It turns out there’s a reason for that instant repulsion you get when you open a tub of moldy leftovers from the back of your fridge. New research suggests that it’s a message from the microbes that says, “this food’s taken”. This interpretation redefines the role of microorganisms in food chains. Rather than waiting around for leftovers from top predators, microorganisms claim foods by making them unpalatable to higher organisms - and they do it by producing stinky odors and nasty flavors. This is pretty effective unless you’re a fan of smelly cheeses, which are generally stinky as a result of microbial fermentation during the aging process. So, if you’re repulsed by Limburger like me, you can leave it to the microbes and be satisfied by reminding yourself that those nasty odors are produced to prevent you from eating it… Just keep it to yourself at cocktail parties - you never know which of your friends are into the strong stuff.

A new study reports that a compound found in red wine may protect against the effects of aging in mammals. In the study, overfed mice that were given the compound resveratrol did not experience many of the ill effects of obesity, including early death. The compound was found to activate a group of genes involved in reducing the effects of aging. To get the equivalent of the levels of resveratrol that the mice received in this study, one would need to consume about 100 glasses of red wine per day. That’s only 20 bottles. Are you up for the longevity challenge?

For a slightly safer (but less fun) approach, the compound is also available as a supplement. The researchers warn that consuming resveratrol at the levels used in this study has not been shown to be safe for humans, but a few of them also admitted that they are tempted to start taking the supplement themselves. I personally find the whole idea difficult to argue with. If wining and dining are the key to longevity, how much better could life get? Just throw in a bikini and some skinny pills, and I’m there till 2100. (Disclaimer: I am clearly not a health professional.)

I feel the need to follow up on this post, which is over two months old. It discusses reports by public health experts that the health benefits of eating fish greatly outweigh the risks. So, guess what has been all over the health news this week? Reports that the health benefits of eating fish greatly outweigh the risks! The reports are based on two new comprehensive reviews of the health effects of seafood consumption.

While I have no problem with eating fish for health reasons, I still have doubts about the long term health effects of toxics which can accumulate in fish tissues. My main concern, however, is that increased seafood consumption could result in increased seafood harvest, impacting our delicate and threatened marine ecosystems in yet unknown ways. There are many initiatives underway to educate consumers on environmentally sound seafood choices. What we really need is a comprehensive assessment of which seafoods are safest for human consumption while also having minimal environmental impacts (efforts are underway, such as this one, which lists the Dungeness crab as the safest seafood). Until we know what is best for our health and the environment, I’m sticking to tofu. At least soybeans can’t blink at you. Well, not yet. Monsanto may be working on it.

As painful as it, stepping on a scale every day can help keep dieters keep the weight off. That is assuming you’re the type of person who will start dieting and exercising upon seeing that you’ve gained a few pounds, rather than going into a depressive downward spiral of binge eating pudding and Cheetos while watching 80’s movie marathons. For better results, wear a scale around your neck, Flava Flav style.

Public health experts want you to eat more fish. They are that worried repeated reports of toxics in seafood are preventing people from enjoying the health benefits. Omega-3 fats, found in fish and fish oil, are good for your heart, brain and joints. However, toxics such as mercury and PCBs are also found in seafood. Mercury can cause learning and hearing defects in infants and children, but experts have questioned the risks of the types and levels of mercury contained in seafood. The researchers also say that PCBs, while potentially carcinogenic, are probably not present in the body at levels that consumers should be concerned about. When comparing these health benefits to the risks, the experts recommend eating seafood a few times a week as part of a healthy diet. (As a skeptic, I’d still take this with a grain of salt. Or a drop of saltwater?)

When thinking about seafood, my main concern is usually not whether it contains toxic chemicals, but A) whether it was harvested in a sustainable manner, and B) whether it will make me hurl. As far as A is concerned, you can check sustainable seafood solutions here. On the B note, I have only once been able to eat raw oysters. And I didn’t hurl. Maybe if you drink enough alcohol with your seafood, you’ll kill off whatever bacteria are living on your seafood. As a scientist, that sounds highly unlikely. But as an Irishwoman … meh, pass the Jameson.

As reported in the Washington Post today, most popular dietary supplements have fared poorly this year in large clinical trials and reviews. Also this year, a friend of ours ended up in the emergency room after taking a supplement that was an alleged hangover cure.

To quote a doctor in the Washington Post article: “By taking specific supplements we aren’t mimicking what’s going on with a good, healthy diet.” The only theme that seems to emerge from the zillions of nutritional studies that come out every year is what we all knew already: everything in moderation. Even coffee and alcohol and chocolate and cheese. Mmmm, healthy…

I always knew I was onto something with the coffee to beer to coffee to beer to coffee (and so on) lifestyle! It turns out that drinking a lot of coffee can help prevent damage to your liver caused by drinking a lot of alcohol! Doesn’t it make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

Coffee-Beer anyone?

People who have suffered life’s hard knocks while growing up tend to be more gullible than those who have been more sheltered. No wonder I’m so gullible, I was raised by wolverines in the Gobi Desert who ate the baby that I conceived with Elvis when I was 13…

Vegans are five times less likely to concieve twins than non-vegans. Of course due to the consumption of hormones in dairy. I am torn between my desire to have twins and my despise of the goddamn chemicals that are being pumped into my system due to my love of cheese.

Snow pack on mountain tops will be drastically diminished by the end of the century, causing major water resource issues for the affected populations. Time to start mining ice on Mars!

Schizophrenia limits understanding of body language. But no one can misinterpret the language of rock! \m/

Nationwide, an estimated 20,000 families have fallen below the poverty line as a result of Wal-Mart’s expansion. Bastards.

Young America’s political views are negatively affected by the Daily Show. Wow, you mean we're not depressed by the fact that this country is run by two political parties that are both so ridiculous that comedians barely even have to try to make them funny?

Robots can be used to interact with, communicate with and control roaches. Now the only things left on this planet after the shit hits the fan are roaches, AND the tiny robots that we use to control them!

The production of plant-based (vegan) foods produce significantly lower amounts of greenhouse gases than other diets. The average American diet produces an extra 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gasses. (Since methane and nitrous oxide are produced at lower levels but are stronger greenhouse gasses, they are normalized to carbon dioxide). Interestingly, both red meat- and fish-based diets were the worst greenhouse gas producers. This is mainly because many fish are harvested in a non-sustainable manner. See article.

I love this study! We all knew that vegetarianism is best for the planet, but now here is quantitative evidence that meat-based diets have a significant impact on climate change.

Another factoid in this article, did you know that the average American consumes 3,774 calories a day! Jesus F. Christ, no wonder we’re fat! On that note, I imagine that the effect of the vegan diet on greenhouse gas emissions is even larger, because this study assumes that all diets contain 3,774 calories. I seriously doubt that most vegans eat that much, unless they’re eating raw sugar and french fries all day. (I mean, you do see some fat vegans from time to time.)

Lately, I’ve been thinking of cutting out bread and cheese, which would make me essentially vegan (and hopefully 5-10 pounds lighter). This is just another great encouragement to eat fewer animal-based foods!