Weekly Health Quiz: Aspirin’s Hidden Potential, Safely Curbing Your Cravings, and Reducing PMS Pains

1 Which drugs form the backbone of standard colon cancer treatment?

• Paclitaxel and vincristine
• Cisplatin and carboplatin
• 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin

  5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin target DNA and are widely used together as core treatments in colon cancer, reflecting standard clinical practice. Learn more.

• Methotrexate and cyclophosphamide

2 Which test helps assess insulin resistance using a simple blood sample?

• Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR)

  The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) uses fasting glucose and insulin levels to estimate how well the body responds to insulin. Learn more.

• Oral glucose tolerance test
• Hemoglobin A1c measurement
• Fasting lipid panel

3 Which mineral does magnesium help regulate by blocking excess entry into cells?

• Potassium
• Iron
• Sodium
• Calcium

  Magnesium acts as a natural calcium blocker, preventing excess calcium from entering cells, which helps maintain nerve function, muscle control, and stable heart rhythm. Learn more.

4 What do early hunger, cravings, and energy crashes after eating indicate?

• Disrupted appetite signaling and poor blood sugar control

  Frequent hunger and energy crashes point to poor blood sugar control and disrupted gut-brain signaling, making it harder for your body to recognize fullness. Learn more.

• Strong metabolism and efficient digestion for better energy
• High protein intake during meals, which uses plenty of energy to digest
• Improved communication between gut and brain

5 When do PMS symptoms typically occur during the menstrual cycle?

• During menstruation
• At the start of the cycle
• In the second half of the cycle

  Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, pain, and sleep disruption typically appear in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Learn more.

• After ovulation has fully ended

6 How does improved fitness affect your brain during exercise?

• The brain improves its response to physical activity but without mood benefits
• Memory function declines as workouts become easier
• The brain produces a stronger BDNF response

  As fitness improves, the brain releases more brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) during exercise, enhancing attention, decision-making, and impulse control. Learn more.

• Mental focus improves with repeated training but not reaction times

7 When whole foods like sweet potatoes are turned into chips, what changes most?

• Flavor becomes stronger and more appealing for those who don't eat them
• Processing reduces fullness while increasing calorie intake

  Removing water concentrates calories and reduces volume, so stomach stretch signals stay low. This makes chips easier to overeat compared to whole foods. Learn more.

• Presentation improves, raising the overall cost but allows more nutrient intake
• Texture becomes crunchier and more enjoyable