Far too much of a good thing invites far too many unintended risks

It's human nature to seriously overdo things. This is not a momentous revelation, yet most of us fail to take it into account until the proverbial "bubble is popped" ( to use the current metaphor for unravelings that have recently taken place in the financial and housing markets ).  

Consider another example regarding health. We take as infallible, reports from the medical community about research findings which reveal positive results from the ingestion of particular food products ( red wine for heart health) or the administration of prescribed medications ( Fosomax to strengthen bones ) as the final word and a GOOD life long course of action.   

There are two realities that are frequently overlooked. 1) Because a small dosage of something may be GOOD for you doesn't mean that a large amount would be better (wine). 2). A medication providing immediate and short term health benefits may have disastrous long term consequences.

Recent reports about Fosomax are illustrative.

There are many people who have been taking Fosomax for many years assuming that their bones would continue to decalcify less and strengthen more. As far as they are concerned this medication will continue to be part of a life-long regimen. Now, suddenly this year the medical community is coming up with findings that Fosomax starts losing its beneficial strengthening effects after about four or five years and, for some people, it starts working in reverse. The result appears to be the development of micro- fractures within certain bones.

Conclusion?

There are no panaceas, nothing is permanent, everything in moderation, skepticism is an important tool for survival.