Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Mad Cow, Cholesterol, Peppered Snake Oil
Another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or Mad Cow Disease, in the United States was announced on Monday. The cow's meat is said not to have re-entered the food chain, and we are assured that the U.S. beef supply is safe. The government is so sure of our safety, in fact, that they are reducing testing rates for BSE by nearly 90 per cent. Whuuhh?
UK researchers claim that a painful Achilles tendon could be a warning sign that you have high cholesterol. Yes, and it also may be a sign that you need to stretch more. There are far too many confounds for this to be a useful guideline.
Capsaicin, the chemical that makes hot peppers burn, seems to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Pass the habaneros!
UK researchers claim that a painful Achilles tendon could be a warning sign that you have high cholesterol. Yes, and it also may be a sign that you need to stretch more. There are far too many confounds for this to be a useful guideline.
Capsaicin, the chemical that makes hot peppers burn, seems to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Pass the habaneros!
