Category Archives: Health

Vitamin D and COVID-19 Research

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A new research study at the University of Chicago Medicine has found that when it comes to COVID-19, having vitamin D levels above those traditionally considered sufficient may lower the risk of infection, especially for Black people.

The study, published March 19 in JAMA Open Network, retrospectively examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19.

While levels of 30 ng/ml or more are usually considered “sufficient,” the authors found that Black individuals who had levels of 30 to 40 ng/ml had a 2.64 times higher risk of testing positive for COVID-19 than people with levels of 40 ng/ml or greater.

Statistically significant associations of vitamin D levels with COVID-19 risk were not found in white people.

The study looked at data from over 3,000 patients at UChicago Medicine who had had their vitamin D levels tested within 14 days before a COVID-19 test.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210322175028.htm

Cayenne Pepper Health Benefits

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Cayenne pepper offers several health benefits for men, thanks to its active ingredient, capsaicin.

Capsaicin is the active component in chili peppers that gives them their characteristic heat. It has a variety of health benefits and uses that include:

  • Pain Relief: Capsaicin is commonly used in topical creams and patches to relieve pain from conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and nerve pain.
  • Weight Loss: It can boost metabolism and help reduce appetite, which may aid in weight management.
  • Heart Health: Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and improving blood flow.
  • Digestive Health: It stimulates the digestive tract, increasing the production of digestive enzymes and gastric juices.

Here are some key Cayenne Pepper benefits:

  1. Improves Blood Circulation: Capsaicin helps dilate blood vessels, promoting better blood flow throughout the body, which is essential for overall cardiovascular health.
  2. Boosts Metabolism: It can increase metabolic rate, aiding in weight management and energy levels.
  3. Reduces Pain and Inflammation: Cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate pain from conditions like arthritis.
  4. Supports Digestive Health: It stimulates the digestive tract, increasing the flow of enzyme production and gastric juices, which aids in digestion.
  5. Enhances Immune Function: Rich in vitamins A and C, cayenne pepper can help strengthen the immune system.
  6. Potential Sexual Health Benefits: Improved blood circulation can also benefit sexual health by promoting healthy blood flow, which is crucial for erectile function.

Incorporating cayenne pepper into your diet can be as simple as adding a pinch to your meals or making a spicy tea. Have you tried using cayenne pepper in your cooking before?

 

 

 

Zinc Deficiency

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Zinc deficiency is a common problem throughout the world that contributes to many unwanted health problems.

Zinc is a foundational mineral that is essential to growth patterns and has an essential role in the development of hormones and immune molecules.

Zinc is one of the best mineral supplements to boost and balance out a tired and over stimulated immune system.

About 75% of people in the world are zinc deficient and being deficient in zinc is very common throughout the world.

The 5 warning signs you’re zinc deficient:

1.) If you get sick a lot or have immune system issues

2.) Have leaky gut

3.) If you struggle with diarrhea or IBS

4.) Thinning hair

5.) Inflammatory skin issues like acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis.

One of the biggest factors in causing zinc deficiency is high levels of emotional stress. The second most common cause of zinc deficiency is over-exercise.

Lastly, if you’re older, you may tend to have malabsorption, which causes a zinc deficiency.

In order to get more zinc in your diet, you need to consume more zinc-rich foods.

The top 5 zinc-rich foods are pumpkin seeds, oysters, grass-fed meat, sprouted nuts and seeds, and peas.

Additionally, probiotics are a key supplement to take when zinc deficient because it can help your overall absorption of nutrients.

Moringa Benefits and Risks

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Moringa, often referred to as the “miracle tree,” offers a wide range of health benefits due to its rich nutritional profile and medicinal properties. Here are some of the key benefits:

Moringa leaves and seeds are rich in glucosinolates, which are linked to the plant’s beneficial effects on prostate health in rodents and which may have anticancer properties.

Test-tube studies have demonstrated that the glucosinolates from the plant’s seeds may inhibit the growth of human prostate cancer cells

It’s also believed that moringa could help prevent benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). This condition typically becomes more common as men age and is characterized by enlargement of the prostate, which can make urination difficult .

In one study, mice received moringa leaf extract before being administered testosterone daily for 4 weeks to induce BPH. The extract was found to significantly reduce prostate weight .

What’s more, the extract also reduced levels of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland. High levels of this antigen may be a sign of prostate cancer

Lastly, the study also demonstrated that the plant decreased testosterone levels in the treated mice. In humans, low testosterone levels can reduce sex drive and erectile function, lead to a loss of lean muscle mass, and cause depression.

Researchers have yet to determine whether these same benefits occur in humans.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/moringa-benefits-for-men#1.-May-promote-prostate-health

7 Supplements That Might Actually Help | Readers Digest

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There are seven supplements that can help some people strengthen their bones, improve their sleep, protect their heart, and more.

1. Calcium: Strong Bone Builder. Calcium is the  most abundant mineral in the body, and is primarily stored in your bones. If you don’t get enough in your diet, your body will start taking it from your bones, resulting in a heightened risk of osteoporosis. Calcium also helps your muscles to move effectively, your blood vessels to send blood throughout your body, and your nerves to send messages to control important bodily functions, such as the release of hormones.

2. Collagen: For Skin and Joint Health. Collagen is a protein that helps form connective tissue, including skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The body makes less of it with age, leading to sagging skin and osteoarthritis, so maintaining adequate levels is important.

3. Fish Oil: For Your Brain and Heart. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA, which your body needs to form cell membranes throughout your body—especially in your eyes and brain. They can also reduce triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood linked to heart disease.

4. Magnesium: Healthy Muscles and More. Your body uses this mineral to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar, make proteins, and ensure healthy muscle and nerve function. Low levels of magnesium may contribute to migraine headaches and muscle cramps.
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5. Melatonin: For Better Sleep. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate your circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock that tells you when it’s time to go to bed at night or wake up in the morning. Your body releases melatonin as you approach bedtime to make you sleepy, especially if you manage to get plenty of daylight in the morning and avoid too much light at night. When you wake up, your levels of melatonin dip.

6. Vitamin B12: Important for Nerve Health. Vitamin B12, one of eight B vitamins, plays a key role in red blood cell formation and nervous system function. Healthy levels of B12 can prevent vitamin deficiency anemia, which can lead to weakness and fatigue, along with nerve damage, memory problems, depression, and heart palpitations.

7. Vitamin D: Bone, Brain, and Immunity Booster. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is key for maintaining bone density. Your body also needs it for healthy neuromuscular and immune function. Getting enough may support brain function and decrease the risk of depression. Low vitamin D has also been linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Reference:

  1. Ashley Abramson, 7 Supplements That Might Actually Help You, Readers Digest, August 1, 2024.  https://www.consumerreports.org/health/supplements/supplements-that-might-actually-help-you-a6441144119/

Health is Wealth

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Your physical and mental health are investable assets, not a costly liability!

The adage “health is wealth” is a paraphrase of the Roman poet Virgil’s famous comment that “the greatest wealth is health.” The adage presents the idea that your physical and mental well-being are arguably your most valuable asset.

At its core, “health is wealth” means that your physical and mental well-being are far more intrinsically important than financial wealth in the realm of life satisfaction.

It’s saying, “Yes, money is great. It can solve many problems and lead to a fantastic quality of life. But in the absence of good health, money and financial assets mean very little.”

In other words, don’t pursue wealth to the detriment of your health and well-being! After all, you can’t enjoy the financial fruits of your labor if you’re in constant pain, unable to move, struggling to breathe, going to the hospital every few months, or worrying about your health…or dead.

Only if you’re well and feel well can you take full advantage of your wealth. Moreover , staying healthy is also crucial to reaching your full financial personal and professional potential.

It’s hard to be happy when you’re unwell! Thus, chasing wealth at the expense of well-being can often backfire – especially when you realize happiness also tends to make people wealthier.

“Health is wealth” is a proverb and truism that most of us could benefit from being reminded of every now and again.

After all, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of pursuing money at all costs – forgetting that, without our physical and mental health, life really isn’t that pleasant! Furthermore, by prioritizing your health, you stand to accrue even more money in the long run (and to actually be able to enjoy it without pain, discomfort, or a lack of energy getting in the way).

Health Is Wealth: What It Means and Why It’s True

References:

  1. Danny Newman, Health Is Wealth: What It Means and Why It’s True, Wealth Tender,
    https://wealthtender.com/insights/health-is-wealth/

GLP-1 — Glucagon-like peptide

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Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peptide hormone that plays a crucial role in blood sugar regulation. Let’s dive into some key points:

  1. Origin and Production:
    • GLP-1 is produced and secreted by intestinal enteroendocrine L-cells and certain neurons in the brainstem upon food consumption.
    • It derives from the posttranslational processing of the proglucagon peptide.
  2. Biologically Active Forms:
    • GLP-1 exists in two main forms: GLP-1 (7–36) amide and GLP-1 (7–37).
    • These forms enhance insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, helping to lower blood sugar levels.
  3. Incretin Effect:
    • GLP-1 is an incretin, meaning it stimulates insulin release when blood glucose rises.
    • Unlike other incretins, GLP-1’s action remains effective in patients with type 2 diabetes.
  4. Degradation and Treatment:
    • Endogenous GLP-1 is rapidly degraded, resulting in low fasting plasma levels.
    • GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) and DPP-4 inhibitors have been developed to enhance GLP-1 activity.
    • GLP-1-based treatments are associated with weight loss and a lower risk of hypoglycemia.

GLP-1 is a player in effective diabetes management!

John D. Rockfeller and The Rockfeller Foundation

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John D. Rockefeller was the richest person in American history, with an estimated net worth of $340 billion in today’s dollars.

John D. Rockfeller (July 8, 1839–May 23, 1937), the founder of Standard Oil, was once the richest man in the world. He was the world’s first billionaire.

“He amassed a net worth of at least $1 billion in 1916. When Rockefeller died in 1937, his net worth was estimated to be approximately $340 billion in today’s dollars.”

By the age of 25, he had one of the largest oil refineries in the United States. He was 31 when he became the world’s largest oil refiner. At 38, he controlled 90% of the oil refined in the United States. At fifty, John was America’s richest man. As a young man, every action, attitude, and connection was crafted to establish his wealth.

But at the age of 53, he fell unwell. His entire body became wracked with pain, and he lost all his hair. In total anguish, the world’s lone millionaire could buy anything he wanted but could only eat soup and crackers.

According to an associate, “He couldn’t sleep, wouldn’t smile, and nothing in life meant anything to him”. His personal, highly trained physicians indicated that he would die within the year. That year passed painfully slowly. As he approached death, he awoke one morning with the faint understanding that he would not be able to bring any of his fortune with him to the next world.

The man who could dominate the commercial world suddenly realised he had no control over his personal life. He informed his solicitors, accountants, and management that he intended to devote his assets to hospitals, research, and charity work. John D. Rockefeller started his foundation.

The Rockefeller Foundation financed Howard Florey and his colleague Norman Heatley’s penicillin research in 1941. But arguably the most astounding aspect of Rockefeller’s narrative is that when he began to give back a fraction of all he had gained, his body’s chemistry changed dramatically, and he recovered.

He was expected to die at the age of 53, but he survived to reach 98 years old. Rockefeller learnt gratitude and returned the great bulk of his money. This made him whole. It’s one thing to be healed. It is another to become fit. He was a devout Baptist who attended the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

Before he died, he wrote in his diary: “God taught me that everything belongs to Him, and I am merely a conduit to carry out His will. My life has been one long, happy holiday since then; full of work and play, I let go of my worries along the road, and God was wonderful to me every day.

“Who is the poorest man in the world? I tell you, the poorest man I know of is the man who has nothing but money.” ~ John D Rockefeller

10 tips to increase your fluid intake

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July 10, 2024
Kathryn Szklany
Registered Dietitian, Syracuse VA

Summer has arrived, and that means hot days and more time outside. As we spend more time outside, it’s easy to forget about keeping your body hydrated. Hydration is important for controlling body temperature, supporting brain health and can even help with reducing joint pain.

Adults 60 years and older are at increased risk for dehydrationrelated to a drop in thirst levels and lower muscle mass. Fluid needs vary from person to person based on many different factors. Generally, healthy women need about 9 cups of water per day and healthy men need about 13 cups per day.

An easy way to tell if you are getting enough water is by checking the color of your urine. If you are drinking enough water, your urine will be a pale-yellow color (like lemonade). Anything darker means you should increase your fluid intake. Dehydration is the lack of water in the body and even mild dehydration can decrease your energy levels and make you feel tired.

If you don’t enjoy drinking water, then milk, juice, sports drinks, herbal teas and coffee can all contribute to your total water intake. It’s important to remember that some of these beverages do contain added sugars.

10 tips to increase your fluid intake:

  1. Carry a refillable water bottle.
  2. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty, drink water throughout the day.
  3. Drink water when you first wake up.
  4. Drink water at all your meals.
  5. Eat foods that are high in water content, such as juicy fruits and vegetables (Grapes, melon, cucumbers, lettuce, celery, pineapples).
  6. If you struggle to drink water, alternate your drinks. If you drink juice or soda, challenge yourself to have a cup of water as your next beverage.
  7. Add fruit to your water to jazz it up. Slices of lemon or oranges can be a fun way to add a little flavor to your water.
  8. Dilute juice with water or use club soda.
  9. Set a timer on your phone or watch to remind yourself to hydrate throughout the day.
  10. Set a goal on how much fluid you’re going to drink in the day.

To learn more about hydration or another nutrition-related topic, contact your local VA to speak with a registered dietitian.

References:

  1. https://news.va.gov/132742/summer-is-here-stay-hydrated/

Health Benefits of Cinnamon Spice

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Cinnamon has many healthy benefits. Cinnamon is derived from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, and is high in cinnamaldehyde, a potent polyphenol antioxidant which has anti-inflammatory effects, reduces risk of heart disease, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.

There are wo main types: Ceylon cinnamon (also known as “true” cinnamon) and Cassia cinnamon (more common).

Cinnamon also increases sensitivity to the hormone insulin, having a potent anti-diabetic effect. This spice also makes improvements in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and it may have protective effects against cancer.

Cinnamon contains powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols.

Cinnamon is loaded with highly potent polyphenol antioxidants. These antioxidants protect against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. One study found that cinnamon supplementation increased antioxidant levels in the blood and reduced inflammation markers.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Cinnamon’s antioxidants have anti-inflammatory effects. Cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory effects contribute to its health benefits and chronic inflammation can be harmful to the body.

Other Benefits:

Modern studies suggest that cinnamon may have antitumor, analgesic, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, and immune system-boosting effects. While more evidence is needed, cinnamon shows promise in protecting against cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Remember to incorporate cinnamon into your diet through recipes or as a spice to enjoy its potential health benefits!

Sources:  https://microsoftstart.msn.com/en-us/health/ask-professionals/in-expert-answers-on-cinnamon/in-cinnamon