ABC news pushing pharmaceuticals. Statins are a class of drugs often prescribed by doctors to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. If you have high levels of LDL ("bad”) cholesterol, you have a greater chance of heart disease. They may be important to some but there are better safer alternatives without the side effect risks. I know I'll never need a statin.

A salt with a deadly weapon. Salt and sugary drinks may be the cause of heart-disease deaths. A study published this week in JAMA suggests that 10 foods may be contributing to half of all heart-disease related deaths. In the study, researchers looked at the diets of thousands of patients who died from a heart attack, stroke, or type-2 diabetes. They found that diets high in sodium, sugar sweetened beverages, and processed meats increase mortality risk the most. Furthermore, diets that are low in nuts and seeds, fish, fruits and veggies can also increase the risk. The authors go on to say that public health policies targeting proper dietary habits may provide patients with the most improvement to their health.