Weekly Health Quiz: Diarrhea, Exercise and Depression

1 Which of the following is a risk factor for chronic diarrhea?

• Anorexia
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity

  A link has been found between bowel movements and obesity; 8.5% of obese and 11.5% of severely obese individuals reported chronic diarrhea, compared to 4.5% of those with normal weight. Learn more.

• Fermented foods

2 Phosphate fertilizer may contribute to the toxic contamination of our food supply because:

• Excess phosphorous in your diet can cause cancer
• Excess phosphorous kills plants
• Phosphorous acts synergistically with magnesium, elevating it to dangerous levels
• Phosphate contains a radioactive element, polonium-210, which may be taken up by plants

  Phosphate contains a radioactive element, polonium-210, which may be taken up by plants, raising unanswered questions about food safety. Learn more.

3 Which of the following organizations is NOT an industry front group?

• National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC)

  There are many dozen front groups promoting an industry agenda. Among the most prominent are ILSI, SMC and ACSH, which are all backed by food and agrichemical companies. The NVIC, founded in 1982, is a nonprofit charity that provides accurate information on vaccine safety and efficacy. Learn more.

• International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)
• Science Media Centre (SMC)
• American Council on Science and Health (ACSH)

4 Which of the following therapies has been shown to benefit patients in geriatrics, critical care, rehabilitation, oncology, psychiatry, rheumatology and terminal care alike?

• Light therapy
• Laughter therapy

  Benefits of laughter has been reported in geriatrics, critical and general patient care, rehabilitation, home care, hospice care, oncology, psychiatry, rheumatology, palliative care and terminal care. Learn more.

• Sound therapy
• Float therapy

5 Which of the following supplements has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular events relating to exertion (intense exercise)?

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Folic acid (B9)

  Folic acid supplementation has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular events relating to exertion. Learn more.

• Vitamin B6

6 Which of the following is a possible side effect of antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs that everyone needs to be aware of?

• Explosive diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Stunted growth
• Violence, including murder and suicide

  Violence, including suicide and homicide, is a serious side effect of at least 25 different psychiatric drugs, some of which are now given to young children, toddlers and even babies. Learn more.

7 The following has been shown to have the greatest impact on long-term health and longevity, and is a constant variable in blue zones, which have the highest ratio of centenarians in the world:

• Social interconnectedness and support

  Social interconnectedness and support have been shown to have the greatest impact on long-term health and longevity, even more so than diet and exercise. It's a constant variable in blue zones, which have the highest ratio of centenarians in the world. Learn more.

• A grain-based diet
• A plant-based diet
• Walking