Lots of Links

Can running help with skin conditions? And more evidence of the less is more approach to running.

The mainstream media is picking up on the increasing evidence that its the increase of sugar in our diet that has caused the obesity crisis. Its been posted everywhere, so I won’t comment much – low-carb diet came out best for longterm weight loss. But before you get too concerned, being skinny is more of a health risk than being moderately overweight.

Keep exercising! The evidence is mounting up that regular intensive exercise can keep your body performing like a much younger person (maybe not the fittest younger person, but still!). And if you’re afraid of the chronic cardio argument (or using it as an excuse) Jason Fitzgerald takes on the arguments against running. If you can – run outside. Running outside offers mental health benefits that running in a gym doesn’t. Don’t forget to strengthen as well as stretch to prevent ITB.

A comprehensive look at the dangers of phytoestrogens and why you should limit your soy intake.

Eating lowfat salad dressing decreases your ability to absorb nutrients from your salad.

It seems getting people to reduce their meat consumptions isn’t the ecological saviour to the planet that some people have (ardently) proposed. On the subject of unverified claims – it seems the danger of drinking while pregnant has been overstated. Fetal alcohol syndrome is real, but there’s no evidence that light or moderate drinking is implicated.

And the biggest news for all those interested in scientifically verified health news – British scientific research is to be made publically available within five years!

Lots of Links

Some stories that caught my eye this last week (and slightly longer…)

Richelle McCulloch from Skeptic North takes a look at the importance of vaccinating your children and questions what it means to be making an informed choice.

Another quack practice attempts to intimidate critical examination of their services and serve to bring attention to their dodgy practices.

Oh the embarrassing body – Mark Sisson looks at the causes and solutions to the not-always-hilarious problem of flatulence.

Pharyngula points to a comic outlining the effectiveness of acupuncture.

It seems guidelines to avoid alcohol during pregnancy were drawn up without actual evidence of safe or unsafe levels. New studies are suggesting light and moderate drinking is not a problem.