Weekly Health Quiz: Coconuts, Pollution and Gratitude

1 Coconut oil is an ideal cooking oil because:

• It has superior shelf life
• It resists heat-induced damage

  Coconut oil is an excellent choice for cooking, as it can resist heat-induced damage. Learn more.

• It contains no trans fats
• Coconut oil should not be used for cooking as it is easily oxidized by high heat

2 What is the primary ingredient in dental amalgam or so-called silver fillings?

• Silver
• Tine
• Mercury

  So-called "silver" amalgam is actually 50 percent mercury, not silver, and the mercury vapors released when chewing or brushing pose a clear and present danger to health, especially your brain and kidneys. Don't let another year go by without locating a qualified mercury-free dentist. Learn more.

• Copper

3 Which of the following companies is the greatest monopoly in the world and, as such, a risk to your privacy and freedom?

• Microsoft
• Apple
• Monsanto
• Google

  Aside from monopolizing the internet, Google also has a strong presence in childhood education, health care and even the food industry, and is engaged in social engineering pursuits, as well as artificial intelligence and military applications. Learn more.

4 Which of the following strategies has been scientifically validated as a way to boost health, happiness and life satisfaction?

• Grounding
• Colored light therapy
• Gratitude

  Practicing gratitude has been scientifically verified as a way to boost happiness and life satisfaction. It also benefits your mental and physical health. Learn more.

• Taking nutritional supplements

5 The following is an effective strategy to compensate for the compelling research documenting the life shortening impact of excessive sitting:

• Cyclical ketogenic diet
• Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep, including adequate deep and REM sleep cycles
• Avoid sitting for more than three hours a day

  According to many experts, the key is to avoid sitting for more than 50 minutes out of each hour. Ideally, you'd want to sit for a maximum of about three hours a day. Learn more.

• Daily sensible sun exposure whenever possible

6 To maintain optimal health, which of the following strategies is more a necessity than an option these days, thanks to pollution?

• Eating organic
• Filtering your water

  Drinking water is becoming increasingly toxic, worldwide, thanks to aging water pipes and chemical pollution. As a result, filtering your household water is crucial for optimal health. Learn more.

• Taking vitamin supplements
• Detoxifying with chelation therapy

7 One in 4 Americans over the age of 45 is taking the following type of drug:

• Antidepressants
• Thyroid hormones
• Antibiotics
• Statins

  While statins — used by 1 in 4 Americans over 45 — may decrease the frequency of mild heart attacks, they will not necessarily lower your risk of heart disease or death from a major heart attack because of the damage they cause to your muscles, including your heart muscle. Learn more.