Wireless Radiation Rescue: Safeguarding Your Family from the Risks of Electro-Pollution (Global Well-Being Books).
That means the closer the antenna is to the head, the greater a person’s exposure, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The amount can change based on a variety of factors, like the strength of the phone signal. The farther you are from a cell-phone tower, the more RF energy is needed to connect the call, which results in more exposure.
And you don’t even have to be on a call to be exposed to RF energy.
“Even if your phone is on standby, its antenna still sends and receives signals with cell towers,” Crofton says.
Your phone’s radiation rating
The amount of RF energy absorbed by your body is usually measured as “specific absorption rate” (SAR), which can vary widely between devices.
Cell phones sold in the U.S. can’t have a SAR rating higher than 1.60 watts per kilogram (W/kg) of RF energy, according to FCC regulations. The newest “smart” phones often have higher SAR ratings than simpler models.
You can find your device’s SAR rating on its packaging documents and online at the Environmental Working Group website. Here are the top 10 of the EWR’s ratings, from lowest to highest:
1. Motorola Brute i680 0.86 W/kg
2. Pantech Impact 0.92 W/kg
3. Samsung Mythic (SGH-A897) 1.08 W/kg
4. Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR 1.10 W/kg
5. Samsung Instinct HD (SPH-M850) 1.16 W/kg
6. Apple iPhone 3GS 1.19 W/kg
7. HTC Nexus One by Google 1.39 W/kg
8. LG Chocolate Touch (VX8575) 1.46 W/kg
9. Motorola Droid 1.50 W/kg
10. Blackberry Bold 9700 1.55 W/kg
Health risk or scare?
Several studies in recent years – though mostly on animals, and many in labs outside the U.S. – suggest we're at risk for health issues, including cancer, from exposure to low-level RF energy from cell phones.
People who had used a cell phone for more than 10 years had a slightly higher risk of a certain brain tumor, called a glioma, on the side of the head where they held their phone, according to a 2007 Swedish study published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Children and teens may be more vulnerable, in part because their smaller heads and thinner skulls may result in a more concentrated dose of radiation, according to some other overseas studies.
For example, a 2009 Israeli study published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology reported that salivary gland cancer occurs more often in patients under age 20, which researchers attributed to cell phone use. (The gland is under the ear, close to where devices are held.)
And yet, many scientists, as well as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), say that in most cases, further research hasn’t reproduced the findings. In fact, most published studies don’t link RF energy from cell phones with cancer.
Hans Schantz, Ph.D., an Alabama physicist who specializes in radiofrequency and electromagnetic energy, points out that much of the research on radiation’s impact hasn’t examined humans, but either rats or “head models” meant to approximate how the energy is absorbed.
“A head model isn’t the same as a human head,” Schantz says. “And consumers need to realize that many of these studies aren’t conducted on humans of any kind.”
In 2010, the largest cell phone study to date – a 13-nation survey called Interphone – didn’t find an increased cancer risk in most users.
But it didn’t give a perfect bill of health, either. The research showed that people who used their cell phone most – more than half an hour per day for over 10 years – were slightly more likely to develop brain cancer.
More health concerns
Meanwhile, RF energy exposure from cell phones clearly affects the body, according to the FCC.
The most common concern is “heating of tissue,” which is why your ear gets warm if you’ve been holding a cell phone to it for a long time. The radiation causes tissue molecules to vibrate faster, like the way a microwave oven cooks food.
Two areas of the body – eyes and testes – are especially vulnerable to tissue heating because there’s little blood flow in them to reduce temperature, according to the FDA.
Testicular heating – a concern for men who carry their phones in their pockets – is linked with lowered fertility in men. An increased chance of cataracts is another potential risk, although the connection hasn't been proved.
Effects on the brain are another potential concern, at least in children. A Danish study of 28,000 7-year-olds found that those whose mothers regularly used mobile phones while pregnant were more likely to have behavioral problems, especially if the kids used phones themselves at an early age. However, the researchers wrote that it would be “premature” to say that the phones themselves were the cause.
Then there’s an issue that has nothing to do with radiation: Phones can cause contact dermatitis, usually due to an allergy to their nickel content, says Luz Fonacier, M.D., head of allergy and immunology at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., who presented the issue of “cell phone rash” to a 2010 meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
If you get a rash from your phone, prevent skin contact by keeping it in a plastic cover. Since they’re notorious for harboring germs, frequently clean the screen and buttons with an antibacterial wipe.
More research needed
Davis maintains that while she can’t say cell phones are dangerous, there hasn’t been enough independent research to say they aren’t, either.
British scientists behind a massive study by the Imperial College of London, which will track the health of 250,000 cell-phone users over 20-30 years, put it this way: “The widespread use of mobile phones is a relatively recent phenomenon. There are still significant uncertainties that can only be resolved by monitoring the health of a large [number] of phone users over a long period of time.”
How to reduce your exposure
Meanwhile, for those who take the “better safe than sorry” approach, these 10 tips can limit exposure to cell phone radiation, Crofton says.
1. Head for land. Use an old-fashioned land line phone (with a wire) when you can. Don’t have a land line at home? You may want to reconsider, Crofton says.
2. Keep your distance. Use a hands-free earpiece or your phone’s speaker mode. One caveat: Hands-free devices using Bluetooth technology also have a wireless transmitter, exposing the user to RF energy. But they emit a lower amount than cell phones, so these hands-free devices are still safer.
3. Let your fingers do the talking. Texting on your cell phone, rather than talking, also keeps the device away from your head. Just don’t text while driving.
4. Shut down. Keep your device powered off whenever you don’t need it.
5. Carry the device with the antenna facing away from you. Keep the front (or keyboard side) facing you and the back (or antenna side) facing outward, which directs radiation away from your body.
6. Keep the phone in your briefcase. To avoid testicular tissue heating, men should avoid carrying cell phones in their pant pockets (and resting laptops on their laps).
7. Skip surfing. Limit or avoid surfing the Internet using your phone, or disable its wireless function.
8. Keep it fully charged. Your cell phone has to “amp” up more if the battery is weak or reception is poor, increasing radiation emission.
9. Pass over the nightstand. Don’t leave your cell phone near your bed when you sleep. And use a battery-operated alarm clock to wake you up, instead of your phone.
10. Try an app. Companies are starting to develop phone applications that can measure radiation levels – such as Tawkon, which combines your phone’s SAR rating with information on how you use it in relation to your body. (It’s available for the BlackBerry and some Android phones, but not the iPhone.)
What Really Causes Cancer? Myths vs. Facts
Cell phones, makeup, bug spray, and even fresh produce all have been rumored to cause cancer. But should you believe every cancer myth you hear? When it comes to protecting yourself from cancer, you need to separate fact from fiction. How much do you know about those everyday cancer risks?
By Gina Roberts-Grey, Special to Lifescript
Published June 01, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Many of us feel like we can't live without cell phones. We use them to keep in touch with friends, check in with our kids and stay on top of email. But could these miraculous little devices make us sick in return?
In the past several years, studies have warned that phone radiation could be dangerous and even cause cancer, spurring some experts to call for safety regulations.
On Tuesday, World Health Organization (WHO) cancer experts said that scientific evidence links cell phone use as “possibly carcinogenic.”
“It’s time to start demanding safer cell phones from manufacturers and higher safety standards from U.S. regulators – not to try and remove them from society,” says Devra Davis, Ph.D., former epidemiology professor at University of Pittsburgh and author of Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family (Penguin Group).
Still, many researchers and government agencies dispute the idea that these devices pose major health risks.
Could your phone really harm you? Here’s what you need to know about mobile radiation, along with tips for limiting exposure.
Radiation: A fact of wireless life
All cell phones, cordless phones and wireless computers emit radiofrequency (RF) energy, a form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR).
Very high levels of some kinds of electromagnetic energy – for example, the type you’d get from X-rays – can be harmful, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That’s because they’re considered ionizing, meaning they increase chemical activity inside your body’s cells.
But cell phones produce low levels of EMR, which are considered non-ionizing.
Most cell phone RF energy comes from its antenna, which sends and receives your voice and text messages, says Kerry Crofton, Ph.D., author of Wireless Radiation Rescue: Safeguarding Your Family from the Risks of Electro-Pollution (Global Well-Being Books).
That means the closer the antenna is to the head, the greater a person’s exposure, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The amount can change based on a variety of factors, like the strength of the phone signal. The farther you are from a cell-phone tower, the more RF energy is needed to connect the call, which results in more exposure.
And you don’t even have to be on a call to be exposed to RF energy.
“Even if your phone is on standby, its antenna still sends and receives signals with cell towers,” Crofton says.
Your phone’s radiation rating
The amount of RF energy absorbed by your body is usually measured as “specific absorption rate” (SAR), which can vary widely between devices.
Cell phones sold in the U.S. can’t have a SAR rating higher than 1.60 watts per kilogram (W/kg) of RF energy, according to FCC regulations. The newest “smart” phones often have higher SAR ratings than simpler models.
You can find your device’s SAR rating on its packaging documents and online at the Environmental Working Group website. Here are the top 10 of the EWR’s ratings, from lowest to highest:
1. Motorola Brute i680 0.86 W/kg
2. Pantech Impact 0.92 W/kg
3. Samsung Mythic (SGH-A897) 1.08 W/kg
4. Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR 1.10 W/kg
5. Samsung Instinct HD (SPH-M850) 1.16 W/kg
6. Apple iPhone 3GS 1.19 W/kg
7. HTC Nexus One by Google 1.39 W/kg
8. LG Chocolate Touch (VX8575) 1.46 W/kg
9. Motorola Droid 1.50 W/kg
10. Blackberry Bold 9700 1.55 W/kg
Health risk or scare?
Several studies in recent years – though mostly on animals, and many in labs outside the U.S. – suggest we're at risk for health issues, including cancer, from exposure to low-level RF energy from cell phones.
People who had used a cell phone for more than 10 years had a slightly higher risk of a certain brain tumor, called a glioma, on the side of the head where they held their phone, according to a 2007 Swedish study published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Children and teens may be more vulnerable, in part because their smaller heads and thinner skulls may result in a more concentrated dose of radiation, according to some other overseas studies.
For example, a 2009 Israeli study published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology reported that salivary gland cancer occurs more often in patients under age 20, which researchers attributed to cell phone use. (The gland is under the ear, close to where devices are held.)
And yet, many scientists, as well as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), say that in most cases, further research hasn’t reproduced the findings. In fact, most published studies don’t link RF energy from cell phones with cancer.
Hans Schantz, Ph.D., an Alabama physicist who specializes in radiofrequency and electromagnetic energy, points out that much of the research on radiation’s impact hasn’t examined humans, but either rats or “head models” meant to approximate how the energy is absorbed.
“A head model isn’t the same as a human head,” Schantz says. “And consumers need to realize that many of these studies aren’t conducted on humans of any kind.”
In 2010, the largest cell phone study to date – a 13-nation survey called Interphone – didn’t find an increased cancer risk in most users.
But it didn’t give a perfect bill of health, either. The research showed that people who used their cell phone most – more than half an hour per day for over 10 years – were slightly more likely to develop brain cancer.
More health concerns
Meanwhile, RF energy exposure from cell phones clearly affects the body, according to the FCC.
The most common concern is “heating of tissue,” which is why your ear gets warm if you’ve been holding a cell phone to it for a long time. The radiation causes tissue molecules to vibrate faster, like the way a microwave oven cooks food.
Two areas of the body – eyes and testes – are especially vulnerable to tissue heating because there’s little blood flow in them to reduce temperature, according to the FDA.
Testicular heating – a concern for men who carry their phones in their pockets – is linked with lowered fertility in men. An increased chance of cataracts is another potential risk, although the connection hasn't been proved.
Effects on the brain are another potential concern, at least in children. A Danish study of 28,000 7-year-olds found that those whose mothers regularly used mobile phones while pregnant were more likely to have behavioral problems, especially if the kids used phones themselves at an early age. However, the researchers wrote that it would be “premature” to say that the phones themselves were the cause.
Then there’s an issue that has nothing to do with radiation: Phones can cause contact dermatitis, usually due to an allergy to their nickel content, says Luz Fonacier, M.D., head of allergy and immunology at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., who presented the issue of “cell phone rash” to a 2010 meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
If you get a rash from your phone, prevent skin contact by keeping it in a plastic cover. Since they’re notorious for harboring germs, frequently clean the screen and buttons with an antibacterial wipe.
More research needed
Davis maintains that while she can’t say cell phones are dangerous, there hasn’t been enough independent research to say they aren’t, either.
British scientists behind a massive study by the Imperial College of London, which will track the health of 250,000 cell-phone users over 20-30 years, put it this way: “The widespread use of mobile phones is a relatively recent phenomenon. There are still significant uncertainties that can only be resolved by monitoring the health of a large [number] of phone users over a long period of time.”
How to reduce your exposure
Meanwhile, for those who take the “better safe than sorry” approach, these 10 tips can limit exposure to cell phone radiation, Crofton says.
1. Head for land. Use an old-fashioned land line phone (with a wire) when you can. Don’t have a land line at home? You may want to reconsider, Crofton says.
2. Keep your distance. Use a hands-free earpiece or your phone’s speaker mode. One caveat: Hands-free devices using Bluetooth technology also have a wireless transmitter, exposing the user to RF energy. But they emit a lower amount than cell phones, so these hands-free devices are still safer.
3. Let your fingers do the talking. Texting on your cell phone, rather than talking, also keeps the device away from your head. Just don’t text while driving.
4. Shut down. Keep your device powered off whenever you don’t need it.
5. Carry the device with the antenna facing away from you. Keep the front (or keyboard side) facing you and the back (or antenna side) facing outward, which directs radiation away from your body.
6. Keep the phone in your briefcase. To avoid testicular tissue heating, men should avoid carrying cell phones in their pant pockets (and resting laptops on their laps).
7. Skip surfing. Limit or avoid surfing the Internet using your phone, or disable its wireless function.
8. Keep it fully charged. Your cell phone has to “amp” up more if the battery is weak or reception is poor, increasing radiation emission.
9. Pass over the nightstand. Don’t leave your cell phone near your bed when you sleep. And use a battery-operated alarm clock to wake you up, instead of your phone.
10. Try an app. Companies are starting to develop phone applications that can measure radiation levels – such as Tawkon, which combines your phone’s SAR rating with information on how you use it in relation to your body. (It’s available for the BlackBerry and some Android phones, but not the iPhone.)
What Really Causes Cancer? Myths vs. Facts
Cell phones, makeup, bug spray, and even fresh produce all have been rumored to cause cancer. But should you believe every cancer myth you hear? When it comes to protecting yourself from cancer, you need to separate fact from fiction. How much do you know about those everyday cancer risks?
By Gina Roberts-Grey, Special to Lifescript
Published June 01, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D.
Medical Myths That Can Kill You
Some health myths are harmless. But some can kill you if you don’t get the facts from a doctor. In this Lifescript exclusive, NBC News medical correspondent Nancy Snyderman, M.D., debunks the most dangerous health misconceptions – and shares secrets that could save your life. Plus, test your women’s health IQ with our quiz...
Myths can steer people toward illness, hardship and even death, says Snyderman, in her book Medical Myths That Can Kill You (Crown Publishers). From tetanus shots to colonoscopies, the book helps readers manage their medical destinies by disproving common beliefs that can send us to the morgue before our time.
In this exclusive interview with Lifescript, Snyderman, a practicing physician and chief medical editor for NBC News, reveals the most lethal misconceptions we tend to have about our health.
She also gives us the lowdown on whether widely circulated warnings (like coloring your hair when you’re pregnant can harm the baby).
Myth #1: Doctors don’t play favorites.
What’s the greatest threat to women’s lives? A lack of assertiveness with doctors and other medical personnel, Snyderman says.
As patients, we like to believe that physicians treat everyone with equal care and concern, but they don’t, Snyderman says.
“There are inherent biases in health care, whether it’s racism or sexism or ageism.”
Such discrimination means some groups of patients get short shrift when they most need the best care.
For example, obese women often receive inadequate doses of chemotherapy because doctors discount them for being overweight, Snyderman says. The same holds true for poor women.
The long-term solution? Women should see as many different physicians as possible until they find one who takes their complaints seriously and shows dedication to healing them.
In the short term? Women need to speak up and insist on attention and care from doctors and nurses. “When it comes to navigating the health care system, good manners are not conducive to good health.”
For example, if you’re going to the emergency room, take someone with you, so you’ll have an advocate who can speak up for you when you’re weak or incapacitated.
Myth #2: You can skip annual check-ups.
Wrong! You should visit a primary care doctor every year and make sure their services and tests are tailored to your sex, age and risks based on family history.
Annual tests are one reason her father is still alive, Snyderman says. Her grandfather died of colon cancer in his 60s, so at every annual check-up her father insisted on getting a sigmoidoscopy, an exam of the lower colon.
When the colonoscopy - a more accurate test - became available, he told his doctor he wanted one.
It revealed a cancerous mass in his intestines, which the sigmoidoscopy might have missed.
Because he demanded the colonoscopy and caught the problem early, he survived treatment and has remained healthy for the last 21 years, Snyderman says.
Snyderman also stresses the importance of routine checks, such as blood pressure and urinalysis, which help detect problems before they turn into crises.
Because many of us forget to schedule yearly exams, pick a memorable date, like your birthday, to make the appointment, she says.
Myth #3: Adults don’t need shots.
Shots are not just for kids. Some 70,000 U.S. adults die every year from causes that vaccinations could have prevented.
Many of us think that once we’ve completed the childhood series of shots for polio, measles and the like, we’re done. But we may need tetanus booster shots, human papillomavirus (HPV) injections to prevent cervical cancer, and even a vaccine against meningitis, a deadly bacterial infection of the brain that tends to strike on college campuses.
If your parents dropped the ball on childhood vaccinations for diseases such as chicken pox and measles, you’re not out of danger. Talk to your doctor about getting immunized.
Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for a detailed rundown of what you need.
Myth #4: Only old people get heart disease and stroke.
Heart attacks strike only elderly, paunchy middle-aged men, right? Not necessarily. Strokes, which occur when there’s a stoppage of blood flow to the brain, also can affect young people.
If you’re not a member of either of those groups, you could still be at risk. Everyone should begin heart checks at age 20, the American Heart Association says.
That’s because problems that lead to arteriosclerosis, the buildup that blocks blood flow to the heart, can start when you’re young − a possible consequence of factors such as a fat-laden diet, smoking and obesity.
In fact, Snyderman attributes her own heart problem, discovered when she was in her 50s, to careless eating habits in her youth. (She’s reversed them).
Women should be tested for high blood pressure, cholesterol count and body mass index (BMI). They also need to be aggressive about getting to the emergency room at the first sign of danger, Snyderman says.
Whatever your age, if you experience signs of a heart attack (pressure in the chest or pain radiating from the chest) or stroke (a sudden numbness on one side of the body), get medical help immediately.
Symptoms can differ by gender. In women, heart attacks are often preceded by jaw pain, a feeling of breathing icy air or overwhelming fatigue. Call an ambulance if you have any of these symptoms.
And never drive yourself to the E.R.
“When you arrive with sirens, you’ll get treatment faster,” Snyderman says. “Or walk right up to the desk and say, ‘I think I’m having a heart attack.’ That’s how you get past the paperwork.”
Get more answers to your top heart-health questions here.
Myth #5: Natural means safe.
Two natural, plant-derived substances, Snyderman says, can end lives: tobacco and arsenic.
So what about the hundreds of holistic remedies and diet supplements − from wheat grass juice and blue-green algae to biotin capsules − that health food stores dispense? Is our faith misplaced?
There aren’t easy answers, Snyderman says, because most such products haven’t received the extensive clinical testing that prescription drugs go through before entering the market.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require such trials for natural substances.
If you decide to try natural products, take these sensible steps:
First, be frank with your conventional doctor. Tell him or her what you’re taking and how much, and who else (for example, an herbalist or homeopathic professional) has been giving you advice.
“Everything you put in your mouth can affect something else you’re taking,” she says. Your conventional doctor needs to have all the information before giving you prescription drugs or anesthesia for surgical procedures.
Also, do your homework before you try any natural remedies. “It’s best to look at the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition or the Tufts University website,” Snyderman says. “And remember, medicine is a moving target. Wisdom changes.”
Debunking 6 Small Myths
We compiled a short list of medical urban legends we’d heard for years and asked Snyderman if they’re fact or folklore. Here are her answers:
1. Is coloring your hair while pregnant really dangerous to the fetus?
There’s never been a link between hair coloring and hurting a baby.
2. Is it true you can have one glass of wine per day while pregnant?
Yes, but sip it slowly and have it with food.
3. We hear a lot about people testing their “toxin load.” But do we really have to remove all toxins from our environment? Isn’t some exposure healthy?
We’re all walking around with toxic things inside us, but is it worth testing? No. It’s BS. The only exceptions are if you have a child with a neurological problem or have an old house. It wouldn’t hurt to test for lead. There are simple home tests you can use for that.
4. Can talcum powder really give you ovarian cancer?
An interesting question, because no one knows for sure. As doctors, we used to have talc on our gloves, and we learned to rinse it off because little deposits could show up in the [patient’s] abdominal cavity.
5. Do you really have to drink water right after a massage?
No. And you don’t have to drink eight glasses of water a day either. Drink when you’re thirsty.
6. What do people believe that always surprises you?
That dietary supplements are as good as food. You can’t replace food with supplements.
Myths can steer people toward illness, hardship and even death, says Snyderman, in her book Medical Myths That Can Kill You (Crown Publishers). From tetanus shots to colonoscopies, the book helps readers manage their medical destinies by disproving common beliefs that can send us to the morgue before our time.
In this exclusive interview with Lifescript, Snyderman, a practicing physician and chief medical editor for NBC News, reveals the most lethal misconceptions we tend to have about our health.
She also gives us the lowdown on whether widely circulated warnings (like coloring your hair when you’re pregnant can harm the baby).
Myth #1: Doctors don’t play favorites.
What’s the greatest threat to women’s lives? A lack of assertiveness with doctors and other medical personnel, Snyderman says.
As patients, we like to believe that physicians treat everyone with equal care and concern, but they don’t, Snyderman says.
“There are inherent biases in health care, whether it’s racism or sexism or ageism.”
Such discrimination means some groups of patients get short shrift when they most need the best care.
For example, obese women often receive inadequate doses of chemotherapy because doctors discount them for being overweight, Snyderman says. The same holds true for poor women.
The long-term solution? Women should see as many different physicians as possible until they find one who takes their complaints seriously and shows dedication to healing them.
In the short term? Women need to speak up and insist on attention and care from doctors and nurses. “When it comes to navigating the health care system, good manners are not conducive to good health.”
For example, if you’re going to the emergency room, take someone with you, so you’ll have an advocate who can speak up for you when you’re weak or incapacitated.
Myth #2: You can skip annual check-ups.
Wrong! You should visit a primary care doctor every year and make sure their services and tests are tailored to your sex, age and risks based on family history.
Annual tests are one reason her father is still alive, Snyderman says. Her grandfather died of colon cancer in his 60s, so at every annual check-up her father insisted on getting a sigmoidoscopy, an exam of the lower colon.
When the colonoscopy - a more accurate test - became available, he told his doctor he wanted one.
It revealed a cancerous mass in his intestines, which the sigmoidoscopy might have missed.
Because he demanded the colonoscopy and caught the problem early, he survived treatment and has remained healthy for the last 21 years, Snyderman says.
Snyderman also stresses the importance of routine checks, such as blood pressure and urinalysis, which help detect problems before they turn into crises.
Because many of us forget to schedule yearly exams, pick a memorable date, like your birthday, to make the appointment, she says.
Myth #3: Adults don’t need shots.
Shots are not just for kids. Some 70,000 U.S. adults die every year from causes that vaccinations could have prevented.
Many of us think that once we’ve completed the childhood series of shots for polio, measles and the like, we’re done. But we may need tetanus booster shots, human papillomavirus (HPV) injections to prevent cervical cancer, and even a vaccine against meningitis, a deadly bacterial infection of the brain that tends to strike on college campuses.
If your parents dropped the ball on childhood vaccinations for diseases such as chicken pox and measles, you’re not out of danger. Talk to your doctor about getting immunized.
Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for a detailed rundown of what you need.
Myth #4: Only old people get heart disease and stroke.
Heart attacks strike only elderly, paunchy middle-aged men, right? Not necessarily. Strokes, which occur when there’s a stoppage of blood flow to the brain, also can affect young people.
If you’re not a member of either of those groups, you could still be at risk. Everyone should begin heart checks at age 20, the American Heart Association says.
That’s because problems that lead to arteriosclerosis, the buildup that blocks blood flow to the heart, can start when you’re young − a possible consequence of factors such as a fat-laden diet, smoking and obesity.
In fact, Snyderman attributes her own heart problem, discovered when she was in her 50s, to careless eating habits in her youth. (She’s reversed them).
Women should be tested for high blood pressure, cholesterol count and body mass index (BMI). They also need to be aggressive about getting to the emergency room at the first sign of danger, Snyderman says.
Whatever your age, if you experience signs of a heart attack (pressure in the chest or pain radiating from the chest) or stroke (a sudden numbness on one side of the body), get medical help immediately.
Symptoms can differ by gender. In women, heart attacks are often preceded by jaw pain, a feeling of breathing icy air or overwhelming fatigue. Call an ambulance if you have any of these symptoms.
And never drive yourself to the E.R.
“When you arrive with sirens, you’ll get treatment faster,” Snyderman says. “Or walk right up to the desk and say, ‘I think I’m having a heart attack.’ That’s how you get past the paperwork.”
Get more answers to your top heart-health questions here.
Myth #5: Natural means safe.
Two natural, plant-derived substances, Snyderman says, can end lives: tobacco and arsenic.
So what about the hundreds of holistic remedies and diet supplements − from wheat grass juice and blue-green algae to biotin capsules − that health food stores dispense? Is our faith misplaced?
There aren’t easy answers, Snyderman says, because most such products haven’t received the extensive clinical testing that prescription drugs go through before entering the market.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require such trials for natural substances.
If you decide to try natural products, take these sensible steps:
First, be frank with your conventional doctor. Tell him or her what you’re taking and how much, and who else (for example, an herbalist or homeopathic professional) has been giving you advice.
“Everything you put in your mouth can affect something else you’re taking,” she says. Your conventional doctor needs to have all the information before giving you prescription drugs or anesthesia for surgical procedures.
Also, do your homework before you try any natural remedies. “It’s best to look at the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition or the Tufts University website,” Snyderman says. “And remember, medicine is a moving target. Wisdom changes.”
Debunking 6 Small Myths
We compiled a short list of medical urban legends we’d heard for years and asked Snyderman if they’re fact or folklore. Here are her answers:
1. Is coloring your hair while pregnant really dangerous to the fetus?
There’s never been a link between hair coloring and hurting a baby.
2. Is it true you can have one glass of wine per day while pregnant?
Yes, but sip it slowly and have it with food.
3. We hear a lot about people testing their “toxin load.” But do we really have to remove all toxins from our environment? Isn’t some exposure healthy?
We’re all walking around with toxic things inside us, but is it worth testing? No. It’s BS. The only exceptions are if you have a child with a neurological problem or have an old house. It wouldn’t hurt to test for lead. There are simple home tests you can use for that.
4. Can talcum powder really give you ovarian cancer?
An interesting question, because no one knows for sure. As doctors, we used to have talc on our gloves, and we learned to rinse it off because little deposits could show up in the [patient’s] abdominal cavity.
5. Do you really have to drink water right after a massage?
No. And you don’t have to drink eight glasses of water a day either. Drink when you’re thirsty.
6. What do people believe that always surprises you?
That dietary supplements are as good as food. You can’t replace food with supplements.
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