An article in Kaiser Health News described how people who receive preventive medical services often billed for services that were supposed to be free. This is especially interesting since I will probably schedule a colonoscopy this year. Colonoscopies are supposed to be a (free) preventive service under the Affordable Care Act.
Author: Devon Herrick
FDA: Poop is a Drug
Your gut is made up of 39 trillion microbial cells that live inside us, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. These outnumber the human cells that make up our bodies, which number roughly 30 trillion. The microbiome as it’s called is only 1% to perhaps 3% of our body mass, but without these beneficial bacteria life would not exist. The human gut is home to thousands of different species of bacteria, and something like 5,000 different strains. These are what converts food into energy while also keeping harmful bacteria in check.
Your TV Causes Heart Disease (but Your iPad Doesn’t)
A new study finds that limiting television viewing to under an hour a day could eliminate 11% of coronary heart disease cases. About 371,0000 Americans die of coronary heart disease each year, the most common form of heart disease. It has long been known that a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for heart disease. There are other risk factors, including genetics.
Should We Eat What Our Ancestors Ate?
Americans consume more calories than ever. Today we eat nearly about 23% more calories than we did 50 years ago. Sixty-nine percent of American adults are overweight, while nearly 37% are obese. About 12% of preschool-age children are obese and 17% of kids ages 2 to 19 years old are obese. Obesity has a negative impact on Americans’ health. There are more than 60 chronic diseases linked to obesity.