But recently, this age-old nutritional credo is adopting a brand new, yet much more precarious, connotation. No longer is the caloric intake the only dish in the heap of American dietary concerns. The predicament for Americans now is not what goes on or with the meat, but what lives in the meat itself.

Scientific discoveries are finding that bacteria residing on livestock are growing more resistant to antibiotics—like methicillin, penicillin and tetracycline—commonly used to fight bacterial diseases in humans. The conventional system of administering antibiotics to livestock is proving hazardous to humans who consume processed meat. In response, large meat companies are turning to organic farmers like Jerry Cunningham of Elgin, Texas, who believes that going all natural is the only way to go and that anything more complicated than plain old grass and water jeopardizes health sustainability.

“You wouldn’t spray insecticide on your salad. Then you wouldn’t put antibiotics or other harmful chemicals in your meat,” Cunningham says.

“There will be bacteria on livestock regardless. That’s natural,” points out Brise Tencer, a food representative for the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington, D.C. “But once farmers begin injecting antibiotics into livestock, the bacteria in those organisms become more and more resistant to those antibiotics.”

As a result, humans who consume meat from livestock treated with antibiotics can become more susceptible to the diseases that bacteria tote around on animals and in food.

“There may not necessarily be more illness, but when an illness does occur, it becomes significantly more difficult to treat,” Tencer explains.

If a person ingests any resistant bacteria via improperly cooked meat and becomes ill, he or she may no longer respond properly to antibiotic treatment. One would have to take higher-powered antibiotics or extended doses in order to effectively counteract illnesses, says Michael Davis, Ph.D., poultry science professor at Texas A&M University. The most common of these illnesses results from foodborne pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, which are prevalent on unclean or undercooked food.

Tencer adds, “More recently, we are learning that staph infections are becoming more resistant as well.”

A strain of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA, that is present on animals can be transmitted to people simply through exposure to infected livestock and not solely through consumption. “That means farmers and ranchers who handle livestock daily are also exposed to resistant bacteria,” says Tencer.

In addition, Campylobacter—a bacterial strain now recognized as one of the main causes of bacterial foodborne diseases—can infiltrate stainless steel kitchens through poultry and can cause illness when people consume raw or undercooked poultry meat. While this does not always precipitate severe illness, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are two million to four million Campylobacter infections per year, resulting in as many as 250 deaths each year in the United States.

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Indeed, these legal actions came on the heels of an ABC News/Washington Post poll from Jan. 18 that showed 81 percent of respondents support the idea of legalizing medical marijuana, up from a sizable 69 percent in 1997. Further, 56 percent said that if allowed, doctors should be able to prescribe medical marijuana to anyone they think it can help.

For most of the country, and the federal government, marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug alongside substances such as heroin, PCP, and LSD. Schedule I drugs are among the most restrictive as they have a high potential for abuse and no medical applications. The classification means that medical marijuana is illegal under federal law, but in October the Obama administration set forth a new policy calling on federal officials to not prosecute medical marijuana users who comply with state laws.

This move was probably not too shocking, coming from the administration of a man who admitted to smoking marijuana as a teenager. What is shocking is that less than one month later, the American Medical Association called for the review of the classification of the drug as unsafe and medically unpractical. In its statement, the association, which represents 250,000 physicians, urged the federal government to reevaluate the substance for medical purposes by conducting further clinical research. The association also stressed the new policy should not be read as promoting the legalization of marijuana, the medicinal use of marijuana or the implementation of “state-based medical cannabis programs.”

“Despite more than 30 years of clinical research, only a small number of randomized, controlled trials have been conducted on smoked cannabis,” Dr. Edward Langston, an AMA board member, said in a statement. He further noted that the limited number of studies was  “insufficient to satisfy the current standards for a prescription drug products.”

While proponents of medical marijuana use welcome the AMA’s support, many point to the fact that since California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, dozens of studies have been published preaching its benefits for some patients.

“The AMA always takes the position that there needs to be more research,” said Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). “We know more about marijuana than the foods we eat, than prescription drugs.

“It’s a continuation of cultural battles that go back many, many decades in this country,” Armentano continued. “When marijuana prohibition initially began, the initiatives for it [were] clearly based on racial bias. That racial bias has been replaced with a cultural or stereotypical bias [rather than science], which maintains the continuation of prohibition today.”

In states allowing marijuana for medicinal purposes, the laws clearly state that not just anyone having a bad day qualifies to use the drug. Typically, users must be suffering from cancer, glaucoma, positive HIV/AIDS status and chronic, debilitating diseases or medical conditions that result in wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms.

But the future seems bright for proponents of legalized marijuana, and not just for medicinal purposes. A Gallup poll conducted in October showed an 8 percent increase in support of the legalization of marijuana from 2005 to 2009. Trends suggest that the escalating endorsements originate from women, 18-49 year olds, Democrats, liberals and moderates.

To date, about two dozen states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, are introducing or considering legislation ranging from allowing medical marijuana use to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the herb.

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The H1N1 influenza is a respiratory illness with symptoms that mirror those of the seasonal flu, including fever over 100 degrees, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, chills and fatigue, body aches, headaches, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea. To prevent the disease, the CDC recommends coughing into a tissue, washing hands frequently, avoiding hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth, and avoiding contact with sick people or those believed to be sick.

Since higher-education institutions may act as a “point of spread,” the CDC has provided universities and colleges with an H1N1 tool-kit, which urges faculty, students and staff to stay in their homes, dormitories or residence halls for 24 hours after the fever subsides. It also asks faculty to increase student awareness of influenza.

The most effective measure a person can take is to get vaccinated, and soon that should be easier to do.  Currently, there are nearly 70 million doses available throughout the country, Frieden said. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to vaccinate everyone at risk, which also includes children and those of any age with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and asthma.

The backorder is due to the lengthy time period that the bacteria needs to fully culture, Frieden said. In the coming weeks, though, there should be more vaccines available for at risk individuals.

But more vaccines won’t necessarily translate to vaccinations for 18- to 24-year-olds. So far, state health departments have primarily targeted pregnant women and children before opening the vaccinations up to healthy college students and other groups at risk, said Carrie Williams, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“At this point, we haven’t allocated any vaccines to any schools,” Williams said. “We’re focusing the limited amount to the providers focusing on high-priority groups. Once [the vaccine] opens up, we’re going to give out more.”  A date hasn’t been set for when the vaccine will be available to all individuals.

It’s easy for healthy people to dismiss the CDC’s recommendations as an overreaction, but this disease should not be ignored. It has reached pandemic level, leading President Obama in October to declare the H1N1 virus a national emergency. And from August 30 to November 21, 29,348 people were hospitalized and 1,224 had died from the virus.

The flu season lasts until May, and at this point, researchers are unsure as to why people ages 24 and under are most affected by the disease.

“Flu viruses are very complicated organisms, and this particular strain has only been in circulation since April,” said Jeffrey Dimond, CDC spokesperson. “The initial efforts of scientists went toward creating a vaccine against it, which was done in record time. Now scientists can begin looking into the particulars of the virus-including why it seems to strike younger people more readily.”

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The great health insurance debate has been raging since the 2008 primaries. For the most part, legislative leaders aren’t arguing about whether reform is needed, but about how to do it. But in this war of words between Democrats and Republicans, it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Below are 10 terms you need to know when following the health insurance reform debate.

1. Public Option

The public option refers to government-run health coverage that would be similar to Medicare. The public option would not be mandatory. Individuals covered by the public option would be able to choose their doctors. The public option would not set plan prices for all insurance companies. Those who oppose the public option worry that it may force private insurers out of business if its prices are too low.

2. Pre-Existing Conditions

A pre-existing condition is any health condition or illness that individuals had prior to their first day of initial coverage on a new plan, including pregnancy. An insurer does not have to provide coverage for a pre-existing condition. Insurers have been accused of stretching the definition of pre-existing conditions to avoid paying for costly procedures. If health coverage becomes mandatory for all individuals, insurers will no longer be able to deny coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions.

3. “Death Panels”

“Death panels” is a term used to describe rumors surrounding Medicare reform that would cover appointments with doctors to discuss living wills and other issues dealing with the end of life. The government will not be able to determine whether or not someone is worthy of health care. Reform will not require seniors to undergo counseling on how to end their lives sooner.

4. Health Care Co-Operatives

A health care cooperative, or co-op, is a member-owned system that offers a network of health care providers or contracts out for medical services. Co-ops are not for profit. There are currently co-ops in the United States that successfully provide medical care for their members. Co-ops are being offered as an alternative to a public option in some health reform bills.

5. Medicare

Medicare is a federal program that provides health care for people aged 65 and older and people with certain disabilities. Medicare benefactors have already benefited from reform. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana, negotiated a deal with the pharmaceutical industry this summer that created medication discounts for seniors.

6. Medicaid

Medicaid is a government program that provides health care for low-income individuals and families. It is administered by the states. Medicaid does not give money to individuals. Payments are instead sent straight to the health providers. Health insurance reform could change who is eligible for Medicaid.

7. Sen. Baucus’ Plan

Sen. Baucus drafted this bill which passed the Senate Finance Committee on Oct. 13. The Baucus Plan would require individuals to have health insurance or pay an annual penalty that would vary by income. Medicaid eligibility would be expanded to include everyone with an income up to 133 percent of the poverty line. Employers would not be required to provide insurance, but they would have to reimburse the government for the tax credits used to help individuals buy their own insurance. The plan does not include a public option, but instead calls for health co-ops.

8. Senate HELP Committee Plan

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s Plan would require individuals to have health insurance. Those who do not would be subject to a tax penalty. The plan would set up state gateways, which would certify participating insurers and provide enrollment in Medicaid. Medicaid would be expanded to include everyone with an income up to 150 percent of the poverty line. A public option would be created through the state gateways.

9. House Tri-Committee Plan

The House Tri-Committee Plan would require individuals to have health insurance or pay a 2 percent income tax that could not exceed the national average of health care premiums. A National Health Insurance Exchange would be created to offer four levels of benefits. A public option would be created through the exchange, but would only be available to people without coverage. Medicaid would be expanded to include everyone with an income up to 133 percent of the poverty line. Employers would be required to offer insurance. Employers would also be required to pay for 72 percent of individual premium costs or pay 8 percent into the exchange. Small businesses would be exempt.

10. House GOP Plan

House Republicans have created their own health insurance plan, but have yet to file a bill. The plan does not require individuals to have coverage. There would be no public option. State health care exchanges would be encouraged, but not required. Medicare and Medicaid would not be expanded, but beneficiaries would be able to transfer their coverage to another plan if it is better suited to them.

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