John Brinkley, Goat Testicle Entrepreneur
Medical fraud is as rampant today as it has always been, but John Brinkley was among the greatest medical frauds of all time. From the 1920s onward, between World War I and World War II, he became fabulously wealthy by surgically implanting the testicles of goats into the scrotums of men to “cure” impotence and into the bellies of women “so they could become pregnant.” He charged $750 per operation (equal to about $20,000 today).
NSAIDs May Block Gains in Endurance and Strength
A new study io mice showed that taking NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), to reduce muscle pain before, during or after exercise, can reduce the gains in endurance from aerobic training.
Why Meat May Increase Risk for Diabetes
Researchers followed 63,257 Chinese adults aged 45–74 for an average of 10.9 years and found that eating red meat was associated with increased risk for developing diabetes. The authors suggest that it may be the iron in meat that could cause diabetes.
Sweet Drinks Raise Risk for Diabetes
A just-published study shows that drinking either sugared or artificially-sweetened drinks is associated with increased risk for diabetes (Am J Clin Nutr, Jun 28, 2017). Of 64,850 post-menopausal women followed for 8.4 years, 4675 developed diabetes.
Red Yeast Rice Pills
People who take red yeast rice pills to lower their cholesterol levels may not be getting their expected protection against suffering a heart attack. North Americans spend an estimated 40 million dollars a year on these pills.
Stephen Furst, Flounder, Diabetic at 17
Stephen Furst performed in, directed and produced many movies and television shows, but he is best remembered for his first movie role in 1978 as the loveable, insecure and massively obese “Flounder” in the 1978 hit movie, National Lampoon’s Animal House.
Side Stitch: Belly Pain while Running
When you get a side stitch, stop running and press your hand deep into your liver to raise it up toward your diaphragm. At the same time, purse your lips tightly and blow out. Pushing the liver up stops stretching the ligaments. Breathing against pursed lips retards fully emptying your lungs and doesn’t let your diaphragm rise too high.
Dina Merrill and Dementia
Dina Merrill was an American actress and philanthropist who was the only child of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the Post Cereals heiress who became the richest woman in America, and her second husband, E.F. Hutton, the fabulously-wealthy founder of the financial company that bore his name. Known throughout her life for her high intelligence, drive, fashion and elegance,
Lifestyle Changes Help to Treat Cancer
A seven-year study of 992 patients with colon cancer that had already spread to their bellies had a 42 percent reduction in death rate and a 31 percent reduction in recurrence of their cancer when they avoided overweight, exercised regularly (one hour of walking per day), ate a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and low in red meat and processed meat, and restricted alcohol.
Running and Walking May Be Good for Your Back
People who run or walk regularly have healthier and stronger spinal discs than non-exercisers do (Scientific Reports 7, April 19, 2017). This is very reassuring because some doctors tell patients with back pain not to run because they think that the jarring of the foot striking the ground will damage discs and injure backs,.