Sample, Ian. "Sleeping Less than Six Hours a Night Skews Activity of Hundreds of Genes." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 25 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. . This article, from The Guardian, talks about an English study on sleep patterns and genes. The study found that the genes of people who sleep less than six hours per night become suppressed and much less functional than those of people who sleep for healthier periods of time (i.e. 8 hours or more, typically). These changes can affect more than 700 genes that govern the human body's immune system, metabolism, sleep and wake cycles, and responses to stress. 

This is very relevant to not just the Health course, but to people's everyday lives as well. As high school students, many of us are too preoccupied with doing schoolwork or procrastinating to go to sleep on time, which leads to sleep deprivation. We all know that sleep deprivation will also deprive one of his or her ability to focus properly, but this article provides a very solid scientific explanation as to why we should be sleeping right. I think that this kind of stuff is fascinating -- the whole idea of digging deep into how the human body works is just amazing, especially since we're always learning new things.

"Aspartame's Hidden Dangers." Mercola.com. Mercola.com, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. . "Aspartame Is, by Far, the Most Dangerous Substance on the Market That Is Added To Foods." Mercola.com. Mercola.com, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. . Summary: This article covers the negative health effects that come with the human consumption of aspartame, a natural sweetener found in "diet" foods and beverages such as Coca-Cola Zero. Among the health risks are birth defects in pregnant women, worsening of diabetes, the development of brain tumors, epilepsy, and emotional disorders such as clinical depression. The consumption of aspartame can cause headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain, according to Mercola.com. Studies done on the adverse health effects of aspartame have often been altered to remove the negative results.

Personally, I find it sickening that the FDA is allowing this substance to remain on the market. The FDA has offered no statements regarding the countless adverse health effects caused by aspartame, even though they obviously exist. Hopefully, it will be banned sometime soon.