More news on the benefits of tea from British website ThirdAge. They sure know tea over in the UK, but they're not known for their expertise on dental data.
HOWEVER, another article on the same website discusses the "mounting evidence of a link between gum disease and heart disease".
"Don't floss all your teeth; just the ones you want to keep."
-Robert H. Hill, II, D.D.S. (It's also in a Far Side comic.)
Monday, September 24, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Check It, Yo
I was reading TMQ (Gregg Easterbrook), and I was reminded of the important issue of tire pressure. Most drivers do not check this. It's dangerous and causes unnecessary, excess fuel consumption.
Read here on the Car Talk website about how to properly determine your car's recommended tire pressure. Of particular importance is maintaining proper pressure during seasonal changes -
"...if you last had your tire pressure checked in July, when it was 80 degrees outside, and it's now January — and the temperature is minus 20 — your tires may be underinflated by 10 pounds, which is dangerous."
Read here on the Car Talk website about how to properly determine your car's recommended tire pressure. Of particular importance is maintaining proper pressure during seasonal changes -
"...if you last had your tire pressure checked in July, when it was 80 degrees outside, and it's now January — and the temperature is minus 20 — your tires may be underinflated by 10 pounds, which is dangerous."
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Ooh, What's That Smell?
Anyone who knows me personally knows that I obviously do not wear antiperspirant.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IMAGE IS GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING -
That was the "C" in YMCA. After seeing that photo on my friend Alanna's digital camera, I stuck with "A".
Well, not only do you have the benefit of grossing out everyone around you at, oh say, a wedding reception in Istanbul, but you also avoid those nasty yellow armpit stains on your lightly-colored shirts, that is, if you avoid using antiperspirant (whose active ingredient is aluminum).
My cousin/godfather has told me for years that aluminum is toxic and contributes to the development of Alzheimer's. He dissuades his friends and family from using even aluminum foil.
Another article in today's Daily Mail suggests that people forgo deodorant use altogether, and that antiperspirants, in particular, have been linked with increased cancer rates, especially that of the breast.
At the risk of alienating my European readers, uh, that might fly over on the stinkier side of the Atlantic, but not here in the land of 2 showers a day. You might want to try out a natural deodorant like one of those crystals. My uncle John uses one of those and I've never noticed a foul smell coming from his direction.
Definitely cut out the antiperspirants, people. Then my sweatiness won't be such a conspicuous problem, er, trait of mine. Did you ever think about how it would affect me? Did you? Plus less cancer and less Alzheimer's are added bonuses.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IMAGE IS GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING -
That was the "C" in YMCA. After seeing that photo on my friend Alanna's digital camera, I stuck with "A".
Well, not only do you have the benefit of grossing out everyone around you at, oh say, a wedding reception in Istanbul, but you also avoid those nasty yellow armpit stains on your lightly-colored shirts, that is, if you avoid using antiperspirant (whose active ingredient is aluminum).
My cousin/godfather has told me for years that aluminum is toxic and contributes to the development of Alzheimer's. He dissuades his friends and family from using even aluminum foil.
Another article in today's Daily Mail suggests that people forgo deodorant use altogether, and that antiperspirants, in particular, have been linked with increased cancer rates, especially that of the breast.
At the risk of alienating my European readers, uh, that might fly over on the stinkier side of the Atlantic, but not here in the land of 2 showers a day. You might want to try out a natural deodorant like one of those crystals. My uncle John uses one of those and I've never noticed a foul smell coming from his direction.
Definitely cut out the antiperspirants, people. Then my sweatiness won't be such a conspicuous problem, er, trait of mine. Did you ever think about how it would affect me? Did you? Plus less cancer and less Alzheimer's are added bonuses.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll (Are Bad for Your Health)
There's an article in the UK's Daily Mail about a recent study of famous musicians and the likelihood of their early demise. In the first five years of their newfound fame, they are 3 times as likely as their peers to meet an untimely death.
"The findings come from a study of more than 1,050 American and British musicians who found fame between 1956 and 1999. All featured in the All-Time Top 1,000 Albums list selected in 2000."
"The British team behind the study say the statistics are so shocking that the music industry should be regarded as a 'high-risk' profession."
I'll have to keep that in mind if my friend, Jeff Boden (RidiQlis), ever makes it big and wants me to write him a policy.
"The findings come from a study of more than 1,050 American and British musicians who found fame between 1956 and 1999. All featured in the All-Time Top 1,000 Albums list selected in 2000."
"The British team behind the study say the statistics are so shocking that the music industry should be regarded as a 'high-risk' profession."
I'll have to keep that in mind if my friend, Jeff Boden (RidiQlis), ever makes it big and wants me to write him a policy.
Don't Mess Up!
Hey all you doctors, nurses and other hospital staff, listen up. Medicare is no longer going to pay for mistakes (like sponges left inside of patients after surgery). Read about it here in the New York Times.
Private insurers are going to monitor the new policy to see if they can implement something just like it -
"Susan M. Pisano, a spokeswoman for America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade group, said, 'Private insurers will take a close look at what Medicare is doing, with an eye to adopting similar policies.'"
"The Bush administration estimates the new policy will save Medicare $20 million a year. But other experts say the savings could be substantially greater."
$20 million might as well be 20 cents when you're talking about government spending. It sounds like this will result in a lot of finger pointing and tons of spending by hospitals, but I suppose time will tell. The statistics for rates of infection and accidents will be released sometime in the future, and we'll see if this initiative has given medical care providers the right incentive to give better, more efficient care.
Private insurers are going to monitor the new policy to see if they can implement something just like it -
"Susan M. Pisano, a spokeswoman for America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade group, said, 'Private insurers will take a close look at what Medicare is doing, with an eye to adopting similar policies.'"
"The Bush administration estimates the new policy will save Medicare $20 million a year. But other experts say the savings could be substantially greater."
$20 million might as well be 20 cents when you're talking about government spending. It sounds like this will result in a lot of finger pointing and tons of spending by hospitals, but I suppose time will tell. The statistics for rates of infection and accidents will be released sometime in the future, and we'll see if this initiative has given medical care providers the right incentive to give better, more efficient care.
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