Supplement overload
There’s lots of hype about vitamin and mineral supplements, and Americans are buying big into the notion. Some 52 percent now use dietary supplements, which may or not help their health, because there is little scientific proof that these products can help prevent chronic diseases, says a story in the December issue of Eating Well.
These supplements do help fill in nutrient gaps for those who have a limited diet of healthy foods. Yet most of those who use supplements already are health-conscious people who don’t really need them, says Marion Nestle, professor of food studies and public health at New York University.
It’s important to note that ingesting too much of some supplements can hurt you. Exceeding the limits doesn’t always result in adverse effects, says Sujata L. Archer, research assistant professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, but it could happen and with critical consequences.
For example, too much vitamin D can hurt the kidneys. Too much vitamin A can harm the liver and nerves. And excess iron could increase the risk of vascular disease and cancer. In short, use supplements to supplement a healthy diet, not to replace the nutrient-rich foods you should be eating.
Deadly birthmarks
One in every 100 babies is born with a flat, red vascular birthmark that is a serious enough threat that the infant should be seen by a specialist. The Web site birthmark.org,run by the non-profit group Vascular Birthmarks Foundation, offers a wealth of information on birthmarks, including hemangiomas, port-wine stains and venous malformations.
It isn’t known what causes such birthmarks, but they mostly occur on the head and neck and are five times more prevalent in female babies. Occasionally they can be life-threatening or interfere with eating, breathing, seeing, hearing or speaking. Some are dangerous because they grow internally.
Holiday hazards
Unattended candles are an obvious hazard during the holiday season, but there are three more hazards that may pose a threat, notes a report in the December issue of Shape magazine. Beware of the following:
– Candy canes–These sweet treats are a no-no if you tend to get heartburn. The peppermint oil it contains could relax the muscle in the opening of your esophagus, leading to that painful burn.
– Late-night driving–If you’re going to stay late at a party, get lots of rest before you go and drink two cups of coffee half an hour before leaving.
– Lighting the fireplace–If you’re asthmatic, the smoke from unburned wood particles can irritate your lungs.
Cocktail calories
Holiday partying means you sometimes imbibe fancy cocktails or malt drinks you don’t normally order. But be careful if you’re watching your weight. Many such drinks contain a lot more calories than you think, warns a story in the December issue of Good Housekeeping.
One problem is that what some people consider one drink actually is up to two times the size you think you’re getting. Pour a 12-ounce frozen margarita instead of 8 ounces and you’ll add 94 calories. Pour a 7-ounce cosmopolitan instead of 2 1/2 ounces and you’ll add a whopping 270 calories.
Flavored malt beverages also can pack on the pounds. Just one 12-ounce Mike’s Hard Cranberry Lemonade has 220 calories, and a 10-ounce Peels Strawberry Passion Fruit logs in at 180 calories.
