Is there any health risk associated with
dyeing my hair?
Some recent evidence links use of permanent hair dye
with an increased risk for bladder cancer in women.
The risk is greatest among women who dye their hair
12 or more times a year for 15 years or more. However,
it’s important to keep in mind that women are at
low risk for bladder cancer in the first place, so this
increase is relatively small. If you are concerned, consider
switching to a semipermanent hair dye. Also,
while there is no evidence that hair dye can harm an
unborn child, most experts recommend that pregnant
women stop dyeing their hair until the baby is born.
I read recently that several people
have gotten sick from eating
sprouts. Should I avoid them?
Although many people think of sprouts
as health food, a recent Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
report showed that over a three-year
period, more than 22,000 people became
ill after eating contaminated raw sprouts. Lab
tests showed evidence of Salmonella or
E. coli contamination.
It is difficult to protect sprouts fully from
contamination. Because of this, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration recommends
that children, the elderly and immunocompromised people
avoid eating raw sprouts. You may also want to avoid
them if you are concerned about food-borne illness.
My husband is overweight, but he exercises
every day. Does that mean he doesn’t have to
worry as much about his weight?
Being overweight puts people at risk for
several health conditions, including diabetes,
heart disease and some cancers. However, a
recent study has shown that being physically
fit may help lower the health risks
of being overweight. The study looked at
nearly 22,000 men ages 30 to 83 for eight
years. Men who were physically fit
had a lower death rate, regardless
of their weight, than unfit
men in the study.
Your husband is definitely
better off being lean than
overweight. However,
being physically fit may
help protect his health.
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