One of the reasons touted for taking a direct-to-consumer gene test is that, in theory, if you know you're genetically predisposed to a particular ailment, you'll change behaviors that might make it more likely you'll get that ailment. For example, if a DNA test says you're at greater risk for heart disease, presumably you'll give up smoking, eat better, maybe get some exercise — all big risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

But a recent English review of 18 studies that looked at what happens when DNA test results are used by doctors as warning signs to patients found that the results had little or no impact on whether the patients actually changed unhealthy behaviors.

Food for Naught

You know that old dictate from mom to eat everything on your plate?

It's not such a good idea if your plate is overloaded — especially with calorie-dense foods.

Not surprisingly, a recent study found that most children cannot resist eating larger portions of food, typically consuming an extra and unnecessary 175 calories, if that's what put in front of them. The unhealthful effect was exacerbated when the foods offered were calorie rich, such as cheese and bread.

The solution, said researchers, can be as simple as substituting larger sized portions of lower-calorie-dense foods, i.e. unbreaded, grilled chicken pieces or reduced-sugar applesauce. In tests, hungry children seemed to be just as satisfied.

Body of Knowledge

The odds of a woman giving birth to multiples (twins, triplets and more) increases with her height and weight.

Get Me That, Stat!

Critically ill children admitted to intensive care units are often intravenously fed, but a new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests the practice might not maximize recovery. A randomized, controlled trial of 1,440 critically ill children found that no food or small amounts of food by mouth was better for them than artificial nutrition. Mortality rates were similar, but infections in the latter group were almost half of those fed by IV.

Counts

9: Percentage of American adults who have asthma, up from 7 percent in 2002

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Doc Talk

Fluttering eye syndrome: patient faking unconsciousness

Phobia of the Week

Acarophobia: fear of itching

Never Say Diet

The Major League Eating record for horseshoe sandwiches (open-faced thick bread with hamburger patty, french fries and cheese sauce) is 6 pounds, 5 ounces in 12 minutes, held by Joey Chestnut. It is not true that after so many horseshoes, an ailing Chestnut had to be put down. Sorry, lame joke.

Hypochondriac's Guide

Parry Romberg syndrome is an acquired (not inherited) disorder in which skin and soft tissues on one half of the face begin to atrophy or shrink, resulting in an asymmetrical appearance. Symptoms typically appear before age 20 and degree of severity varies widely. The cause is unknown.

Observation

"It is a good thing for a physician to have prematurely gray hair and itching piles. The first makes him appear to know more than he does, and the second gives him an expression of concern which the patient interprets as being on his behalf." — American physician and writer A. Benson Cannon (1888-1950)

Sum Body

Sixty percent of blood is plasma, a straw-colored fluid that's primarily water, but also contains proteins, enzymes, hormones and antibodies. The remaining 40 percent consists of different kinds of cells:

—Red blood cells are most common. They are the oxygen transporters. Every second, your body produces 2-3 million new RBCs to replace those that have worn out (after roughly 120 days in circulation).

—White blood cells come in many shapes and sizes, all involved in your immune response. Neutrophils digest pathogens like bacteria. Macrophages do too, but also clean up and clear out debris, such as old or damaged RBCs. Lymphocytes (B and T cells) trigger different types of immune response, summoning other cells and molecules to infections or invaders.

—Platelets are cellular fragments that circulate until activated to form a clot.

Mycrobes

Microsporum gypseum live in soil, but sometimes infect the upper dead layers of mammalian skin, including humans. Some are pathogenic and some are not. The latter are not life threatening, but can cause peeling, pustules, rashes, inflammation and lesions of the skin. Treatment is typically a topical anti-fungal drug, such as ketoconazole.

Medical Myths

Hair and fingernails do not continue to grow after death, even for a little while. It sometimes appears that way because dehydration may cause the deceased person's body to contract, shrinking skin back from hair and nails to make them look longer.

Last Words

"Surprise me."

—Actor and comedian Bob Hope (1903-2003) when asked by his wife where he wanted to be buried. (He was interred in the Bob Hope Memorial Garden at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Los Angeles where his mother is also buried.)

Mycrobes.

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.