One of the most commonly used medications in the United States over the last 80 years has been antibiotics. Since the discovery of arsphenamine in 1909 as a treatment for syphilis, followed by Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have been widely prescribed and mass-produced since the 1940s. They've rightly been hailed as a medical miracle, saving countless lives from dangerous bacterial infections. But that doesn't mean they're without consequences. In fact,...

  I've got a little story to tell you today. Several years ago, a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and asked me to accompany her to an appointment where her doctor would explain the upcoming treatment. After the doctor outlined the surgery and chemotherapy plan, she asked if we had any questions. I asked, "Why do you think she developed breast cancer in the first place?" You should have seen the deer-in-the-headlights look I...

  I never watch TV (aside from football games), but after getting a taste of a morning news program while waiting to have blood drawn recently, I decided to conduct a little experiment and forced myself to watch an hour of mainstream television. All I can say is I was nauseated—and I couldn't even make it a full hour. Because in the span of just 45 minutes, I counted 10 prescription drug commercials. Ten. Although...

  According to Harvard Health Publishing, osteoporosis currently affects approximately 10 million Americans. Women are far more susceptible than men. Of those 10 million cases, about 80 percent occur in women and 20 percent in men. In addition, another 43 million Americans have low bone mass (osteopenia), meaning there is a strong possibility they could eventually develop osteoporosis. What’s especially alarming is that these 53 million Americans represent roughly 43 percent of all adults age...

  A dentist's appointment this morning got me thinking about a dental concern that affects millions of people—often without them even realizing it. And the consequences can extend far beyond your teeth and gums. I'm talking about amalgam fillings. You may know them as "silver fillings." For more than 150 years, they've been one of the most common ways to restore cavities. But a long history of use does not automatically mean something is safe....