Since the day cell phones became available more widely, there have been widely published reports that people who are glued to their phones may get brain cancer. The evidence was, however, mostly anecdotal, though several doctors and even brain surgeons reported seeing changes in the brains of people who used mobile phones a lot.

Now there is one study by Institute of Cancer Research that shows that after use of a phone for ten years, no risk of cancer could be found. It is important to understand that this study, or for that matter, no study has yet shown that cell phone radiation will not increase the risk of cancer.

What can you do to reduce the exposure from radiation from cell phones?

1. Use headphones. These are very inexpensive. And if you do not mind spending a little bit more money you can buy the so-called bluetooth headphones that operate wirelessly and can be used not just with cell phones but also other Nokia, Motoroa, Ericsson, etc.

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When the jury in Texas awarded Carol Ernst over $250 million (the amount will be reduced to $26 million on appeal), they sent a strong message not only to Merck but to each one of us. Derrick Chizer, one of the jurors put it very clearly: "Stop doing the minimum to put your drug on the market."

We now know that Merck knew the cardiovascular risks of the drug years before the drug was launched but deliberately kept everyone in the dark. On the other hand, it used hundreds of millions of dollars to market the drug directly to seniors and their family members. As many as 60,000 Americans are reportedly dead after taking Vioxx, according to FDA estimates.

So what can we learn from the Vioxx debacle?

1. Do not trust everything that a drug company tells you in an ad. While they may be technically accurate (something that the FDA checks), they may not be telling you every thing that you need to know. Do your own research.
2. Do not trust your doctor blindly. Most doctors never bother to keep up with latest research or simply prescribe the drug based on what you tell them. Even worse, many doctors get all their knowledge about new drugs from pharma sales people. Many doctors receive payments for prescribing certain drugs. If in doubt, get a second opinion.
3. Do not trust the FDA or your representatives. The agency relies on the pharma companies for its budget and there are more drug industry lobbyists in Washington than members of Congress. Drug companies fund election campaigns and treat politicians really well.
4. While you can file a lawsuit against a drug company, it will neither bring your health nor your loved one back.
5. Do not rush to your doctor for every ailment. All drugs have side effects and many prescription drugs provide only symptomatic relief - they do not cure. Learn to live with your ailments and explore natural alternatives. The advertising for drugs creates an impression that you have all the symptoms of the illness and you need to be treated for it. Americans consume the highest amount of prescription drugs in the world and are still not the healthiest people.

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A company that has denied any wrongdoing whatsoever for causing the deaths of as many as 50,000 Americans suffered its first defeat today. A jury in Texas found that Merck was responsible for the death of Robert Ernst - a healthy man, addicted to fitness and good health, who also happend to be a trainer for marathon races. Carol Ernst, the widow, will receive over $250 million, though as expected, Merck will appeal the case.

Vioxx, Celebrex, and Bextra are painkillers that belong to the COX-2 inhibitor category and are supposed to minimize bleeding in the digestive system. However, they were suspected of raising the risks of heart attacks on strokes. Despite knowing this, Merck and Pfizer continued to aggressively market the drugs resulting in deaths and injuries worldwide. As many as 80 million people worldwide have taken these drugs. Both Vioxx and Bextra were recalled but Celebrex continues to be on the market (though with a black box warning) despite repeated requests from consumer rights groups and doctors that the drug be banned.

Since this drama began last year, all painkillers including NSAIDs have come under scrutiny. Now the latest research says that almost all painkillers (including over the counter pills like ibuprofen) have serious side effects and should not be taken without consulting a doctor and definitely not for extended periods of time.

In the coming months, the Vioxx and Bextra lawsuit trials will continue. Next month, Merck faces Michael Humeston in Atltantic City, New Jersey. His attorney is Chris Seeger says that while Humeston survived the side effects of Vioxx and a heart attack, he is not longer the same man. Then after Thanksgiving, the case of Richard Irvin will be heard in the federal trial in New Orleans.

If you have taken Vioxx, Celebrex, Bextra or any other painkillers, you may want to speak to a doctor and a lawyer to make sure that you are OK.

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I am sure that you enjoy a soft drink as much as we all do but these beverages do more damage to your health than anything else - since it is so difficult to keep track of how much you drank, especially if you are drinking from one of those huge soda bottles.

The soft drinks are so dangerous to your health that the American Beverage Association itself is recommending that kids stop drinking soda altogether. The beverage industry will now offer only and water and 100% juice in elementary schools and only nutritious and/or lower calorie beverages in middle and high schools.

So how can you stop drinking soft drinks?

1. Drink plain water. If you think that it is not delicious enough, add a drop of lemon/lime juice. No sugar though! You may also buy rosehip flowers and if you soak them in water for a few hours you will get another calorie-free flavor that you can add.
2. Stay away from vending machines of all types. All tap water in the United States is safe for drinking so you do not even have to go a vending machine or to a convenience store to buy bottled water.
3. When you do have a desire to drink something other than water, get some oranges and make your own juice. Stay away from the juice purchased from the supermarket - it has sugar that you simply don't need. While diet drinks are a better option, they are nothing but a bunch of chemicals poured into water - we recommend that you stay away from them as well.

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Yoga prevents middle age spread around waist

While Indians have known for centuries the wonderful things that yoga can do, now there is overwhelming scientific evidence that regular yoga practice may actually help prevent middle-age spread in normal-weight people and may promote weight loss in those who are overweight.

The researchers found that between the ages of 45 and 55, most people gained about a pound a year, which is a common pattern as people age and do not adjust their caloric intake to their declining energy needs. "However, men and women who were of normal weight at age 45 and regularly practiced yoga gained about 3 fewer pounds during that 10-year period than those who didn't practice yoga," said Dr Alan Kristal, the study's lead author. This imbalance is what causes obesity in so many Americans. For the study, regular yoga practice was defined as practicing at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years.

The researchers noted the greatest effect of regular yoga practice was among people who were overweight. "Men and women who were overweight and practiced yoga lost about 5 pounds, while those who did not practice yoga gained about 14 pounds in that 10-year period," said Kristal. What accounts for yoga's apparent fat-fighting potential? Kristal, himself a longtime yoga student, suspects it has more to do with increased body awareness than the physical activity itself.

"During a very vigorous yoga practice you can burn enough calories to lose weight, but most people don't practice that kind of yoga," he said. "From my experience, I think it has to do with the way that yoga makes you more aware of your body. So when you've eaten enough food, you're sensitive to the feeling of being full, and this makes it much easier to stop eating before you've eaten too much."

Another reason, co-author Denise Benitez speculates, could be that yoga cultivates a form of gentle inner strength. "When we practice yoga, although it may look easy, there is some mild discomfort. You bring your body to a physical edge that's just a little bit challenging. And people who regularly practice yoga develop the inner resources to stay with a little bit of discomfort. They develop a softness inside and an ability to stay mindful. So that when you go home after yoga class and open up the fridge and see a chocolate cake, you have the resources to stay with the discomfort of not eating that chocolate cake."

No wonder then after it was found out that Hollywood celebrities were all crazy about yoga, many pregnant women have started to practice yoga regularly.

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