Micronutrient supplementation: more is not better.

A recent editorial in the NEJM reminds of a truism that once an adequate concentration of a nutrient has been achieved, additional intake has no effect. So, unless one has a known deficiency of a nutrient, there is no good reason to take in more of it. When attracted by purported benefits of supplements, one should also beware of potential ill effects and unnecessary expense.

Goosey Goosey Gander wanders no more…

The summer edition of Sanctuary, the journal of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, presents a series of articles on bird flocks. There one can read a remarkable “explanation” for the current huge population of yearlong resident Canada geese that haunt our playing fields, open parks, and golf courses. Years ago, the rapid decline and threatened extinction of the species along the Atlantic coast was blamed on extensive market hunting. In response, instead of banning or restricting the shooting, they clipped the wings on midwestern geese and brought them here where they remained and raised their young year round. Now hunting, herding dogs, and coyote decoys can’t get rid of them!

Good News for Coffee Drinkers

This week’s New England Journal of Medicine reported a study of 5, 148,760 person-years that showed “coffee consumption was inversely associated with total and cause-specific mortality.” Drink up!

Noninvasive testing for paternity in pregnancy

A recent letter in the NEJM describes a noninvasive test to determine paternity in pregnancy. (N Engl J Med 366; 18 May 3, 2012 page 1743.) 5% of raped women become pregnant, but whether the rape or consensual intercourse caused the pregnancy is often uncertain. 80% of unintended pregnancies are terminated before 10 weeks, making it likely many rape victims terminate pregnancies before testing for paternity. The invasive tests carry a risk of miscarriage, but here the authors report a maternal blood test that in correctly determined paternity in all 30 cases studied. 

The Masters on Easter was a curious juxtaposition.

Maureen Dowd contrasts the inclusionary message of the Jesus story with the exclusionary nature of the Augusta National Golf Club.

( http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/opinion/sunday/dowd-what-would-jesus-do-at-the-masters.html?_r=1&ref=maureendowd )

Another great read for "kids" of all ages:

Something to chew on...

If you happen to be a fan of Carl Hiassen (or not), try his latest book for kids of all ages. 

  

It's a fun read. I even laughed out loud!