19. Smoking PREVENTS three horrible diseases. Update on "good" and "evil" health habits.

Can bad habits be good for you?  For instance, do cigarettes decrease the risk of Parkinson's disease? Alzheimer's? Ulcerative colitis? The answer is yes.  Smoking is surprisingly powerful as a preventive for these conditions. And you may also want to know that if you're worried about Parkinson's disease, you may want to think twice about living near a golf course.In this episode, Dr, Gordon and Dr. Lemanne discuss the surprising health benefits of some very unhealthy behaviors, and the hidden deadliness of vitamins, sleep aids, and, yes, golf courses. You'll learn that excessive sun exposure (carcinogenic) is extremely heart-healthy, and also decreases the risk of sustaining a broken hip. You'll hear about the perplexing connection between high vitamin B12 levels and increased cancer risk. After listening, you'll be more careful how and when you take vitamin D supplements, because you'll have learned that certain vitamin D schedules increase the risk of falls, and hence increase the rate of bone fractures.  Particularly surprising is the dual nature of polyphenols, found in brightly colored produce. Polyphenols provide the "color" in "eat the rainbow." They also, when consumed during pregnancy, are associated with increased rates of childhood leukemia.Finally, you may want to cover your ears when you hear how taking the popular antihistamine Benadryl for sleep might contribute to cognitive impairment. This episode is essential for anyone interested in the unexpected interplay between health habits and disease prevention, and in the nuances of practicing good medicine. (But please don't start smoking for health.)Dawn Lemanne, MD Oregon Integrative OncologyLeave no stone unturned.Deborah Gordon, MDNorthwest Wellness and Memory CenterBuilding Healthy Brains

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