The latter describes the traditional Japanese superfood, natto.

It contains an enzyme known as nattokinase, which has proven to be a natural wonder for healthy head-to-toe circulation.

But have you heard it can be a panacea for your sinus problems as well?

What is natto and nattokinase?

Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. It’s been a staple for thousands of years, known not only for its unique taste, smell and cheese-like flavor — but most importantly for the health benefits attributed to it.

In fact, studies have linked higher natto consumption with a lower risk of heart problems and normal circulation. And it’s very likely one of the reasons the Japanese peoples enjoy long, healthy lifespans.

Those health benefits are due to a natural enzyme, known as nattokinase, that’s produced during natto’s fermentation…

Nattokinase for sinus relief

While natto is packed with vitamins (it’s the food highest in vitamin K2!), minerals and protein — nattokinase is the component we’re interested in when it comes to getting ready for allergy season, especially if you’re prone to sinus problems.

In fact, if you’re hit hard year after year with painful sinus problems, like chronic sinusitis, hold on to your hat…

Researchers from Fukai University in Japan were able to demonstrate that the benefits of nattokinase aren’t limited to the cardiovascular system.

Believe it or not, fibrin (the enzyme that can lead to blood clotting) is a feature of numerous other health conditions — including sinus issues. And surprisingly, nasal polyps are actually made up of fibrin.

Researchers found that when they incubated nasal polyps in nattokinase, the polyps began to dissolve!

If that weren’t enough, when the researchers tested the effects of nattokinase on the nasal discharge of patients with chronic sinus problems — that mucus that stops up your sinus passageways and causes intense pressure and pain and can lead to infection — they found that the enzyme significantly reduced its viscosity.

In other words, nattokinase works to support sinus health in two ways:

• First, the enzyme works to shrink the nasal polyps which can lock mucus in your sinus cavities, setting you up for an infection.
• And nattokinase thins mucus, allowing your sinuses to drain.

Because research on the enzyme has been so promising teams are now delving into how it could be used to improve symptoms of other respiratory problems, like bronchitis and even COPD.

How to use nattokinase for better sinus health

There are two ways you can get the nattokinase you need to enjoy better sinus health as allergy season gets underway.

First, you can eat natto itself, which can usually be found at your local Asian or Japanese market.

While the most traditional Japanese way of serving natto is simply on a bowl of rice, many also like to consume it in hot miso soup. However, you’ll want to avoid excessively high temperatures, which could destroy the nattokinase enzyme you’re looking for.

Of course, hands-down the easiest way to ensure you’re getting appropriate levels of nattokinase (especially if you’re not a fan of natto’s taste), is to take a supplement.

Since nattokinase does a great job of promoting normal circulation, if you’re taking blood thinners you should consult with your health care practitioner first. But if you’re not and want to breathe a lot easier throughout the year — give it a go!

Sources:

Health Benefits of Nattokinase – WebMD

Nattokinase, profibrinolytic enzyme, effectively shrinks the nasal polyp tissue and decreases viscosity of mucus – NIH

The post The superfood enzyme that ‘dissolves’ sinus pain and pressure appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

After all, one in five adults suffers from environmental allergens, such as ragweed, cedar, and even the grass we walk on and the dust in our homes. And over one in ten of us has food allergies.

So allergies are just a normal part of life, right?

They don’t have to be.

In fact, your allergies aren’t typical. And if you’ve noticed they’re worse than they used to be, it’s likely a sign of your exposure to a dangerous and common heavy metal contaminant.

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Cadmium exposure is a common and growing concern

Cadmium is a common air pollutant emitted through industrial activities and combustion, posing health risks through inhalation. But more of us are exposed through the food we eat.

Cadmium “bioaccumulates” in the food chain, potentially leading to kidney, bone, and lung damage. Foods higher in cadmium include cereals, leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes, potatoes, root vegetables, some seafood and organ meats.

Once it is inside your body, it sticks around…

According to Prosper Boyaka, professor and chair of veterinary biosciences at Ohio State University, “The problem is because cadmium doesn’t degrade easily – it has a half-life in the body of at least 15 years – if you are chronically exposed to low doses, it accumulates over time.”

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The cadmium/allergy connection

Professor Boyaka and his team of researchers set out to determine precisely how cadmium can affect us all and its connection to allergies.

In fact, thanks to previous research, the team already knew that children who have been exposed to heavy metals in toys (and even baby food) have a high susceptibility to asthma and allergic responses.

So, the team tested the cadmium/allergy connection in mice.

The researchers gave the mice a “subtoxic” dose of cadmium in drinking water for 28 days. Using a mouse model that simulates human genetic predisposition to an egg allergy, the team then exposed the mice to an egg protein to test their allergic response.

And sure enough…

Mice that drank water containing these so-called subtoxic doses of cadmium were then exposed to the allergen had a stronger allergic reaction than those protected from the heavy metal.

The cadmium-exposed mice experienced both high levels of inflammation and allergy symptoms due to two specific issues:

• First, the cadmium caused a high activation of antibodies (inflammatory molecules) in the gut.
• Second, it stimulated two enzymes that accelerate the degradation (breakdown) of vitamin D.

“Our hypothesis was that cadmium would change the microbe population in the gut because we know that dysbiosis, or a change in the microbiota, can drive allergic responses. And yes, giving those tiny, tiny doses of cadmium in the drinking water did change allergic sensitization,” Professor Boyaka said.

In other words, small doses of cadmium can cause this more intense allergic reaction to whatever your allergen is.

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How to avoid cadmium exposure and boost detox

 So, if cadmium exposure is common, how can you avoid exposure and rid your body of heavy metal built up over the years?

First, you should limit your exposure to foods at higher risk of cadmium accumulation by avoiding:

• Liver
• Kidney
• Oysters
• Scallops
• Mussels

Second, add foods that act as natural chelators, such as berries, grapes, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, chlorella, and curcumin, as well as nutrients like quercetin and selenium.

Third, take probiotics since these beneficial bacteria are an antidote for daily toxin exposure.

Finally, consider EDTA chelation therapy. It has long been used in cases of lead poisoning, but data from one study published in the National Library of Medicine demonstrated that it significantly increased urinary losses of lead, zinc, cadmium and calcium.

Sources:

EDTA chelation effects on urinary losses of cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, magnesium, and zinc – NIH

The path from pollutants in food to a heightened allergic response – EurekAlert!

Allergy Statistics in the US – Allergy and Asthma Network

Allergy Facts and Figures – Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

The post The heavy metal making your allergies worse appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Getting enough omega-3s in your diet contributes to a larger brain and a stronger memory as you get older.

And as far as your heart goes, not only do omega-3s support it, but they can guard against complications and increase your chances of being a heart attack survivor should you have one.

Those are some really good reasons to make sure you get enough of those essential fatty acids in your diet.

But new research shows that omega-3s are also crucial for the healthy functioning of another organ — or a pair, I should say — that face challenges during flu season…

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Omega-3s equate to better lung function

“We know a lot about the role of diet in cancer and cardiovascular diseases, but the role of diet in chronic lung disease is somewhat understudied,” says Dr. Patricia Cassano, director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University and corresponding author of a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Past studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent lung disease, mainly due to their anti-inflammatory action. But larger, more in-depth studies of this have been lacking.

To learn more, researchers developed a two-part study investigating the link between omega-3 fatty acid levels in the blood and lung function over time.

Part one was a long-term study where 15,063 healthy Americans were observed for as little as seven and as long as twenty years.

In part two, the researchers analyzed genetic data from a large European study of over 500,000 patients drawn from the UK Biobank.

They looked at genetic markers in the blood that reflected dietary omega-3 fatty acid levels, and how these markers correlated with lung health.

In both cases, they found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood correlated with better lung function and a reduced rate of decline in lung function.

In particular, the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was most strongly associated with benefits to the lungs.

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Benefitting from omega-3 support

If you have COPD, the results of this study may or may not apply to you. The researchers point out that their study included only healthy adults.

Currently, research is ongoing to help determine if the same beneficial connection between omega-3s and lung function is found in people with COPD, including heavy smokers. So, right now, the jury is still out on that.

For all of us, though, these researchers point out that most Americans fall short of the two servings of fish per week recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans. And only good could come from getting sufficient amounts of omega-3s.

Covid-19 was a hard lesson in how fragile our lungs can be, but even barring that, bronchitis and pneumonia can be hard to take. And not a lot of research has focused on nutrition or nutrients to support lung health. I don’t know about you, but before next flu season, I’ll be upping my intake of omega-3s in a big way.

Fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, and sardines are great sources of omega-3s, but you can also get omega-3s from flaxseed (the richest plant-based source of omega-3s), walnuts and other nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and supplements, including fish oil or krill oil.

Sources:

Omega-3 fatty acids appear promising for maintaining lung health — Science Daily

Investigating Associations of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Lung Function Decline, and Airway Obstruction — American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

The post The nutrient your lungs need during flu season appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

For starters, the evidence for using statins to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol to prevent heart attack and stroke may not be as strong as previously thought.

The drugs themselves stoke concern about side effects, including muscle pain, doubling dementia risk, accelerating the onset of Parkinson’s and tripling the risk for type 2 diabetes, to name a few.

After years of use, the number of Americans diagnosed with heart disease every year continues to grow. And along with newer drugs and newer pathways to target cholesterol, the list of side effects continues to grow as well…

The key is to understand the risks associated with choosing medication for cholesterol treatment. Any decision you make, likely along with your doctor, should be an informed one.

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Why long-term research matters

In 2023, the University of South Australia completed one of the world’s most extensive studies on drugs designed to treat cholesterol. This study was also the first to compare these drugs to a range of clinical and heart and brain MRI biomarkers.

Statins are designed to lower cholesterol in the bloodstream. This study also included PCSK9 inhibitors, a lipid-lowering class of medications that clear cholesterol from cells, which received FDA approval in 2015. You may know them by the brand names: Praluent and Repatha.

Using the genetic data of 340,000 UK Biobank participants, researchers found a few things of note about PCSK9 inhibitors…

They were found to correlate with higher BMI and body fat, as well as reduced testosterone levels.

For both men and women, reduced testosterone can lead to low sex drive, lack of energy and reduced strength, muscle tone and bone mass. Testosterone is also a primary factor in the health of the heart and blood vessels.

One unexpected finding was that some people experienced an increase in brain volume of the hippocampus, which may reduce the risk of dementia and depression.

But that wasn’t all they found…

PCSK9: Inhibiting cholesterol and lung function

The Australian research discovered that PCSK9 inhibitors could impair lung function.

That means if you’re already living with a condition that compromises your ability to breathe, such as asthma or sleep apnea, you may want to discuss with your physician if PCSK9 inhibitors are appropriate for you.

UniSA PhD student Kitty Pham, lead author of the paper, says that this is just the point she was trying to make.

“These findings help us to understand how people may react to different drugs and assess the viability of new drug pathways.”

In other words, a lot more needs to be known about cholesterol drugs so that physicians can prescribe them with caution, and with the specific needs of their patients in mind.

Similar findings, indicating that PCSK9 inhibitors decrease lung function, were published in 2024.

Other side effects for PCSK9 inhibitors, considered mild, include:

• diarrhea
• urinary tract infection
• influenza
• bronchitis 
• sinusitis
• muscle spasms
• chest pain not related to the heart
• swelling of the nasal passages and back of the throat
• muscle pain
• injection site reaction
• mild allergic reaction

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Drugs aren’t the only option

While research is ongoing into which of these cholesterol-lowering drugs might be best for whom, remember that there are drug-free methods for keeping your cholesterol under control.

What cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Klodas tells her patients about statins, particularly, is that guidelines suggest four instances where drugs are necessary. And if you don’t fall there, she’s happy to discuss the impressive effects of lifestyle changes and why drugs are an incomplete solution.

That’s because numerous studies have also proven that the right foods, exercise, and stress management can effectively reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies have even shown that the right diet can reverse it.

Studies have also identified causes of heart disease we’d never have suspected a couple of decades ago, like gum disease, thyroid function and testosterone balance. Therefore, it’s essential to identify the root cause of your health problem.

We’ve also learned that our diets don’t have to be as restrictive as we once thought to achieve a healthier heart through our eating habits. Simply avoiding the worst foods and eating more of a few key foods can help us reach our goals.

It’s your decision, just be sure you (and your doctor) have all the facts to make the best decision for you.

Sources:

One pill doesn’t fit all: Cholesterol study reveals effects on lung function and brain size — EurekAlert

Genetically instrumented LDL-cholesterol lowering and multiple disease outcomes: A Mendelian randomization phenome-wide association study in the UK Biobank — British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Repurposing lipid-lowering drugs on asthma and lung function: evidence from a genetic association analysis — Journal of Translational Medicine

The post Newer cholesterol drugs linked to reduced lung function appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In fact, they’d become a part of my wellness practices. When I’d take a relaxing bath, I always lit a candle or two to create a spa-like atmosphere…

When I’d ready myself for a little mindful meditation, lighting a candle in my quiet space was part of a routine that helped me clear my mind.

And during certain times of the year, especially holidays, candles just help set the mood.

That’s why I was surprised to learn that something I was doing to create positive feelings in my home presented some significant health hazards.

Here are the health dangers you need to be aware of, as well as a few simple tips to decrease your risks…

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The problem with candles

Common issues people experience due to candle use include everything from vertigo, headaches and respiratory issues to watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, chest tightness and a dry or irritated throat.

However, those might actually be the least of your worries…

According to researchers reporting in the Annals of Medicine & Surgery, “When scented candles are lit indoors, several harmful gasses are released. They range greatly, from those known to have no effect on health except for those that may be cancerous.”

These gases can contain:

• Carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide – These increase levels of indoor air pollution, lowering the quality of air you breathe.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) – Compounds like benzene, formaldehyde, naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene have been found in candles and are well-known carcinogens.
• Phthalates or endocrine disruptors – These significantly impact hormone levels and worsen allergy and asthma symptoms. Phthalates are specifically found in scented candles because they are used to make synthetic fragrances to give the candles their aromas.
• Particulate matter – When candles are burned, a mix of solid and liquid particles (or soot) is formed. Unfortunately, these particles are so tiny that when you breathe, they are capable of entering deep into your lungs, where they are swept into your bloodstream. This could raise your chances of not only respiratory issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma but also lung and other cancers.

Additionally, the toluene derivatives and benzidine-based dyes that are used to color many candle waxes can lead to their own dangers, since they have been associated with urothelial cancer development — a type of cancer that mainly attacks the bladder and kidneys.

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Tips for safer candle use

So, how can enjoy burning candles in your home more safely?

First, it’s important to note that the National Candle Association recommends following the candle manufacturer’s instructions for ideal burn time, while not exceeding four hours of candle use per day.

Also, only burn candles in a well-ventilated space and limit the number you burn at the same time. This matters because most candles are made with paraffin wax which produces more VOCs and soot compared to natural waxes such as soy or beeswax. So, choose candles made from these natural materials if you can.

Some experts suggest candles scented with essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes to minimize your phthalate exposure; however, highly concentrated and potent essential oils can emit VOCs.

Reducing soot exposure can also help. Easy ways to do this include:

• Trimming candle wicks to one-fourth of an inch.
• Removing debris around the wick.
• Snuffing out candles before they begin to smolder.
• Never place candles near fans, air conditioners or open windows where air movement interferes with the candle’s oxygen supply.

Finally, after putting out scented candles, air out the room to get rid of the chemical compounds produced while burning.

And because it never hurts to do everything you can to rid your body of all of the harmful toxins that you’re exposed to on a daily basis (including the chemicals from candles), check out these five ways to detox daily without a diet.

Sources:

The unknown risks of scented candles! what science has to say: an editorial — NIH

The Dirty Truth About Scented Candles — MEDPAGETODAY

The post The hidden hazards of burning candles in your home appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The makers of sildenafil, the drug behind the famous brand, are constantly looking for off-label uses so doctors have more reasons to prescribe it.

To that end, past research has found it may be helpful for pulmonary hypertension, mountain sickness, Raynaud’s phenomenon and even heart disease.

The reason it could improve most of these conditions lies in its ability to enhance nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation. In other words, improving oxygenated blood flow (obviously to places other than the penis).

Now, thanks to the increase in nitric oxide that Viagra offers, scientists are finding it could be key in easing symptoms for those living with two specific lung conditions…

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Increasing blood flow to the lungs

Specifically, the research looked at two lung diseases that are not only incurable but also frequently get worse over time despite the use of the best available treatment options.

Those diseases are pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

PAH is fortunately a relatively rare disease that causes breathing difficulties and heart strain due to elevated pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

On the other hand, IPF is more common and is a result of repeated and chronic thickening, stiffening and scarring of the lungs.

So, how can Viagra be used to help even the worst of the worst lung diseases? It’s all about that nitric oxide we talked about earlier.

Viagra works by blocking the work of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase. And through a complex pathway involving other molecules, it ultimately increases nitric oxide in the body, which helps smooth muscles relax and blood vessels dilate — that process known as vasodilation.

So, how did Viagra and the nitric oxide boost it offers stack up against those lung diseases?

When pitted against PAH, Viagra:

• Reduced the number of “clinical worsening events” like disease progression and hospitalization by 12.7 percent compared to placebo
• Increased markers of exercise capacity, measured by a six-minute walk test, by almost 50 meters

And when it came to IPF, a Viagra-like drug showed promise in patients with combined interstitial lung disease, including the hard-to-treat disease.

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Beyond the blue pill

Unless directed by a doctor, taking Viagra isn’t the only way to get a nitric oxide boost. And there are many reasons healthy people would want to…

Athletes swear by it to improve endurance.

It also improves stamina and can help against altitude sickness.

And numerous studies show nitric oxide is the pathway to better blood vessels, blood pressure and blood flow.

How can you increase your natural nitric oxide levels without popping a pill?

1. Increase L-arginine intake – When you consume the amino acid L-arginine, it’s broken down and used by your body to produce nitric oxide. And it’s easy to up your intake by eating foods like spinach, lobster, crab, turkey, fish and chicken.
2. Try beetroot powder – Beets are packed with dietary nitrates that are converted to nitrites and then to nitric oxide in your gut, bloodstream and organs. This makes beetroot powder a great way to level up your nitric oxide to help the smooth muscles relax and get more oxygenated blood flow to the organs. Spinach is also a good source.
3. Limit salt intake – Be sure to keep the salt in your diet minimal since research has shown it can diminish nitric oxide production.

Sources:

Viagra’s Other Uses — Science Daily

Popular Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Eases Symptoms in Lung Disease — sciencealert

Viagra Side Effects by Likelihood and Severity — WebMD

Could Viagra Help Prevent and Treat Alzheimer’s Disease? — AARP

The post New use for that little blue pill: Breathing easier appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The last thing you want is to be caught empty-handed when your sinuses are blocked, you can’t breathe and the pressure and pain knocks you down for the count.

But before you head to the pharmacy, I’m here to give you some news about recent developments in the world of cold remedies that may blow your mind — then we’ll work on how to blow that congestion right out of your nose…

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Active ingredient in popular decongestants deemed ineffective

In the world of over-the-counter decongestants, many of the products we reach for contain the active ingredient phenylephrine (PE).

Phenylephrine is found in popular products such as Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain, Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant, Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe, and many, many others.

But following an evaluation of clinical trial data in 2023, a panel of expert advisors for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed that oral PE-based drugs are no better at reducing stuffiness than a placebo and recommended that oral PE decongestants be reclassified so that they are not falsely labeled as “effective.”

Now the FDA is taking action: As of November 2024, the FDA has proposed to remove oral phenylephrine, widely used in cold and cough syrups, as an active ingredient in over-the-counter drugs for nasal congestion.

According to Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), “It is the FDA’s role to ensure that drugs are safe and effective. Based on our review of available data, and consistent with the advice of the advisory committee, we are taking this next step in the process to propose removing oral phenylephrine because it is not effective as a nasal decongestant.”

For now, companies may continue to market drug products containing oral phenylephrine as a nasal decongestant. However, the FDA will be providing manufacturers with an appropriate time table to either reformulate their drugs containing oral phenylephrine or remove such drugs from the market.

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Safer choices for fighting congestion

There are some decongestant products containing PE that the FDA will allow to remain on the market, specifically nasal sprays that deliver the active ingredient into the bloodstream via a more direct route.

But when taken orally, too much of the medicine is broken down in the gut before it gets into the bloodstream to have any real effect.

This all leaves you with a couple of choices. You can switch to nasal sprays and see if PE works for you when pushed into your bloodstream, or you can try a natural alternative.

And there’s good reason to give the latter at least a try…

Due to the severity of sinus symptoms, many people suffering from chronic sinusitis have been reported to form addictions to chemical over-the-counter nasal sprays.

Active ingredients, including PE and another decongestant called Oxymetazoline, can not only lead to dependency but can cause damage to nasal passage membranes, leading to chronically inflamed nasal passageways — a condition known as rebound congestion — and cause recurring symptoms to worsen over time.

But when you can’t breathe and sinus pain and pressure make your head feel like it’s about to explode, what else can you do?

Nasal irrigation: A natural and chemical-free method is simply to irrigate the nasal passages with a saline solution. Nasal irrigation improves nasal mucociliary clearance while also removing mucus from the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. Practicing nasal irrigation during the times of the year you’re most affected by sinus trouble can work as a preventative as well.

Nattokinase: Natto is a traditional Japanese superfood that contains a heavily studied enzyme, nattokinase, found to dissolve sinus pain and pressure. The enzyme has been found to shrink nasal polyps which can lock mucus inside sinus cavities, as well as thin mucus allowing better drainage.

Spicy foods: Did you know you can find nasal sprays made with capsaicin? That’s one way to make your nose run. Another is to eat spicy foods that open up your sinuses and let the mucus flow.

Ginger and turmeric: The anti-inflammatory properties of these spices help open up congested nasal passages by relieving the swelling. Try them in a hot tea and breathe in the steam while you allow it to cool down before sipping.

To cut your risk of sinus infections and nasal polyps, be sure to beef up your vitamin D3 and keep zinc on hand.

Sources:

Key Ingredient in Most Decongestants Doesn’t Work, Experts Say — Science Alert

NDAC Briefing Document: Oral Phenylephrine in the CCABA Monograph — FDA

U.S. FDA proposes ending use of popular decongestant present in cold medicines — Reuters

The post The not-so-surprising reason these OTC decongestants will be banned appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The most common bacteria that can cause pneumonia and is typically found in the mouth is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).

The longer you let the bad bacteria brew, the more likely they are to travel to other places in your body — especially your lungs…

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See your dentist to keep pneumonia away

Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University found that regular dental visits can reduce your risk of developing the dangerous respiratory infection, pneumonia, by an astounding 86 percent.

These researchers examined the health and dental records of 26,000 people and concluded that those who never visit the dentist for check-ups are 86 percent more likely to develop pneumonia than people who visit the dentist twice a year.

Of course, if you’ve only missed one or two dental visits, your pneumonia risk isn’t quite that sky-high. But you’re heading down a dangerous road…

A 2014 study confirmed the perils of putting off your dental visits too. In this study, Brazilian researchers found that people in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who received extensive dental care from a dentist were 56 percent less likely to develop a respiratory infection while in the hospital than those who just received run-of-the-mill dental care.

Clearly, there’s a connection between bad bacteria in your mouth and bad bacteria in your lungs… which makes perfect sense. If there are more bad bacteria lurking around anywhere in your body, there’s a greater risk of it going rogue and causing serious health problems.

And it’s not only your lungs that are affected. Bad mouth bacteria can make their way to your heart, blood and other organs too. It’s even been tied to an increased risk of cancer.

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Next-level oral hygiene

When life gets busy, it’s easy to let healthy practices fall to the wayside… including your biannual trip to the dentist.

But don’t put twice-yearly dental visits off too long. Because, if you do, it could set the stage for a serious infection. With the cold, flu and COVID viruses now circulating, we’ve got more to contend with. About a third of all pneumonia cases start as a respiratory illness.

Of course, it’s also critical to practice good oral hygiene in between dentist visits. That includes obvious habits like brushing and flossing daily, as well as less obvious habits like eating a healthy diet, supplementing for oral health and practicing the ancient art of oil pulling.

If you want to try it (my holistic dentist swears by it!) any edible oil will do, even though after using it to rid your mouth of nasty bacteria you should spit it out. Popular ones include coconut, sunflower or sesame seed oil. I am a fan of black seed oil because its known to promote a balanced immune system response and is effective against the inflammation that’s so closely tied to gum disease.

It comes in bottle or supplement form. I take a black seed oil supplement, so since I keep them on hand, I will break one open and mix it with a little coconut oil. Here’s a short primer on how to do it:

1. Put about 1 tbsp of oil in your mouth
2. Swish it around your mouth for about 15 minutes
3. Spit out the oil, then proceed with brushing your teeth

Sources:

1. “Regular dental visits may help prevent pneumonia, study shows.” ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017.

2. “Proper dental care linked to reduced risk of respiratory infections in ICU patients.” ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com. Retrieved April 5, 2017.

3. T. Bellissimo-Rodrigues, et al. “Effectiveness of a Dental Care Intervention in the Prevention of Lower Respiratory Tract Nosocomial Infections among Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2014; 35 (11): 1342.

The post How to reduce pneumonia risk by 86% appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

People have used it to fight everyday respiratory infections like colds and flu. And though it’s a proven champion of respiratory health, it’s often overshadowed by vitamin C.

Those in the know swear by its ability to ease the coughing, wheezing and phlegm that make you so miserable when you’re sick. And at least one study shows that taking 600 mg of NAC twice daily reduces the likelihood of getting the flu by more than 50 percent.

Other studies show that NAC can help people with serious respiratory issues too, like acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

So NAC is worth having in your medicine chest for its respiratory benefits alone. But new research shows it has another surprising but super helpful skill that makes it a must-have in your household — it starves cancer cells.

NAC cuts off cancer’s food supply

A clinical trial published in the journal Seminars in Oncology shows that NAC stops a group of cells (known as tumor stroma) that contribute to the spread of cancer.

Based on the results of this study, researchers believe NAC stops these cancer-spreading cells by halting the production of MCT4, a protein that feeds cancer cells. MCT4 feeds cancer cells by bringing them lactate from nearby cells, which gives them energy.

Previous research in cell cultures showed that NAC got rid of this cancer-feeding protein almost completely. Researchers confirmed that it works in living, breathing people with cancer too…

They gave NAC to 12 people with breast cancer awaiting surgery, and they found that it slashed the amount of MCT4 in their tumors by 80 percent. Without that protein, these patients’ cancer cells would have a hard time feeding off nearby cells, which means they aren’t as likely to spread.

“High levels of stromal MCT4 are extremely worrying, as they are linked to aggressive cancer behavior and poor overall survival, so this is a very encouraging result,” said study researcher Professor Michael Lisanti. “To be able to inhibit MCT4 protein expression, in a non-toxic way, is a huge step forward.”

But why can NAV help fight everything from colds to cancer?

Well, when you pop an NAC supplement, your body uses it to make an amino acid called cysteine, which your body eventually converts into a powerful antioxidant called glutathione, that resists age-related decline. Antioxidants protect cells and DNA from free radical damage. Scientists believe this may be why NAC can help with colds, cancer and many conditions in between.

Even more benefits of NAC

Now, this was a small study, so it’s too soon to say if NAC will work for people with other types of cancer or even other people with breast cancer. But one thing is for sure, NAC has a lot of proven benefits that may inspire you to add it to your supplement collection regardless…

I already told you how NAC can ease short-term and long-term respiratory problems, but that’s only a small piece of the NAC puzzle…

It also detoxifies the body and may help prevent liver damage by increasing cellular antioxidant levels. It’s used in high doses in hospitals for acetaminophen overdose and exposure to toxic heavy metals.

It’s also been around for a long time and has been used as a medication, so it’s considered quite safe. But always choose supplements from a reputable manufacturer and never take more than is recommended.

So if you want to try N-Acetylcysteine, you’ll most likely reap some benefits — not only during cold and flu season but year-round considering its tremendous scope of benefits.

Sources:

1. Decongestant ‘highly effective’ at starving cancer cells — MedicalXpress. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
2. Monti, et al. “Pilot study demonstrating metabolic and anti-proliferative effects of in vivo anti-oxidant supplementation with N-Acetylcysteine in Breast Cancer.” — Seminars in Oncology, 2017. DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2017.10.001.
3. The Overlooked Compound That Saves Lives: N-acetyl Cysteine — Life Extension Magazine. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
4. “Improvement by N-acetylcysteine of acute respiratory distress syndrome through increasing intracellular glutathione, and extracellular thiol molecules and anti-oxidant power: evidence for underlying toxicological mechanisms” — Human & Experimental Toxicology. 2007 Sep;26(9):697-703.
5. Cysteine — University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
6. NAC (N-acetylcysteine) — Whole Health Chicago. Retrieved December 5, 2017.

The post The flu-fighting supplement that starves cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Maybe it feels as if you just don’t get enough air through your nose each time you breathe… Or you might have noticed that your sense of smell or taste just isn’t what it used to be.

If so, you might be suffering from nasal polyps.

The good news is that while these growths inside the nasal passages are common, affecting up to 40 percent of the general population, they are also benign — meaning they are non-cancerous.

Even better, not only can your doctor offer options to get rid of these polyps, but there are also things you can do to keep it that way.

Here are the answers to help you figure out whether or not you have nasal polyps and what you can do about them.

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What causes nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps can occur anywhere within your nose or sinus passages. Made of fibrin (the same enzyme that causes blood clotting and cardiovascular issues), nasal polyps are thought to be caused by chronic inflammation. Polyps can be small and cause no symptoms or large enough to block your sinus passages.

You’re more likely to end up with nasal polyps if you have:

• Chronic sinusitis
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Certain immune disorders
• Aspirin sensitivity
• Dental infections
• Low vitamin D levels

While people typically develop nasal polyps in their 30s and 40s, they do become more common as you age.

Nasal polyp symptoms

The larger they get, the more likely nasal polyps are to cause issues. Common symptoms of polyps in your sinus passages include:

• A stuffy or runny nose
• Nosebleeds
• Pressure in your sinus cavities
• Headaches
• Loss of smell or taste
• Snoring
• Post-nasal drip (a feeling like mucus is draining down your throat)

Polyps that block your sinus passages can cause:

• An increase in asthma attacks
• Chronic sinus infections
• Problems breathing
• Sleep apnea issues

Nasal polyp diagnosis and treatment

To determine if you have nasal polyps, your doctor will use a thin, tube-like scope to look inside your nose. This is called a nasal endoscopy.

For more complicated issues, or if the polyps are deeper in your sinus passages, a CTI or MRI may also be ordered.

Medical treatment for nasal polyps involves medication or surgery.

Prescription medications used for polyps include steroid nasal sprays to reduce polyp size and manage symptoms and oral steroids to shrink polyps and improve symptoms – especially sense of smell.

If medications don’t work or aren’t an option due to the size of your polyps, your doctor may recommend surgery.

However, it’s important to note that, even with surgery, nasal polyps are likely to come back.

In fact, one study that followed patients for 12 years after polyp surgery found that approximately 37 percent required additional surgery due to polyp return. A second study noted that 40 percent of participants suffered from nasal polyp re-growth within just 18 months of initial surgery.

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Two ways to reduce the risk they’ll return

Surgery is a big undertaking for something that could come back. But removing them could provide a fresh start to put together a plan to make their return less likely.

Since low vitamin D levels are associated with nasal polyps, increasing levels could help…

The results of a triple-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial, in which participants were deprived of their routine medical therapies, found vitamin D supplementation at 4000 IU daily reduced the occurrence of polyps returning following sinus surgery.

The fact that vitamin D has potent inflammatory properties and inflammation is associated with nasal polyps, could be the simple answer why.

Another option is natto, a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. It contains an enzyme called nattokinase that in experiments was found to dissolve fibrin, an insoluble protein that can contribute to blood clots.

Since nasal polyps are also made of fibrin, researchers at Fukai University in Japan incubated nasal polyps in nattokinase — causing them to dissolve.

As a bonus, when the researchers tested the effects of nattokinase on the nasal discharge of patients with chronic sinus problems, they found that the enzyme significantly reduced mucus viscosity.

In other words, nattokinase thinned the mucus to allow blocked sinuses to drain.

Natto, fermented soybeans, can be found at most Asian markets. However, if you don’t enjoy the taste or texture of natto (many Americans don’t), nattokinase is available in supplements.

If you’re taking blood thinners, be sure to talk to your doctor before adding natto or nattokinase to your routine. Otherwise, it could be the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for.

Sources:

Nasal polyps: Unassuming growths with a powerful effect – Mayo Clinic

Nasal polyps – Mayo Clinic

Twelve-year follow-up study after endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis – BMC

Prevalence of polyp recurrence after endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis – NIH

Nasal Polyps – American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology

Nasal Polyps – Cleveland Clinic

The post What are nasal polyps, why they come back and what to do appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It helps control blood pressure and promote a healthy heart.

It helps build up the brain’s hippocampus, thus preserving memory as we age.

It even helps to reverse fatty liver disease, which in turn can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

And the most recent research tells us that a shockingly small amount of exercise can help lower the risk of death from flu or pneumonia…

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Some is better than none

Seniors are at higher risk from complications arising from a flu infection. Often if turns to pneumonia and older adults are nearly five times more likely to be hospitalized after contracting pneumonia. Death rates from the illness can exceed 50 percent depending on underlying health conditions.

But 20 years of data has shown that, with just a few minutes of exercise a week, we can cut that risk of death from flu and pneumonia significantly…

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas followed the exercise habits of 577,909 adults, aged 18 and older, in the United States for two decades.

What they found is good news for the majority of us who can’t make it to the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), or even to 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activities.

In fact, their data showed that getting in as little as ten minutes of cardio activity a week — or as much as 150 minutes a week — can drop the risk of dying from flu or pneumonia by 21 percent!

In other words, some is better than none to help you avoid the worst of flu or pneumonia.

But their data also showed that not exercising at all will leave you right where you started.

Now, this doesn’t mean if you’re an exercise fanatic that you can’t get even better odds…

In fact, they found that people who logged in as much as 150-300 and 301-600 minutes a week of MVPA saw their risk for flu death reduced by 41 percent and 50 percent!

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How to get more METS into your life

Exercise experts measure activity in metabolic equivalents or METs. One MET is defined as the energy it takes to sit quietly.

Moderate-intensity activities clock in at 3 to 6 METs, meaning they get you moving enough to burn three to six times as much energy per minute as you do when you are sitting quietly.

Some examples of moderate-intensity activities are:

• Walking briskly (4 mph)
• Walking up and down stairs
• Heavy cleaning (washing windows, vacuuming, mopping)
• Biking (10-12 mph)

Vigorous-intensity activities that can burn at least 6 METs include hiking, jogging at 6 mph, shoveling, biking at 14-16 mph, and playing a game of basketball or soccer.

But remember, all you have to do is choose the level of exercise you’re comfortable with and do it for a minimum of 10 minutes every day to begin lowering your risk of death from flu and pneumonia.

Sources:

Doing This Type of Exercise Just 10 Minutes a Week Could Reduce Risk of Flu Death — Science Alert

Leisure-time physical activity and mortality from influenza and pneumonia: a cohort study of 577 909 US adults — British Journal of Sports Medicine

Examples of Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity — Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health

The post 10 minutes a day helps keep flu from turning fatal appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

On one hand, that first day of crisp fall air absolutely thrills me…

But on the other hand, almost simultaneously, I begin waking every morning with dark circles under my eyes and raging congestion, followed by a nose that runs like a faucet.

Is it allergies, sinusitis, a cold or what?

In years past, I’d swear off the idea of allergies because I wasn’t sneezing and I didn’t have watery eyes. But after 50 years of it, something finally clicked… everyone doesn’t have the exact same allergy symptoms. And as far as seasonal allergies can go, fall takes the ticket by throwing everything but the kitchen sink at you — including mold!

This year, I’m ready. I’m armed with a full understanding of what’s attacking me — and how to tame it without feeling drugged up…

What the heck is stirring up your fall allergies?

I chose to write about my allergy issues (and how I’ve finally been able to relieve them) because so many other people are in the same boat right now. More than 24 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies.

Sometimes the symptoms can be confusing because colds are usually making the rounds this time of year as well. However, colds are more apt to present with a runny nose, sore throat and possibly a fever.

If you experience a postnasal drip (which can lead to throat irritation), headache, watery or itchy eyes, ear congestion and mild fatigue, it’s a good bet you suffer from allergies.

But what’s causing it? Well, let me count the ways that fall socks it to us…

Allergic rhinitis: This is typically the culprit when people blame hay fever for their misery. But it’s more likely that your trigger is ragweed — not hay. This plant and its irritants start in mid-August and can wreak havoc until the first freeze.

Lingering warm weather: If unseasonably warm days stick around longer than usual, rhinitis symptoms can last longer, too. And when those warm days include high humidity, you can blame mold spores for that horrible headache. Even a dry, windy day can help circulate these irritants.

Leaves, leaves everywhere: Aren’t the colorful fall leaves just beautiful? Yes, until they fall. First, they can trap moisture… and that means mold. Then, when we start raking, we’re stirring up that mold and agitating pollen. Yikes!

These are just a few of the things causing seasonal allergies… now let’s talk about what you can do to feel better through them…

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My first fall free of allergy symptoms

I stopped reaching for prescription and over-the-counter antihistamines a couple of years ago. Once I learned that most of the active ingredients in them were anticholinergic drugs, I cleared out my medicine cabinet.

That’s because anticholinergics (like diphenhydramine, found in products like Benadryl and Nytol) block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is critical to memory function. My colleague Joyce Holman has written about about how anticholinergics can put people at higher risk for developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and ultimately, Alzheimer’s disease.

My close family history of Alzheimer’s is too high for me to take that risk. Instead, as with most things health-related, I’ve chosen a natural route to get relief, starting with the golden oil of the Nigella sativa plant’s black seeds.

Black seed oil, as it’s more commonly known around the globe, was found to be an effective treatment for symptoms of allergic rhinitis when you want to avoid the effects of other allergy drugs. In a study of 66 patients, symptoms including nasal congestion, nasal itching, runny nose and sneezing were relieved during the first two weeks of taking it.

Last fall was my first year to try it. It was such a relief to wake every day without having to immediately grab a tissue and run for the medicine cabinet. Instead, before bed each night I took a supplement that contained the cold-pressed golden oil, then one with breakfast the next morning. I’ve never felt better, and it was probably the first fall I lived through without feeling like I was in a medicated fog.

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Other natural allergy symptom relievers

If the natural world can throw allergens at us, is it surprising that the answer to taming those allergens can be found in nature as well? If anyone understands the concept of balance, it’s Mother Nature.

Here are a few more remedies to help make fall your favorite allergy-free season of the year…

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples that helps thin mucus and alleviate swelling in the nose and sinuses. Even though I eat some pineapple every day, to get enough to help with allergies you’d need to supplement. Avoid if you’re on antibiotics, and talk to your doctor about it if you’re on blood thinners.

Quercetin, found in apples, red grapes, onions and teas is a natural decongestant, antihistamine and antioxidant that can stop the release of histamines by your body’s immune system. Supplementing would provide enough to help with allergy symptoms.

Eucalyptus not only smells great but if used in a vaporizer it can really open your sinus passages. You can even add a few drops to a small pot of boiled water and breath in the warm steam, carefully.

Sources:

Allergy Facts — American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Four Things You Might Not Know About Fall Allergies — American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Herbal treatment of allergic rhinitis: the use of Nigella sativa — The American Journal of Otolaryngology

Natural Remedies for Grass and Ragweed Allergies — Midwest Allergy Relief

The post The golden ticket to a fall free of allergy symptoms appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But how much exercise should you get? And how hard should your workout be?

Studies run the gamut on this front. But overall, the common advice is that your workout should at least be at moderate intensity for a total of 150 minutes (or five 30-minute sessions) per week.

Moderate intensity means you’re breathing hard enough that if you tried to sing, it would be difficult, whereas with vigorous activity you would find it hard to talk as well.

If you really want to supercharge your health, vigorous exercise appears to have greater benefits than moderate exercise.

However, there may be one area where the opposite is true….

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Hard exercise and the immune system

On the whole, exercise seems to be good for the immune system. In fact, one study observed that exercise appears to jump-start cytotoxic T cells, making them more able to attack cancer cells. That’s pretty impressive!

However, there is some evidence that exercising too much for too long can actually release stress hormones that suppress the immune system.

One team of U.S. researchers was interested in finding out if vigorous exercise can increase the odds of contracting respiratory infections. So they tested the blood, urine and saliva from 11 firefighters before and after 45 minutes of intense exercise involving carrying up to 44 pounds of gear over hilly terrain.

After examining 4,700 post-exercise fluid molecules, the researchers found the expected physical changes that help the body maintain the increase in fluids, energy and oxygen demanded by exercise. But they also discovered a decrease in molecules involved in inflammation, as well as an increase in opiorphin, a dilator of peripheral blood vessels.

It’s not clear what these changes mean for short-term immune system functioning. But in their paper, the researchers note that opiorphin may increase blood flow to muscles during exercise to improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. And they theorize that the decrease in inflammatory molecules they observed in the saliva after exercise could be an adaptation to improve gas exchange in response to higher cellular oxygen demand.

The researchers also observed a change in the participants’ oral microbiome, including an increase in antimicrobial peptides that was possibly compensating for the immune suppression.

“However, this increase in antimicrobial peptides had no effect on inhibiting E. coli growth, suggesting a limited capacity of antimicrobial peptides within the oral cavity to protect against host infections,” the researchers write in the study.

They conclude “there is evidence supporting a relationship between physical demands and a higher incidence of respiratory infections.”

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When to press ‘pause’ on exercise

Given the results of previous studies showing a link between exercise and improved immunity, there is a chance the changes observed in this study could be an indication of heightened surveillance and regulation by the immune system, not immune suppression. Still, the results warrant further examination.

There were some caveats to the study. Because firefighters experience exposure to distinct pollutants during fires, this could also change their immune reactions. And because the study considered only healthy, active men, further research needs to be done among a broader population to confirm the findings.

Until then, it may be a good idea to hold off on vigorous exercise at certain times, such as when you’re not feeling 100 percent. If you’re already feeling like you’re coming down with a cold or the flu, the last thing you want to do is suppress your immune system.

You may want to take extra precautions to bolster your immune system, especially if you have a physically demanding job. Here are some tips that might help:

• Try black seed oil. Used in ancient Egypt, the oil of the black Nigella Sativa seeds has been found to hold over 100 different compounds with analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Two of the most studied, thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone, target the immune system.
• Get enough sleep. Shortchanging your sleep can suppress your immune system, so be sure to get eight hours a night.
• Take probiotics. Studies have demonstrated that taking a regular probiotic can support your immune system. Add a daily supplement to your routine and eat more probiotic-rich foods like kefir, yogurt and sauerkraut.

Sources:

1. Study Finds Potential Downside to Vigorous Exercise We Didn’t Know About — Science Alert

2. Elucidating regulatory processes of intense physical activity by multi-omics analysis — Military Medical Research

3. Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 — NHS

The post The one time the benefits of exercise don’t hold up appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Yet, according to researchers at Duke University, there is something even more worrisome and just as dangerous that doesn’t just have a possibility of happening but is a certainty every time we get behind the wheel.

That’s because thanks to outdated federal standards, every single moment we spend in our vehicle means breathing in known carcinogens…

Seats fill the air with cancer-causing flame retardants

Back in the 1970s, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 302 mandated that flame retardants be added to the seat foam used in cars.

This requirement remains unchanged to this day, even though it has shown no proven fire-safety benefit. You might be surprised to learn the same was found about the use of flame retardants in homes and clothing.

Instead, they pose a very frightening risk: flame retardants are classified as both potential and known carcinogens.

“Firefighters are concerned that flame retardants contribute to their very high cancer rates,” said Patrick Morrison, who oversees Health and Safety for 350,000 U.S. and Canadian firefighters at the International Association of Fire Fighters. “Filling products with these harmful chemicals does little to prevent fires for most uses and instead makes the blazes smokier and more toxic for victims, and especially for first responders.

And it doesn’t take a fire to bring those carcinogens out of the seats and into the air your breather inside your car…

No car is “safe”

You might think is more of a problem in junkers, but Duke researchers were able to detect flame retardants inside the cabins of cars made in 2015 and newer.

In fact, the team found that 99 percent of the 101 cars they tested across the county contained tris (1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP). TCIPP is a flame retardant that is currently under investigation by the U.S. National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen.

If that weren’t bad enough, their study showed that the air in most cars also had additional flame retardants present, including tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP).

These organophosphate esters are on the list of California Proposition 65 carcinogens, which are known to cause cancer or birth defects and other reproductive harm. They’ve also been linked to neurological damage.

It’s no wonder then that research has discovered that the average U.S. child has lost three to five IQ points from exposure to a single flame retardant used in cars and furniture. It’s been shown that people with the highest levels of these flame retardants in their blood experience a four times greater risk of dying from cancer compared with people with the lowest levels.

“Our research found that interior materials release harmful chemicals into the cabin air of our cars,” said lead author Rebecca Hoehn. “Considering the average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue. It’s particularly concerning for drivers with longer commutes as well as child passengers, who breathe more air pound for pound than adults.”

Reducing the flame retardants in the air you breathe

Sadly, until federal standards are changed, there’s not much you can do to keep these flame retardants out of your car.

However, there are small steps you can take to reduce the amount of these cancer-causing chemicals filling your cabin air…

First, knowing that your exposure can worsen with the changing seasons is important. Summer weather was linked to TCIPP air concentrations at levels 9 times higher. That’s because off-gassing from interior components, like seat foam, is increased by warm temperatures.

Take these steps to lessen your exposure:

• Open your windows – Allowing fresh air in to sweep away toxins whenever possible is vital to making your car a safer space.
• Minimize the use of recirculated air mode.
• Wash hands after being in car, especially before eating.
• Park in the shade – This is especially important in warmer months when the inside of your car can reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, making the off-gassing of flame retardants even more likely.
• Put up a sunshade – Reflective sunshades can reduce the heat level in your car and therefore the off-gassing of carcinogens.
• Put a portable filter to work – Portable HEPA filters are available for vehicular use. If possible, place on in both the front and back of your car.

Additionally, consider adding a B-vitamin to your daily supplement regimen, since these vitamin powerhouses have been found to fight the DNA damage caused by air pollution, such as the toxic air in your car.

Antioxidants can also be valuable tools against pollutants that harm the body by increasing free radicals.

Sources:

Study: You’re breathing potential carcinogens inside your car — EurekAlert!

Flame retardants in vehicles — Green Science Policy Institute

The post How car seats increase your exposure to carcinogens appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And you probably already know that avoiding triggers that can set off a cascade of worsening symptoms is especially important.

In fact, things like passing by a smoker as you leave a building, days with higher levels of air pollution — and even the summer heat — can make it difficult to manage your condition.

But what you may not know is this: a seemingly unrelated health problem can not only aggravate your symptoms — but actually accelerate the progression of COPD.

And it starts in your mouth…

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Triggering COPD flare-ups

According to research published in the American Society of Microbiology Journals, bad bacteria in your mouth can result in COPD flare-ups by increasing lung inflammation.

Here’s how it works according to the researchers…

It all starts with a bacteria known as Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). If that sounds familiar, it’s the bacteria that causes periodontitis or gum disease.

And while having the bacteria in your mouth is bad enough — after all, who wants to deal with bleeding, gums, loose teeth and other oral health problems — P. gingivalis doesn’t just stay in your mouth.

In fact, previously it’s been linked to lots of illnesses not at all related to oral health, including heart disease.

Now researchers have found that when it comes to COPD, P. gingivalis can travel to the lungs where it activates lung immune cells, which drive lung inflammation.

Because COPD already causes lung inflammation, gum disease is like fuel on a fire and can exacerbate progression of the disease.

Gum disease and whole-body health

Beyond damaging your lungs and making COPD worse, the bacteria can also:

• Travel to your brain where it could increase your chances of Alzheimer’s
• Lead to hypertension
• Double your risk of heart failure
• Put you on the fast track to cancer

Clearly, what happens in your mouth isn’t like Vegas — it doesn’t stay in your mouth.

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Keeping gum disease at bay

Of course, the first step to battle back bad oral bacteria that can aggravate your COPD and damage your health in so many ways is to brush and floss and see your dentist at least once a year.

But there are also other things you can add in to boost your oral health dramatically…

That can include taking these four supplements that have been shown to fight gum disease and help you keep a healthy mouth.

And to take it to the next level, try drinking or even just swishing out your mouth with matcha tea once or twice a day.

This green tea on steroids has been shown to have the power to kill all bad oral bacteria in just four hours flat.

Finally, if you enjoy a glass of red wine, it’s good to know that it has been shown to have three compounds that promote a healthy mouth.

COPD is a condition that requires the care of a physician, but research has shown some supplements can help:

Omega-3s: Like those found in fatty fish, fish oil or krill oil, have been associated with lung health.

Vitamin D: According to the American Thoracic Society, a vitamin D deficiency causes deficits in lung function and structure.

Both vitamin D and omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory properties. Spices like turmeric, ginger and black seed oil are also powerful anti-inflammatories.

Just check with our doctor to be sure nothing interferes with your medication.

Sources:
Periodontitis aggravates COPD through the activation of γδ T cell and M2 macrophage — American Society for Microbiology

The post What happens in your mouth could damage your lungs appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

What if I told you that an inexpensive over-the-counter remedy that’s probably sitting in your medicine cabinet right now could drastically reduce your chances of coming down with one?

You might be skeptical, to say the least.

But this kind of thing happens all the time. Through persistence and careful research, science finds cures that have been right under our noses all along…

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Neosporin stimulates immune system response

Currently, most therapies used to fight respiratory viral infections are delivered intravenously or orally. Their purpose is to keep existing infections from spreading and worsening.

However, a new study by Yale University researchers suggests that a therapy delivered through the nose would have a much better chance of stopping infections before they can spread to the lower respiratory tract and cause severe disease.

The study found that mice treated intra-nasally with the common antibiotic neomycin showed a strong interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) defense against both the SARS-CoV-2 and the influenza A virus.

And in healthy humans, nasal application of the over-the-counter ointment Neosporin — a triple-antibiotic ointment containing neomycin — also triggered a swift immune response by ISGs.

Interferon (IFN) is a natural substance produced by white blood cells. It helps the body’s immune system fight infection by signaling the expression of ISGs so they can keep viruses from replicating within the body.

“This is an exciting finding, that a cheap over-the-counter antibiotic ointment can stimulate the human body to activate an antiviral response,” says Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, the Sterling Professor of Immunobiology and professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine and co-senior author of the new study.

“Our findings suggest that we might be able to optimize this cheap and generic antibiotic to prevent viral diseases and their spread in human populations, especially in global communities with limited resources.”

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Other ways to rouse your immune system

If the idea of applying an ointment usually reserved for cuts and burns to your nose doesn’t delight you, there’s something else you can do to simulate interferon signaling to kick ISGs and your immune response into gear…

According to Professor Colin Smith, lead author of research published in 2022 in Frontiers of Immunology, “We have shown that vitamin D3 appears to stimulate the type I interferon signaling system in the body — a key part of the immune system that provides a first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. Thus, a healthy vitamin D3 status may help prevent viruses and bacteria from gaining a foothold in the body.”

That same research differentiated vitamin D3 from the more common form, D2. According to Professor Susan Lanham-New, co-author of the study, “While we found that vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 do not have the same effect on gene activity within humans, the lack of impact we found when looking at vitamin D2 means that a larger study is urgently required to clarify the differences in the effects. However, these results show that vitamin D3 should be the favored form for fortified foods and supplements.”

If you’re prone to respiratory infections, your lungs could probably use a little extra protection. Omega-3s can help there…

Researchers who analyzed genetic data from a large European study of over 500,000 patients drawn from the UK Biobank found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood correlated with better lung function and a reduced rate of decline in lung function.

Sources:

Common antibiotic may be helpful in fighting respiratory viral infections — Yale News

Intranasal neomycin evokes broad-spectrum antiviral immunity in the upper respiratory tract — PNAS

Protective Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on COVID-19-Related Intensive Care Hospitalization and Mortality: Definitive Evidence from Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis — Pharmaceuticals

The post The medicine cabinet ointment that fights respiratory viruses appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

You can do it at any age, and it works quickly.

And it’s proven by research.

So why not, right?

Well, it’s not quite that simple.

Here’s the “ridiculously effective” way to lengthen your healthspan.

Will you take advantage of it?

It’s never too late to quit

If you’re a smoker, even a heavy smoker, it’s never too late to quit.

If a smoker can stay away from cigarettes for ten years, they can hope to live nearly as long as someone who has never picked up a cigarette in their life.

Don’t believe it? Well, get this…

For fifteen years, scientists at the Center for Global Health Research in Canada and the Arctic University of Norway tracked the health of nearly 1.5 million adults living in these two high-income nations and analyzed that data with respect to the risks of smoking.

What they discovered was both remarkable and hopeful.

Not only can someone who quits for a decade hope to live as long as if they’d never smoked, but if a person of any age stops smoking for fewer than three years, they can potentially avoid five years of life lost.

“Many people think it’s too late to quit smoking, especially in middle age,” says public health scientist Dr. Prabhat Jha from the Center for Global Health Research in Toronto.

“But these results counter that line of thought. It’s never too late, the impact is fast, and you can reduce risk across major diseases, meaning a longer and better quality of life.”

The researchers found that quitting smoking reduced the risk of dying from vascular disease and cancer, in particular. Former smokers also reduced their risk of death from respiratory disease, but slightly less so, likely due to residual lung damage.

First steps to quitting

First, let’s talk about the wrong way to quit.

You may be under the impression that vaping is a safe way to quit cigarettes, certainly preferable to smoking.

You couldn’t be more wrong.

This ‘safer’ habit causes stress to your brain cells, ending in cell damage and cell death. Fewer brain cells means more brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

But there are some healthier ways to kick the habit.

For example, in 2017, Canada’s version of the FDA approved cytisine, a naturally occurring compound, as a natural health product, meaning it’s available over the counter (unfortunately, cytisine is still not available in the United States).

But there are other safe options to help you quit, including counseling and medication. Read about some of them here.

Some people quit cold turkey, like my father did years ago. For others, a gradual approach is more successful.

The key is to find the method that works for you.

But studies have proven that, no matter how you tackle kicking the cigarette habit, it’s going to be less painful and more successful if you partner up with someone else who’s also trying to quit.

Sources:

Quitting smoking at any age brings big health benefits, fast: study — University of Toronto

Scientists Reveal What Happens to Your Life Expectancy When You Quit Smoking — Science Alert

Smoking Cessation and Short- and Longer-Term Mortality — New England Journal of Medicine

Benefits of Quitting — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The post How smokers can live longer at any age appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

They say that you can outgrow pollen allergies, but I haven’t been that lucky. To this day, my favorite season of the year is full of flowers, blooming trees… and sneezing.

Some days, the sneezing and runny nose are bad enough to make me stop everything else I’m doing. My body feels like I’ve got the flu. And on some nights, it’s enough to keep me awake into the wee hours.

I’ve found an antihistamine that doesn’t make me drowsy, but it doesn’t always give me a lot of relief.

This year, I began looking to more natural allergy remedies to relieve my suffering, and here’s what I’ve found…

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Allergy remedies for natural relief

1. Honey. The bee pollen in honey is said to desensitize your body to other pollens. Just make sure that it’s honey local to your area. Start adding honey to your diet each day before allergy season starts.

2. Vitamin C. Vitamin C prevents your immune system from forming histamines, chemicals that cause the sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose of allergy sufferers.

Foods that have both vitamin C and flavonoids, especially quercetin and bromelain, are particularly effective. These include pineapple, citrus fruits, strawberries, cranberries and red peppers.

Vitamin C supplements work best if they are taken at intervals throughout the day.

3. Hot peppers. Capsaicin, the active chemical found in hot chili peppers, can open nasal passages and reduce congestion. While it won’t prevent the allergic reaction itself, it can make you a lot more comfortable during allergy season.

4. Carotenoids. The natural pigments that give many fruits and vegetables their bright yellow, red and orange colors also act as a type of antioxidant that decreases inflammation and supports the upper respiratory tract.

5. Chamomile tea. Like vitamin C, chamomile has been shown to reduce the production of histamines. Warning: chamomile has proteins similar to those found in ragweed and could cause itching or swelling of the tongue, lips or mouth in some people with a ragweed allergy. Chamomile is also known as a sleep aid, so you may want to use this allergy remedy in the evening near bedtime.

6. Black seed oil, which comes from the seeds of the Nigella sativa plant, was found to be an effective treatment for symptoms of allergic rhinitis when you want to avoid the effects of other allergy drugs. In a study of 66 patients, symptoms including nasal congestion, nasal itching, runny nose and sneezing were relieved during the first two weeks of using it.

7. Green tea. Naturopathic physician Dr. Peter D’Adamo suggests drinking a daily cup of green tea starting weeks before allergy season begins.

The polyphenols in green tea, as well as the amino acid theanine, are natural antihistamines, and that daily cup of green tea will build up your reserves before the pollen arrives in earnest. If you need to sweeten it, remember to use local honey.

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8. Turmeric. Among all its other well-known health benefits, turmeric is an immune system modulator. That means that it, too, helps to slow the release of histamines.

9. Resveratrol. According to WebMD, using a nasal spray containing resveratrol three times daily for 4 weeks seems to reduce allergy symptoms in adults with seasonal allergies. You might find such a nasal spray online, but there are plenty of food sources, including grapes, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and more.

Dehydration can make your allergy symptoms worse

During spring and into the summer months, as the weather warms and we become more active, dehydration can become a real danger.

In order to prevent allergy symptoms, staying hydrated is also crucial.

Dr. Susanne Bennett is a specialist in allergy treatment, and founder of the Wellness for Life Center in Santa Monica, California.

She says that allergy sufferers need extra water to support the increased drainage (translation: runny nose) and tears that flush mold and pollen out of our noses and eyes.

The more hydrated you are, the more those allergens are diluted and the less those histamines will go after them and bring on your allergy symptoms.

Dr. Bennett suggests taking your weight, dividing it in half and drinking that number of ounces of water each day during allergy season.

Sources:

1. The best natural hayfever remedies and relief — Good to Know
2. Vitamin C for Allergies — New Health Advisor
3. The Best Foods to Manage Your Seasonal Allergies — Next Avenue

The post 9 natural allergy remedies that won’t put you to sleep appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

While anyone can suffer from pulmonary fibrosis, it’s most common in people between the ages of 50 and 70. In fact, it’s estimated that about one in 200 older adults has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (one type of the disease).

Some risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis include smoking, exposure to toxins like asbestos, coal and silica, some medications, radiation and sensitivities to allergens, including mold.

According to the American Lung Association, another common cause is a group of autoimmune conditions that includes lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome and others. Pulmonary fibrosis can also be inherited. But sometimes there’s no identifiable cause.

One study even found that people who sleep four hours or less per day double their risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis, and people who sleep 11 hours or more per day triple their risk.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for pulmonary fibrosis and no way to reverse lung scarring that has already occurred. Current treatments focus on preventing more lung scarring and relieving symptoms. They include medication, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation or even a lung transplant.

Researchers are always exploring new ways to slow the progression of this debilitating condition. And they may have found one solution in a common nutrient that’s already associated with better lung function…

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Omega-3s and pulmonary fibrosis

A group of U.S. researchers decided to study if omega-3s could impact interstitial lung disease, a group of chronic lung diseases that can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. They reviewed information on more than 300 people with interstitial lung disease, mostly men suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

What they found was an association between higher levels of omega-3s in the blood and better ability to exchange carbon dioxide. There was also a link between higher omega-3 levels and longer survival without the need for a lung transplant. These statistics did not vary much regardless of smoking history or the presence of cardiovascular disease.

In short, higher levels of omega-3s were linked with better lung function and longer transplant-free survival in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic lung diseases.

“Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids were predictive of better clinical outcomes in pulmonary fibrosis,” says researcher Dr. John Kim, a pulmonary and critical care expert at UVA Health and the University of Virginia School of Medicine. “These findings were consistent whether you had a history of cardiovascular disease, which suggests this may be specific to pulmonary fibrosis.”

“We found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood, which reflects several weeks of dietary intake, were linked to better lung function and longer survival.”

Omega-3s for vegetarians and meat-eaters

Even though more research is needed to fully understand the mechanism behind how omega-3s benefit pulmonary fibrosis, there are many reasons to enjoy a diet rich in omega-3-rich foods.

For starters, eating fatty fish twice a week lowers the risk of heart disease. Supplementing omega-3 has benefits too including reducing the occurrence of autoimmune conditions and gum disease and blocking pain. But if you’re on medication for pulmonary fibrosis, it’s a good idea to discuss supplements with your physician.

The FDA says that you can safely take up to 3 grams of omega-3 supplements containing EPA and DHA per day. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says that you can take up to 5 grams.

One serving of fatty fish like salmon, trout or mackerel gives you enough omega-3s for your daily needs.

If you’re a vegetarian, omega-3s are also present in flaxseeds, olive oil and walnuts. However, the AHA omega-3s these vegetarian sources give you aren’t as powerful as the EPA and DHA found in fish. You may be better off seeking out a vegetarian omega-3 supplement that gets its DHA from microalgae.

Sources:

Healthy omega-3 fats may slow deadly pulmonary fibrosis, research suggests — EurekAlert!

Associations of Plasma Omega-3 Fatty Acids With Progression and Survival in Pulmonary Fibrosis — Chest Journal

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis — Medline Plus

7 Things Everyone Should Know about Pulmonary Fibrosis — American Lung Association

The post Omegas-3s may help slow pulmonary fibrosis appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I had to read that statistic twice before it sank in.

Surely if a safe and highly effective smoking cessation remedy were available, pharmaceutical companies would jump at the chance to produce it and get it into people’s hands.

It’s been a while since I had to report to you on Big Pharma’s greed machine and how it makes us sicker.

But now I’ve got a doozy for you.

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The natural substance that could double your chances of quitting

Cytisine is a plant-based compound that eases smoking withdrawal symptoms. It’s been used in Eastern Europe as a low-cost stop-smoking aid since the 1960s.

There is a great deal of solid research demonstrating that cytisine is a more efficient smoking cessation aid than nicotine — and that it is safe. (The obvious advantage, of course, is that it doesn’t put the same addictive substance back into the body).

For example, a study published just last year pooled the results of eight randomized control trials comparing cytisine with a placebo.

Among the 6000 patients involved, the results showed that cytisine more than doubles the chance that a person will successfully stop smoking.

And in an earlier study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, cytisine was compared with a nicotine-replacement aid such as the patch.

At the one-month point, 40% of the 1310 subjects had continuously refrained from smoking, as opposed to only 31% of those on nicotine-replacement therapy.

Why you can’t get cytisine in the U.S.

With these kinds of results, why can’t smokers in the United States get their hands on cytisine?

“It should be available to patients in the U.S.,” says Dr. Maher Karam Hage, professor of behavioral science at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Lisa Fucito agrees.

Dr. Fucito is a professor at Yale School of Medicine. She is also the director of the Tobacco Treatment Service at nearby Smilow Cancer Hospital.

“The challenge in the U.S.,” Dr. Fucito says, “is that you need a pharma company behind a med.”

And therein lies the rub.

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You see, since cytisine is a naturally occurring compound, it can’t be patented, any more than, say, oregano can be patented.

So there’s really very little incentive (read monetary gain) for a big drug manufacturer to try and push it through the very complex — and costly — FDA approval process.

In other words, there’s no money to be made by producing cytisine and making it available to those who need it, so Big Pharma simply won’t do it.

In 2017, Canada’s version of the FDA approved cytisine as a natural health product, meaning it’s available over the counter.

Why hasn’t that happened in the U.S.? If the pharmaceuticals can’t make money from cytisine, why not release it to the natural health market so millions of people can use it?

I don’t have an answer for that.

Limited safe options currently available

So what should you do if you’re trying to kick the habit?

I’ll tell you one thing you shouldn’t do.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine took a look at the effects of e-cigarettes on your health.

What they found is that it’s not worth it.

On the other hand, one study found that placing a drop of black pepper and angelica essential oils on a tissue and inhaling it whenever you have the urge to smoke can significantly reduce the strength and frequency of your cravings.

Partnering up with someone can make you almost six times more successful — and that’s backed by research!

So however you do it, don’t go it alone. If you don’t have a friend who’s able to commit their support, check out the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking program.

Sources:

Want to quit smoking in 2024? Cytisine can help … if you live in the right country —Eureka Alert

There’s a Pill That Helps People Quit Smoking. Why Isn’t It Sold in the U.S.? — Slate

Evaluation of the effectiveness of cystine for the treatment of smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis — Addiction

The post The safe, effective quit-smoking pill Americans can’t get appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And for many of us, the virus has hit more than once.

Unfortunately, even when bouts with the virus are mild, experts are now warning that repeated infections can have serious consequences.

That’s because the more times you have COVID, the higher your odds are of suffering from long-haul symptoms…

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Debilitating effects and potentially lifelong consequences

Aptly named long COVID, it’s a phenomenon wherein the initial virus seems to clear, but the problems it brings linger.

Known for causing a host of conditions, long COVID has been linked to micro-clots in the blood and includes debilitating symptoms such as:

• Extreme fatigue
• Brain fog
• Memory issues
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Joint and muscle pain
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears

While global estimates now put the number of people living with long COVID at around 65 million, it’s been difficult to determine how likely anyone who’s been infected is to end up with the long-haul symptoms. Research has shown the odds could vary anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent.

But now, it appears the variable in that equation may have to do with the number of times a person has been infected with the virus.

Reinfection leads to long COVID in multiple organ systems

Epidemiologists followed 138,818 US veterans with SAR-CoV-2 infections across two years and found that reinfection increases the risk of long COVID in multiple organ systems.

In fact, their study showed that the negative health effects of two rounds of COVID-19 infections are worse than one. And three infections are even worse than two!

In other words, long COVID is actually a cumulative problem. And every time you’re infected, your risk goes up.

As physician Rambod Rouhbakhsh puts it, “Each subsequent COVID infection will increase your risk of developing chronic health issues like diabetes, kidney disease, organ failure and even mental health problems.”

And he warns, “This dispels the myth that repeated brushes with the virus are mild and you don’t have to worry about it. It is akin to playing Russian roulette.”

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So how do repeated COVID rounds lead to long-term problems? Well, as is much about COVID-19, it’s not completely clear yet.

However, what we do know is that the virus attacks the cells in our body most critical for creating long-term immunity. It sweeps its way into our memory T cells and causes them to self-destruct.

This means that whether you suffer from a mild or severe infection, the virus leaves these cells depleted and your body more open for additional infections, whether from COVID again, or another disease, like the flu or pneumonia.

Long COVID help

The good news is that for those of us living with the symptoms of Long COVID, researchers are also exploring ways to help…

#1 – Help for COVID fatigue

One of the main symptoms of Long COVID is extreme and often debilitating fatigue. Research has shown that resetting the vagus nerve can provide dramatic relief from this symptom. A supplement combo, including L-arginine and liposomal vitamin C, has been shown to help in a matter of days.

#2 – Supporting cellular energy

COVID-19 has been found to zap mitochondria — the “power generators” within cells. CoQ10 and PQQ are two nutrients that have been researched for their support of mitochondria.

#3 – Reduce risk of infection

Past research shows that vitamin D helps reduce the risk of respiratory infections. In fact, low vitamin D levels raise the risk of both respiratory diseases (like tuberculosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and respiratory infections caused by bacteria and viruses. Low levels of the vitamin have also been linked to fatigue.

Sources:

Every COVID Infection Increases Your Risk of Long COVID, Study Warns – Science Alert

Most Americans have now had Covid-19 – but experts are predicting the next surge – CNN

The post Understanding who gets long COVID and why appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

This phenomenon came further to the forefront during the pandemic, when it became clear that people with diabetes were more likely to develop severe lung disease after contracting a serious COVID-19 infection. In fact, about 35 percent of those with COVID-19 who died during the pandemic had diabetes. That’s roughly 1 in 3 COVID-19 sufferers!

Research shows that high blood sugar weakens your immune system, which not only means you’re more open to infection but that it takes longer for that infection to heal. What has been less clear is why.

Now, investigators at the Weizmann Institute of Science may have hit upon the mechanism behind the link between diabetes and more serious lung infections…

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How sugar levels affect lung dendritic cells

The researchers exposed diabetic mouse models to a variety of viral lung infections. Just as in humans with diabetes, the diabetic mice developed a severe, fatal lung infection following exposure to pathogens such as influenza. This resulted from severe impairment to the immune reaction that normally eliminates the infection and drives tissue healing.

To help unravel what’s behind this heightened risk, the team evaluated gene expression in more than 150,000 single lung cells of infected diabetic and nondiabetic mice — experimenting with immune and metabolic mechanisms and performing an in-depth assessment of immune cell gene expression.

“High blood sugar levels severely disrupt certain subsets of dendritic cells in the lung, preventing these gatekeepers from sending the molecular messages that activate the critically important immune response,” says Dr. Samuel Nobs, a postdoctoral fellow who was the study’s first author. “As a result, the infection rages on, uncontrolled.”

More importantly, they learned how high sugar levels disrupted the normal function of those gatekeeper cells: Altered sugar metabolism led to an accumulation of metabolic byproducts that disrupted the normal regulation of gene expression. This led to production of an abnormal immune protein.

Next, the scientists explored ways to prevent the harmful effects of these high sugar levels in lung dendritic cells. When blood sugar was closely controlled with insulin, the dendritic cells were able to regain their immune response capacity.

They also found administering small molecules reversed the sugar-induced dysfunction of the dendritic cells. Both of these protective responses could prevent the cascade of events leading to a life-threatening viral lung infection.

“Controlling sugar levels may make it possible to reduce this pronounced diabetes-associated risk,” says Eran Elinav, a professor at Weizmann. “In diabetic patients whose sugar levels are not easily normalized, small molecule drugs may correct the gene alterations caused by high sugar levels, potentially alleviating or even preventing severe lung infection. Local administration of such treatments by inhalation may minimize adverse effects while enhancing effectiveness, and merits future human clinical testing.”

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Tips on reducing lung infections

While these results are encouraging, they’ll need to be duplicated in humans before any therapies can be developed.

Until then, if you have diabetes, it’s imperative to make sure your blood sugar is well-controlled to avoid complications in general. And it turns out that a group of foods recommended by The American Diabetes Association (ADA) can help in more ways than one…

As part of the ADA Diabetic Plate method, they advise:

• Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and leafy greens.
• Fill one-quarter of your plate with protein that’s minimally processed and low in fat, like chicken, fish, tofu or beans.
• Fill one-quarter of your plate with carbohydrates like fruit or whole grains.

Now, pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you about the foods listed in the first bullet…

Like your gut, your lungs have a protective lining or barrier. It’s made up of two layers: one of endothelial cells and one of epithelial cells. The layers allow oxygen to enter, but they must also be strong enough to keep pollution, viruses and bacteria out.

Research has identified a gut-lung axis linking diet to protection against lung infection via the endothelial cells in one of those layers. The food they found that offers the most support for your lung’s protective lining is cruciferous vegetables. So adhere to the recommendation to add broccoli and cauliflower to your plate.

Next, keep your omega-3 levels up. A large two-part study found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood correlated with better lung function and reduced rates of decline in lung function.

Lastly, if you do find yourself hospitalized with a severe lung infection, brushing teeth twice daily during your stay may reduce the risk of serious respiratory complications.

Sources:

1. Why people with diabetes are more prone to respiratory risk — EurekAlert!

2. Lung dendritic-cell metabolism underlies susceptibility to viral infection in diabetes — Nature

3. Tips for Eating Well — American Diabetes Association

4. Protein — American Diabetes Association

5. What superstar foods are good for diabetes? — American Diabetes Association

The post Why diabetics have higher risk of severe lung infections appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But there are a lot of other benefits to good oral hygiene. Like your gut, your mouth has its own microbiome filled with all kinds of bacteria. And if you don’t take care of it, the bad bacteria could begin to run rampant.

Oral microbes have been linked with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, heart disease, cognitive abilities and pregnancy outcomes. In fact, one study shows regular dental visits can reduce your risk of developing pneumonia by a whopping 86 percent.

Now, researchers are exploring whether something as simple as brushing your teeth, especially during a hospital stay can reduce the risk of serious respiratory complications. And what they’ve discovered is pretty astounding…

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The respiratory impact of toothbrushing

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a serious infection of the lungs that occurs after a patient has been hospitalized. It is more common in people whose breathing is being assisted by a ventilator.

HAP occurs in between 5 and 20 out of 1,000 hospital admissions and from 2.5 to more than 6.1 cases per 1,000 patients not admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Previously, the recommendation was to use oral chlorohexidine rinses to prevent ventilator-assisted pneumonia. But it turned out its use for oral decontamination in the ICU was linked with increased mortality. This has caused a lack of clarity on which strategies to use to prevent HAP.

A team of researchers decided to investigate whether daily toothbrushing could help lower the risk of HAP. They conducted a review and meta-analysis of 2,786 patients in clinical trials and found that those whose teeth were brushed twice daily had lower rates of HAP and ICU mortality. That means they were less likely to contract HAP and less likely to die in the ICU.

“It’s unusual to find a preventative strategy that lowers mortality rates,” Dr. Michael Klompas of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston tells MedPage Today. “And to think that it’s something as simple and inexpensive as toothbrushing is remarkable.”

That’s not all the researchers found. Patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation showed a significant reduction in pneumonia incidence, while the results were not significant in those not receiving the treatment. Daily toothbrushing was connected with an average of 1.24 fewer days on ventilation and 1.78 fewer days in the ICU.

There were similar outcomes for brushing twice a day compared to more frequent brushing.

Klompas tells MedPage Today he hopes the results will give doctors “an enhanced appreciation of the importance of toothbrushing in hospitalized patients.”

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Clean mouth, healthier body

The study authors note that while the study does suggest toothbrushing could also prevent non-ventilator HAP, more data is needed to confirm that possibility.

But even with study limitations, there’s solid indication that it’s important to keep your mouth clean and see a dentist regularly — and lots of previous research backs that up.

Regular dental visits and regular brushing can help you avoid or get ahead of things like gum disease that has been linked to cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and even prostatitis.

If you wear dentures, take precautions as well. According to researchers, if dentures are not cleaned properly, they could provide a new surface where pneumonia-causing bacteria can colonize. Then, when people wear those dentures, they may be inhaling saliva containing these microbes into their lungs, where infection can take hold.

Source:

Toothbrushing Linked to Lower Risk of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia — MedPage Today

Association Between Daily Toothbrushing and Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia — JAMA Internal Medicine

Daily Toothbrushing to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia—Brushing Away the Risk — JAMA Internal Medicine

Comprehensive risk assessment for hospital-acquired pneumonia: sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital environmental factors associated with the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia — BMC Pulmonary Medicine

The post Brushing twice daily may keep respiratory illness away appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But William Hanage, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and associate director for the School’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, in an interview with the Harvard Gazzette earlier this fall, said COVID has killed more than 100,000 Americans this year already.

And that, he says, is twice what would be considered a bad flu year.

The good news, though, is that for those hardest hit, an effective treatment has come to the forefront…

Widening blood vessels and reducing viral load

Patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia often experience critically low oxygen levels, which presents a real and present danger in both the short and long term.

In the short term, this oxygen deprivation starves the organs and increases risk of death. And in the long-term patients who survive the initial onslaught can experience sensory and motor neurological problems, like weakness and pain in the arms and legs.

Now, a treatment that is used to treat severe cardio-pulmonary conditions in newborns and adults is showing real promise in reversing oxygen deprivation even in the most critically ill patients and reducing the risk of long-term suffering.

The treatment used is known as inhaled nitric oxide gas, which widens blood vessels in the lungs.

And a recent multicenter international phase II clinical trial led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) is proving it may change COVID-19 treatment for the better…

Investigators randomized 193 adults with COVID-19 and respiratory failure who were on ventilators at four hospitals in the United States and one in Sweden to receive high-dose nitric oxide (up to 80 parts per million)  for 48 hours or usual care.

And it was clear that patients given nitric oxide fared much better…

The results showed that treatment with nitric oxide not only improved oxygenation, it also reduced the risk of patients developing long-term sensory and motor neurologic symptoms.

If that weren’t enough, patients given nitric oxide also had lower levels of SARS-CoV-2 in their blood and sputum, which the researchers say points to the anti-viral power of nitric oxide.

And unlike so many other care options, inhaled nitric oxide was not linked to any serious adverse events.

It’s worth noting that nitric oxide was also found beneficial for treating another coronavirus in 2004. You may remember Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as SARS, which originated in southwest China in 2002. That research was the reason that some frontline doctors turned to it without question at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The history of nitric oxide

So what is nitric oxide and why is it so powerful?

Those answers were found in the Nobel Prize-winning work of three pharmacologists…

Fred Murad, Robert Furchgott and Louis Ignarro found this incredible vasodilator molecule in the endothelial lining of the blood vessels. They discovered that nitric oxide works as a signaling molecule, capable of telling the blood vessels to relax, which allows for healthy blood flow and oxygenation throughout the body — to all organs, including the lungs.

That’s why nitric oxide has been shown to help in the case of numerous health conditions, including:

• cardiometabolic syndrome
• support for brain health
• healing diabetic foot ulcers
• reducing erectile dysfunction
• bringing long-term blood sugar down

Because of its effects on blood flow and oxygenation, nitric oxide can even help increase endurance making it vital for athletes and non-athletes alike.

It has also been heavily studied in regard to benefits for people experiencing high blood pressure.

All of this, along with the latest success in COVID-19 treatment, means that nitric oxide might just be one of the most important health discoveries of our century.

Sources:

Clinical trial reveals benefits of inhaled nitric oxide for patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia — EurekAlert!

The post Nitric oxide successfully treats viral lung injury appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The good news is that the potential to become severely ill or die from COVID-19 has lessened. The existing variants circulating right now appear to be milder, and we have plenty of health measures in place to take care of those who contract more significant forms of the illness.

Still, no one wants to feel the COVID-19 crud for 7 to 10 days. Or worse, have to take that nasty antiviral Paxlovid to help with symptoms.

Luckily, there’s one nutrient that a growing body of evidence shows may be essential to COVID-19 protection…

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Vitamin D can help shorten COVID-19 duration

While vitamin D has long been associated with bone health, its importance as an immune-supporting nutrient has really come to the forefront…

Studies have found that vitamin D deficiency can leave people open to more severe viral and bacterial illnesses, and that supplementing specifically with vitamin D3 can help fortify the body against these illnesses.

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers discovered a correlation between low vitamin D levels and greater COVID-19 severity. More recently, at least one clinical trial has been conducted that showed vitamin D supplementation helped reduce severity and death in patients with COVID-19.

Now, a team of U.S. researchers has dug deeper into the impact of vitamin D on COVID-19. To do so, they enrolled 40 patients who had just or very recently tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 to measure levels of vitamin D and other nutrients.

Here’s what they found:

• Participants with low vitamin D experienced COVID-19 symptoms for 22 days, compared with 14 days for those without vitamin D deficiency.
• Those with low vitamin D levels also experienced significantly higher severity of two symptoms: cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. All other individual symptoms were also more severe in the low vitamin D group, although the differences were not considered significant.
• About 78 percent of participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and had higher vitamin D levels than those who didn’t. This finding suggests higher vitamin D levels support greater antibody production.
• Seven of the study participants had vitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL and active COVID-19 infection. This subgroup received 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day for two weeks, followed by 5,000 IU a day for three weeks. The supplementation was well-tolerated and raised vitamin D levels from 26.3 to 41.4 ng/mL after 2 weeks. Also, these participants experienced mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms at the start of treatment, and none of them became severe.

Vitamin D wasn’t the only nutrient the researchers tested for. They found the participants had unusually low levels of vitamins A, C, E and MK-7 (a form of vitamin K2), but normal levels of zinc and higher levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

The researchers say this indicates a pattern of increased oxidative stress and that supplementation with high doses of these nutrients should be investigated along with vitamin D supplementation.

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Vitamin D deficiency remains a common phenomenon

Clearly, more of us need more vitamin D in order to avoid deficiency and give our immunity the boost it needs to fight off illnesses like COVID-19. Here are the stats to prove it…

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate nearly 1 in 3 Americans have deficient or insufficient vitamin D levels. The CDC defines deficiency as less than 30 nmol/L, and insufficiency as 30-50 nmol/L.
• Only 23 percent of U.S. adults aged 19 or older meet the adequate intake of vitamin D from diet alone.
• Only 37 percent of Americans consume vitamin D supplements.

However, just because some participants in this study were given 10,000 IU a day, that’s not where you should start to ensure adequate levels — unless directed to do so by your physician. In fact, he can test your levels and make recommendations.

Of course, reasonable amounts are found in over-the-counter vitamin D supplements ranging from 400 to 5,000 IU. These amounts have been found safe for adults.

Remember it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for dosage recommendations. If you follow this commonsense rule about supplementing vitamins, you get all the benefits without any of the worries.

Also, make sure you’re taking vitamin D3, not vitamin D2. Vitamin D3 is more easily absorbed by the body and, according to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, most evidence indicates that vitamin D3 increases serum 25(OH)D levels to a greater extent and maintains these higher levels longer.

Source:

1. Vitamin D and Covid-19 — Natural Medicine Journal

The post The treatment study that pitted vitamin D against COVID-19 appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And of all the vegetables out there, cruciferous veggies seem to be the winners as far as offering far-reaching health benefits.

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts can improve heart health, prevent obesity and boost gut health.

Now, a study has shown how certain molecules in cruciferous vegetables can prevent infectious diseases of the lungs by strengthening the lungs’ natural barriers…

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Your lung barrier and why it’s important

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a protein found at barrier sites like the gut, skin, and lungs.

According to Dr. Andreas Wack of the Francis Crick Institute in London, the action of AHR has been studied extensively in the skin and the gut, but much less so in the lungs.

For instance, in the gut, if the epithelial lining isn’t kept strong, a condition called leaky gut can develop. This can lead to infections as bacteria that should only remain in the gut can escape and wreak havoc in other parts of the body.

The lungs have a similar barrier. It’s only made up of two layers, one of endothelial cells and one of epithelial cells. Even though the layers must allow oxygen to enter, they must also be strong enough to keep pollution, viruses and bacteria out.

And AHR is important to that process. Previous research has shown in the gut when AHR is activated, it signals both your immune cells and the cells lining your intestines to stop all inflammatory processes and repair any cells that were previously damaged.

Dr. Wack and a team of researchers performed studies to see how AHR may protect the lung barriers. In mice infected with flu virus, scientists found blood in the airspaces in the lungs (it had leaked across the damaged lung barrier).

When AHR was overactivated, however, there was less blood in the lung spaces, indicating less damage to the barrier.

On the other hand, when AHR was prevented from being expressed in the lung endothelial cells of infected mice, more blood and immune cells were seen in the air spaces, showing greater damage to the barrier. The mice were also less able to fight off the resulting bacterial infections in addition to the flu virus.

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Activating your AHR system for lung protection

According to Dr. Wack, “Until recently, we’ve mainly looked at barrier protection through the lens of immune cells. Now, we’ve shown that AHR is important for maintaining a strong barrier in the lungs through the endothelial cell layer, which is disrupted during infection.”

Not only that, they identified a gut-lung axis linking diet to protection against lung infection via endothelial cells…

In the study some mice were on a control diet and others on a ligand-rich diet. Cruciferous vegetables are among the best sources of plant lignans.

The researchers saw a decrease in protective lung AHR activity in flu-infected mice who were fed a ligan-rich diet before their infection but didn’t eat much food when ill. That means their intake of AHR ligands was reduced as well as the AHR system itself. These mice experienced more lung damage.

Still, these mice had better barrier integrity and less lung damage during infection than mice on the control diet.

This study clearly demonstrated the protection offered by eating cruciferous vegetables. But be sure to follow Dr. Wack’s advice…

“People may be less likely to maintain a good diet when they’re ill, so aren’t taking in the molecules from vegetables which make this system work. It’s a good idea to eat lots of cruciferous vegetables anyway, but this shows it’s even more important to continue eating them when you’re ill!”

Sources:

Molecules in vegetables can help to ease lung infection — Science Daily

Endothelial AHR activity prevents lung barrier disruption in viral infection — Nature

Could a molecule in cruciferous veggies help protect against lung infection? — Medical News Today

The post How the right foods protect against lung infection appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The CDC recommends anyone getting a flu vaccine should do it by the end of October.

But it’s important to know, as they state on their site, that the protection provided by a flu vaccine varies from season to season. Some of the variables include the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine and the similarity or “match” between the viruses in the vaccine and those in circulation.

In other words, it’s not going to make you 100 percent less likely to get the flu. They say it should fall between 40 to 60 percent, but for the last five years of available data, it didn’t breach 40 percent.

In fact, last year’s (2021-2022) was estimated to be 36 percent effective, with the highest effectiveness seen in individuals 6 months to 8 years of age (43%) and the lowest effectiveness observed in individuals aged 50 years or older (10%), per Pharmacy Times.

The good news is, they have higher hopes this year — estimating a 54 percent effective rate. But the last time we saw effectiveness rates near that level was in 2011.

Now don’t get me wrong — it’s not that I don’t place any value in a seasonal flu shot. I just want you to know that trying to stay well during flu season may be best approached from multiple angles.

What’s the old saying — never put all your eggs in one basket, right? So, I’d like to share with you additional precautions you can take to reduce your risk of infection this flu season…

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Immune-boosting vitamins and minerals

Vitamin and mineral nutrients are vital to a healthy body and for an effective immune system. I used to believe that the best sources of these nutrients were whole foods.

However, truly nutritious whole food can be troublesome to find these days. I could go on and on about the problems associated with genetically modified foods, pesticide-ridden produce, meat that increases your risk of antibiotic resistance and how over-farming has depleted soil to a point that there are fewer vitamins, minerals and micronutrients for plants to uptake as they grow… but I won’t today.

I will suggest that you do your best to eat a well-balanced diet, full of fruits and vegetables (preferably organic) and grass-fed beef and farm-raised chicken, if possible. Don’t forget fatty fish at least twice a week (your heart will thank you).

But I think it’s very important to supplement just get even basic nutrient levels. Just follow the manufacturer’s guidelines about recommended servings.

However, there are very few vitamins that most of us can get too much of, especially if eating the standard American diet.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Vitamin A deficiency is associated with impaired immunity and increased risk of infectious disease. Vitamin A supports and maintains your mucosal surfaces, like the lining in your sinuses, where pathogens can be trapped and attacked by your body’s “killer” T-cells — your body’s first line of defense. Food sources include mango, sweet potato, carrots, squash, tuna fish, cashews and peanuts.

Vitamin C has been the “go-to” nutrient to strengthen the immune system for as long as I can remember. Studies also support its immune-enhancing properties. During infection and stress on the body, vitamin C concentrations decline. But supplementation has been found to improve components of the immune system such as antimicrobial and natural killer cell activities.

Excess amounts of vitamin C leave the body through urine, so don’t be afraid of getting too much. If you get diarrhea and know it’s not because you’re sick, that’s a sign of too much vitamin C. Food sources of vitamin C include citrus fruit, green and red bell peppers, kale, broccoli, and strawberries. 

Vitamin D is extremely valuable to the immune system. In fact it’s considered “the lost cure.” But in the U.S. alone, 42% of adults are deficient. Studies have shown that vitamin D, which is produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight, signals an antimicrobial response.

Get as much as you can safely from the sun, but supplement, too. Food sources include salmon, fortified milk, fortified cereal, pork, eggs, and mushrooms. When supplementing choose vitamin D3, not D2, and here’s why…

Research at the University of Surrey concluded that both types of vitamin D do not have the same effect. They found evidence that vitamin D3 had a “modifying effect” on the immune system that could fortify the body against viral and bacterial diseases.

They stated, “We have shown that vitamin D3 appears to stimulate the type I interferon signaling system in the body — a key part of the immune system that provides a first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. Thus, a healthy vitamin D3 status may help prevent viruses and bacteria from gaining a foothold in the body.”

Zinc is an immune-booster on its own, but it is mighty in combination with vitamin C. Most Americans get enough zinc through their diet, but research has shown the value of a “zinc burst” to activate the immune system. Vitamin C and zinc can together reduce the risk, severity, and duration of infectious disease. Food sources include beef, cooked oysters, spinach, cashews, and wheat germ.

Quality matters when supplementing

Let me say a thing or two about the kind of supplements you might use, and I’m not referring to brand…

Most vitamins come in the form of rock-hard horse pills. These vitamins are very hard to digest. Most of it will probably exit your body barely digested. If you’ve been taking those kinds of vitamins, no wonder you might be skeptical about their benefits.

Luckily, vitamins come in different forms. I enjoy my little round B12 tablets, flavored like cherry, that melt in my mouth and enter my bloodstream quickly. You can also find time-release forms that stay with you longer, not just for B12 but for others as well.

Liposomal vitamin C is a form that is generally better absorbed and can raise blood levels of vitamin C more efficiently. A study in 2020 found it almost twice as bioavailable as other forms of the vitamin.

Vitamins A and D are fat soluble. That means with a little fat, as in your diet, they are better absorbed and used by your body. A higher-quality supplement will include a bit of fat in the formulation, often safflower oil. Compared to vitamin D2, D3 was shown to raise blood levels faster and maintain them better.

Quality matters for supplements. That doesn’t mean they have to cost an arm and a leg — but if you’re looking for cheap ones, you may get cheated of the results you’re expecting. Just take time and choose wisely.

For more dos and don’ts about supplementing, check out these tips.

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The healing power of garlic

Your flu season survival plan is not incomplete without garlic.

Garlic contains a powerful compound known as allicin that is likely responsible for its long-standing reputation as a traditional cure-all. It’s even been reported to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In studies, allicin has demonstrated antiviral, antifungal and antibiotic effects. Odorless garlic capsules are available in stores, but I think you get more of garlic’s medicinal benefits when you cook with it. Most dishes could benefit from a couple of cloves of garlic without being overpowering.

Below is a recipe for garlic broth that could be made ahead of time to store in the fridge to sip on daily or use as a base in soups or other recipes. Mashed potatoes are especially good made with broth instead of milk.

Ingredients for Garlic Broth:

• 8 cups organic vegetable stock
• 1.5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 whole head of garlic, cloves peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• A pinch of dried sage
• Shitake mushrooms (see why below)
• Salt to taste

Bring to a boil then simmer for about half an hour.

Now, mushrooms have been part of the human diet and used medicinally for about 3,000 years. And many immune-boosting formulas of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) include mushrooms, particularly Maitake, Shitake, and Reishi.

The shitake mushroom is especially recommended by practitioners of TCM for enhancing immunity. It contains lentinan, an antiviral substance that possesses strong immune-stimulating activity. They also contain something called beta-glucans which has been extensively studied as an immune-booster. Shitake mushrooms can be added to recipes or you can consume shitake tea or soup. I would visit a good natural health food store for tea and dried soup mixes. You can also find mushroom powder online.

Good luck! I hope you make it through this flu season unscathed.

The post How to prep to survive flu season appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

With these odds, older adults need to protect themselves as best they can from any bacteria or illness that can lead to pneumonia, taking extra precautions, especially during cold and flu season.

But there’s a year-round threat quietly sitting on nightstands and sink counters in approximately 36 million homes across the country that few of us know about…

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Getting pneumonia from your false teeth

In a study, researchers at Cardiff University in the U.K. took mouth, tongue and denture swabs from a group of denture-wearing patients hospitalized with pneumonia. The researchers compared these swabs to samples taken from patients in care homes who wore dentures and did not have pneumonia.

Then, the team analyzed the samples to identify the types and abundance of microbes present, including any microbes that could cause pneumonia.

“We were expecting to see a difference but were surprised to see 20 times the number of potentially pneumonia-causing bacteria on dentures in people with pneumonia, compared to people without,” says Dr. Josh Twigg, lead author of the study.

According to Twigg and his team, if dentures are not cleaned properly, they could provide a new surface where disease-causing microbes can colonize. Then, when people wear those dentures, they may be inhaling saliva containing these microbes into their lungs, where infection can take hold.

What happens with dentures is that they eventually become coated with thin layers of sticky bacteria known as biofilms. Experts say these bacteria form self-sustaining microbial communities bound together by a kind of matrix that adheres tightly to surfaces, making them much more difficult to remove than separate bacteria. Because dentures are made of porous materials, they act as a sort of reservoir for the biofilms and allow the bacteria within them to thrive.

This isn’t the first time pneumonia-causing bacteria have been found on dentures. In an earlier study, bacteria that causes pneumonia, including the dangerous MRSA strain, were discovered on more than 60 percent of the dentures examined.

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Don’t let your dentures become a bacterial reservoir

Dr. Twigg says the study shows the importance of cleaning dentures thoroughly. Simply rinsing them off in the sink or shower isn’t enough.

If you wear full or partial dentures, dental experts recommend you take the following steps to ensure they remain as clean as possible:

• Each time you eat, rinse your dentures and your mouth out afterward.
• Brush your dentures every evening using a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed to clean the special materials your dentures are made from. Some experts even recommend using soap and water instead of denture toothpaste for extra cleaning power.
• Brush your mouth in the morning before putting your dentures in and in the evening after taking them out. Use a regular toothbrush, not the one you use to clean your dentures.
• Soak your dentures overnight in a denture-soaking solution rather than plain water.
• Rinse your dentures before you put them in your mouth in the morning.

Researchers in Brazil found that microwaving dentures for 3 minutes helps kill off bacteria, including the MRSA strain. You should absolutely check with your dentist before trying this to see if microwaving will cause damage to your dentures. And of course, if your dentures contain any metal parts, you can’t put them in the microwave.

The Brazilian researchers also were able to destroy bacteria by soaking dentures in a solution of 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate, a germicidal mouthwash, for 10 minutes. However, this chemical may be too harsh for daily use.

When cleaning your dentures, you may want to stand over a bowl of water or a folded towel so that they don’t break if you drop them. If you do drop your dentures, make sure you re-sanitize them.

Finally, never sleep in your dentures, as this can make it more likely for bacteria to migrate from your dentures into your body. One study found that people in their late 80s who slept in their dentures had double the risk of pneumonia.

Sources:

Could your false teeth give you pneumonia? — EurekAlert!

Compositional shifts within the denture-associated bacteriome in pneumonia – an analytical cross-sectional study — Journal of Medical Microbiology

Dirty dentures? Dangerous MRSA may be lurking, dentists say — NBC News

Could Your Dentures Be Making You Sick? — Really Smile

Are your dentures making you sick? — The Waterford Dentist

Denture cleaning — Oral Health Foundation

Pneumonia Prevention — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

The post Pneumonia: The surprising threat to denture wearers appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Then again, maybe not. Air conditioning is a mixed blessing.

In climates that are consistently hot, it can be a lifesaver.

But it does have its tradeoffs. You should be aware that living in a consistently air-conditioned environment can do both good and not-so-good things to your body.

The good

1 Air conditioning boosts metabolism. Spending time in cold air or cold weather can cause your body to develop healthy, energy-burning brown fat. This can happen if you spend enough time in an air-conditioned environment.

2 Air conditioning helps you think. Have you ever felt like your brain was “fried” after spending too much time in extreme heat? I know I have.

There may be something to it. A 2018 Harvard study showed that students who lived in dorms without air conditioning during hot summer months did worse on cognitive tests than those who had cool central air.

For seniors, not the college kind, but the kind over 65, heat may actually contribute to neurodegeneration, so they need to keep cool too.

3 Air conditioning helps you sleep. As part of your natural sleep cycle, your body needs to cool down, and a cool room can help this happen. We all know how awful a hot, sweaty, restless night can feel.

Experts say that a temperature of between 60 and 67 degrees is ideal for rest. Air conditioning is sometimes the tool you need to get there.

4 Air conditioning saves lives during heat waves. Once your body temperature exceeds 102 degrees, you’re at risk of heat exhaustion. If your temperature rises even further, you could end up with heatstroke.

Air conditioning may come with some negative effects, but there’s no doubt that it saves lives during periods of extremely high temperatures.

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The bad

5 Air conditioning affects indoor air quality. Working in an air-conditioned building with poor ventilation can raise your risk of ‘sick building syndrome.’

You may notice recurring symptoms that seem to appear whenever you’re in a particular building. This happened to me years ago, every time I’d return to the school I taught in after a week of school vacation.

Symptoms may include headaches, dry cough, dizziness and nausea, runny nose, and brain fog.

For tips on improving indoor air quality (even during the winter months) check out these four tips. And be aware of other sneaky things, like your stove, that can impact your air quality.

6 Air conditioning dehydrates you. Air conditioning works by sucking moisture out of a room to bring down the humidity and cool things off. The trouble is, it can also pull water from your skin, dry it out, and dehydrate you.

7 Air conditioning dries out your eyes. The lack of humidity caused by air conditioning can dry your eyes, make them irritated or itchy, or even cause blurry vision.

8 Air conditioning irritates airways. Studies show that people who work in air-conditioned buildings have more respiratory problems than those who work where there is natural ventilation. These problems include irritated nasal passages and trouble breathing.

9 Air conditioning can make your head ache. Dirty or poorly maintained HVAC (heating/ventilation/air conditioning) systems are more likely to have headaches or even migraines.

In one study, eight percent of people who worked in environments with unhealthy indoor air had a headache anywhere between one and three days per month, and another eight percent had headaches every single day.

10 Air conditioning lowers your heat tolerance. Since your body’s ideal temperature depends largely on whatever temperature you’ve recently been exposed to, the more time you spend in air-conditioned rooms, the more uncomfortable heat and humidity will feel. Scientists call this the “adaptive comfort model.”

11 Air conditioning pollutes the outside air. In the 1990s, the U.S. Clean Air Act began phasing out older A/C units that released chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a refrigerant that harms the ozone layer.

This is one “downside” to air conditioning you can do something about. If you still own one of these older units, replace it with a newer model.

12 Air conditioning can worsen allergy symptoms. Again, here’s one you have some control over.

A clean air conditioner can actually help tame allergies, but an HVAC system can quickly and easily become a home for microbial allergens. Be sure to have your air conditioner or system inspected and cleaned regularly.

Sources:

What Air Conditioning Does to Your Body — Web MD

Sick Building Syndrome — Healthline

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But during COVID, children seemed less affected. But younger adults (under 50), that was another story. Of course, certain pre-existing conditions like heart problems or diabetes could set up anyone up for a harsher bout of COVID that could even require hospitalization, but that wasn’t always the case.

But as the pandemic went on, a clear connection between obesity came to the forefront. Adults, young and old alike, who were overweight were experiencing the worst that COVID-19 had to offer.

And while the statistics clearly showed a link between obesity and COVID-19 severity, researchers have been working to get to the bottom of the connection. Up until now, some investigators thought it may be due to excessive inflammation in obese patients.

Cytokines, molecules that set off an inflammatory response that combats infection, were firing… and kept firing. This phenomenon has come to be known as a “cytokine storm.” And it was believed to have caused the death of seemingly healthy, younger people during the pandemic.

However, a new study indicates the opposite may have been true….

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Underactive, not overactive, immune response

“During the pandemic, the majority of younger patients I saw on the COVID wards were obese,” says Professor Menna Clatworthy, a clinician scientist at the University of Cambridge. “Given what we know about obesity, if you’d asked me why this was the case, I would have said that it was most likely due to excessive inflammation. What we found was the absolute opposite.”

Clatworthy and her team analyzed blood and lung tissue samples taken from obese patients with severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation and intensive care treatment, as well as a group of control patients who did not have severe COVID-19 and had not been ventilated.

Contrary to their expectations, the team found that obese patients had underactive immune and inflammatory responses in their lungs.

Specifically, when compared to the control patients, cells in the lining of the obese patients’ lungs and some immune cells had lower levels of activity among genes responsible for producing interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma as well as those responsible for producing tumor necrosis factor. Interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma are two molecules that help control the immune system, while tumor necrosis factor causes inflammation.

The researchers then looked at immune cells in the blood of adults from an independent cohort. Results showed a similar, but less pronounced, reduction in the activity of interferon-producing genes as well as lower levels of interferon-alpha in the blood.

“This was really surprising and unexpected,” Clatworthy says. “Across every cell type we looked at, we found that that the genes responsible for the classical antiviral response were less active. They were completely muted.”

The researchers were able to replicate these findings in nasal immune cells taken from obese children with COVID-19. Because the nose is one of the entry points for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a robust immune response there could keep the infection from spreading further, while a weaker immune response would be less effective against the virus.

“Hunger hormone” could be the link

A surprising explanation for the finding involves the hunger hormone, leptin. Leptin is produced by fat cells and controls appetite. But it turns out leptin also plays a role in the body’s immune response. In individuals of “normal weight,” leptin levels increase in response to infection, and the hormone directly stimulates immune cells.

However, obese people have chronically elevated levels of leptin. And, because of this, Clatworthy says, it’s possible that those with obesity no longer produce sufficient additional leptin in response to infection. It’s also possible those who are obese may have lost their sensitivity to the hormone. Both these possibilities could lead to inadequate stimulation of their immune cells.

These findings could have implications both for the treatment of COVID-19 and the design of clinical trials to test new COVID-19 treatments.

For instance, doctors have been using anti-inflammatory drugs to quell the overactive immune and inflammatory response associated with severe COVID-19 in some patients. However, these drugs may not be appropriate for obese patients.

“What we’ve shown is that not all patients are the same, so we might need to tailor treatments,” says study co-author Dr. Andrew Conway Morris from the University of Cambridge. “Obese subjects might need fewer anti-inflammatory treatments and potentially more help for their immune system.”

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Fighting leptin resistance: for healthy weight and healthy immune response

Clearly, one way of addressing this issue is to treat obesity. But it can be difficult for people who are obese to lose the weight they need to get into a healthier weight range. One reason for this could be the lack of leptin sensitivity the Cambridge researchers cited in their study.

If you’re obese and you find yourself struggling to lose weight, it could very well be leptin resistance that’s blocking your efforts.

Research into leptin resensitization in mice found that dietary interventions, including fasting, energy (caloric) restriction and switching from a high-fat diet to a low-fat diet can help. Phenolic compounds, like resveratrol, can also modulate leptin sensitivity.

Additional tips for resetting your leptin sensitivity include:

• Avoiding certain foods. In addition to avoiding high-fat, high-sugar foods, also, try to lower your intake of refined carbohydrates, which can reduce your level of leptin resistance-causing triglycerides.
• Moving your body. It doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do, it’s just important to do it consistently. Regular exercise will help decrease your leptin resistance and your weight.
• Getting good sleep. Lack of sleep, or a shortage of good quality sleep, can both contribute to leptin resistance.
• Managing stress levels. Too much day-to-day stress can increase your body’s resistance to leptin.
• Giving yourself a cheat day. Once a week, let yourself have that piece of pizza or scoop of ice cream. This can help your brain become more responsive to the leptin your body produces.

One last thing: it’s always a good idea to discuss any major lifestyle changes with your doctor first. They can help you narrow down which areas are most important for you to focus on in your effort to combat obesity.

Sources:

Underactive immune response may explain obesity link to COVID-19 severity — University of Cambridge

Obesity Is Associated with Attenuated Tissue Immunity in COVID-19 — American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

Leptin resensitisation: a reversion of leptin-resistant states — Journal of Endocrinoloyg

Obesity Statistics — Forbes Health

The post The link between a hunger hormone, immune response and COVID-19 appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Paxlovid is used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and children ages 12 and older. The candidates for the antiviral must weigh at least 88 pounds, have a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and be at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 that could result in hospitalization or death.

Paxlovid is actually a combination of two medications, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir helps stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from replicating itself. And since nirmatrelvir is rapidly broken down by the body, it’s combined with the anti-HIV drug ritonavir to slow that breakdown and allow nirmatrelvir to stay in the body longer.

The combination worked like magic on me. Within 24 hours my horrible cough was gone, and I was feeling pretty much 100 percent by the time I’d finished the five-day Paxlovid course.

Unfortunately, there was one extremely upsetting side effect I hadn’t counted on….

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The horror of “Paxlovid mouth”

Within minutes of taking my first Paxlovid dose, an absolutely disgusting taste spread through my mouth. If I had to describe it, I would say it tasted the way hot garbage on a metal roof smells. The taste was so foul that it nearly made me gag.

When I went to the internet to find out more about this unpleasant side effect, I discovered it had been given a name: “Paxlovid mouth”. Medically known as dysgeusia, it’s a condition where a person experiences a constant bad metallic, bitter, salty or rancid taste in their mouth. Dysgeusia can also affect the way food and beverages taste.

Dysgeusia has been reported to only affect about 6 percent of people taking Paxlovid, though from what I’ve seen in online forums and on social media that number is probably higher.

Medical experts have said this type of reaction could be related to an inflammatory response or receptor malfunction. Dysgeusia also is not limited to Paxlovid, though it’s not been as widely reported in other antivirals.

As unpleasant as it can be, Paxlovid mouth isn’t considered harmful and doesn’t affect your overall health. It usually resolves once you’ve finished the medication and it’s fully processed out of the body. I know that was the case for me; within a day or so of finishing my Paxlovid course, that awful taste in my mouth had disappeared.

The biggest danger associated with Paxlovid mouth is that it can prompt people to stop the medication before the full five days of prescribed therapy are up. If it wasn’t for the fact that my doctor recommended Paxlovid so strongly, I may have stopped taking the medication altogether. But my doctor had cautioned me that once I started taking an antiviral like Paxlovid, it’s the same as taking an antibiotic. He told me I needed to take all the medication, or I could risk the virus mutating into an even more problematic illness.

Despite this advice, it’s not known for certain what the impact of stopping Paxlovid early might be. Still, one family medicine physician, Dr. David Cutler, tells Medical News Today that it could leave that individual more vulnerable to hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

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Weighing Paxlovid’s pros and cons

Cutler calls the decision to initiate Paxlovid therapy complex and says a person must consider all the potential benefits, risks, and options before deciding on the best course of action.

“In addition to ‘Paxlovid mouth’ there are many other risks to taking Paxlovid,” he tells Medical News Today. “Diarrhea is common, as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and liver toxicity.”

Cutler adds that many medications have adverse interactions with Paxlovid, so your doctor needs to carefully check which medications you’re on before recommending the antiviral. Also, people with significant kidney or liver dysfunction should not take Paxlovid.

Plus, there’s the issue of COVID-19 “rebound.” This happens when the SARS-CoV-2 infection initially resolves, then reappears a week or so later.

Interestingly, one group of researchers determined that early treatment with Paxlovid suppressed the natural development of antibodies against COVID-19. This could leave people with lower overall immune responses and possibly more vulnerable to subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

On the more positive side, not only has Paxlovid been found to shorten the severity and duration of COVID-19, but it also may result in a roughly 25 percent lower risk of a post-COVID condition, the phenomenon also known as “long COVID.”

Getting rid of Paxlovid’s nasty taste

If you’re unlucky enough to experience Paxlovid mouth, you may be wondering if there’s any way to get rid of it. Thankfully, when I took Paxlovid, it did not affect the way my food and drink tasted. In fact, eating and drinking were the only things that helped temporarily relieve the awful taste, though it kicked up again as soon as I’d finished the food or beverage.

There were some food suggestions on social media that I found offered relief for up to 30 minutes after I’d consumed them. They included gum, mints, cinnamon candies, milk, cinnamon or mint teas and pineapple.

One doctor recommended to Medical News Today that people on Paxlovid take zinc as well. “It has a number of different immune benefits, and it also helps with sense of taste and smell,” says Dr. Raphael Kellman, physician of integrative and functional medicine at Kellman Wellness Center in New York.

“Whenever you’re taking an antiviral or an antibacterial medication, I would recommend taking a probiotic as well,” Kellman adds. A probiotic can help protect your gut flora from being destroyed by these powerful medicines.

Sources:

Paxlovid mouth: What is it and how to get rid of it — Medical News Today

Paxlovid May Lower Long COVID Risk, VA Study Suggests — MedPage Today

Why subvariants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus accelerated the pandemic — ScienceDaily

What Does It Feel Like to Take Paxlovid for COVID? — GoodRx Health

Paxlovid mouth’: What it is—and how to treat it — Advisory Board

The post Paxlovid mouth: The unpalatable truth about the COVID-19 antiviral appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Of course, in “COVID times,” there’s the added feeling that you’re looked at as a pariah — even during allergy season.

Also, a cough that just won’t go away might make you worry about whether there’s something else wrong.

Here’s what we know about chronic coughing, what it means, and when you should be concerned and how to get relief…

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Coughing basics

Coughing is a complaint that leads to an estimated 30 million office visits every year.

The causes can vary, but typically coughing is most often attributed to respiratory infection or allergies. It is also how the body expels foreign matter like fumes or dust from the respiratory system.

There are three main types of cough:

• An acute cough is what you experience while you’re sick with a viral or bacterial infection.
• A sub-acute cough is one that lingers for three or more weeks following an upper respiratory illness
• A chronic cough is one that continues for longer than twelve weeks. Chronic coughing is usually caused by asthma and post-nasal drip, perhaps due to allergies

Postnasal drip is the most common cause of chronic or persistent coughs. When a virus, allergies, dust, chemicals or inflammation irriate the nasal membranes, they produce mucus that drips down the throat. That leads to irritation that makes you cough.

A post-infectious cough is a lingering cough following an upper respiratory infection. It may last for weeks or months, progressing into a chronic cough.

Causes of cough to rule out

Even though it’s a stomach condition, acid reflux, especially GERD, can be a surprising cause of a lingering cough.

Stomach acid is potent stuff. Without even having to back up into your throat, the fumes alone from stomach acid are strong enough to irritate your lungs.

Blood pressure drugs can cause a chronic dry cough, particularly ACE inhibitors. Your doctor may be able to change your medication if it is the reason for your cough.

Lung cancer can cause a chronic cough depending on the location of the tumors. Anyone who’s ever smoked should have this cause ruled out.

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Treatment choices: conventional and not so much

You’d think that the medical profession would have a long list of treatments that work like a charm. That, unfortunately, is not the case.

In 2006, the American College of Chest Physicians published guidelines to help doctors diagnose and treat coughs. This 17-year-old document still represents the best medicine has to offer.

Based on the limited data available from those guidelines, most doctors prescribe either inhalers, steroids, narcotics, or over-the-counter medications for persistent coughs that do not resolve on their own.

Results vary from person to person. And for children, studies have shown that over-the-counter cough suppressants and antihistamines are no more effective than a placebo.

So, what about all the natural cough “cures” you’ve heard about? You may be surprised that there’s some science behind their positive effects…

• Many people swear by honey to treat coughs. One trial showed that, over a three-day period, honey was more effective than a placebo at soothing a cough. Need more evidence? An Oxford University review analyzed data from 14 clinical trials and found that honey was 36 percent better than over-the-counter cough and sinus medicines at reducing coughing, and  44 percent better at reducing the severity of a cough.
• Not crazy for honey? Try sucking on a piece of chocolate.
• Try a steaming cup of ginger tea. Its anti-inflammatory compounds can relax membranes in the airways, which could reduce coughing.
• And we can’t forget the superfood enzyme that researchers have found thins mucus and phlegm to make a cough more productive so you can get that stuff out of your lungs.

The main reason these natural remedies work is that they soothe, coat and relieve inflammation in irritated airways where cough receptors are housed.

Many of these cough receptors are around the vocal cords, which is why you may cough more when you try to speak. But during healing, new cough receptors are regenerated. Many of the natural cough solutions work best if you can rest your airways, especially the vocal cords.

Sources:

Getting Rid of a Chronic Cough Is Tougher Than You Think — Science Alert

Over‐the‐counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settings — Cochrane Library

That nagging cough — Harvard Medical School

Honey for acute cough in children — Cochrane Library

The post From postnasal drip to infection: Tips for a lingering cough appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Not to get too personal here, but I don’t normally lower the lid until after I’ve flushed the toilet, to avoid having to clean and disinfect the inside of the lid too often.

But I’m going to be changing that practice — starting today. Read on and you, too, will be convinced that the hygienic and health benefits of flushing with the lid down are worth the extra cleaning job.

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A rocket plume of nasty germs

For a few years now, scientists have been zeroing in on the fact that standing over a toilet while you flush it isn’t a very good idea.

Their interest in airborne particles and how fast and far they travel was likely prompted by the spread of COVID-19. But when it comes to a toilet plume, there’s no telling what what’s in those droplets…

In 2020, scientists at the University of China found that a flushing toilet resulted in 40 percent to 60 percent of particles reaching above the toilet seat, sending some droplets nearly three feet into the air. And the microscopic particles a toilet plume sends into the air could stay airborne for over a minute.

Then, in 2021, scientists from Florida Atlantic University built on this research by setting up a particle counter at various heights next to both a toilet and a urinal in a public restroom.

“After about three hours of tests involving more than 100 flushes, we found a substantial increase in the measured aerosol levels in the ambient environment with the total number of droplets generated in each flushing test ranging up to the tens of thousands,” says Siddhartha Verma, a professor in mechanical engineering from Florida Atlantic University.

Aerosols rose as high as 3.6 feet above toilet bowls and as high as 2.3 feet above urinals during the course of the experiments and could hang around for as long as 20 seconds.

In late 2022, researchers went one step further…

They gave us a “visual” of the contaminated particles we’re breathing every time we flush our toilets.

“We had expected these aerosol particles would just sort of float up, but they came out like a rocket,” says civil and environmental engineer John Crimaldi from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Watch their 90-second video to see what they saw.

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How to avoid contaminants when you flush

Now that you’ve watched the video, I’m sure it’s clear that the very best health practice is to shut that lid before you flush.

That’s easy if you’re at home, but if you’re in a public restroom, you probably won’t find lids on toilets.

In that case, the best you can do to avoid a toilet plume is to slide open the bolt on the stall door so you can make a speedy exit once you’ve flushed. Turn your face away from the toilet as much as you can when you flush.

At home, you may also want to consider flushing less (when it’s yellow, be mellow). That may seem unsanitary, but sources say you will spread fewer germs that way. You may end up needing to clean your toilet bowl more often, though!

Sources:

Do You Flush With The Lid Up? You Won’t After Watching This — Science Alert

Commercial toilets emit energetic and rapidly spreading aerosol plumes — Scientific Reports

CU scientists shine light on what comes up when you flush — CU Boulder Today

Disgusting Study Shows What Happens in The Air When You Flush a Public Toilet — Science Alert

Gross Toilet Flushes Really Could Spray Viral Particles in The Air, Study Finds — Science Alert

The post Watch this toilet plume and you’ll never flush with the lid up again appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But when we hear “healthy diet” our minds usually go straight to thinking of being deprived of some of our favorite foods.

The good news though is that there are many variations of healthy diets. While most will have similarities at the core, variations are the spice of life. And that may be the ticket to finding the right one for you.

That may even be the most important factor. Because the latest research shows the payout is even bigger — if you stick with it…

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Avoid disease and live longer

We’ve written before about a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study that shows adhering to at least one of four healthy eating patterns can lower the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease.

Now, a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan researchers indicates these eating patterns can also reduce your risk of premature death.

Both studies reviewed health data collected from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. This most recent study used data collected over 36 years from 75,230 women and 44,085 men. All participants were free of cardiovascular disease or cancer at the start of the study and completed dietary questionnaires every four years over the study period.

The information was scored based on each of four dietary pattern indexes. The higher the score, the closer the participant stuck to the dietary pattern. The four patterns they used were:

• Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015)
• Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (AMED)
• Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index (HPDI)
• and Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)

All four of these indexes share key components like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, though some components differ across the different eating patterns. For instance, HPDI strongly recommends against consuming any animal protein, while AMED includes fish on the list of recommended foods. You can get a more complete rundown of each diet here.

Those who scored at the highest levels of dietary adherence (meaning they stuck it out) — regardless of which healthy diet they followed — had a 14 to 20 percent lower risk of total mortality compared with those whose adherence scores were at the low end.

They also had a 6 to 13 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, a 6 to 15 percent lower risk of death from heart disease and a 7 to 18 percent lower risk of cancer-related death.

The researchers also found those who stuck it out had a 35 to 46 percent reduced risk of death related to respiratory disease — something not realized in previous studies.

In addition, those with the highest scores on the AMED and AHEI diets had a modestly lower risk of death due to neurodegenerative disease.

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The stroke conundrum

Oddly enough, none of the four dietary patterns appeared to be protective against stroke-related deaths. But that doesn’t mean our hands are tied…

Even though overall diet did not make an impact on stroke risk in this study, there’s at least one dietary step I’d put my money on: cutting back on sugar.

One study showed if we were to cut out 40 percent of the sugar from sodas and 20 percent of added sugars from other foods, we could in our lifetime prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events, including strokes, heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

And a healthy diet addition that has been linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke is black tea. Just make sure to keep it unsweetened.

Also, remember to go easy on the salt. Eating too much salt can starve your brain of oxygen — creating conditions in the brain that are similar to those created by stroke.

Other natural ways to help reduce stroke risk include adding 15 minutes of yoga to your current aerobic exercise routine and making sure you get the American Heart Association-recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.

Sources:

Variety of healthy eating patterns linked with lower risk of premature death — Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Healthy Eating Linked to Lower Risk of Total Mortality — MedPage Today

Healthy Eating Patterns and Risk of Total and Cause-Specific Mortality — JAMA Internal Medicine

The post Plain and simple: The right diet keeps us from dying early appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

So, I thought it would be helpful to look at the several different types and causes of coughs and their treatments since we’re not always sure when we should get checked out.

Just remember, it’s always best to err on the side of precaution, especially now that COVID is part of the picture. Some people who get COVID can develop pneumonia and need specific care. However, if you’ve tested negative for COVID and still have an annoying cough, you may find this list helpful…

1. URI with cough and congestion

Upper respiratory infection (URI) with cough and congestion definitely tops the list. It typically begins with a scratchy sore throat, worse at night, followed by a dry cough with a stuffy/runny nose. Appetite is unchanged, there is no fever or chills, and energy levels remain near normal. Lung examination reveals normal breath sounds.

Why do people come to see a doctor for this condition? They are either in fear of getting pneumonia (rare), mistakenly believe antibiotics will cure their viral condition, or simply want a strong prescription cough medicine so they can sleep.

My favorite prescription cough suppressants for this condition are Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) for the daytime (non-sedating) and Promethazine DM at bedtime (somewhat sedating). You can add Nyquil (over the counter) which contains the sedating ingredient diphenhydramine (a.k.a. Benadryl).

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2. Influenza A

The flu causes body aches, fever, chills, lack of appetite (“malaise”), severe fatigue and a painful bronchitis cough. Green, yellow, brown, or bloody sputum can present in the first few days (I had this two years ago). Lung examination reveals normal breath sounds.

My favorite prescription medicines for this condition are a) Tramadol for pain, b) suppressants used for URI cough (see above) and c) Tamiflu if started within the first 48 hours of symptoms onset.  

Related: The little berry that offers big protection against the spring flu

3. Bronchitis

Viral bronchitis is simply a chest cold in nearly all cases. It causes coughing with colored sputum and fatigue. However, appetite is normal and there is no lateral chest pain or shortness of breath. Lung examination reveals normal breath sounds.

My favorite prescription cough suppressants for this condition are Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) for the daytime and Promethazine DM at bedtime.

4. Allergic rhinitis

Appetite is unchanged, there are no fever or chills, and energy level remains near normal. Lung examination reveals normal breath sounds. Cough is dry or wet, with the hallmark symptom of stuffy/runny nose, lasting much longer than a virus (URI) lasts… often for months and usually worse during the spring season.

This is caused by something in the environment or even food. Consider doing a simple targeted “food elimination” experiment. Begin by eliminating gluten (bread, pasta, cereals with wheat flour, etc.) for 4 weeks. Then reintroduce gluten food products back into your diet for at least 3 days and watch for a recurrence of symptoms. You may have an answer quickly with the recurrence of a symptom involving your skin, joints, pain level, sleep, mood, or energy level.  Then, do the same with foods containing dairy, peanuts, soy, eggs, corn, and even with refined sugar foods (the top 7 allergy-causing foods).

For rapid treatment of symptoms, there are the over-the-counter antihistamines and Flonase nasal spray or move to the prescription prednisone as described for asthma below.

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5. Asthma

This is easy to diagnose by watching the patient breathe. Appetite is unchanged, there is no fever or chills, energy levels remain near normal and their cough is dry. Lung examination reveals wheezing on inspiration, expiration, or both.

This too is caused by something in the environment or even foods. Consider doing a simple targeted “food elimination” experiment as described above.

The treatment is almost always a short course of high-dose prednisone (corticosteroid) such as 60 mg daily for 3-4 days, and tapering, for 7 to 10 days. Also, albuterol, inhaled or nebulized, can open the small airways every 4-6 hours until prednisone is effective (takes 3 days).

6. Pneumonia

This is the easiest to diagnose and treat. There is a fever longer than 5 days, a lack of appetite, fatigue, and lateral chest pain with a wet cough. Lung examination reveals rough “rhonchi” sounds (or just decreased airway movement) in the affected lung.  The treatment is simple: antibiotics such as Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, or Azithromycin; and lots of fluids by mouth and rest.

7. COPD

This chronic dry or wet cough condition can turn to pneumonia when an acute exacerbation of symptoms occurs, typically due to a viral infection. The treatment is usually a short course of Prednisone to open the airways, and an antibiotic (e.g. Amoxicillin).

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8. Whooping cough (pertussis)

This is not a common condition, but in rare cases can be very scary (death) in babies.  The persistent coughing followed by an inspiratory “whoop” is the classic presentation. The challenge with whooping cough is that it is contagious in the very early stages of the illness… sometimes even before symptoms become evident. Therefore, antibiotics should be started even before test results are known.

9. Congestive heart failure (CHF)

This subtle chronic cough is accompanied by shortness of breath, weight gain, leg swelling, and wet-sounding lungs on examination.  Prescription diuretic medications and close follow-up by a cardiologist are needed. Cough suppressants don’t do much for this.

Natural cough remedies

As a doctor, I believe it’s important to diagnose the cause of any cough. I also have read the research behind old-fashioned or natural cough remedies and feel they can help in some situations…

Nattokinase is a naturally occurring enzyme discovered in a fermented soybean dish popular in Japan. Recent research has found it is capable of thinning mucus, which can make a cough more productive and ease symptoms. Because the enzyme effects are promising, researchers are now delving into how it could be used to improve symptoms of other respiratory problems, like bronchitis and even COPD.

Honey has much more than anecdotal evidence behind its cough-suppressing claims. An Oxford University review analyzed data from 14 clinical trials and found that honey was 36 percent better than over-the-counter cough and sinus medicines at reducing coughing, and  44 percent better at reducing the severity of a cough.

Black seed oil comes from the Nigella sativa plant and has been the subject of research into its effects as a therapeutic agent for respiratory problems, allergies and even asthma.

Keep this list close at hand, especially if you have a mild cough that lingers and you’ve ruled out infection as the cause. But as a side note, black seed oil may be worth taking year-round as a preventive. It has several immune-boosting properties that may reduce your risk of catching something that could leave you with a cough in the first place.

The post 9 types of cough and how to treat them appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Every fall, the sneezing and watery eyes begin and don’t let up until the first good freeze. Then it all happens again in early spring.

While allergies don’t cause asthma, the two often occur together — and pollen increases the risk of a flare-up for people with asthma.

I’m lucky — no asthma for me. But people who share my sensitivity to ragweed and rye grass pollen, dust, and mold spores, need to know about a danger that, until recently, I had never heard of.

It’s a weather-dependent condition, and it can cause an asthmatic response that can land you in the hospital and can even be fatal.

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What is “thunderstorm asthma”?

Many people find that their allergic rhinitis symptoms ease in rainy weather since rain cleanses the air and tends to reduce the pollen count.

But thunderstorms are a whole different matter.

Thunderstorm asthma is a phenomenon caused by a predictable series of events that happen along with thunderstorms.

The wind that occurs during a thunderstorm sweeps pollen particles into the clouds, where humidity, wind, and lightning break them into smaller particles that can easily make their way into the sinuses and lungs of allergy sufferers.

The wind gusts also make these concentrated particles easy to inhale.

If you have hay fever, you are at risk for thunderstorm asthma … even if you don’t normally have asthma.

Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and coughing. These symptoms can escalate very quickly and become life-threatening.

According to one study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 144 out of 228 people with seasonal allergies reported experiencing thunderstorm asthma.

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How to protect yourself from thunderstorm asthma

There are really two ways to prevent an attack of thunderstorm asthma.

One is to stay alert to pollen counts in your area, keep windows closed when they are high, and stay indoors when a thunderstorm is predicted (the winds that send pollen into your lungs can begin long before the rain comes down).

Face masks, antihistamines and medications prescribed by your physician, including inhalers if you have asthma, should be kept handy.

The other way is a proactive stance and involves nutrition that’s been shown to support the respiratory system.

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are known to reduce bronchial inflammation. And regular supplementing with vitamin D3 can reduce the severity of an asthma attack and make it less likely you’ll land in the hospital if one does occur.

And then there are the foods that regulate your immune system, including honey, and ginger, which, together with the natural herb lobelia, supports breathing and the cough reflex.

The golden oil of the Nigella sativa plant’s black seeds, more commonly known as black seed oil, is reported to act as an antihistamine.

If you decide to supplement, let your healthcare provider know to be sure nothing interferes with allergy or asthma medications.

Of course, anytime asthma symptoms appear severe, seek medical care.

Sources:

Pollen Can Trigger ‘Thunderstorm Asthma’, Even if You Typically Don’t Have Asthma — Science Alert

A systematic review of the role of grass pollen and fungi in thunderstorm asthma — Environmental Research

Thunderstorm asthma in seasonal allergic rhinitis: The TAISAR study — The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

The post Thunderstorm asthma: What allergy sufferers should know appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But one thing that’s lingered for a couple of weeks now is the congestion.

This may be TMI, but I’ve been keeping an eye on my mucus output. Since I’m prone to sinus infections, I want to be sure that’s not what’s developing here.

And I know that different colors of mucus mean different things in terms of health…

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The purpose of mucus

Mucus isn’t just found in the nose. This gel-like substance coats the surfaces of the mouth, nose, eyes, sinuses, lungs, stomach and intestines and keeps these tissues from drying out.

Then there’s the mucus in your nasal passages. Also known as snot, it’s a mixture of water, protective proteins and salts that keeps your nasal passages germ-free in two ways…

First, it acts as a moisturizing barrier against dehydration and foreign intruders, including bacteria and viruses. Second, it is sticky enough to catch any nasties you may breathe in. Then, little hairs in the nose push the mucus through the throat down into the stomach, where acid disintegrates the invaders.

The body naturally produces a lot of mucus, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing when your nose is a little runny — particularly if the snot is clear. That means all is well health-wise.

However, if the amount of snot increases dramatically, it could mean you’re suffering from allergies or the start of a cold or flu (or Covid). This is when you want to start watching out for any changes in color.

White snot

If your snot turns a translucent or opaque white, it could mean a few things. Most often, it indicates swollen, irritated nasal passages. When this happens, it restricts mucus flow and causes it to dry out, producing the whitish color.

White snot could also be caused by the immune system fighting off an infection, allergies or dehydration. As the immune cells go to work against whatever is irritating the nose, they release molecules that then give the snot a cloudy white appearance.

If the white snot is being caused by a virus, this is the stage at which you’re most contagious.

Yellow or green snot

When your snot turns yellow or green, it means your body is probably fighting a viral or bacterial infection. When you’re attacked by a virus or bacteria, your immune system sends white blood cells to the site to fight and destroy the intruders.

Once they’ve done their job, the white cells die off and are flushed out of your body with your mucus. In the process, they can color the mucus yellow or green.

It’s a common belief that yellow or green snot means you need antibiotics, but that’s not necessarily true. Often the infection is caused by a virus, which would make the antibiotic useless. And most experts will tell you that taking antibiotics for sinus infection is probably worthless.

At this point, it’s probably best to trust your body to fight off the invader. If the infection doesn’t improve in a week or so, then it may be a good idea to see your doctor, especially if you have nausea or a fever.

Pink or red snot

If your snot is pink or red, it means your nasal passages are bleeding. The obvious reason for a bloody nose is some sort of physical trauma to the nose. However, bleeding inside the nose can also happen as a result of allergies, infection or extreme amounts of blowing or rubbing.

Very dry air can also dry out the nasal passages and cause them to bleed, especially if you live in an area with very cold winters. Running a humidifier can help offset this dryness and keep your nasal passages moist.

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Brown snot

When the blood from your nasal lining dries, it can mix with the mucus and turn brown. Other causes of brown snot include breathing in dust, dirt, snuff, spice or cigarette smoke.

If you’re coughing up brown mucus, you should definitely see a doctor because it could be a sign of bronchitis.

Black snot

If you have black snot, it usually means you’re a heavy smoker or have a lung disease. But it can also be a result of inhaling dust or dirt, especially if you live in an area with a lot of soot and other pollutants in the air.

Black snot can also indicate a serious fungal infection, particularly in immunocompromised people. Go to your doctor immediately if your snot turns black and is accompanied by a fever, chills or difficulty breathing.

Dealing with excessive snot

As helpful as snot can be, it quickly becomes an annoyance when your nose is stuffy or running all the time. You can of course take antihistamines to stop your nose from running, or decongestants to free up clogged nasal passages.

There are also some natural ways to deal with excessive mucus. We mentioned the humidifier earlier — keeping your nose and throat moist may help reduce mucus production. Applying a warm, damp washcloth to your face can accomplish the same thing.

Using a nasal saline spray or rinse can help clear out mucus and ease your breathing. There are a number of prepackaged saline sprays, or you can use a neti pot to irrigate your sinuses. If you do the latter, make sure you only use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make the saline solution.

Excess mucus can often create painful sinus congestion, pressure and pain. If that’s you, check out the latest on the superfood enzyme that “dissolves” sinus pain and pressure.

Sources:

Snot Comes in Many Colors, And It Can Tell You About Your Health — Science Alert

Marvels of Mucus and Phlegm — NIH News in Health

The post The surprising truth about the color of snot appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Here we are well into winter, and I’m still sniffling and sneezing and dealing with plenty of nasal congestion. My symptoms were bad enough at one point that I worried I might have COVID or flu (both tests were negative, thankfully).

Apparently, I’m not the only one suffering from a never-ending allergy season. And an allergy expert at Baylor College of Medicine believes frequent, severe weather changes have been to blame…

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Blame it on the weather

Dr. David Corry, professor of medicine-immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor, observes that cold fronts, rainy days, and wild temperature swings into warmer territory can all make people’s allergy symptoms worse.

“People who have allergies, sinusitis, asthma or any other airway inflammatory disease frequently complain that their symptoms get worse with changes in the weather, and it seems like it’s when various fronts come through and there is a big temperature change,” Corry says.

For instance, when the weather suddenly shifts from cold to warm fronts, it can carry pollen in the air from other parts of the United States. And since tree and grass pollen are common seasonal allergy triggers, this can result in wintertime allergy misery.

Another common allergen, mold spores, thrive in wet conditions like those caused by the many series of severe thunderstorms or snowstorms that have occurred throughout the country. When the weather brings rain or other forms of precipitation, the wet environment they leave behind can cause mold to bloom and release the spores that set off allergy symptoms.

Corry points out that mold can be in the air at any time of year. “It gets worse with major rain or precipitation, especially if a big storm like a hurricane comes through,” he says. “Cases of severe allergy or asthma can skyrocket.”

While it’s not yet clear whether humidity and allergies are related, Corry says some studies suggest when the level of humidity changes, it can set off allergies. For instance, when humidity drops off after an initial rain, the nose can dry out, causing irritation and leading to symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

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How to relieve allergy symptoms

One way besides testing to clarify whether you’re having allergies or suffering from a viral infection is to take an over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamine to see if your symptoms disappear. Dr. Corry also suggests treating allergies with OTC nasal steroid sprays, for a period of up to two weeks.

There are also natural methods you can try, such as adding quercetin to your diet. This flavonoid can help control and regulate the release of histamine, which the body produces during allergic reactions. Some foods rich in quercetin include kale, watercress, dill, red onion, berries, apples, red wine and capers.

Also, make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C, which has antihistamine abilities that help protect against allergic reactions. You can get plenty of vitamin C from citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli and peppers, among other foods.

Some helpful holistic treatments for relieving allergy symptoms include acupuncture, cranial sacral therapy and infrared sauna, all of which can promote circulation in the sinuses.

My colleague, Margaret Cantwell, has written about her personal success with allergy relief using the black seed oil of the Nigella sativa plant. It was found to be an effective treatment for symptoms of allergic rhinitis without the side effects of allergy drugs. In a study of 66 patients, symptoms including nasal congestion, nasal itching, runny nose and sneezing were relieved during the first two weeks of taking it.

You can also irrigate the sinuses and promote drainage with an OTC saline spray. I recently switched to a saline spray to help with my allergy symptoms. It not only has helped clear my sinuses, it has kept my nasal passages from drying out and causing nosebleeds. These saline sprays can be used as often as necessary to relieve symptoms.

If you prefer, you can make your own 5 percent salt solution and use it with a bulb syringe or neti pot to irrigate your sinuses. But you’ll want to use sterilized or distilled water to avoid infection.

Sources:

Can severe weather changes make allergies worse? — Baylor College of Medicine

What to Know About Saline Nasal Sprays — Verywell Health

The post Allergies in the wintertime: Weather as a trigger appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Diet, exercise, social connections and mental stimulation all contribute to longevity and to remaining cognitively sharp enough to enjoy it.

Sadly, though, there are still diseases, health conditions and accidental events that can shorten a life before its time.

One of those is a simple vitamin deficiency. Fortunately, it’s within our control to avoid a death sentence…

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We have a vitamin D problem

Vitamin D is known as “the sunshine vitamin.” We absorb vitamin D through our skin just by spending time outside in the sun.

And even though you don’t find it in significant amounts in foods naturally, many of us consume foods that regularly are fortified the vitamin, like dairy products, cereals and orange juice.

So, it might seem unlikely that you wouldn’t get enough of this vitamin.

But almost 42 percent of adults in the U.S. are vitamin D deficient, not to mention those getting by on levels considered “less than sufficient.”

But how is this possible?

Certain medical conditions, like Crohn’s disease, as well as many medications, including steroids, laxatives, and cholesterol-lowering drugs can also make it harder for the body to absorb vitamin D.

And that’s not all that can cut your vitamin D short. So can being overweight or over 65.

So, with all that riding against healthy vitamin D levels, a group of Australian researchers set out to gather evidence that a vitamin D deficiency is just too important to leave to chance.

In fact, your life could depend on it…

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Low levels of vitamin D tied to premature death

“Vitamin D deficiency has been connected with mortality, but as clinical trials have often failed to recruit people with low vitamin D levels — or have been prohibited from including vitamin deficient participants — it’s been challenging to establish causal relationships,” says lead author Joshua Sutherland of the University of South Australia.

In other words, there is a statistical connection between being vitamin D-deficient and dying prematurely.

Sutherland and his colleagues used a new genetic method to explore connections they’d only seen through observation — and to back them up with scientific evidence.

Using this method known as Mendelian randomization, they evaluated 307,601 records of people with low levels of vitamin D. The records were sourced from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database and research resource that is globally accessible to scientists conducting health-related research.

Over a 14-year follow-up period, the researchers found that the risk for death significantly decreased along with an increase in vitamin D. In fact, the strongest effects were seen among people with the most severe deficiencies.

In addition to providing strong evidence of the connection between low levels of vitamin D and mortality, this was the first study of its kind to connect respiratory disease-related mortality to vitamin D.

How to be proactive and prevent a D deficiency

Given how crucial vitamin D is to preventing disease and maintaining healthy organs, the results of this research shouldn’t be surprising.

Sutherland expressed concerns, particularly for those who have health vulnerabilities, the elderly and those who do not acquire enough vitamin D from healthy sun exposure and dietary sources.

It’s a good idea to get some sunlight every day, but given the risk for skin cancer, spending 15 to 20 minutes daily in the sunshine with 40 percent of your skin surface exposed isn’t on the top of everyone’s list, and depending on where you live, not always possible.

How else can we make sure to boost our D levels?

Supplementing is the easiest way, though it’s important now that researchers have found differences in the effectiveness of the two main forms, D2 and D3, to get the right form of the vitamin.

Naturally occurring food sources of vitamin D include:

• Eggs
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Sardines
• Fortified foods
• Beef liver

If you’d prefer vegetarian sources, you don’t have a lot of choices. However, if you like mushrooms and can expose them to a little extra sun before scarfing them down, you can turn a modest shroom into a vitamin D powerhouse!

How can you know if you’re deficient? Get your levels tested, or watch for symptoms that include:

• Fatigue.
• Bone pain.
• Muscle weakness, muscle aches or muscle cramps.
• Mood changes, like depression.

“The take-home message is simple,” says Senior investigator and Director of UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health, Professor Elina Hyppönen “The key is in the prevention. It is not good enough to think about vitamin D deficiency when already facing life-challenging situations when early action could make all the difference.”

Sources:

Vitamin D deficiency linked to premature death Eureka Alert

Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Mortality Risk in the UK Biobank Annals of Internal Medicine

Non-linear Mendelian randomization analyses support a role for vitamin D deficiency in cardiovascular disease risk European Heart Journal  

Vitamin D Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

The power of vitamin D: What experts already know (and are still learning) about the ‘sunshine vitamin’ UT Health Houston

The post More research says vitamin D deficiency can cut life short appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The progressive airflow obstruction caused by COPD is usually a result of long-term exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution. These toxins inflame and thicken the airways in your lungs, destroying the tissue where oxygen is exchanged.

As the flow of air in and out of your lungs decreases, your tissues absorb less oxygen, and it becomes harder for them to get rid of carbon dioxide. Plus, it becomes harder to remain active due to shortness of breath.

People with COPD have a higher risk of developing other serious health conditions such as heart disease, memory loss, stroke or diabetes.

Now, it looks like the disease deals a serious blow to the immune systems of those that suffer from it…

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Premature aging of the immune system

The University of São Paulo’s Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil recently studied four groups of individuals: people with COPD, smokers with no evidence of lung disease, healthy older subjects and healthy young adults. The researchers examined the participant’s blood for seven different cell markers to determine the health of their immune systems.

What they learned was that COPD leads to premature senescence (age-related impairment) of the immune system. 

According to Juliana Ruiz Fernandes, first author of the study, COPD patients exhibited faster senescence, or age-related deterioration, of T cells than healthy subjects of the same age.

“The phenotype of their T cells appeared older than those of people without the chronic inflammatory process,” Fernandes says.

In fact, COPD affected the patients more than aging, drastically impairing the immune system, according to Thalyta Nery Carvalho Pinto, a Ph.D. candidate and second author of the article.

With immunosenescence, there is a decline in immune system function during aging that affects both innate and adaptive immunity.

This could help explain why patients with COPD respond poorly to vaccines and are more susceptible to infections.

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How to support your immune system if you have COPD

With some diseases, people may be wary or unsure if they can take supplements. Though COPD is a serious condition that is treated under the care of a physician, it appears that the very same nutrients most of us use to support our immune systems are also safe for anyone with COPD.

Vitamin D: In addition to looking to the sunshine vitamin to support the immune system, there are other reasons to be sure your levels are sufficient with COPD: according to the American Thoracic Society, a vitamin D deficiency causes deficits in lung function and structure.

In fact, they state in their study that “the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is increasing and has been linked to obstructive lung diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”

In other studies, vitamin D has been proven to reduce airway inflammation via several mechanisms.

Not surprisingly, people with COPD are at increased risk for osteoporosis, so for all of these reasons, vitamin D appears to be especially helpful.

But to get the best of this important vitamin, be sure to get it in the right form…

A study published in the Frontiers of Immunology confirmed significant differences between the two types of vitamin D, with vitamin D2 having a questionable impact on human health. However, the study found that vitamin D3 could balance people’s immune systems and help strengthen defenses against viral infections.

Also, make sure you’re getting plenty of magnesium and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) both of which support air passageways and reduce mucus and loosen sputum.

Sources:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes premature aging of the immune system, study suggests — Agência FAPESP

Age-associated phenotypic imbalance in TCD4 and TCD8 cell subsets: comparison between healthy aged, smokers, COPD patients and young adults — Immunity & Ageing

Learn About COPD — American Lung Association

COPD Causes and Risk Factors — American Lung Association

Basics About COPD — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

COPD — Mayo Clinic

The post COPD: What to know about your prematurely aged immune system appeared first on Easy Health Options®.