I suspect that many of MinnPost’s erudite readers are also readers of the New York Times. I’m therefore reluctant to point you too frequently to health articles there, as you may have already read them.

But an article published in the Times earlier this week by reporter Roni Caryne Rabin deserves special mention. It raises this question: What if the now generally accepted medical precept that moderate alcohol consumption is good for your health is "all a big mistake"?

Reported Rabin:

The article goes on to illuminate how the drinking-alcohol-in-moderation-is-good-for-you belief became so institutionalized, despite the lack of solid evidence. And within that story is a broader warning about generally accepted medical "truisms": They are often not true. How does that happen? Sometimes it’s because the studies on which the precept is based are not designed in a way that can really show that X (such as drinking alcohol moderately) causes Y (a healthier heart). Sometimes it’s because of who is paying for those studies. And sometimes it’s for both reasons.

Noted Rabin:

Again, I recommend that you read the entire article, if you haven’t already. You just may have to come up with another excuse for your evening cocktail.

Health-care myths debunked, Parts 4 & 5

I've added summaries of parts 4 and 5 of the Annals of Surgery article that attempts to debunk five myths about the U.S. health-care system to my Monday post. We've decided to consolidate it there, where there's been a lively discussion. Sorry for any confusion.