Hmmm.... Maybe Two Plus Two Really Does Equal Five

It seems like every few weeks we're told that something that has long been believed to be bad for us is actually good! For example, last month scientists announced that being overweight is not nearly as deadly as previously thought. Before that some studies determined that salt was not as major a factor in hypertension as genetic predisposition. Years ago, people with kidney stones were told to stay away from calcium. Then it was discovered that a low calcium level actually encourages the body to hoard the mineral and can lead to: The development of kidney stones!! And remember how caffeine was once believed to cause heart attacks? Then they found that many people who drank a lot of coffee also tended to be smokers, and THAT'S what was knocking 'em off.

And how long have we been hearing that sunlight is bad? That El Sol will kill us if we don't cover up, or hide in the shade, or douse ourselves with SPF 60? That exposure to solar radiation will cause us to become hideous tumor covered freaks awaiting a slow painful death from melanoma? This knowledge was every bit as sacred as two plus two equaling four, and if you let your kids run around without some sort of skin protection, you were a horrible, irresponsible parent who should be reported to the local child services agency.

So guess what? Now they have determined that sunlight (in moderation) is --GASP!--good for you!!!! It is necessary for the production of vitamin D, which in turn helps ward off--GASP!--cancers of all kinds. That would include lymphoma, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and--GASP!--even skin cancer!!! So if the sun doesn't kill us, the irony certainly will.

That's it then. I'm giving up trying to live a healthy lifestyle before it kills me. After all, it's only a matter of time of time until they tell us that fat and cholesterol are essential nutrients, and we should all eat as much red meat as possible, with supersize fries on the side and a milkshake to wash it all down.

Gotta go. There's a chocolate cheesecake calling my name.