Health News You Can Use

Tomatoes and Salmonella Poisoning. An alleged outbreak of salmonella has hit at least 17 states, and the Center for Disease Control says the source is "still not known." The CDC has been tracking the killer strain of salmonella since mid-April, but cannot figure out the source. Are you telling me it takes two months to track down a rotten tomato? Perhaps more spending on Homeland Security is in order?

Seriously, folks, the stuff that keeps coming from the CDC is nuts. It doesn't make sense. I can't get tomatoes in my local grocery store even though somebody could easily test the local supplies and clear them for consumption. Remember last year's spinach drama? This year, it's tomatoes. This is just the push Congress and its cronies need to pass the $125 million bill to prop up the FDA. This will give policymakers more authority and will surely lead to higher food costs. I envision a day when what I grow in my own backyard is regulated by the Feds. (Geez this is scaring me – I'm sounding like Porter and Dan.)

On a more scientific note, if you wash your food and keep surfaces clean, it is highly unlikely you'll get salmonella. First, you need a weakened immune system, which most of us don't have. Second, you need large numbers of bacteria to overwhelm your natural immune system – which washing and cleaning will prevent. So the bottom line is, don't worry about getting the bug and don't worry about which tomatoes are safe. Most places are protecting you from yourself by taking away the tomatoes, anyway. This is being done less for health reasons and more likely for legal protection. Hmmm... what I wouldn't give for some pico de gallo right now.

Anger and Depression? What chemical in the brain is linked to both depression and anger? It turns out that the neurotransmitter serotonin was recently found to be critical in emotions like anger and aggression. Low levels of serotonin are linked to increases in aggressive behavior. If you recall, this chemical is the target of many antidepressive drugs. From Paxil to Prozac, these drugs work by keeping the serotonin floating around longer in the brain's synapses. Interestingly, the body needs the amino acid tryptophan to make serotonin.

The body makes serotonin in the digestive tract, and eating triggers its production. Scientists think this may explain why some people get aggressive and angry when they haven't eaten much. Remember, good sources of tryptophan include parmesan and cheddar cheeses, milk, pork, chicken, turkey, and beef. Mushrooms and many fruits and vegetables already have serotonin in them. One more reason to eat fruits and veggies.

The Summer Heat Is Here. Although so far not as hot as last summer's heat wave, the heat of summer is here, especially on the Eastern Seaboard... And it can be deadly. Remember: Leaving animals, children, and older folk in a car in the sun can kill them in just minutes. The temperature can rise to 140 degrees very quickly, so remember to park in the shade if you do have to leave a car at all. Or try to leave your engine running and the air conditioner on, if you can do that safely.

Also, remember in the summer to replace your fluids not just with water but also with fluids that contain small amounts of salts – such as sodium and potassium. When your body sweats, it excretes water and salt, thus if you replace the fluid with just water, the concentration of salts in your body decreases and this can be dangerous as well. Consult your doctor if you've been put on a salt-restricting diet.

The Salmon Season Is Cancelled. For the first time in 160 years, the commercial Chinook salmon season in California and Oregon was cancelled. A number of factors led to the cancellation. For years, man has manipulated and destroyed areas where the fish spawn and grow. Also, the industry has scaled back harvests recognizing that past harvests were too large.

What's scary is that Canada and Alaska are also having problems. I'm most worried that the majority of the fresh salmon eaten in the U.S. comes from ocean farms. These farms are suffering from infestations of black sea lice that kill younger fish, which lack scales for protection, and leave the flesh of older fish riddled with disease. The fish farms are so densely populated that disease spreads easily. Now, scientists think the disease is even spreading to the wild fish nearby. Some think salmon farming will lead to the extinction of some types of salmon within four years off the coast of British Columbia. Prices are rising and wild salmon could easily go to $25 per pound this summer.

I love salmon, but after reading about the sea lice and the chemicals used to kill them, I will no longer eat farmed salmon. The main drug, emamectin, is related to the pills we give dogs for heartworms. In areas nearby the fish pens where these chemicals are given, barren areas on the sea floor are cropping up everywhere. I just don't want to eat medicated fish.

The FDA Warns About Silver Fillings. This news is long overdue. A panel of scientists warns that the mercury found in silver fillings poses a risk to pregnant women and young children. Amazingly, dentists still don't believe it could be so. I found a quote on Yahoo from an academic dentist from UCLA who is also an adviser to the American Dental Association quite disturbing. With regard to wanting to still use mercury in the human mouth, he said: "We don't want these choices taken away based on junk science. We don't want them taken away based on misguided fears."