Convenience - or the future of the human race?  Where would we be without those handy plastics to wrap our foods in - but previous scientific studies on humans have found that phthalates, found in such materials,  are associated with poor semen quality in men and subtle changes in the reproductive organs in baby boys. 

These changes are brought about by interfering with testosterone levels.  In this new study, Doctors theorized that since low testosterone is also implicated in obesity and syndrome X, there might be a connection with phthalates there, also.

And indeed - there is!

Packaging chemical linked to male fat and insulin resistance

Iron is still a bit of a mystery in the human body:  while too little is a problem, so is too much.  In fact, an imbalance on either side of the spectrum is a disease, anemia (IDA - iron deficiency anemia)  and hemachromatosis.

Generally, when an adult is suffering from anemia, the first suspicion is some form of occult bleeding.  However, often no such cause can be determined.

This study shows a fascinating connection between IDA, and Helicobacter Pylori, the bug which is implicated in many ulcers.  In some of these cases, where previously it had been impossible to raise the patients' iron levels by ANY means, the levels adjusted themselves after H. Pylori was eradicated.

Eradicating H. Pylori May Help to Resolve Unexplained Iron Deficiency Anemia