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Using the Neurocycle to Break Cycles, Heal Generational Trauma & End Toxic Family Patterns

AHA Publisher — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 08:00:35 +0000

Dr. Caroline Leaf – In this podcast (episode #261) and blog, I talk about how to use the Neurocycle to break the toxic cycles we have in our lives, whether these come from our own past or are a pattern that is inherited as generational trauma. When it comes to the mind-brain connection, we don’t have to be beholden to the past. We can change how these cycles play out in our future. Our thinking, feeling and choosing changes our genetic expression. We switch genes on and off with every thought we have, and every thought we have is a response to how we perceive our life and the world around us. In fact, as I discuss in detail in my latest book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, research has shown that around 5% of genetic mutations cause disease; an estimated 95% of genes are influenced by our environment and lifestyle factors. What does all this mean? The way that you think also contributes to this environment. Your genetic activity is significantly determined by your thoughts, attitudes, and perception, which collectively create the environment of your mind, brain and body. Even though this may sound overwhelming and a little scary, it is actually very hopeful! The science of epigenetics shows that our thoughts can control our biology, and we can control our thoughts, positively directing genetic expression in our body and passing these genetic markers through the generations. Essentially, this means that what you are thinking at any one moment is vitally important because your thoughts affect the signals your genes receive. By managing your mind, you are in effect managing these signals and how they impact your genetic expression and biology. So, how does this all work? Epigenetics shows us that our thoughts are a predominant factor controlling genetic expression; our mind controls what we think, eat, exercise, respond to and so on—it controls how we live our lives. Epigenetics shows us that how we think, feel and choose (our mind-in-action) will influence the behavior of our genes and our subsequent mental and physical wellbeing. These epigenetic changes represent a biological response to an environmental signal. The response can be inherited through the generations via epigenetic markers. However, if you remove the signal, the epigenetic mark can fade. If you choose to add a signal, on the other hand, the epigenetic mark can be activated. In sum, we are not merely our genes or biology. Our past doesn’t have to be our destiny. How we think and choose to live our lives impacts a big part of the picture! What you are thinking at any one moment is vitally important because this is the signal your genes receive. This means that when you learn how to manage your thoughts through managing your mind, you can change your thoughts. And, by changing your thoughts, you can change your genetic expression; you rewire your brain (through neuroplasticity), which then impacts your biology. Research studies, including mine (which I discuss in detail in my latest book Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess) show that managing your mind can even influence how you age and your vulnerability to disease, while there is strong scientific evidence that controlling one’s inner thought life and detoxing the mind is preventative against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s! So, how do we start breaking these cycles? As I talk about in Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, this process begins with deliberate and intentional mindfulness that activates our self-regulation, which then helps us go beyond mindfulness and into mind-management. To do this, I recommend using the mind management technique I have researched, developed and applied clinically over the past three decades, which is called the Neurocycle. The kind of self-regulation that is achieved using the Neurocycle is a great way to deal with the root of the toxic generational cycles in your life, reconceptualizing them and how they impact your genetic expression. It is done in 5 steps: Gather awareness of what you are feeling emotionally and physically as you work on a toxic cycle in your life. Reflect on why you feel the way you do—be as specific as possible. Write this down—this is way to help organize your thinking and gain clarity. Recheck what you have written. Look for patterns in your work life, your relationships, your responses, your attitudes and so on. Take action. I call this step an “active reach”. It is essentially an action you take to reinforce the new, reconceptualized pattern of thinking you want in your life (which is replacing the old, toxic cycle). To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Leaf click here.

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Is AMPK an Age-Reversing Powerhouse?

AHA Publisher — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 07:00:58 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – Recently, the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine announced they’re starting a six-year study to test the life-extending properties of metformin on 3,000 older adults. As someone who is interested in health and longevity, I’m sure you’ve heard that some anti-aging specialists hail this diabetes drug as an “anti-aging miracle.” Not only do I disagree, I warn my patients not to take it. And I certainly don’t consider [a] popular diabetes drug to be any kind of anti-aging miracle. Like many drugs, metformin works in the short term. But most diabetic patients end up taking it forever… Metformin comes with a long list of side effects — ranging from mild to severe. These include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, sinus infection, heart failure, muscle pain and flu-like symptoms. And over time, metformin blocks your body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12.1 B12 is critical to your health. So why would someone willingly take a pharmaceutical when they don’t need it? Many people — including doctors — believe metformin is an anti-aging powerhouse because it can boost levels of an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK truly is an anti-aging wonder. Found in every cell in your body, it functions as an energy sensor… and turns on when your cellular energy levels are low. It’s often referred to as your “master metabolic switch.” Your body produces energy in its mitochondria. This energy is called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. It fuels everything your body does. As the energy-creating process gets going, ATP is converted into AMP (adenosine monophosphate), which tells the cell it needs more fuel. That’s when AMPK gets moving, jumpstarting the transport of glucose and fats to your mitochondria so it can make more ATP. The problem is that as you age, AMPK activation slows down. That means less ATP and more malfunctioning cells, which leads to inflammation and disease. Low ATP production is the reason you slow down as you age. But when AMPK is activated, your cells jump into survival mode. Your body no longer stores new fat, but burns fat already in storage. It also boosts insulin resistance and pumps glucose into cells from the blood so they can make more ATP. That’s why AMPK is such a powerful weapon against diabetes. At the same time, it builds new mitochondria to provide your cells with even more energy. This, in turn, boosts cellular efficiency and improves the function of organs and tissues. AMPK has also been shown to: Improve cognitive function Reduce cancer risk Lower inflammation Protect against cardiovascular disease In an animal study at the University of California, scientists found increasing AMPK lengthened lifespan 30%. And the animals stayed energized, healthy and active much longer!2 But there are much better ways to boost AMPK than by taking a synthetic drug. I recommend my patients supplement with the “vine of immortality” — a member of the cucumber family known as Gynostemma pentaphyllum. In China, researchers discovered that a tea made from G. pentaphyllum is key to the surprising number of centenarians on one region.3 Today, we know it works by promoting AMPK activity. I recommend taking 150 mg a day in capsule form. Or you can drink the tea like the centenarians do… Live Better, Longer With “Immortality” Tea Bring water to a boil Add 6 grams of G. pentaphyllum leaves Let the brew steep for 10 minutes Pour tea into cup through a strainer and enjoy To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS 1. Ahmed MA, et al. “Vitamin B12 deficiency in metformin-treated type-2 diabetes patients, prevalence and association with peripheral neuropathy.” BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2016;17(1):44. 2. Ulgherait M, et al. “AMPK modulates tissue and organismal aging in a non-cell-autonomous manner.” Cell Rep.2014;8(6):1767-1780. 3. Blumert M and Liu J. China’s Immortality Herb. Badger, California: Torchlight Publishing, Inc. 1999. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Al Sears, MD click here.

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How does the COVID-19 Pandemic Compare to Other Pandemics?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 07:00:35 +0000

Lois Zoppi, BA via News-Medical Net – The initial outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, was in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019. As of October 2020, the virus has reached 35.5 million cases and caused 1.04 million deaths worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 typically begins with symptoms including high temperature and a persistent dry cough. However, many people show no COVID-19 symptoms at all, complicating efforts to identify people infected with the disease and contain its spread. Comparing Pandemics Six other human coronaviruses are similar to SARS-CoV-2, and as such there have been many comparisons made between previous pandemics, from the 2002 SARS and 2012 MERS pandemics to the 14th-century bubonic plague. It can be difficult to make direct comparisons between pandemics as they all develop within specific circumstances, from the differing nature of the disease itself to the variable social and political contexts in which the pandemic develops. For instance, the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic (commonly called Spanish Flu) occurred during World War 1, meaning that soldiers were traveling and spreading the virus around the world. With SARS-CoV-2, strict lockdown measures were put in place early in the pandemic, which limited the spread of the disease even within cities. Additionally, scientific and medical advancements and knowledge of previous pandemics now help to understand, control, and stop pandemics. For instance, scientists are now able to identify novel diseases more easily, and containing outbreaks can be achieved more quickly as a result. Hygiene practices are also much better in contemporary medical facilities as there is a greater understanding of how diseases spread. However, depending on how infectious the disease is and how severe the symptoms are, it is not guaranteed that epidemics, pandemics, or deaths can be avoided entirely. The time it takes for a safe and effective vaccine can also extend the duration of a pandemic. Disease Origins Diseases can spread to humans from many different sources, from bacteria spread through flea bites to viruses that jump from animals to humans. The sources for seven major pandemics include: 1918 and 2009 influenza (H1N1): pigs in 1918 and 2009. Avian influenza A (H5N1 and H7N9): birds and poultry Bubonic plague: Yersinia pestis, a zoonotic bacteria found in fleas and small mammals COVID-19: unconfirmed as of August 2020, but likely stemmed from a bat source Ebola: bat MERS-CoV: bat SARS-CoV: bat Disease Spread If an outbreak begins in a city, it typically spreads very quickly due to the close proximity of residents. This was seen in the SARS pandemic in Hong Kong in 2003, and with the Ebola pandemic in Conakry, Freetown, and Monrovia from 2014 to 2016. SARS-CoV-2 spread very quickly from Wuhan throughout China in part because Wuhan is one of the most important traffic hubs in Central China. The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 also came during the Spring Festival, meaning that large amounts of people were traveling in and out of Hubei province’s capital city Wuhan and spreading the virus throughout the country. Increased globalization, which has seen increasingly large amounts of people regularly traveling globally, has also allowed the SARS-CoV-2 virus to spread quickly throughout countries, and it has only taken a matter of months to reach almost every country in the world. However, unlike SARS-CoV-2, not all viruses are spread through droplets in sneezes and coughs. The different disease transmissions for seven major pandemics include: 1918 and 2009 influenza (H1N1): respiratory droplets, infected surfaces Avian influenza A (H5N1 and H7N9): H5N1 is spread by contact with infected living or dead poultry and birds or rarely prolonged contact with infected humans; H7N9 is spread through contact with infected poultry. Bubonic plague: flea bites COVID-19: respiratory droplets, feces, other bodily secretions. Ebola: contact with infected blood or body fluids MERS-CoV: respiratory droplets SARS-CoV: respiratory droplets Case and Fatality Rates A case fatality rate (CFR) shows the number of reported deaths per number of reported cases. These numbers can vary significantly depending on a population’s ability to report cases or deaths to health organizations tracking pandemic statistics. In the case of COVID-19, a high number of people can be asymptomatic and unaware that they have been infected with the disease. This means that they are unlikely to get tested and report a confirmed case of COVID-19 to health organizations, which can lead to case rates being higher than the statistics show. The global case rates and case fatality rates for seven major pandemics are: 1918 influenza (H1N1): 50 million; CFR 2%-3%. Avian influenza A (H5N1 and H7N9): H5N1 had 649 cases; 60% CFR; H7N9 had 571 cases; 37% CFR. COVID-19: 35.5 million cases by October 05, 2020; 1.04 million deaths by October 05, 2020. Ebola: over 30,000 cases; average 50% CFR. MERS-CoV: 2,502 cases; 34% CFR. SARS-CoV: 8,422 cases; 15% CFR. The bubonic plague during 1347 and 1351 saw extremely high numbers of deaths, largely due to poor hygiene, a lack of understanding around disease spread, and large numbers of people living in very close proximity to each other. Although specific case rates are not available, 30 to 50 percent of the European population died from the plague. Now, it can be successfully treated with antibiotics, although there are still between 1,000 to 2,000 cases reported to the World Health Organization worldwide every year. Summary History has seen many pandemics emerge and conclude, with medical and scientific understanding, living conditions, and socio-political contexts all playing a part in how the pandemic is identified, controlled, and stopped. The diseases themselves also differentiate pandemics from each other, as some viruses or bacterial infections cause more severe symptoms and affect different populations, who may be more vulnerable than others. For instance, COVID-19 mainly causes severe symptoms in people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions, whereas the 1918 influenza caused severe symptoms in young and healthy populations. Reporting confirmed cases accurately and providing accessible testing are particularly helpful methods in understanding an evolving pandemic like COVID-19, as this allows health organizations and governments to control the spread of the virus within their environments and offer effective advice to help people stop the spread and protect themselves against infection. Sources Abimola, S. et al. The COVID-19 pandemic: diverse contexts; different epidemics – how and why? (2020). https://gh.bmj.com/content/bmjgh/5/7/e003098.full.pdf CDC. Animals & COVID-19. (2020). www.cdc.gov/…/animals.html CDC. H5N1 in people. (2015). https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5n1-people.html Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Estimates of SARS death rates revised upward. (2003). www.cidrap.umn.edu/…/estimates-sars-death-rates-revised-upward DeWitte, S. N. Mortality risk, and survival in the aftermath of the medieval black death. (2014). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4013036/ Gavi. How does COVID-19 compare to past pandemics? (2020). www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/how-does-covid-19-compare-past-pandemics Millman, A. J. et al. Detecting spread of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus beyond China. (2015). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/…/ Peterson, E. et al. Comparing SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV and influenza pandemics. (2020). www.thelancet.com/…/fulltext WHO. Plague. (2017). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/plague Further Reading All Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 Content Breastfeeding and COVID-19 What is Viral Shedding? What is an Antigen? Viral Clades of SARS-CoV-2 More… To read the original article click here.

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Breakthrough Discovery Could Turn Cancer into a Treatable Disease

AHA Publisher — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 07:00:45 +0000

University of Salford via News-Medical Net – Professor Michael Lisanti and Professor Federica Sotgia have made a discovery that could turn cancer into a treatable disease and remove the fear from a cancer diagnosis. Despite years of research and billions of pounds of investment, there are no MHRA/FDA-approved drugs for the prevention of metastasis. As a consequence, cancer metastasis remains a mysterious, untreatable, lethal disease. What is cancer metastasis? Metastasis is what happens when cancer cells spread throughout the body, most often to other organs, like the brain, bone tissue, the lungs and the liver. Metastasis, more often than not, turns cancer into an untreatable, terminal disease. No effective therapies are available. After surgical removal of the primary tumor, most cancer patients are treated with chemo-therapy and radiation to eradicate the remaining tumor cells that have been left behind, by incomplete surgical removal of cancerous lesions. Unfortunately, many cancer patients ultimately undergo tumour recurrence, resulting in distant metastasis (cancer spread). As a result, more than 90% of these patients that undergo treatment failure, die from metastatic disease. Therefore, the discovery of inhibitors of metastasis could turn cancer into a chronic treatable disease and remove the fear from a cancer diagnosis. In order to fill this knowledge gap and meet clinical needs, researchers at the University of Salford have identified that the Achilles’ heel of metastasis is ATP-depletion, which can be achieved by simply removing the cancer cell’s ability to make new energy. Professor Michael Lisanti and Professor Federica Sotgia, who both work in Translational Medicine at The University of Salford, have designed and tested new inhibitors of cancer metastasis that are based on an existing FDA-approved antibiotic, namely Doxycycline, first approved in 1967. They have now chemically modified Doxycycline, making it 5 times more potent for the targeting of metastatic cancer cells. Fortunately, this modification also renders Doxycycline ineffective as an antibiotic, effectively removing the risk for the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria and infections. In addition, they show that this new drug, which is named Doxy-Myr, to reflect that addition of a fatty acid, is also non-toxic in pre-clinical studies. “While this new family of drugs must now undergo clinical trials the work directly shows proof of concept that it is feasible to successfully design drugs that can prevent metastasis, by targeting the process of cellular energy production. Hence, cutting off the fuel supply, prevents metastasis. This breakthrough could ultimately change clinical practice, by adding metastasis prevention, as a new, more effective, weapon in the war on cancer. ” (Professor Michael Lisanti, University of Salford) To read the original article click here.

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Dozens of Pesticides Linked with Mammary Gland Tumors in Animal Studies

AHA Publisher — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 07:00:21 +0000

Silent Spring Institute via EurekAlert – In an analysis of how regulators review pesticides for their potential to cause cancer, researchers at Silent Spring Institute identified more than two dozen registered pesticides that were linked with mammary gland tumors in animal studies. The new findings raise concerns about how the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approves pesticides for use and the role of certain pesticides in the development of breast cancer. Several years ago, a resident on Cape Cod in Massachusetts contacted researchers at Silent Spring looking for information on an herbicide called triclopyr. Utility companies were looking to spray the chemical below power lines on the Cape to control vegetation. “We know pesticides like DDT increase breast cancer risk, so we decided to look into it,” says co-author Ruthann Rudel, an environmental toxicologist and director of research at Silent Spring. “After examining pesticide registration documents from EPA, we found two separate studies in which rodents developed mammary gland tumors after being exposed to triclopyr, yet for some reason regulators dismissed the information in their decision not to treat it as a carcinogen.” When manufacturers apply to register a pesticide, EPA reviews existing studies and based on those studies assigns the chemical a cancer classification–for instance, how likely or unlikely the chemical is to cause cancer. After reviewing triclopyr, Silent Spring researchers wondered if evidence of mammary tumors was being ignored for other pesticides as well. Reporting in the journal Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Rudel and Silent Spring scientist Bethsaida Cardona reviewed more than 400 EPA pesticide documents summarizing the health effects of each registered pesticide. They found a total of 28 pesticides linked with mammary gland tumors, yet EPA acknowledged only nine of them as causing mammary tumors and dismissed the evidence entirely for the remaining 19. Rudel and Cardona also found that many of the pesticides in their analysis behaved like endocrine disruptors, for instance, by interfering with estrogen and progesterone. “Breast cancer is highly influenced by reproductive hormones, which stimulate the proliferation of cells within the breast, making it more susceptible to tumors,” says Rudel. “So, it’s important that regulators consider this kind of evidence. If they don’t, they risk exposing people to pesticides that are breast carcinogens.” Traditionally, toxicologists focus on whether a chemical causes DNA damage when determining its potential to cause cancer. But recent findings in cancer biology show there are many ways chemicals can trigger the development of cancer. For example, chemicals can suppress the immune system, cause chronic inflammation, or disrupt the body’s system of hormones, all of which can lead to the growth of breast tumors and other types of tumors as well. “In light of our findings, we hope EPA updates its guidelines for assessing mammary gland tumors by considering evidence that more completely captures the biology of breast cancer, such as the effects of endocrine disruptors,” says Cardona. Rudel and Cardona recommend that EPA re-evaluate five pesticides in particular–IPBC, triclopyr, malathion, atrazine and propylene oxide–due to their widespread use and the evidence uncovered in the new analysis. IPBC is a preservative in cosmetics; triclopyr is an agricultural herbicide that is also used to control vegetation growth along rights-of-way; malathion is a common residential and agricultural pesticide and is used in some lice treatments; atrazine is one of the most commonly-used herbicides in agriculture; and propylene oxide is used to preserve food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, and has many similarities with ethylene oxide, a known human carcinogen. The project is part of Silent Spring Institute’s Safer Chemicals Program which is developing new cost-effective ways of screening chemicals for their effects on the breast. Knowledge generated by this effort will help government agencies regulate chemicals more effectively and assist companies in developing safer products. To read the original article click here.

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Study Claims Eating Vegetables Lower COVID-19 Death Rates

AHA Publisher — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 07:00:20 +0000

Sally Robertson, B.Sc. via News-Medical – A preliminary study by researchers in Europe claims that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality rates may be lower in countries where people consume high amounts of cabbage and cucumber. The findings lend support to two other studies published earlier this year that were headed by the same lead researcher, Jean Bousquet, from Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The first study reported that COVID–19 mortality rates seemed to be low in countries with high consumption of traditional fermented foods. At the same time, the second narrowed down the beneficial food type to fermented vegetables. The authors had proposed that this protective effect may be associated with the antioxidant activity of the foods acting on insulin resistance since many vegetables have been shown to have antioxidative effects against diabetes and cardiovascular disease. For the current study, the team hypothesized that a high intake of antioxidant-rich Brassica vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and head cabbage (white, red, and savoy cabbage) might be associated with the low COVID-19 mortality seen in some countries. “Now, Bousquet and colleagues say the “the negative ecological association between COVID-19 mortality and the consumption of cabbage and cucumber supports the a priori hypothesis previously reported.” The team recommends testing the hypothesis further by conducting individual studies in countries where a high vegetable intake is typical. A pre-print version of the paper is available on the server medRxiv*. A pre-print paper is a preliminary report that is yet to be evaluated by the scientific community. This means the information presented may be erroneous and should not be regarded as conclusive or established information. It will be interesting to see if this paper passes the peer review process and gets published. Striking Geographical Variation in COVID-19 Mortality Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, China, late last year, one striking finding has been the highly variable death rate between and within countries, say Bousquet and team. Although many factors may be involved, diet is one potentially relevant factor that has been largely overlooked, they add. Earlier this year, a study led by Bousquet showed that some countries with low COVID-mortality rates seemed to be ones that have diets rich in traditional fermented foods, and the team proposed that this was due to the foods’ antioxidative effects on insulin resistance. In another pre-print paper published on 7th July, Bousquet and colleagues describe a study of the consumption of fermented vegetables, pickled/marinated vegetables, fermented milk, yogurt, and fermented sour milk. That study claimed that of all the foods included, only the consumption of fermented vegetables had a significant effect on the COVID-19 mortality rate by country. Investigating the Protective Effect of Brassica Vegetables Now, for the current study, the authors proposed that “vegetables such as Brassica – with an antioxidant activity reducing insulin resistance – may also be associated with low COVID-19 mortality in countries.” To investigate, the team used data extracted from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database to compare the consumption of Brassica vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, head cabbage (white, red and savoy cabbage) and leafy brassica with the consumption of spinach, cucumber, courgette, lettuce, and tomato. Data on COVID-19 mortality were downloaded from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, and the mortality per number of inhabitants was used to estimate death rates. Data downloaded from EuroStat were used to adjust for potential confounders by country, including gross domestic product, population density, the proportion of people older than 64 years, unemployment rate, and obesity prevalence. The team reports that of all the variables and confounders considered, only the consumption of head cabbage and cucumber had any significant impact on the COVID-19 mortality rate by country. For each gram per day increase in the amount of head cabbage consumed, the risk of dying from COVID-19 decreased by 13.6 %. For each gram per day increase in the amount of cucumber consumed, this death risk fell by 15.7%. Which Mechanisms Might Underly the Protective Effect? Many natural compounds derived from vegetables are potent activators of the transcription factors related to antioxidant effects such as Nrf2. “Cruciferous vegetables such as Brassicaceae contain high amounts of sulforaphane, a potent activator of Nfr2,” say Bousquet and colleagues. Although cucumber does not belong to the Brassicaceae family, it is rich in a compound called Cucurbitacin B that exerts anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic effects through the activation of Nrf2, says the team. “These results and those of the recent study on fermented foods suggest a strong link between Nrf2 and the protection against severe forms of COVID-19,” write the researchers. “Another Piece of the Hypothesis” “Thus, although this study is only indicative of the role of diet in COVID-19, it is however, another piece of the hypothesis proposing that some vegetables with antioxidant properties may be involved in the prevention of severe COVID-19 at a country level,” writes the team. The researchers acknowledge that since the study was restricted to European counties, the findings cannot be extrapolated to other regions. “The hypothesis needs to be tested in individual studies performed in countries where the consumption of vegetables is common,” they conclude. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. To read the original article click here.

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Zinc Deficiency May Be Considered as a Risk Factor for Infectious Diseases

AHA Publisher — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:00:43 +0000

Sechenov University via EurekAlert – Researchers from Sechenov University in collaboration with colleagues from Germany, Greece and Russia reviewed scientific articles on the role of zinc in the prevention and treatment of viral infections and pneumonia, with projections on those caused by SARS-CoV-2. The results were published in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine. Zinc is necessary for normal metabolism and functioning of the reproductive, cardiovascular and nervous systems, but it is also important for the immune system, in particular for the proliferation and maturation of white blood cells (some of them are able to capture and digest microorganisms, and others – to produce antibodies). In addition, zinc is involved in the regulation of inflammation. Thus, normal levels of zinc support human resistance to inflammatory and infectious diseases. ‘According to the current estimates, the risk of zinc deficiency is observed in more than 1.5 billion people in the world. In Russia, deficiency of this element occurs in 20-40% of the population; in some regions it reaches 60%. Given the crucial role of zinc in regulation of immunity, one can propose that its insufficiency may be considered as a risk factor for infectious diseases,’ said the research leader, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Dietetics at Sechenov University, Professor Anatoly Skalny. The scientists reviewed the results of studies on the use of zinc-containing drugs for increasing immunity and preventing viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 that caused COVID-19 outbreak this year. Previous studies showed that zinc and its binding substances can slow down the work of RNA polymerase (an enzyme that synthesises viral RNA molecules) of coronaviruses and suppress their spread in the body. One of the substances that stimulate the cellular zinc uptake, chloroquine, has already been tested on patients with SARS-CoV-2, but its strong side effects make it necessary to look for other compounds with a similar effect or use zinc separately. However, both options have not been sufficiently studied or tested yet. Observations of the development of other viruses, such as rhinoviruses (this family includes pathogens of acute respiratory diseases), show that an increase in the level of zinc in cells suppresses replication (reproduction) of the virus and stimulates production of interferon alpha, which has an antiviral activity. In addition, zinc deficiency is considered as one of the risk factors for the development of pneumonia: it increases the susceptibility to infectious agents and the disease duration. Several studies show the effectiveness of zinc-containing drugs in decreasing severity and duration of symptoms and reducing the prevalence of pneumonia. However, in general, data on the use of zinc as a therapy, rather than prevention, are contradictory. Another possible application of zinc is modulation of inflammation. Existing data show that zinc ions have an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing damage to lung tissue in pneumonia. Zinc also helps the body resist bacteria, and bacterial pneumonia frequently occurs in patients with secondary viral infections. ‘A recent study conducted by scientists from the USA confirmed our assumptions, demonstrating the effect of zinc intake on the risk of a severe course and the need for artificial ventilation in patients with COVID-19,’ said Alexey Tinkov, coauthor of the article, a leading researcher at the Laboratory of Molecular Dietetics at Sechenov University. Therefore, according to current research, adequate zinc status can bring down the likelihood of infectious respiratory diseases, pneumonia and its complications. There are also indirect indications that zinc intake may be effective in the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but there is still insufficient data for recommendations. To read the original article click here.

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Fight Coronavirus With Fasting?

AHA Publisher — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 07:00:32 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Doctors tell us older people carry a greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 largely because as we age our body’s natural ability to fight disease weakens. Similarly, even younger people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of complications from coronavirus. Neurologist and best-selling author Dr. David Perlmutter says since it looks like COVID-19 is going continue to threaten our health in the months, perhaps even years ahead, we should take steps now to boost our immune system and therefore improve our chance of survival if we become infected. In his book Brain Maker, Perlmutter describes the benefits of eating a probiotic-rich diet to strengthen the gut microbiome because most of the immune system resides in the intestinal tract. In addition to improving our gut health, he also recommends the immune-boosting practice of fasting. That’s because going without food altogether for certain periods of time triggers autophagy, which is the body’s way of repairing damaged cells that can cause sickness, making way for newer, healthier ones. This cellular rejuvenation aids in fighting infections like COVID-19 as well as preventing other life-threatening illnesses including Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer. Dr. Perlmutter recognizes many people are intimidated by the idea of fasting because they are afraid of being hungry or confused about how to go about fasting. That’s why he’s kicking off a week-long Summer Fasting Challenge beginning Sunday, July 5th. “Enjoy that summer barbeque to celebrate July 4th, then the next day join us to celebrate the miracle that is your body,” he said. The Sumer Fasting Challenge is a free, 7-day group fast that will begin with a 24-hour fast, followed by five days of time-restricted eating. Each day Dr. Perlmutter will join participants online with daily check-ins and support to include photos and stories of those taking part in the challenge. Perlmutter believes the psychological benefit of fasting alongside others, even virtually, improves the chances of success and the likelihood people will continue fasting on their own even after the challenge is over. Dr. Perlmutter will discuss the health benefits of fasting with Pat Robertson on The 700 Club, Wednesday, July 8th. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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11 Free Daily Immune-Boosting Habits

AHA Publisher — Thu, 28 May 2020 07:00:15 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – As we work to get our daily lives back to normal, it’s a great time to focus on healthy, immune-boosting daily habits. These habits are free, yet potent. And, practicing them each day can improve your overall health, immune function, and wellness. Here are 11 free daily immune-boosting habits and why they work. How Can Habits Boost Immune Function? There are a few different ways our lifestyles can affect immune function. First, they can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Next, they can activate immune cells directly. Third, they can indirectly affect your immunity. For example, high blood sugars are associated with increased infection, while controlled ones are not. Lastly, and on the other side, they can negatively impact immune function by reducing the health of immune cells or degrading the body’s overall health. Your daily habits matter. Throughout each day, you can choose reduced inflammation and better immune function. Make your habit choices wisely. 11 Free Daily Immune-Boosting Habits 1. Free Habit #1: Gratitude When You Wake How can you boost your health and immune function right when you wake up? You can be purposeful to start the day with gratitude. Whatever lies ahead in the day, you can be grateful for something or someone to start. How does this boost your immune system? Gratitude is one of our daily immune-boosting habits because it reduces stress and anxiety. It reduces cortisol, which causes inflammation in the body. What’s more, gratitude can improve sleep while reducing stress. A study of 400 individuals found that writing gratitudes during the day and/or before sleep improves both the quality and duration of sleep (1). Another study found that gratitude was linked to a 10% improvement in sleep and a 19% decrease in depression levels in patients with chronic disease and insomnia (2). For an extra boost, combine your time of gratitude with meditation. Focus on the moment, the day, and those things for which you are grateful. Be present in these thoughts, not thinking ahead or behind. Incredibly, this sort of mindful meditation can stimulate the immune system. Its benefits include improvements in specific markers of inflammation, cell-mediated immunity, and biological aging (3). 2. Free Habit #2: Ice-Cold Shower for Better Immune Function Not everyone enjoys an ice-cold shower or burst of cold water in the morning. But for those who can stand it, there are immune-boosting and anti-aging benefits. How? First, cold showers are linked to an improved immune system. A recent study from the Netherlands found that cold showers significantly reduce sick days. In fact, 30 seconds or more of cold showering per day reduced sick days by 29% in the study. Additionally, more than half the participants decided to continue the cold-shower practice after the study since they were convinced by the results (4). Why would cold water improve immunity? It’s thought that cold-water-stress induces the production of catecholamines, which may play a critical role in stimulating the immune system. 3. Free Habit #3: Get Outside into the Sunshine Early There are many benefits to getting outside. And, the earlier you do it, the better. Sunshine and time outdoors are one of our daily immune-boosting habits because they: Increase vitamin D production: It will well-accepted that optimal vitamin D levels are associated with less viral infections. What’s more, optimal vitamin D levels improve health throughout the body, from bones to skin to organs. Improve melatonin levels, especially if you’re out in the early hours after waking. Why does this matter for immune function? Optimal melatonin improves sleep, and sleep is directly beneficial to the immune system. Next, melatonin may actually decrease the cell death associated with viral infections such as that from COVID-19, while increasing anti-viral immunity. Covid-19’s induction of cell death is linked to lung damage and organ failure (5). Improve mood, which decreases cortisol to improve health and immune function. Get outside whenever you can, and aim for early hours if possible. 4. Free Habit#4: Daily Hydration for Health and Reduced Cortisol Did you know that fluid restriction and dehydration may increase cortisol in your body? This becomes especially true if you are participating in an outdoor activity during the summer (7). To reduce cortisol and therefore inflammation, hydrate your body regularly. As a bonus, you’ll improve overall cell health and skin. One recent study has shown that increasing water consumption by 2 liters per day improved skin condition and physiology, even in those who already consumed high amounts of water. The researchers concluded that this increase and improvement in skin health would likely have the most positive effect on those with lower daily water consumption (8). If you want to take the immune and health benefits even further, drink green tea for part of your daily hydration. 5. Free Habit #5: Focus on Anti-Inflammatory and High Antioxidant Foods Throughout the day, choose foods that are anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants. These foods include: Fish and seafood Healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil, avocados, MCT oil powder and more Vibrant vegetables and small amounts of fruits Cacao, spices, and herbs such as ginger, garlic, basil and more Sound expensive for a list of free habits? Consider this: You have to eat anyway, so being more mindful about your food is a switch, not an addition. What’s more, there are many wonderfully inexpensive foods that are high on the list. Black pepper, whole or ground ginger, turmeric and/or garlic cloves, spinach, broccoli, and more are concentrated in immune-boosting nutrients and don’t cost much at all. 6. Free Habit #6: Move Your Body Exercise provides a powerful 3-punch combination of immune function, health, and healthy aging. It: Modulates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the body by improving neuroprotective action, increasing circulating of anti-inflammatory markers, and improving antioxidant defenses (9). Improves overall body composition and reduces fat mass. Obesity is associated with a decline in immune function. Decreases blood glucose. High blood sugars and diabetes are linked to worsened infections and disease. 7. Free Habit #7: Keep Foods High in Healthy Fats, Moderate in Protein and Low in Sugar and Carbohydrates Here’s another habit that may seem like it involves buying food (not free)…and it does. But again, it’s just a matter or trading out one type of food for another, so really, it’s a net “0.” By reducing sweets, carbohydrates, and sugars, you can boost your immune system and not overload your body with higher blood sugars and insulin. High-sugar binges can specifically diminish your immune response. Next, adding anti-inflammatory fats improves immune function and overall health. You can find all you need to reduce carbs and add healthy fats within the Keto Zone diet plan. 8. Free Habit #8: Laugh and Enjoy Healthy Relationships What do healthy relationships and laughter have to do with immune function and overall health? Incredibly, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has shown that good social relationships promote physical and mental health, provide a buffer against loneliness, increase longevity, and foster happiness. The Harvard Nurses’ Health Study found similar results. This means less anxiety and cortisol, and better health outcomes. Next, laughter further reduces cortisol, increases dopamine, and increases endorphins. These chemicals decrease discomfort, cortisol (10), and depressed moods (11) while elevating cellular health. 9. Free Habit #9: Starting Mid-Evening, Employ Intermittent Fasting Around 7 pm in the evening, consider starting a daily intermittent fast to boost your health and immune function. Amazingly, there are many documented benefits to intermittent fasting including: Immune function support and potential reduced cancer cell growth (12) Improve cholesterol markers Reduced triglycerides Improved aging Weight loss without negative cellular adaptations Reduced risk of diabetes Reduced risk of cancer and improved treatment In fact, many studies have shown improved aging, brain health, heart health, and blood sugars associated with intermittent fasting (13). To add intermittent fasting, aim to fast 15-16 out of the 24 hours per day. Simply finish eating dinner at 7 pm each night, and fast with only non-carbohydrate liquids (like coffee) until 10 am or so. Then, utilize Keto Zone eating for 8 hours per day. 10. Free Habit #10: Practice Prayer and Faith Prayer reduces cortisol and can improve mental health, immunity and disease outcomes, and physical health. Prayer has been studied for years. It’s been shown to increase the secretion of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. Dopamine decreases cortisol and promotes relaxation, focus, and motivation. Of course, these are just a few health benefits. Prayer’s greatest benefits lie in our close relationship with God. 11. Free Habit #11: 7 or More Hours Per Night of Sleep Good quality sleep has many health and aging benefits. These include: Reduced daily cortisol Improved immune function Better melatonin levels Less depressed moods Less inflammation Healthy body weight Better heart health It’s a cycle. Good sleep begets good sleep, and lack of sleep increases cortisol for up to 24 hours which negatively affects sleep again (14). Lack of sleep has also been shown to reduce mental performance and alertness while increasing inflammation and cortisol (5). Bottom Line Ready to boost your immune system every day? For free? Follow our 11 free daily immune-boosting habits to start. Then, you can add more by utilizing more foods that boost immune function and other lifestyle habits. We can continue to fight this virus, and grow stronger and stronger each day. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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