Archive 2008 2009 2010 2011

Q: Are there any good prescription or over-the-counter diet drugs?
A: It has been nearly impossible to design a diet drug that’s both effective and safe. Just ask the pharmaceutical industry—or the FDA, which in the past year or so has denied approval for at least three hopeful contenders due to safety concerns. And a number of previously approved diet pills have been withdrawn from the U.S. market. That leaves only the following FDA-approved options.
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Q: Does freezing kill bacteria in food? Does it destroy nutrients? Am I better off avoiding frozen food and eating only fresh?
A: Freezing does not kill most microorganisms, but puts them in a dormant state. Though frozen food cannot spoil if it stays frozen, it’s only as safe as it was at the time it was frozen. Thus, when you thaw frozen foods, especially meats and fish, you should cook them to the same degree of doneness as you would fresh foods.
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Q: How much protection do disposable gloves provide at the deli counter and elsewhere?
A: It depends on many factors. People often take plastic gloves as a sign that the wearer is meticulous about cleanliness. But that isn’t necessarily so. Dirty gloves are like dirty hands—bacteria and viruses can thrive in either locale.
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UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, February 2012