Kris Hedstrom, the director of CHEP's Innovation Center, which adjoins the plant, is wearing earplugs, protective glasses and hard plastic shoe covers over his toes.

FORBES: Beast of Burden

In the briefing Chairman Jaczko updated the President on the status of the reactors at the plant in Japan and on additional protective measures the United States is taking to ensure the safety of American citizens in that region of Japan.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Researchers don't know why a plant-based diet seems to have a protective effect, but one likely reason is the nutrient profile of vegetarian diets, which tend to be higher in fiber and lower in saturated fat.

WSJ: Vegetarians Live Longer Than Meat-Eaters, Study Finds