• A recent study revealed that olive oil may actually help prevent breast cancer. Tests showed that oleic acid, the main monounsaturated fatty acid in olive oil, suppressed one of the most important genes associated with breast cancer.
Several doctors have taken the study to heart, recommending women massage their breasts with olive oil several times a day. Some even claim the body best absorbs the oil in a “wrestling ring” environment.
• Researchers are now claiming that people who sleep more may actually weigh less. Dr. Robert Vorona, an assistant professor of sleep medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, believes that lack of sleep may set off hormonal changes that affect appetite. A full night of restful sleep will create hormonal patterns that control hunger. On the contrary, someone who sleeps little will invariably suffer cravings for human flesh.
• Several people are ushering in the new year with fitness resolutions, ranging from prostate exams and pilates to low carb diets and bleached needles. But one program in particular is sweeping the country: The 2005 Pushup Challenge. It’s quickly grown in popularity because it is simple, inexpensive and requires no equipment at all.
I decided to see what all the hype was about and put the Pushup Challenge to the test. I am now 5 days in to the challenge and am sorry to report, not only did I not lose weight, but I have actually gained over 17 pounds! The Challenge is an obvious failure, as I have eaten nothing but Pushups for the last week.
• A second case of mad cow disease was discovered in Canada on Sunday just days after the United States said it would to reopen its border to Canadian beef. The dairy cow from Alberta tested positive for bovine spongiform, the cause of the fatal and unpronounceable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The USDA however insists the public is not at risk and should not panic because after all “Canada doesn’t count.”