Why you don't have to fear West Nile and Hanta viruses

We're beginning to hear about a lot more deaths from the West Nile virus. Health officials are convinced that this will be the worst year for West Nile virus deaths and severe illnesses since 1999 (the year it first appeared in the U.S.).

Despite the press, your risk of a catastrophe is very small. Only about 1-in-5 infected people gets sick. Some recover quickly. But you have a 1 in 150 risk of developing severe symptoms. These include neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, and paralysis, even death. There will be many more infections, as this disease makes its rounds. But still, your risk will remain small.

Antibiotics aren't the only cause of drug-resistant bacteria

You probably know that overuse of antibiotics is a big reason bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. The bugs build up a resistance to the drugs over time. But new research suggests the drugs aren't the only cause of antibiotic resistance. In fact, it's possible your own body might be part of the problem.

Lower your cancer risk by 49% with this overlooked B vitamin

I talk a lot about the importance of taking adequate B vitamins. They're not as exciting as some other vitamins. But B vitamins are extremely important for your health. In fact, there's a particular form of one B vitamin that can lower your colon cancer risk by 49%.

The vitamin I'm talking about is P5P (pyridoxal 5-phosphate). P5P is the active form of vitamin B6. When you eat foods with B6, your body has to convert the B6 into P5P in order for it to work. And a recent study shows that having enough P5P in your blood can substantially decrease your risk for getting colorectal cancer.