The Healthy Skeptic on Telomerase Supplements
You may have heard something in the news about a recent experiment in mice… Scientists have partially reversed age-related degeneration in mice, an achievement that suggests a new approach for tackling similar disorders in people. By tweaking a gene, the researchers reversed brain disease and restored the sense of smell and fertility in prematurely aged mice. …The experiment focused on telomerase, an enzyme that makes...
Photo Manipulation: Not Done Only on Women’s Pics
The documentary, “Bigger, Stronger, Faster” came out in 2008, so a lot of people have seen it by now. But for those who haven’t, I thought the following clip (via Sociological Images), which discusses how “before/after” pics can be manipulated, was worth posting: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQZpVeWsfK4] We’ll soon be saying farewell to 2010 and ringing in the New Year. I don’t know...
FTC Gives Kinoki Foot Pads the Boot
I missed this bit of news from early November: For Release: 11/04/2010 At FTC’s Request, Judge Imposes Ban on Marketers of “Detox” Foot Pads Advertising Claimed “Ancient Japanese Secret” Could Treat Medical Conditions At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal judge has banned marketers of Kinoki “Detox” Foot Pads – that would purportedly remove toxins from the body through a person’s feet – from selling a wide variety...
NYT: “A Strange Green Journey”
Although it’s an “n = 1” record, it’s refreshing to see a healthy dose of skepticism applied to the BS “detox” claims made by proponents of juice cleanses… and in the “Fashion & Style” section of the New York Times, no less. If you’re going to have liquids, said Dr. Colbert, a staunch believer in unprocessed foods, there is certainly good to be had from eating fresh vegetables...
iRenew is for iDiots
I did a leg workout this afternoon over at my local Gold’s. During my one of my rest periods, I idly glanced up at the flat screen TV on the wall near the power cage. An infomercial for a fitness gimmick called the iRenew Bracelet flashed on the screen… and my jaw dropped with complete astonishment at what a complete and obvious scam I was viewing. The bracelet is supposed to improve strength, balance and/or endurance by...
Sci Am: “Snake Oil in the Supermarket”
Just finished scanning an editorial in this month’s issue of Scientific American: “Snake Oil in the Supermarket.” While not highly detailed, it’s a timely reminder that – just because a product contains added nutrients/nutraceuticals – it’s not necessarily a “healthy” food. For one thing, a product may still not provide a lot of “bang” for your calorie...