Have you ever wondered which of the more than 2,000 articles on our website are the most popular? You might be surprised — and you’ll probably want to read at least a few of them. Be sure to read about our contest at the bottom of this email!

Let’s start with #10:

#10: Injuries Related to Artificial Turf

Artificial turf looks like real grass. It was first used in the Houston Astros ballpark (resulting in the term “Astroturf”) but is now in approximately 11,000 athletic fields across the country. And many professional athletes hate artificial turf fields, because they tend to cause more injuries and more serious injuries. We have several articles on our website that point out that lead and toxic chemicals, including carcinogens, are found in the plastic grass itself and also in the infill used on the fields, which is often made of recycled tires and silica sand. However, this popular article focuses on immediate injuries caused by artificial turf compared to grass, which are much easier to calculate. Why is artificial turf bad for children as well as adults? Find out what more than 8,000 of our readers learned here.

#9: Some Antibiotics are Riskier than Others: What You Should Know about Quinolones

Everyone knows that antibiotic resistance can cause people to die from infections, but not everyone knows that a major reason is that antibiotics are terribly overprescribed in the United States. The CDC estimates that half of the 100 million annual antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary, contributing to antibiotic resistance while also harming patients due to numerous side effects ranging from unpleasant reactions like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to serious and even fatal complications. A common class of antibiotics is Quinolones, which includes Levaquin, Cipro, and Maxaquin, among others. They can cause serious heart and neurological problems, as well as tendon damage and severe allergic reactions. Although the FDA has issued a black box warning – the most important type of warning – these drugs are still overused. Antibiotics have saved countless lives, but some are safer than others. Join the almost 9,000 readers who found out more in our article here.

#8: Protein Powders May Be Doing More Harm than Good

Protein powders are popular for gym enthusiasts but also for vegetarians and others who think they aren’t getting enough protein in their diets. The big draw is that they help build muscle and can help achieve other health goals. But are they safe, and what is actually in these powders? Since they are dietary supplements, they are not regulated like medications, and that means they often contain ingredients that aren’t supposed to be there. Some contain toxins or drugs that can cause serious side effects. Equally important: most Americans get enough protein, and getting more protein is not necessarily better. More than 10,000 readers know what’s been found in protein powders and have learned safer ways to get enough protein in your diet, and you can too at the link here. 

#7: Which Common Medications Are Linked to Dementia?

The term Alzheimer’s Disease is incorrectly used to include many different types of dementia and cognitive impairment. Despite the fear that many people have of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, most do not realize that the symptoms commonly considered to be signs of Alzheimer’s are sometimes reversible, especially if they are caused by commonly used medications such as allergy pills, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications. For example, research shows that anticholinergic medications, which block a neurotransmitter used in learning, attention, and memory, can help with a runny nose, incontinence, Parkinson’s, depression, or mental illness, but also can cause confusion and memory loss, and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Join the more than 10,000 readers and find out what you need to know here. 

#6: Cushing’s Syndrome: A Tale of Frequent Misdiagnosis

Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the tissues of the body are exposed to high levels of cortisol for an extended amount of time. It can be difficult to diagnose since it is rare and symptoms develop gradually. Learn more about the symptoms of Cushing’s, why it's often misdiagnosed, and what can be done to manage the disease in our article here. If you suspect you have Cushing’s syndrome, our article may serve as a great source of valuable information that you can discuss with a medical professional. 11,000 others read the article this year!

#5: Are Some Birth Control Pills Too Risky?

If you or someone you love uses Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz, Gianvi, Zarah, or Safyral, or their generic versions (such as Ocella), you'll want to know that research indicates that they are not as safe as other oral contraceptives. All oral contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, but these oral contraceptives contain drospirenone, which increases the chance of developing blood clots that can be fatal because they can travel through your bloodstream and block the flow of blood to your lungs, heart, and brain. Why are they allowed to be sold in the U.S.? The justification is that these oral contraceptives are safer than pregnancy since pregnancy can also cause blood clots and can also be fatal. However, we point out that there are dozens of different oral contraceptives, so why allow the most dangerous ones to stay on the market? Learn more here, as more than 11,000 others have this year.

#4: Violent Video Games and Aggression

After so many mass shootings in the U.S., many of us wonder whether video games may help to inspire such violence. The American Psychological Association considers violent video game exposure to be one of the causes of aggression, but not all aggressive behaviors have such tragic results. Find out more about why video games can increase aggression and if that aggression is likely to result in violent behavior here. You may be as surprised as our 12,000 other readers were this year.

#3: To Tamiflu or Not to Tamiflu?

Flu season tends to increase the popularity of this article as people seek options for preventing or treating unpleasant symptoms. The best way to avoid the flu is by getting your annual flu shot, washing your hands frequently, and minimizing contact with sick people. But once you get the flu, your options are limited. Antibiotics are not effective because the flu is a virus and, therefore, not caused by bacteria. Over-the-counter medications do not cure the flu but can sometimes help reduce symptoms such as aches, coughs, and sore throats. Tamiflu is a popular prescription treatment for the flu, but this year more than 17,000 of our readers were surprised to learn that it only works if started immediately after getting sick, and at best, it shortens your time being sick by only one day. Some people who think they have the flu have a cold instead, and Tamiflu won’t work at all for them. What’s best for you? Find out more here.

#2: Social Media and Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Mental Health

With the popularity of TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and other social media, there is growing concern that they can harm the mental health of children and young adults. Adolescents say that social media has a positive impact on their lives, helping them to connect with others and keep in touch with friends far away. But there is no doubt that it can also make adolescents feel worse. In fact, 25% of adolescents believe that social media has a negative effect on their lives. Whether from FOMO (fear of missing out), body comparisons, or cyberbullying, those who use more social media tend to have signs of anxiety and depression. More than 26,000 of our readers learned more about what they can do to manage their own social media use and to help safeguard their children and you can too here.

#1: Will Pills or Creams Increase Breast Size?

Have you ever wondered if those creams and pills that claim to enhance breast size actually do? The short answer is no. Both the FDA and the Better Business Bureau caution against these scam products, whether they are lotions, creams, pills, or devices – none have been proven to work. They continue to be sold because the U.S. government rarely regulates “beauty products” or dietary supplements. Nevertheless, some dietary supplements claiming to increase breast size have been recalled due to those false claims. Read our article here to learn what to look out for next time you see an ad that seems too good to be true. This is one of our most popular articles every year, and it was read by almost 36,000 people this year alone.

If you haven’t had the chance to look through these articles, now's your chance!  And let us know what you think! With your permission, we’ll be listing the names of our contest winners who already read many of these articles last year or those who read most of them as a result of reading this email today! 

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