“Should I Worry About Arsenic in Chicken?”

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

Every week, the Scoop examines alarming new claims to help you make sense of the latest health research.

When you eat a grilled chicken sandwich, you expect it to pack a lot of protein and some fat. But recent research suggests it might have another, more sinister ingredient: Conventional chicken may contain inorganic arsenic, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University.

Researchers bought chicken from grocery stores in 10 different U.S. cities and tested each of the samples for roxarsone, a drug sometimes added to chicken feed to encourage weight gain. Why? Previous research suggest that it may degrade into toxic inorganic arsenic during cooking. (Arsenic also occurs naturally in water, air, soil, and food, but is less toxic when it’s organic.)

Roxarsone was detected in 20 of the 40 conventional samples and none of the 25 USDA-certified organic samples—which might help explain why the conventional chicken contained about four times the inorganic arsenic of the organic chicken.

Scary, right? Well, not exactly. The cooked conventional chicken contained about two parts per billion of inorganic arsenic, while the cooked organic chicken contained about half a part per billion—and both levels are way, way under the FDA standard that allows for 500 parts per billion. “I don’t think there is any reason to limit chicken consumption on the basis of this study,” says Melina Jampolis, MD, an internist and board certified physician nutrition specialist based in Los Angeles.

In fact, lead researcher Keeve Nachman, PhD, director of the Center for a Livable Future’s Farming for the Future program at Johns Hopkins University, says the study was conducted to encourage the FDA to ban the use of roxarsone and the similar animal drug nitarsone—not to discourage consumers from eating chicken.

While exposure to this amount of inorganic arsenic could, over time, very slightly increase the risk of diseases like lung and bladder cancer, the levels found in the chicken tested were so small that they’re unlikely to cause problems, says Jampolis. What’s more, the poultry used in the study was purchased before July 2011, when the drug company Alpharma voluntarily suspended sales of roxarsone. So while the FDA has not gone as far as to ban the use of roxarsone, it’s also not in any of the poultry you’d buy today. Nachman and Jampolis say they hope that this study encourages the FDA to keep potentially detrimental animal drugs off the market.

The verdict: There’s definitely no need to stop eating chicken or limit your consumption—only very small amounts of inorganic arsenic were found in the samples tested, and the likely cause of it is no longer being consumed by chicken.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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Mika Brzezinski Opens Up About Disordered Eating

Posted on May 14, 2013 by admin

Mika Brzezinski, co-host of the weekday morning talk show Morning Joe, may look like one of the last people you’d ever expect to stuff her face with Big Macs (yes, plural) or eat an entire large pizza in one sitting. But as it turns out, Brzezinski has suffered from disordered eating—bingeing, then running excessively to burn off the calories—for decades. In her her new book, Obsessed: America’s Food Addiction—and My Own, Brzezinski confronts her eating issues, as well as the obesity epidemic facing the entire country.

“I have literally spent years of my life obsessing over food, chasing after food, gobbling down food—and then punishing myself for eating too much and trying to erase the effects,” she writes in the introduction. The issue only got worse when Brzezinski was told she’d have to lose weight to get a new job that she was eventually passed over for.

Brzezinski spoke with Women’s Health about her struggles with food, along with why she chose to speak publicly about them after all these years. The following is an edited version of a longer conversation:

Why did you decide to write this book?

It’s something I’ve been sort of hiding from myself to an extent—and definitely from others—for a long time, just sort of the inner struggle to find that right balance in that relationship with food. And I also then was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend named Diane who was suffering from obesity. I was stunned at how long it had taken for she and I to have this conversation about our relationships with food and our body image since we had shared just about everything two friends could share. I thought it was fascinating that this conversation was so different, and it was really the clincher to take a leap and bare all.

When you say you’d been hiding your food issues from yourself, what do you mean by that exactly?

I think we’re all a little—especially people who believe they have food issues—we’re all a little dishonest with ourselves about exactly what it is wer’e eating, when we’re eating it, how much we’re eating. And I think the reality can become really skewed when you let the external pressures in society and in life get in your head, as well. It can become a jumbled mess, as I was, and I have to tell you that writing the book has been extremely therapeutic because I sort of called myself out and said, “Stop it—enough!” And I finally think I’ve kind of passed through a barrier in my life that I’ve never been able to overcome. And that’s sort of just relaxing and understanding what I need to eat, when I need to eat it, and understanding that if you veer off a bit it’s OK.

One of your suggestions is that we need to stop worrying about being so politically correct and start calling overweight people “the F-word”—fat—to help solve the obesity crisis. Why do you think this needs to be part of the solution?

When I look at how hard it was for me to talk to my friend about this, I think it’s because we’re dancing around words and we’re missing the opportunity to speak the truth about our health and about the people that we love. If your friend had cancer or a broken leg, I think you’d be there to support her. I don’t understand why obesity, being overweight, or the word fat is somehow taboo. Because if we’re not saying it we’re probably thinking it. I think we need to straighten everything out a little bit and do what’s best for the people we love. That means speaking to them to their face honestly and supportively, as opposed to judging them behind their backs.

When did you first realize you had an unhealthy relationship with food?

I’ve known it for years. I think that I knew it in my 20s, when I was really bingeing and purging and running in these extreme forms. I kind of dialed back when I had kids because I had to. As I got older and got into this job and really started studying the issue, I realized I had a real problem and I wanted to write about it and learn about it more. So it’s been a process, and writing this book made me realize actually how very sick I was a long time ago. There’s part of me that wishes I was dragged off to a hospital and sort of set straight like a friend of mine was because it would have saved me a lot of years of bad living and bad health.

When was a friend of yours hospitalized for her eating issues?

It happened in college, and I remember thinking when she was taken off to the hospital, “I’m smarter than that. I’m glad no one can catch what I’m doing. I would never let things get so out of control.” It’s funny, I kind of thought, “Huh—how could she let that happen?” I look back and wish someone had shaken me and given me a wakeup call. I was always just right under the radar with this just enough to hide it. I picture myself in my 20s: My face is bloated, my skin is pale, my hair was thin. I didn’t look good, and I wasn’t healthy. It was all because of how I was feeding or not feeding myself.

What has it been like to put yourself and your own dysfunctional eating habits on display through this book?

It’s been hard, actually. I have to say I’ve woken up every morning since this book came out cringing a little bit and embarrassed. But it’s also been a real connective point for people. I go to book events where everyone stands up and tells their stories. They’re amazing stories, so I know I’ve touched a nerve. Every day, I have to tell you, I feel very responsible to live healthy now. I don’t just want to because it’s the right thing to do and I’ve been trying to get around it somehow, doing something sneaky. I actually eat food, and I eat a lot of it sometimes. And when I set out to go running, I don’t feel like I’ve only had a good day if I’ve run eight miles or 10 miles.

You’ve publicly shared that you’ve had unhealthy eating episodes as recently as a few months ago, eating Nutella with your bare hands. Where do you feel like you’re at right now in terms of overcoming your eating issues?

In the book, I actually go as far as making the link to addiction with these ingredients they put in food. I talk to doctors and experts about how the science that’s out there points to how sugars, fats, and salts can have this addictive quality. I really don’t think when you’re an addict that you’re ever really “done,” which is why when I was writing the book, I did fall off the wagon a few times. And I guess I expect to again. There are certain things I know I need to stay away from. I think I’m a lot better than I ever was and ever expected to be, but it will be a constant push-pull in my brain. The goal is to think less about it every day, and that certainly is happening.

What finally made you decide that you needed to confront your problems with food?

It was actually that conversation on the boat with my friend Diane, talking to her about obesity. I really felt like, first of all, I completely understood her struggle. The disconnect between us was painful. We really had so much in common, and she didn’t think I had anything in common with her when really we had everything in common except for our physical size. We were going through a lot of the same issues. I thought, “If I’m going to be talking on this major platform of Morning Joe about the obesity crisis and the health of the food we’re eating and providing our children, if I’m going to be making judgments, I need people to know where I’m coming from with this.” And one of the reasons I’m so strong and pointed is because of my story. I bought in and I got addicted to salt, sugar, and fat and to the high amount that they put in foods, especially in restaurants and at fast-food joints.

I really feel like because I’m sharing my story and my struggles, it’s not me sitting on my high horse saying, “Don’t you eat that” to people with weight problems. I actually understand the urge and the temptation. I worked hard and have now written hard, raw stories about trying to change that behavior, and I think it does help my ability to communicate if people know exactly where I’m coming from.

When doing research for this book, you spoke with a lot of people who have also had an unhealthy relationship with food. Whose story impacted you the most?

[Anchor and editor] Gayle King has hysterical stories in the book. There are a lot of different stories—it’s great, the variety of this book and hearing from different perspectives. [New Jersey Governor] Chris Christie, I didn’t expect our interview to be so emotional and break my heart, and it did. [Actress] Kathleen Turner—wow, her sort of freeing herself of the tyranny of trying to look like Kathleen Turner was really an inspiration, I have to tell you. And the interview actually turned around halfway through when she was talking about the tyranny of trying to look like a movie star when your body starts telling you it can’t anymore. And I started agreeing with her because I said, “That’s how I feel right now,” and she started asking me about my eating habits. By the end of the interview, she said, “You have a very bad life,” and I hung up the phone and thought, “How is that possible? Why am I so hungry all the time? Why am I always physically punishing myself [with excessive exercise]?” She’s right, it’s a tyranny. It really was a turning point for me where I thought, “Do I really have to do this anymore?”

thumbnail photo: MSNBC/Nathan Congleton

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What You Need to Know About Home Births

Posted on May 13, 2013 by admin

The day your baby is born is hands-down one of the most important of your life. You’ll of course give major thought to everything that happens that day, from who’s in the room to where you deliver—in a hospital or at home. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently published a policy statement with guidelines for the care of infants in home births.

Planned home births are uncommon—they comprise less than one percent of all births in the United States—but the amount of women choosing them has grown in recent years. In 2011, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a committee opinion saying that while they believe that the safest place for a baby to be born is in a hospital or birthing center, they respect whatever medically informed decision a woman makes about where she gives birth. And the AAP echoes that ACOG opinion in their new statement. “Based on current evidence, we think that hospitals and birthing centers are safest for baby for being born,” explains Kristi Watterberg, MD, the lead author of the statement and a neonatologist and professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico. “But we recognize the right of the mom to make that choice. There are lots of reasons people might want to have a home birth, and those have validity, as well.”

In the AAP statement, the authors outline planned home birth recommendations for healthcare providers. These include making sure there are at least two people at the delivery—one whose main responsibility is caring for the baby and who has the skills and training to resuscitate the baby if that becomes necessary—and making sure that the phone is working and an arrangement has been made with a nearby hospital in case there’s an emergency. Many things must also be done for the baby once he or she is born, such as a detailed physical exam, several screenings, and Vitamin K injection. The AAP also agrees with ACOG when they say that moms should choose a midwife only from those who are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Find the complete list of recommendations here.

Trying to figure out what the best plan is for you and your family? Watterberg advises all first-time moms (even ones who have already decided) to schedule a prenatal visit with their anticipated maternity care providers. “I think it’s really important to talk to your obstetrician, midwife, pediatrician about what you would like, why you would like it, and what your concerns are,” says Watterberg. Ask about the risks and benefits, in their view, of their approach.

And if you are thinking about giving birth at home, discuss whether or not you’re a good candidate with your healthcare provider. That includes being at term, not having any pre-existing medical conditions that put you at higher risk (like diabetes or high blood pressure), and having a baby that’s in vertex position (not breech) and not too big or too small. “You should have all of those things that make what would look to be a normal, happy, healthy delivery for both mom and baby before you decide to try an at home delivery,” says Watterberg.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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“Should I Worry About Wearing Lipstick?”

Posted on May 8, 2013 by admin

Every week, the Scoop examines alarming new claims to help you make sense of the latest health research.

Listen up before you pucker up: Your lipstick and lip gloss may contain a concerning amount of toxic metals, suggests new research from UC Berkeley.

While this isn’t entirely new news—past studies have examined the existence of metals in lipstick and lip gloss—this research compared the probable intakes of the metals in 32 common brands. Since there aren’t existing guidelines about how much of these metals are allowed in cosmetics, researchers compared the levels in lipsticks to the current guidelines for drinking water.

What they found: Using many of these products liberally or reapplying them multiple times could potentially result in overexposure to aluminum, cadmium, and manganese. Lead was also detected in some of the products, but its levels generally didn’t exceed the acceptable daily intake.

So while most products contain pretty small concentrations of these metals, excessive use could possibly lead to health issues like stomach tumors and nervous system damage. Eek.

Lead study researcher Sa Liu, PhD, says that these findings should raise a red flag for the FDA to conduct more extensive research. “We found most of metals in all 32 products tested, which indicates to us that this is a general problem for lipsticks and lip glosses,” she says. Liu also says they did not find a pattern indicating certain brands or products contain more of the metals than others, so she couldn’t advise which to avoid—especially since “there are hundreds of products out there, and they are constantly changing.”

Michelle L. Bell, PhD, a professor of environmental health at Yale University, agrees that this study shows cosmetics should likely be examined more closely. “The findings suggest that lipstick and lip gloss may pose health risks, but as the study was small, more research is needed with a larger sample,” she says.

The verdict: While this research definitely doesn’t prove that lipstick use leads to dangerous health consequences, it does suggest that you may be ingesting a small amount of toxic metals each time you apply your favorite shade. You don’t have to ditch your lipsticks and glosses completely, but you may want to aim for lighter use and avoid applying more than necessary. And if you have any kids at home, make sure they don’t play with your lip products, says Liu and Bell. No levels of some of these metals are safe for children, whose bodies and systems are still developing.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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What Your Haircut Says About Your Melanoma Risk

Posted on May 6, 2013 by admin

If you’re debating between chopping off your locks or keeping them long, consider this: Having longer hair may decrease your risk of getting melanoma on your head and neck, according to a new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Researchers used data collected for the French regional melanoma registry Observatoire des Mélanomes de la Région Champagne-Ardenne (OMECHA) and examined 279 individual cases of melanoma. Analysis of the cases showed two different melanoma distributions of the head and neck that most likely are due to sun exposure while driving: peripheral (which occurs on the scalp, forehead, ears, and neck) and central (which occurs on the eyelids, nose, cheeks, and chin). For men, 57 percent of melanoma cases occurred in their peripheral regions and 43 percent happened in their central region. Women only saw 21 percent of melanoma cases in their peripheral region, though, and 79 percent of melanoma cases in their central region. The findings suggest that women have more cases of central melanoma because their peripheral areas are more protected by their hair, says Candice Lesage, MD, dermatologist, lead study author.

A windshield may protect skin from UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburns, but UVA rays, which have longer wavelengths, penetrate the glass and can harm your skin. Though participants’ specific hairstyles weren’t recorded, women tend to have longer hair, which can protect their peripheral skin regions, leaving mostly the central area exposed to sunlight. Because men typically have shorter hair, both their peripheral and central regions are left vulnerable to UV rays. Hair can act as a barrier that prevents sunlight from reaching the skin—more so for people with darker, thicker hair—similar to how clothes can provide UV coverage for your body.

“The more of your skin that’s covered by your hair, the more protected you are,” says Jessica Wu, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern-California, who was not part of the study. Keep in mind: Even if you grow your hair out, your scalp can still be exposed to harmful rays where you part your hair or where your hair is naturally thinner. For extra protection—particularly if you’re rocking short hair—slather on the sunscreen and wear a hat, says Wu. While thicker lotions can be messy, a gel or foam sunscreen shouldn’t mess with your style.

photo: Viacheslav Nikolaenko/Shutterstock

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“Should I Worry About Driving When I’m Tired?”

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

Every week, the Scoop examines alarming new claims to help you make sense of the latest health research.

You obviously know not to get behind the wheel when you’re intoxicated—but what about when you’re exhausted? Fatigue was the cause of 20 percent of all documented crashes in a recent study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Center for Vulnerable Road User Safety.

Researchers recruited 100 drivers who commute into or out of the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area and equipped their cars with unobtrusive sensors and video cameras to study naturalistic driving behavior. They also collected 20,000 randomly selected 6-second video segments, which let them notice signs of sleepiness—including closed eyes, head bobbing, and even drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

The result: In 20 percent of all car crashes and 16 percent of all near crashes documented in the study, the driver showed signs of fatigue. While that number is definitely shocking, this was a relatively small study—so it’s unclear whether the stats hold up for the entire country. The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) shows that only 2.5 percent of fatal crashes in 2010 were the result of drowsy driving, but that doesn’t tell the whole story, either, since it doesn’t account for fender benders or serious but non-fatal accidents. What we do know is that there were 750 fatal crashes due to drowsy driving in 2010 alone, and the recent study indicates that number of less-severe accidents may be even higher.

Unfortunately, there is no legal limit when it comes to sluggish driving, so you’ll have to monitor yourself for signs of extreme drowsiness. If you’re sleep deprived—whether it’s from not enough sleep or poor-quality sleep—you shouldn’t get behind the wheel, says sleep expert Michael Breus, MD. So how can you tell the difference between your usual morning grogginess and being too drowsy to drive? If you fell asleep in less than five minutes the night before, it’s a sure sign you’re deprived, says Breus. Other signs include having trouble focusing or misplacing objects like your phone or keys. If you want a quick litmus test, Breus suggests lying down and closing your eyes for 30 seconds before getting behind the wheel. If you feel like you could truly fall asleep and you have trouble getting up, you shouldn’t be driving.

If you’re already in the car, watch for warning signs like incessant yawning, frequent blinking, trouble keeping your eyes open and focused, and not being able to remember driving the last few miles, says Jose Ucles, from the Office of Communications and Consumer Information at the NHTSA. If you notice any of these cues or happen to hit the rumble strips on the side of the road, it’s definitely time to get off the road. “The results are staggering,” says Breus. “If you’re going 60 miles per hour and close your eyes, it takes just three seconds to go off the road. You really don’t have a lot of time to react.”

It’s also important to remember that if you’ve taken any sleep aids in the last 24 hours, they may still be in your system. And avoid all alcohol if you’re already groggy. Just one glass of wine can multiply the effects of sleep deprivation—even though you may be under the legal alcohol limit, says Breus.

So what if you are driving when you realize you shouldn’t be? The NHTSA suggests pulling over, drinking two cups of coffee, then taking a 15-20 minute nap so you get a little sleep before the caffeine takes effect. That said, sleeping in a parking lot or on the side of the road isn’t exactly the safest thing. If you can’t stop at a hotel, leave your car in a nearby parking lot and call a cab or take public transportation home. Worst-case scenario, stopping to grab two cups of coffee, then waiting 15-20 minutes for it to take effect before driving to the closest place where you can catch some Zzzz’s is your next best option.

The verdict: Drowsy driving may not be as dangerous as drunk driving, but it accounted for 750 fatal crashes in 2010. And without any true guidelines, it’s crucial to monitor yourself to make sure you’re alert enough to drive. If you’re unsure, opt to have someone else take the wheel.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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The Truth About Energy Drinks

Posted on April 26, 2013 by admin

The bad news about energy drinks just keeps rolling in: Thanks to inconsistent labeling and an ongoing FDA review that’s not yet finished, energy drinks can contain undisclosed ingredients that haven’t been thoroughly vetted by the FDA, according to a new report released by three congressmen earlier this month.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) surveyed the companies behind 14 popular energy drinks. They asked them about the ingredients they use, the levels of caffeine in their products, the serving sizes, the research performed to back up any claims made about the benefits, and how companies decide whether to categorize their product as a dietary supplement or conventional food (right now, the FDA lets manufacturers decide what their product should be classified as, which affects the guidelines to which they’re subjected).

The report compiled from all of the companies’ responses shows that virtually identical products can be labeled very differently—and that many of the ingredients and claims identified on the label are more concerning than they initially seem to be.

“In local convenience and grocery stores around the country, energy drinks are sold right next to soda and other well-known beverages,” Sen. Durbin said in a released statement. “Any consumer would assume that the high levels of caffeine and novel ingredients in energy drinks have been rigorously tested by the FDA to ensure safety. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case.”

The findings are pretty scary, especially considering that ER visits related to energy drinks doubled between 2007 and 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. What’s more, the FDA has received claims that link energy drinks to several deaths.

The bottom line: Before you reach for a pre-packaged pick-me-up, it’s absolutely imperative that you find out what’s actually in the can:

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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“Should I Worry About Wearing a Bra?”

Posted on April 23, 2013 by admin

Every week, the Scoop examines alarming new claims to help you make sense of the latest health research.

A French researcher made major waves last week when he dropped a shocker on the world, announcing a new study finds wearing a bra can cause premature bra droop. The question on everyone’s minds now: Is proud-to-be-bra-free Miley Cyrus onto something?

The 15-year French study looked at 330 young women and found that breasts constrained by bras didn’t develop the muscle and skin tone that can keep them naturally firm, according to the study author, who was interviewed by a French radio station earlier this month. Women in his study who ditched their boulder holders, however, saw measured improvement in the perkiness of their pair.

Don’t trash your underwires and demi-cups just yet, though. Experts have cast a skeptical eye on the unpublished study, which joins a long list of later-debunked research blaming bras for everything from circulation problems to breast cancer. “The preliminary results are intriguing, but it’s not clear if the researcher looked at women who only had smaller breasts, which don’t sag as much over time, or if he included women of all breast sizes,” says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of ob-gyn at Yale University School of Medicine. “And did he factor in that gravity naturally takes its toll on all body tissue? With so many variables to account for, it’s hard to accept the results.”

That’s not to say that bras have zero effect on your health. An ill-fitting brassiere can leave you with neck and shoulder pain, as well as stooped posture. Garments made of synthetic, non-breathable fabric can trap sweat-loving bacteria, leading to skin issues like rashes and breakouts, says Minkin. Also, if you’ve ever hit the gym sans sports bra, you know that even a little bit of boob bounce can result in serious breast and nipple pain.

Still worried about sag? There’s no solid proof that wearing a bra makes a difference, says Minkin. The real droopage offender is the breast growth and shrinkage that happens when a woman diets, gets pregnant, and/or breast-feeds. Anything that makes breasts expand and contract weakens the surrounding skin and tissues, which makes them lose elasticity and take on a deflated appearance, says Minkin.

The Verdict: Whether you prefer hanging loose or keeping your girls under wraps, wearing a bra is mostly about comfort. So no matter which side of the fence you fall on, there’s no need to freak out—your choice won’t have a major effect on your health.

photo: Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock

More From Women’s Health:
How to Measure Bra Size
History of the Bra
Bra Problems, Fixed!

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Should I Worry About Cell Phone Radiation?

Posted on April 16, 2013 by admin

Name five adults you know who don’t have a cell phone. Not possible, right? We take owning them for granted—but there’s also continued concern about the potential health risks of cell phone radiation. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently opened an inquiry to determine if it should update its current policies and limits on exposure to cell phones’ radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.

A phone’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a measure of the amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy absorbed by the body when the phone is being used. The FCC’s current limit for public exposure is set at an SAR of 1.6 watts per kilogram, and all cell phone manufacturers have to comply. This standard has been in effect since 1996—long before cell phones became so pervasive. The FCC’s website states, “While the FCC has continuously monitored research and conferred with experts in this field, and is confident in its RF exposure guidelines and the soundness of the basis for its rules, it is a matter of good government to periodically reexamine regulations and their implementation.”

One thing that should make you say hmmm: Your cell phone manual contains a warning about a safe distance at which you should keep your phone from your body—and it’s usually a fraction of an inch. Who knew, right? And that’s the problem: Most of us hold our cell phones right up to our ear or against our leg in our pocket—potentially increasing the amount of RF energy that’s being delivered to our bodies to beyond the tested and touted amounts.

So what’s the general consensus of research on the dangers (or lack thereof) of cell phone radiation? That’s the thing: There really isn’t one. While some studies say cell phones don’t cause harm, others indicate that they do. For example, analyses of data from the large and multi-national Interphone study, published in 2010, drew mixed conclusions about whether long-term cell phone radiation exposure had any association with the risk of developing glioma, a type of brain tumor, and no causation was established.

In 2011, a group of 31 scientists from 14 countries met at the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to evaluate the health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, such as the ones emitted by wireless communication devices. In the end, they classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” That means that, while not conclusive, the evidence was strong enough to say that there could be a risk. “The ‘possible’ means we can’t give assurance of safety because there is some signal of harm, and yet it’s not so definite,” says Jonathan Samet, MD, MS, director of the University of Southern California Institute for Global Health and chairman of the IARC working group.

But other researchers already say they feel certain that cell phones are a cause for concern: Henry Lai, PhD, a research professor in the University of Washington’s bioengineering department, has been studying radiation for more than three decades. He says that, while a causal relationship hasn’t been established yet, “the bottom line is that there is some evidence suggesting that they’re not safe—and this is something that we use everyday.”

No one’s entirely sure yet what the long-term effects are—cell phones haven’t been around long enough. (Some tumors, for example, can take upwards of three decades to develop.) Many of the studies also have flaws—for example, with self-reported data, people may not be able to remember how often they really used their cell phones. So unfortunately, the only clear consensus from experts is that more research needs to be done.

What it’s safe to assume: It’s going to take a while for experts to reach any sort of formal conclusion. For that reason, it’s probably best to be on the safe side and adjust your cell phone habits. Consider putting these four ways to reduce your exposure to radiation while using your cell into action.

The verdict: You don’t have to give up your cell phone, but it’s probably smart to make some habit tweaks—like investing in headphones and not sleeping with it next to your bed. When there’s this much on the line, it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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Should I Worry About the Bird Flu?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by admin

Every week, the Scoop examines alarming new claims to help you make sense of the latest health research.

You’ve probably heard the scary news: A new strain of bird flu, known as avian influenza A (H7N9), has been identified in China. Twenty-eight people have been infected and nine have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Full disclosure: The CDC issued a health advisory on Friday to inform clinicians what they should do in terms of testing, infection control, and care if they suspect that someone returning from a trip to China may have the virus. The CDC is also working with vaccine manufacturers to develop a virus seed strain that could be used to produce a vaccine if necessary—as in, if there were evidence of human-to-human transmission.

It sounds scary, but before you call your doctor in a panic because you feel a cough coming on, know this: The CDC says it’s just taking these measures to dot all of its I’s and cross all of its T’s. No travel advisories are currently in effect, and right now there’s no evidence that you can get H7N9 from another person, says CDC press officer Jamila Jones. Direct contact with live poultry in China appears to be the greatest risk factor right now—there haven’t been any cases of the virus strain reported in the U.S., or even outside of China. So assuming you live in America and haven’t interacted with any chicken in China recently, you don’t have to change anything about your normal routine.

Flu viruses do constantly change, so it’s possible that this virus could become more transmissible, according to the CDC. Officials there say they’ll continue to monitor the situation and give updates as needed.

For now, though, you have no reason to worry: “There are no specific steps that people in this country need to take to protect themselves,” said Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, director of the CDC, in a telebriefing on Friday. “People can go about their daily lives.” While the numbers of cases and deaths have both risen since the telebriefing—at that time, there were 16 cases and six deaths—the CDC is still offering the same guidance: “Right now we’re still not recommending anything different,” says Jones. The same goes for people in the U.S. who work with poultry: At this time, Jones says you shouldn’t be concerned—and the CDC will send out more information if that should change.

The verdict: Pay attention to updates, but there’s definitely no need to freak out.

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

More from Women’s Health:
How Long Should a Cough Last?
Flu-Catching Myths
Cold or Flu: Can You Tell?

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