Weekly Health Quiz: Exposure to Silver Fillings, Brain Aging and the Microplastics Crisis

1 How much mercury by weight do dental amalgam fillings typically contain?

• 10%
• 25%
• 35%
• 50%
  

  Dental amalgam fillings contain approximately 50% mercury by weight. Researchers found that adults with amalgam fillings had significantly higher blood mercury levels than those without amalgam fillings. Learn more.

2 Why is linoleic acid (LA) harmful to your skin?

• Skin cells use it to block all sunlight.
• Oxidation produces toxic by-products during exposure to sunlight.
  

  Linoleic acid (LA) can oxidize in skin cell membranes during sunlight exposure, forming toxic byproducts such as 4-HNE, which can damage DNA and accelerate skin aging. Learn more.

• The moment you consume LA, melanin production stops.
• The pores close tightly, trapping moisture inside.

3 How can mercury from fillings spread throughout the body?

• It is forever locked inside the filling.
• They leave only after the tooth is removed.
• When mixed with saliva, it becomes harmless.
• It is released as vapor during chewing or exposure to heat.
  

  Chewing, grinding, or eating hot food can release mercury vapor, which can enter the blood and travel to organs, tissues, brain, and placenta. Learn more.

4 What factors do not accelerate brain aging?

• chronic stress
• pollution
• meditation
  

  Stress, pollution, and metabolic burden can accelerate brain aging. Instead, a consistent meditation routine may help lower stress. Learn more.

• plant-based diet

5 Which of the following is incorrect regarding the cardiovascular-renal-metabolic (CKM) syndrome?

• It is linked to heart, kidney and metabolic disorders.
• It affects only a small number of American adults.
  

  This is not uncommon, as nearly 90% of adults in the United States have one or more risk factors for CKM. Taking early action can help protect your heart, kidney, and metabolic health. Learn more.

• Early metabolic changes can help reverse many cases
• Poor eating habits and chronic stress can cause related problems.

6 What does Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) cause people to do?

• Dream while you sleep
  

  Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) can cause screaming or movements during dreams and may be an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia. Learn more.

• Don’t dream completely at night
• sleep longer without waking up
• Forget your dream after waking up

7 Which of the following may be a sign of vitamin D deficiency?

• slow nail growth
• Increased appetite
• frequent illness
  

  Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to frequent illness, fatigue, decreased bone strength, and low mood. That’s because vitamin D supports immunity and overall health. Learn more.

• Clearer night vision

8 How does a cysteine-rich diet help your gut health?

• Blocks all immune activity in the intestines.
• Eliminates the need for intestinal bacteria.
• It stops digestion and allows the intestines to rest.
• Activates stem cells that repair the intestinal lining.
  

  Cysteine ​​triggers repair signaling between intestinal cells and immune cells, supporting stem cells that rebuild the intestinal lining after injury. Learn more.

9 What can I use instead of dental floss if I have dexterity issues?

• cotton swab
• gentle plaque remover
  

  The gentle plaque remover allows you to clean between teeth with one hand, making it easy to use even when regular flossing is difficult. Learn more.

• whitening strips
• tongue scraper

10 How much glycine does your body use each day from collagen alone?

• About 3 grams
• About 6 grams
• About 9g
• About 12 grams
  

  The body uses about 12 grams of glycine each day for collagen, but normal production and diet can leave a gap of about 10 grams. Learn more.

11 What molecules help heat therapy relax and widen arteries?

• nitric oxide
  

  Heat exposure increases blood flow and shear stress, which triggers nitric oxide release. Nitric oxide helps lower blood pressure by relaxing and widening arteries. Learn more.

• cortisol
• glucose
• histamine

12 What types of fiber help lower cholesterol?

• soluble fiber
  

  Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol in the intestines, reducing its absorption into the bloodstream and helps maintain healthy low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Learn more.

• insoluble fiber
• synthetic fiber
• muscle fiber

13 What is the most important thing about reducing stress with exercise?

• Train as hard as you can every time
• If you lose weight before your stress gets better
• Maintaining regular activity consistently
  

  Stress reduction occurs gradually through repetitive exercises, teaching your body to handle stress more efficiently and recover more quickly. Learn more.

• Prevents recovery between workouts

14 What is the difference between cognitive impairment and dementia?

• Cognitive impairment always means permanent memory loss.
• Cognitive impairment is an early sign of brain stress
  

  Cognitive impairment may mean early problems with concentration, memory or decision-making, while dementia is a more advanced form of brain decline. Learn more.

• Dementia only affects concentration in stressful situations.
• Dementia improves quickly without changing lifestyle habits

15 Why is blue light from screens harmful?

• Night vision becomes too strong after using the screen
• The screen blocks all light from reaching your eyes.
• Melatonin drops and sleep times are disrupted.
  

  Blue light can lower melatonin and disrupt your circadian rhythm, making it difficult to fall asleep and altering your normal sleep patterns. Learn more.

• Daytime brightness makes the screen more difficult to read.

16 What biodegradable plastics are being explored as eco-friendly options?

• Polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
• Polyamide (PA) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA)
  

  Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA) can decompose under certain conditions, but are not yet perfect replacements. Learn more.

17 Which of the following can help soothe sleep pressure?

• aspirin
  

  Small doses of aspirin can help reduce drowsiness and provide steady energy throughout the day by lowering free fatty acids and serotonin. Learn more.

• melatonin
• caffeine
• antihistamines

18 What’s an easy way to test balance?

• Count how many steps you take every day
• Stand on one leg for 10 seconds
  

  Standing on one leg for 10 seconds or performing timed and go tests may reveal balance issues that may require training or further evaluation. Learn more.

• Stretching your legs while sitting on a chair
• Walk faster than usual for 1 minute

19 What are the well-known C15:0 drugs compared to their effects on AMPK?

• aspirin
• ibuprofen
• metformin
  

  C15:0 was compared to metformin, a common blood sugar drug that involves adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Learn more.

• penicillin

20 At what age does thyroid function decline gradually and anticortisol hormones drop more rapidly?

• before puberty
• Around 50 years old
• After 25 years of age
• After 35 years of age
  

  After age 35, thyroid function may gradually decline and anticortisol hormones may decline more rapidly, increasing the risk of cortisol and estrogen excess. Learn more.

21 What at-home methods can help reduce mouth breathing during sleep?

• mouth taping
  

  Oral taping uses soft medical tape over the lips to promote nasal breathing during sleep and may help with snoring or mouth breathing. Learn more.

• Warm tea before going to bed
• throat candy
• extra pillow