05 / 26 / 2023
Millions of people worldwide are affected by seasonal and food allergies. Allergies are hypersensitivity responses that occur when the immune system overreacts to substances that are normally harmless such as pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. Allergies are associated with a variety of symptoms such as sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, skin rashes and digestive symptoms. Some allergies need an immediate medical intervention as life threatening while most of the allergy management involves allergen avoidance and symptomatic treatment by medications. However, there is substantial research support on application of micronutrients in modulating the immune response and reducing allergy symptoms. Some of these include:
05 / 04 / 2023
You may be surprised to know that our skin is the largest organ in the body comprising 15% of the body weight. In addition to providing protection, regulating body temperature, and excreting toxins, it also uses sunlight to produce the important nutrient – vitamin D. Healthy looking skin results from a good supply of oxygenated blood and optimum collagen content. Changes in its appearance tell a lot about our internal health as various nutritional deficiencies, an unhealthy lifestyle, digestive, liver, and kidney issues, hormonal imbalances, inflammatory diseases, allergies, and autoimmune disturbances are visible on the skin. Therefore, skin health is essential for our overall well-being.
03 / 24 / 2023
Lyme disease, also called Borreliosis, is a tick born bacterial infection and is the most common vector born disease in the United States and Europe. It is caused by the bacterium of the Borrelia species which is carried by the ticks from animals to humans. Due to unspecific flu-like symptoms including headache, fatigue, low grade fever, rash and joint pains, it is hard to diagnose and treat Lyme disease at an early stage. If the bacteria is not eliminated more symptoms develop that can last for months or years and significantly reduce an individual’s quality of life. Various antibiotics are not fully effective especially against latent forms of the bacteria and also add the risk of side effects.
02 / 24 / 2023
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in our body and while it is critical in human health, its role is highly underappreciated. Our diet provides less than half of the recommended daily allowance of 320-420mg/day and 50-75% of the population is chronically magnesium deficient. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with advanced age, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and diseases affecting the digestive tract, liver, and kidneys. Drugs such as diuretics further remove the available magnesium in the body. Magnesium deficiency is not easy to identify because it lacks specific symptoms. It can manifest as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, depression, constipation, headaches, and muscle cramps.
02 / 02 / 2023
The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system. This small gland is approximately the size of a walnut and is located deep inside the pelvis below the urinary bladder and above the muscles of the pelvic floor. The prostate gland plays an important role in reproduction by contributing prostatic fluid into the semen, giving the semen its fluidity. The seminal fluid in turn helps in the survival and mobility of the sperm. The prostate gland is also important for the conversion of the male sex hormone testosterone to its biologically active form.
01 / 20 / 2023
The winter months are usually marked by an increase in influenza cases all over the northern hemisphere. This winter has seen a significant increase in cases of respiratory infections including influenza, a continued rise in cases of COVID-19, and the additional threat from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. This combination of three respiratory viruses, or “triple threat” which is also referred to as “tripledemic,” is a cause of concern for many. RSV is typically a mild infection causing cold and congestion. It is common in infants, the elderly, and people with a compromised immune system, and is the most common cause of respiratory complications including bronchitis and pneumonia in this population.
11 / 03 / 2022
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), or ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble compound produced internally in humans and animals, but often in limited amounts. The name ubiquinone reflects “ubiquitous” presence of this compound in all living beings and its chemical structure containing benzo ”quinone”. CoQ10 is required in smaller amounts as compared to many vitamins and minerals, however, it is essential for healthy function of all tissues and organs in our body. It is an important cofactor in the mitochondrial energy cycle to generate bioenergy molecules (ATP) through aerobic respiration in every cell.
10 / 12 / 2022
October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month. With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the US, and about 1 in 8 women are likely to develop it during their lifetime. According to 2022 estimates, approximately 339,250 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, and 2710 new breast cancers will be diagnosed in men in the USA. Although, breast cancer is rare in males it still contributes to 1% of all breast cancers and this number is rapidly increasing. Due to lack of awareness regarding male breast cancer, it is often diagnosed at a later stage and is therefore difficult to treat.
09 / 22 / 2022
With life expectancy increasing all over the world, there is a significant increase in age-related health issues. Complications related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia are some of the most common causes of death in adults over 65. September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an annual campaign promoted by Alzheimer’s Disease International.
08 / 24 / 2022
More than two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed up to 6.5 million deaths, the world is still struggling to find an effective solution to preventing this infection. Despite global spending of roughly $100 billion (a figure that could rise to $160 billion by 2025) on the COVID-19 vaccines, currently used vaccines are not effective against preventing infections and viral spread and can only lessen severe symptoms of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 has been undergoing numerous mutations and currently about 90% of COVID-19 cases involve the Omicron variant. Although these variant infections are less severe than caused by the original strain, Omicron spreads faster and is dangerous for the immunocompromised and high-risk individuals.
07 / 20 / 2022
In our previous Health Science News Page, we discussed that although biological changes in the female body such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause are natural, they represent major physiological transitions. They are accompanied by both changes in the body appearance as well as the functioning of various organs including the nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems which undergo several changes under the influence of hormones. Many of these changes make women more prone to autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular problems, mental health issues, and others, and require appropriate nutritional support to mitigate or prevent these problems.
06 / 17 / 2022
The nutritional requirements of men and women are very different. A woman’s body needs extra nutritional support during various physiological transitions such as puberty, monthly menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause. Women are affected by different health problems than men. Autoimmune diseases, arthritis, osteoporosis, and depression are diagnosed more frequently in women. Despite popular belief that heart disease develops mainly in men, 1 in 4 menopausal women dies from heart disease making it the major cause of death in American women. In order to function optimally the female body needs specific nutrients to provide bio-energy to the cells of the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems.
04 / 22 / 2022
Although many chronic health conditions increase the severity of COVID-19, it has been observed that diabetes patients are at significantly higher risk of serious disease, complications, and death from COVID-19. Currently, 1 in 11 adults in the world has diabetes, and it is estimated that by 2050 almost 1 in 3 people will have diabetes or pre-diabetes. More than 34 million Americans have diabetes and 7.5 million have pre-diabetes.
02 / 25 / 2022
Humans have more microbes in and on their body than the number of cells. Trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi live in the human digestive system and most of them are beneficial bacteria. Collectively they are called “gut microbiome” or “gut flora” and they are essential for a number of physiological functions to keep us healthy. The gut microbiome is now considered as one of the organs in the human body, and hence should be taken care of just like all other organs. Probiotics are the supplemental form of healthy bacterial colonies used to replenish the gut microbes. It is important to have a balanced bacterial population in the digestive system. Any imbalance in the digestive microbial environment is called dysbiosis.
01 / 13 / 2022
Marine plants, either marine algae or seaweeds, were part of the daily diet of our ancestors and have been consumed in different parts of Asia for centuries. Although plants like kelp, nori, dulce, and spirulina are more commonly used in sushi, Asian soups, snacks, or seasonings, there are many other varieties of sea plants packed with important nutrients. These sea vegetables absorb beneficial nutrients from the ocean and are very good sources of protein, fiber, healthy polyunsaturated fats, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals. For example, after iodized salt they are the second richest source of iodine, and it is well known that iodine is critical for a healthy thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones - thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) - play a vital role in growth and development of the body and in regulating various metabolic processes, including basic metabolic rate, healthy functioning of the brain, heart, immune and digestive systems, and building strong muscles and bones. Two sea plants which contain critical nutrients for overall health are Irish moss and bladderwrack.
12 / 16 / 2021
In addition to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the omicron wave, the flu season is also upon us. As we have already learned, the RNA/DNA vaccines have severe limitations in preventing coronavirus infections, emerging viral mutants and their spread, and seasonal anti-flu vaccines cannot keep up with the viral mutations. It is difficult to protect ourselves from every single infectious agent unless our own immunity is strong. Most of the antivirals weaken the immune system and cause other side effects. It is critical to address the fundamental mechanisms of infection and increase the immunity of the human population.
