Hocus-Pocus

First of all I have to just say, C-Mase, you are 2 cool with this blog and doing a mighty fine job and the posts are so entertaining and informative. (Shanz, I knew it was you below the moment I saw the words "Ms. Meyers.")

Anyway - my thoughts instantly turned to a 'Spoon Full of Sugar' as soon as I read an article in the current "Glamour" (Salma Hayek edition.) It's called "Health Hoaxes Not to Fall For." The blurb says that according to the American Cancer Society, there is NOT sufficient evidence to conclude that "antiperspirants, underwire bras and underarm shaving (!)" may cause cancer. Of course I believe it's better to be safe than sorry, which is why I have given up both deodorant and pit-shaving. (Ba-dum-bum.) Glamour's so-called health hoaxes also include:

(on my honor as a student i am copying and pasting from the actual article)

"Tampons are toxic!
Some e-mails claim tampons contain asbestos to promote bleeding (so you’ll buy more). Says Newark, New Jersey, ob-gyn Sharon Mass, M.D.: Tampons don’t contain asbestos. Period.

Carmex is addictive!
Urban legend e-mails say the lip balm contains drying ingredients—even ground glass—that make lips drier and turn people into Carmex junkies. Simply false, says dermatologist Zoe Draelos, M.D. What does dry out lips? Licking them a lot.

NutraSweet is nutra-sick!
Alarming missives assert that NutraSweet, aka aspartame, has caused an epidemic of lupus, multiple sclerosis and cancer. But the Food and Drug Administration says current research shows aspartame is safe (except for people with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria, who can’t metabolize it).

Rapists sterilize women!
Scary e-mails claim rapists prowling your town are using a drug called Progesterex to sterilize victims—so perps can’t be identified by paternity. The truth? No such drug. Hoaxers love to prey on female-specific fears, which actually distract you from other important health issues, says Marc Siegel, M.D., author of False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear."

OK, I'm back, and I still believe Diet Coke and its aspertame absolutely just has to be a carcinogen but I figured I'd share this so we can be aware of what MAY be hocus-pocus and continue to cast our spells on the things that could actually hurt us.