The Scarlett Letter
Scarlett Johansson tells it like it is: Since dedicating myself to getting into “superhero shape,” several articles regarding my weight have been brought to my attention. Claims have been made that I’ve been on a strict workout routine regulated by co-stars, whipped into shape by trainers I’ve never met, eating sprouted grains I can’t pronounce and ultimately losing 14 pounds off my 5’3″...
Study: Placebos Don’t Cause Side Effects in Patients Receiving Conventional Cancer Treatment
Actually, the study is about the use of homeopathic “medicines” alongside conventional cancer treatments, but same difference. WASHINGTON—A new Cochrane review did not find serious side effects relating to the use of homeopathic medicine in patients having orthodox cancer care. “Furthermore, there was no indication that the homeopathic medicine interfered with conventional cancer care,” said lead author Sosie Kassab, M.D.,...
Toothless Measures
I’ve discussed regulatory issues briefly before, although I might as well put my own feelings out here, for the record: I am firmly against regulatory measures that would pull supplement compounds off the market until they can pass through some sort of draconian, bureaucratic testing/review process to prove they’re 1,000,000.995% safe and wholesome. I am, however, perfectly amenable to holding manufacturers/retailers...
The Doctor Will Sue You Now
This is the title of a chapter missing from Ben Goldacre’s new book, “Bad Science.” Why is it missing? I’ll let the author tell the story: This is the “missing chapter” about vitamin pill salesman Matthias Rath. Sadly I was unable to write about him at the time that book was initially published, as he was suing my ass in the High Court. The chapter is now available in the new paperback edition, and I’ve...
(W)hooping it Up II
As I mentioned back at the end of February, I bought a weighted hula hoop…to add to the collection of “toys” I use to break up the day (writing is a pretty sedentary activity). It arrived right before we took off to the Arnold, so – needless to state – I didn’t bother breaking it out of the box. Unfortunately, I didn’t bother breaking it out right after we got back, either. In fact, I...
A Taxing Issue
An editorial published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine lays out the “Public Policy Case for Taxes on Sugared Beverages.” The piece, by Kelly Brownell, Ph.D. and Thomas Friedan, M.D., M.P.H. makes several salient points: Sugared beverages are marketed extensively to children and adolescents, and in the mid-1990s, children’s intake of sugared beverages surpassed that of milk. In the past decade, per...
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