Anticholinergic drugs are prescribed by doctors to treat a variety of conditions. These range from inflammatory lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhea and brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking a chemical called acetylcholine, which serves as the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system. This part … Continue reading Study: Over-the-counter drugs can increase your risk of developing dementia
Health benefits of cinnamon: What’s the difference between Ceylon and cassia cinnamon?
Cinnamon is used as an ingredient for many kinds of products, from lattes to pastries like cinnamon rolls. But did you know that not all types of cinnamon offer the same health benefits? Several studies have looked into the potential benefits of two kinds of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is sold in … Continue reading Health benefits of cinnamon: What’s the difference between Ceylon and cassia cinnamon?
Study: The health of your gut microbiome influences muscle strength
The gut microbiome affects muscle strength, found a study published in the journal Experimental Gerontology. Researchers from Tufts University said that the gut microbiome — the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract — helps increase or decrease muscle strength depending on the amount of certain bacteria. The findings of the study benefit not only athletes but also older … Continue reading Study: The health of your gut microbiome influences muscle strength
Exploring biofortification of beans with zinc to combat deficiency
In this review, South African researchers discuss the causes of zinc deficiency, which has become prevalent in low-income families in South Africa. They also explore possible solutions to this, such as the biofortification of locally-preferred common bean cultivars. This article was published in the journal Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Science. In … Continue reading Exploring biofortification of beans with zinc to combat deficiency
Vitamin E treatments can help prevent muscle damage after a heart attack, say scientists
A pre-clinical study published in the journal Redox Biology found that vitamin E can help prevent and treat muscle damage after a heart attack. The researchers said that while vitamin E failed to prevent heart attack per se, current research on whether vitamin E can be beneficial post-heart attack is lacking. Their ongoing research, on the other hand, may prove that … Continue reading Vitamin E treatments can help prevent muscle damage after a heart attack, say scientists
Mass deployment of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine to begin in the next few weeks
After making waves as the first country to grant regulatory approval for a vaccine against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), Russia is now seeking to perform mass production and immunization of key workers in the next few weeks. Russia is the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for civilian use. The approval comes after just two months of … Continue reading Mass deployment of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine to begin in the next few weeks
If you’ve ever had a cold, your immune system may already know how to fight COVID-19
The La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) has published a new study that suggests people who have been exposed to the common cold may already have immunity to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). Since the common cold is a type of coronavirus, bearing many of the same features and attributes as the novel coronavirus, experts say that many people’s immune … Continue reading If you’ve ever had a cold, your immune system may already know how to fight COVID-19
Increasing blood pressure meds for elderly patients increases risk of readmission due to falls and kidney injury
Blood pressure medications might reduce the risk of cardiometabolic conditions, but researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that healthcare professionals might be doing more harm than good in prescribing more intense medications. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, their results demonstrated that patients admitted for non-cardiac conditions but had high blood pressure had a greater risk of readmission, falls, fainting … Continue reading Increasing blood pressure meds for elderly patients increases risk of readmission due to falls and kidney injury
Drink your worries away? Researchers look into resveratrol as a means to reduce depression and anxiety
A study published in the journal Neuropharmacology found that plant-based compound resveratrol can potentially lower depression and anxiety. This is because resveratrol inhibits enzyme expression of phosphodiesterase 4 or PDE4, which is linked to depression and anxiety. Current antidepressants focus on other components of the brain such as serotonin. But only one-third of patients with depression enter full remission using these medications. With these … Continue reading Drink your worries away? Researchers look into resveratrol as a means to reduce depression and anxiety
Your diet and gut health can be modified to lower risk of Alzheimer’s
It turns out, you can “hack” your diet to reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease, says a recent study by Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina. In the report, a team of researchers showed how diet could influence gut bacteria, which, in turn, can stop the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In particular, they identified … Continue reading Your diet and gut health can be modified to lower risk of Alzheimer’s
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 