Linking to the World Outside

It is often a good assumption that when I am not posting online, my life offline is quite busy.  In fact, the past few days have been very hectic that writing has been postponed more and more.

Likewise, if I am not writing, I am probably reading.  I finally decided to publish a list of links to scour through, places I’ve been to, frequent even.

Take note that it’s only a starter list.  As I said, I’ve been busy.  Expect updates and additions in the coming days.

Health concerns

As mothers—by nature and in the interest of what’s best for our children and family—we have a tendency to be a bit more neurotic when it comes to health. We load up on anti-bacterial soap, read the nutrition facts on food labels, watch out for preservatives and chemicals, and basically keep up with news about the best and healthiest.

Well, it seems like some of our best efforts may actually be on the wrong track. A recent article exposes Health Habits That Aren’t. Here’s the list and some excerpts:

1. Using anti-bacterial soap

(The) fact is there’s a lot we don’t know about the long-term effects of common, household use of anti-bacterials. According to the Centers for Disease Control, these chemicals have been shown, in the lab, to kill off only weak bacteria—leaving the tougher ones to reproduce. That’s led many medical experts to worry that anti-bacterial soaps might be contributing to the rise of stronger bacteria, capable of fighting off our attempts to kill it. So far, this theory hasn’t been proved in a real-life setting… Bottom line: It’s just not worth the risk.

2. Sitting up straight

So-called “perfect” posture might actually be contributing to back pain. Slouching was the better way to sit, (referring) to reclining backward, which is, according to the study, a great way to relieve pressure on your lower back.

3. Following a low-fat diet

There’ve been plenty of studies, dating back to the early 1990s, which show low-fat diets aren’t as effective as they’re made out to be. In fact, there’s even some evidence that the behaviors they inspire might be harmful.

4. Trusting your eyesight to carrots

You really only need a small amount of it—and no matter how much vitamin A you consume, it’s not going to magically eliminate your need for glasses. In fact, if you eat too much vitamin A, you can end up with a toxic—although not usually fatal—reaction.

5. Taking antioxidant supplements

Without antioxidants, free radicals start trying to stabilize themselves—often by swiping molecules from your DNA, damaging it in the process… The free radical-fighting power of antioxidants has been demonstrated in the lab and people who eat plant-heavy diets are less likely to suffer from the diseases linked to free radicals… (But) many studies have shown that people who get their antioxidants from popular supplements receive none of the health benefits.

6. Drinking eight glasses of water a day

For some people, eight glasses a day might actually be far too much, leading to sodium deficiencies and potentially life-threatening water intoxication, caused by kidneys not being able to keep up the intake of liquids.

7. Buying “all-natural” health products

Some natural health products might be toxic if you take too much, others can trigger unexpected allergic reactions, and still others react badly with medically prescribed drugs or with individual health issues, like pregnancy or heart disease.

8. Relying on sunscreen to save you from skin cancer

People tend to not use enough sunscreen or use it consistently or use it early enough in life; they also often aren’t using a sunscreen that’s truly effective.

Read the full text on MSN.com