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Month: April 2023

Important note about light therapy for psoriasis.

Important note about light therapy for psoriasis.

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Some people can treat their psoriasis with over-the-counter or prescription creams. However, you can attempt phototherapy if your skin continues to be itchy, scaly, and red. Another name for it is light therapy.

Psoriasis treatments like phototherapy have the potential to relieve the itching and pain associated with the condition. UV radiation, which lessens inflammation and delays the production of new skin cells, is frequently used.

Eczema and other skin disorders can benefit from phototherapy. It’s not as easy as just going outside in the sunshine, though.

Treatments with UV light come in a variety of forms. It’s important to figure out which one will work best for you if you’re interested in pursuing this strategy.

It is best to discuss your alternatives with your doctor in order to be treated with phototherapy in a safe manner. Your physician will guarantee that it’s secure for you.

What is light therapy for psoriasis?

Plaques can shrink in size, become less itchy, and appear more subtly when treated with light therapy, which includes shining ultraviolet (UV) light on the skin. Perhaps it will completely resolve them.

Psoriasis cannot be cured, however light treatment can help people manage their condition and enhance their quality of life.

Light treatment for psoriasis lowers plaque development by slowing down the expansion of skin cells. By interfering with the DNA’s ability to function, it also restricts the proliferation of skin cells.

Light therapy procedure

A person can have phototherapy on their entire body or just one location, such their hands or scalp, depending on which parts of their body are affected by psoriasis. Before administering treatment, a medical expert will cover sensitive skin parts including the eyes and genitalia.

To progressively increase the skin’s exposure to UV light and give it time to heal, light treatment requires numerous sessions.

During the course of two to three months, patients typically have three to five weekly light treatment sessions. Depending on the type of light treatment, people typically notice improvements in 2-4 weeks.

Each person’s skin responds to phototherapy in a unique way, which may be seen in the degree of improvement in their psoriasis symptoms as well as the duration of those benefits. 3–12 months is the typical length of remission.

Doctors advise people to only utilise 150 sessions of psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) phototherapy throughout the course of their lifetime due to the increased risk of skin cancer.

Types of light therapy

Delivering light therapy for psoriasis can be done in a variety of ways using a variety of lighting and apparatus.

Based on the following criteria, a medical practitioner will decide which phototherapy technique to apply:

  • how much of the body is affected by psoriasis
  • which bodily areas are affected by psoriasis
  • what degree psoriasis has on a person’s quality of life
  • a person’s general well-being
  • the skin tone of a person

The type of UV light used in treatment is a significant distinction between the many types of phototherapy:

  • Long wavelengths characterise UVA. The skin’s deepest layers can be reached, and it can pass through glass windows. Psoralen, which makes the skin more responsive to UVA radiation, must be used in conjunction with UVA treatments.
  • The shorter wavelength of UVB. It does not require psoralen and merely penetrates the upper layers of the skin.

The various forms of light treatment for psoriasis consist of:

  • limited-band UVB. The most popular kind of light therapy, narrow-band phototherapy, restricts the light wavelengths utilised in treatment to 311-313 nanometers in order to minimise any potential negative effects.
  • UVB with a broad spectrum. The most traditional type of light therapy for psoriasis is called broad-band phototherapy. Compared to narrow-band therapy, it employs a larger wavelength.
  • UVB laser. Smaller, more focused UVB beams are used in laser technology. When psoriasis only affects 5% or less of the body, medical specialists prefer this method.
  • PUVA topical. With PUVA, the skin is prepared for the UV radiation treatment by either soaking in a bath or applying a lotion containing psoralen.
  • Mouth PUVA. In the case of oral PUVA, the patient must take psoralen pills before to phototherapy. For exceptionally thick plaques, this type of treatment may be especially beneficial.
  • Pulsed dye laser (PDL). PDL is most frequently used by medical practitioners to treat nail psoriasis or tiny lesions on the skin’s surface.
  • Balneophototherapy. In this case, a person will receive UV light treatments either during or right after a bath in a salt-based solution.
  • laser or low-level light treatment. Doctors advise this therapy, also known as “cold laser” treatment, for other types of inflammation and persistent discomfort.
  • Home UVB phototherapy. Using hand-held or smaller-scale light boxes, patients can manage their psoriasis and any “flares,” or escalation of plaques and itching, at home with the help of a doctor’s prescription for at-home follow-up care.

Who should get light therapy?

If creams and lotions are ineffective at reducing the symptoms of psoriasis, a doctor or skin specialist known as a dermatologist may suggest light treatment.

Light treatment might be helpful for people with mild to severe psoriasis. With moderate psoriasis, 3–10% of the body is affected, whereas in severe psoriasis, more than 10% of the body is affected.

Phototherapy should not be used on those who use prescription drugs or over-the-counter substances that increase their skin’s sensitivity to UV light.

These drugs that cause photosensitization include:

Before committing to phototherapy, discuss any current supplements or drugs with a medical expert.

The use of light therapy for psoriasis should be avoided by pregnant women and those who have:

  • a background of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin malignancies
  • lowered immunological response
  • lupus
  • recognised photosensitivity problems

Side effects of light therapy

When designing a phototherapy regimen, a medical practitioner will take the patient’s susceptibility to UV light into account. Even with this care, adverse outcomes are still possible.

The following are potential negative consequences of light therapy:

  • light sunburn, which is normally not harmful and can be treated by reducing UV exposure
  • a burning or itchy feeling
  • an increased risk of cold sores in those who are susceptible to them
  • Dark patches and loose or leathery skin are early symptoms of ageing skin.
  • blisters
  • a higher risk of developing skin cancer

Outlook

Although there is no known treatment for psoriasis, patients can manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life with it. For those with moderate to severe psoriasis, phototherapy can be quite beneficial.

Those receiving intensive phototherapy should have their skin checked by a doctor on a frequent basis due to the possibility of an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

REFERENCES:

For Skin disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=27

How can probiotics help alleviate gout flare-ups.

How can probiotics help alleviate gout flare-ups.

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Gout affects more than 41 million individuals worldwide. Gout presently has no known treatment.

Researchers from the Complutense University of Madrid have identified a specific probiotic that reduces the frequency of gout attacks and the need for gout-related medications.

Gout is a chronic arthritic disorder that affects more than 41 million individuals worldwide and results in joint pain, stiffness, and edoema.

At this time, gout has no known treatment. Gout sufferers are given drugs by their doctors to assist both cure the symptoms of flare-ups and avoid attacks.

The amount of gout attacks a person experiences can be decreased with the help of a probiotic strain, according to experts at Spain’s Complutense University of Madrid. This may also lessen the need for gout-related medications.

Furthermore, they claim that in research participants, the probiotic improved blood markers linked to oxidative stress, liver damage, and metabolic syndrome. A recent issue of Frontiers in Microbiology featured the work.

What exactly is gout?

When uric acid levels in the body are too high, gout can develop. Hyperuricemia is the medical term for this. Kidney stones can also be brought on by hyperuricemia, in addition to gout.

If a person consumes a diet rich in purines, uric acid buildup could occasionally take place. Purine-rich foods and drinks include:

A person’s body may accumulate excess uric acid and develop needle-like crystals if their kidneys are unable to completely remove it. Joint discomfort is brought on by these crystals’ irritation.

Gouty arthritis symptoms include:

  • a rapid, intense pain assault that affects one or more bodily joints, particularly the big toe.
  • touchable joints that are sensitive.
  • the encircling joints are swollen.
  • skin surrounding the joints that is heated to the touch or appears red.

Any joint in the body can develop gout, but the joints at the tips of limbs, including the toes, ankles, fingers, knees, wrists, and elbows, are most vulnerable.

What probiotics are beneficial for gout?

The following probiotic strains may aid in gout sufferers’ symptom control, according to test-tube, animal, and human research:

  • Lactobacillus (lactic acid bacteria): protects against kidney injury by degrading purines in the blood.
  • Bifidobacterium: prevents dangerous bacteria from growing in the gut
  • Clostridium: Those with hyperuricemia have less non-pathogenic strains of Clostridium, but they could develop into the next wave of probiotics.

Ruminococcus, Eubacterium, and several species of Enterobacteriaceae are frequently found in low concentrations in people with hyperuricemia and gout. Their potential roles are still being investigated.

These probiotics can be eaten as a variety of meals or taken as a dietary supplement. For instance, lactic acid bacteria are abundant in pickled, fermented foods including yoghurt, sauerkraut, and pickled cabbage.

Lactic acid bacteria are also abundant in Jiangshui, a classic fermented Chinese dish prepared with celery and cabbage. It is currently unknown what probiotic dosage or frequency is ideal for supporting the management of gout symptoms. There is a need for more study.

Gout and L. salivarius

In this study, Ligilactobacillus salivarius, a specific probiotic, was studied (L. salivarius). This probiotic is a variety of bacteria that typically resides in the digestive system of an organism.

The first step was to compare the abilities of several L. salivarius strains to metabolise metabolites related to purines. According to their findings, L. salivarius CECT 30632 is the strain that converts uric acid, inosine, and guanosine the fastest.

After that, researchers undertook a randomised controlled clinical trial with 30 people who had hyperuricemia and a history of recurrent gout attacks.

L. salivarius CECT 30632 was given to half of the trial subjects for a period of six months. Allopurinol, a medication used to treat gout, was taken for six months by the other half of the participants.

After analysis, the research team concluded that taking the probiotic L. salivarius CECT 30632 significantly decreased the number of gout attacks and the use of gout-related medications in gout sufferers.

Furthermore, individuals who utilised the probiotic saw improvements in a few blood markers linked to oxidative stress, liver damage, and metabolic syndrome.

Need for new gout treatments

Dr. Emily Carroll, an attending physician in internal medicine, rheumatology at Mount Sinai Hospital and an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York who was not involved in the study, believes it is crucial to have new therapy options for gout because many people with gout also deal with other comorbidities, such as cardiovascular, kidney, and liver disease.

It is beneficial to have a variety of options, especially safe options like probiotics, because this may affect the kind of medications that can be utilised safely on these people. Growing knowledge exists about the part the gut microbiota plays in rheumatologic disease.

It is not surprising that probiotics had a good effect because prior research has revealed that gout patients’ microbiomes differ from healthy patients’ microbiomes.

Carroll continued, “And since gout is known to be associated with metabolic syndrome, improvement in all those metrics was not unexpected.” “However, it is critical not to oversell the effects of probiotics until bigger studies with longer-term follow-up can be undertaken to validate these findings,” the authors write. “This is a tiny pilot trial with only 15 patients per group who were only followed for six months.”

Reports

Rheumatologist Dr. Nilanjana Bose is not affiliated with the study and practises at Memorial Hermann Health System and Lonestar Rheumatology in Houston, Texas. He concurred that innovative treatments can always benefit patients.

She said, “Probiotics can enhance the gut ecology. “It makes sense that the introduction of probiotics may improve any inflammatory arthritis.”

A registered dietician at Top Nutrition Coaching named Crystal Scott, MS, RD, LD, CDCES, CSP, CSSD, who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today that she was not shocked to see that a probiotic had beneficial effects for those with gout.

She stated, “I was not shocked given the fact that evidence supports the usage of probiotics to help improve the richness of the microbiome”. “We know that chronic diseases like gout, diabetes, colon cancer, and others are linked to gut health.”

Probiotics have been demonstrated to relieve the symptoms of gout and hyperuricemia in previous studies, among other inflammatory disorders, Scott continued. “Probiotic intervention in the study decreased C-reactive protein (CRP), which improved serum uric acid levels. According to researchers, it’s important to assess the effectiveness and recommended dosages of probiotics.

REFERENCES:

For Gout medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=56

Lets Discover all the medical myths about aging.

Lets Discover all the medical myths about aging.

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The human species diverged from an ancient predecessor that we share with chimpanzees some 300,000 generations ago. Human life expectancy at birth has doubled since that time.

The life expectancy at birth has doubled once more during the past 200 years. Humans are among the longest-living animals. The percentage of the world’s population over 60 years old will double between 2000 and 2050, from around 11% to 22%. This is a prediction by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Given these facts, it seems more important than ever in the course of human evolution to refute the numerous myths surrounding ageing. We shall dispel fallacies about exercise, mental capacity, sex, and other topics in this essay.

Physical ageing is unavoidable.

It’s not entirely false, though. Our bodies do deteriorate with age as a result of years of use. Physical decline need not be complete, though, and it is frequently possible to slow it down.

According to the WHO, “changing diet and increasing physical activity can successfully manage many of the disorders commonly linked with old age.” Reduced bone density, increased body fat, high blood pressure, and decreased strength are some of these issues.

According to several studies, even anticipating physical decline increases the likelihood that it will really happen. In one study, 148 older persons were polled about their expectations for ageing, lifestyles, and overall health.

Those over 60 shouldn’t exercise

This is a myth, as was made very obvious in the preceding section. Maintaining an active lifestyle can increase muscle strength, reduce fat, and enhance mental health, according to Neuropsychobiology paper.

Some people feel that exercise is useless once they reach a particular age since they don’t believe it will have any positive effects. Another myth is this one. In one study, experts subjected 142 seniors between the ages of 60 and 80 to a 42-week weight-lifting regimen.

The course improved “dynamic muscular strength, muscle growth, and functional capability,” according to the investigators.

Additionally, there is strong proof that regular exercise can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Regular exercise was “related with a delay in onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” according to a study involving 1,740 older persons.

However, if a person has a medical condition, they should speak to their doctor before starting a new fitness programme. For instance, the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom advises against doing high impact exercise if you have a condition like osteoporosis that is age-related.

Elderly people may require less (or more) sleep.

It’s a common misconception that older people like to snooze, some people think older people need more sleep than younger ones do. Others claim that elderly people require less sleep. This could be due to the myth that older people get up earlier in the morning.

Because there are so many different factors at play, it can be challenging to dispel these fallacies. Undoubtedly, older folks have more trouble falling asleep and tend to have more interrupted sleep. Reliable Source.

This may help to explain why some elderly people require daytime naps. The circadian (daily) rhythms can be upset as the human body ages.

Hence, sleep quality may be affected. The relationship is complex because, if a person’s circadian rhythms are thrown off, it can affect their sleep. Also, other facets of their physiology including hormone levels.

In addition to circadian disruptions, certain illnesses that are more prevalent in older persons, such osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, can be uncomfortable and have a negative impact on a person’s ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Osteoporosis only affects women.

The disorder osteoporosis causes the bones to progressively deteriorate. Some individuals think that only women are impacted. This is untrue; it can impact persons of any age and of any sex. Nonetheless, older adults, women, and persons of colour are far more likely to develop osteoporosis.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that around 1 in 3 women over 50 have osteoporosis and approximately 1 in 5 men may experience a bone fracture due to osteoporosis in their lifetime, according to an overview article.

The idea that osteoporosis is a given for older women is a related misconception. According to the aforementioned statistics, 2/3 of women over 50 do not have osteoporosis. The National Institute on Aging advises people to routinely exercise and eat foods high in calcium and vitamin D to reduce hazards.

Your brain slows down as you age.

The term “cognitive decline” refers to a steady fall in mental capacity with ageing, but before we get to the facts, let’s bust a few myths that go along with it:

When you become older, dementia is inevitable.

The WHO states that while dementia does not afflict all older persons, its risk rises with age. According to estimates, dementia affects 5-8% of adults over 60 in the world. Thus, 92%–95% of adults 60 years of age and older do not have dementia.

According to estimates, 13.9% of Americans over 71 have dementia, leaving 86.1% of those over 71 dementia-free.

Dementia is brought on by cognitive deterioration.

Contrary to common belief, cognitive decline does not always mean that dementia is about to set in.

Cognitive decline typically comes first in people who go on to develop dementia. Dementia does not necessarily occur in everyone who develops cognitive decline.

A previous study estimated that cognitive decline affects 22.2% of Americans 71 years of age or older. Each year, 11.7% to 20% of them experience dementia.

Inevitable cognitive ageing

Despite the long-held misconception that older persons endure a mental slowing down, the figures above demonstrate that cognitive decline is not unavoidable. What’s more, there are strategies to lower the danger.

The evidence of modifiable risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline was assessed by the Alzheimer’s Association in 2015. “There is adequate evidence to suggest the association between numerous modifiable risk factors and a lower risk for cognitive decline,” their report to the Global Dementia Council states.

They discovered that a lower risk of cognitive decline was highly connected with maintaining regular physical exercise and treating traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.

Also, they discovered solid proof that a healthy diet, lifelong learning, and cognitive training all lower the risk of cognitive decline.

Giving up smoking right now would be pointless.

Several older folks claim that it makes no sense to stop smoking at “their age,” regardless of whether this is a true myth or just an excuse. That is untrue. As the NHS explains in detail:

No matter how long you’ve smoked or how many cigarettes you smoke each day, as soon as you stop, your health will begin to improve. It doesn’t matter if the health advantages are immediate or delayed; the important thing is to get started.

As age, sex becomes scarce or impossible.

Some individuals think that as people age, they lose the ability to enjoy sex and their sexual organs stop functioning properly. Thankfully, this is a myth.

Although the likelihood of erectile dysfunction (ED) and vaginal dryness increases with age, for the majority of people, these issues are not insurmountable.

In many situations, lubricants, hormone creams, and sildenafil (Viagra) can perform miracles. However, because Viagra is not appropriate for everyone, it is imperative to consult a doctor before using it.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, only 0.4% of men between the ages of 18 and 29 and 11.5% of men between the ages of 60 and 69 experience ED. The fact that approximately 9 out of 10 men in their 60s do not have ED, however, turns that number on its head and makes it appear much less intimidating.

The tip

Generally, the majority of age-related misconceptions seem to focus on inevitable ageing. Many assume that as their lives get more and more intolerable, dull, passionless, and unpleasant, they will eventually disintegrate into dust.

None of the aforementioned is a given for everyone, despite the possibility that some aspects of health may deteriorate with age. As we have learned, having a positive psychological perspective on ageing can help with its physical effects.

REFERENCES:

For Age maintenance medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_328

Lets explore the ‘immunity’ secret to living to 100

Lets explore the ‘immunity’ secret to living to 100

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The number of persons who reach their 100th birthday or older has increased along with the average lifespan of humans.

Researchers have discovered that centenarians have a distinct immune cell composition and activity, providing them an immune system that prolongs their lives. These discoveries, according to scientists, may be exploited to create treatments for healthy ageing.

Since 1900, the average human life expectancy has more than doubled. The average lifespan across the globe has increased from 31 years in 1900 to 73.2 years in 2023, and is predicted to reach 77.1 years in 2050.

The proportion of individuals who live to be at least 100 years old is also rising. Researchers predict that by 2050, there will be 3.7 million centenarians, who are known as centenarians, with an estimated 450,000 centenarians worldwide in 2015.

Globally, the number of individuals living to be 100 years or older was predicted to more than quintuple between 2005 and 2030, according to earlier data from the early 2000s. What makes some people able to live beyond their 100s while others cannot is one thing that is still unknown.

This question is being addressed by a recent study that was conducted under the direction of scientists from Tufts Medical Center and Boston University Sachool of Medicine and discovered that centenarians have a distinct immune cell composition and activity that allows them to have a highly functional immune system and live longer.

These results, according to scientists, may be utilised to create treatments that promote healthy ageing. In the most recent issue of Lancet eBioMedicine, the study was published.

Immune system as we age

All bodily systems, including the immune system, undergo changes as we become older.

There are two basic theories on how the immune system changes as we age, according to Dr. Scott Kaiser, a geriatrician and the director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California.

The first is immunosenescence, which he defined as an age-related immunological malfunctioning process. Hence, ageing can cause a decline in immune function due to changes in the makeup and operation of our immune systems. And that’s strongly tied to how susceptible people are to infections, autoimmune conditions, and even different kinds of cancer, he added.

“And then there’s the problem of inflammaging, which is a term that’s been used to characterise age-related increases in inflammation as a result of high levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the blood and other bodily tissues. For example, neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease are strongly associated with that risk factor, according to Dr. Kaiser.

There is a lot to consider regarding immune function over time, he continued, and how our immune systems alter with age may either increase our vulnerability or provide protection for us.

A look at a “exceptional” immunity

For this work, blood samples from seven centenarians enrolled in the New England Centenarian Project were used to perform single-cell sequencing on an immune cell subset known as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

“We examined immune cells that pass through the immune system throughout the human lifespan using single-cell data and novel computational techniques. We examined the existence of particular immune cell types in younger ages and extreme old age and discovered cell type-specific alterations in ageing and extreme old age, according to Dr. Karagiannis.

We also used the same cell types to investigate how gene expression varies with age in order to identify distinct gene expression patterns of extreme longevity that fluctuate with age but are also specific to the very elderly.

Species-specific cell types in centenarians

After investigation, the researchers validated findings from earlier studies on ageing that pointed to distinct compositional and transcriptional alterations for each cell type that are only observed in centenarians and suggest a healthy immune response.

Also, they discovered that both genes with age-related alterations and genes expressed exclusively in centenarians showed cell type signatures unique to remarkable longevity in centenarians.

“Given that centenarians are an ageing population, we weren’t as shocked to uncover genes that change with age in them. What was unexpected were the varied ageing patterns we discovered, including aging-specific genes whose expression levels changed with advancing age but not in extreme longevity across distinct cell populations, according to Dr. Karagiannis

“Our findings can serve as a platform for further research into the causes of extreme old age, which may result in the development of therapies for healthy ageing. To better understand the protective factors of extreme longevity that contribute to the positive health outcomes seen in these people, we would like to examine longitudinal changes in immune cells of centenarians and younger aged persons.

Innovative treatments for disorders associated with ageing

After reading this study, Dr. Kaiser stated that he thought it was interesting because it examined individuals who had aged remarkably well—individuals who had essentially resisted aging—and then examined what was happening in them to see if there was anything we could learn from them.

The possible lessons from this, he said, “are in what makes us more resilient.”

“Looking at these people who had extreme longevity, living into their 100s and even beyond, and determining what is the nature, what is the characteristic of their immune system so that we could better understand what may be going on, and then determining how that could be translated into potential therapies for other people, so that more people can enjoy that”, said  Doctor Kaiser

We also discussed this study with Kathleen Cameron, senior director of the Institute for Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging.

In order to help individuals live longer, she said it’s critical to comprehend the immunological changes related to ageing. And many individuals desire to live longer if it means maintaining their health.

“Treatments that extend life may be developed if we can identify what causes this immunological resilience in those who live to be over 100. Nevertheless, it would also be helpful if there were certain healthy habits that contributed to this resilience, Cameron continued.

She did, however, note that this is all very preliminary data and that further research should be done to help medical professionals comprehend this immunological resilience.

REFERENCES:

For Immune health medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_328

New clues about how ketamine could lead to psychosis.

New clues about how ketamine could lead to psychosis.

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Researchers looked into whether ketamine could cause mental changes like psychosis. They discovered that ketamine increases ambient noise, which may obstruct the brain’s ability to process sensory signals.

As rats were used in the study, more research is required to determine whether the results apply to people. Changes in reality perception, such as persistent delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought, are characteristics of schizophrenia. Almost 24 million people around the world are affected by the illness.

There is still no known cause for schizophrenia. Yet, research points to environmental, psychological, and genetic variables as potential causes of the illness.

By blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, the drug ketamine causes a mental state resembling psychosis in healthy humans. As a result, the central nervous system develops an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory signals, which impacts sensory experience.

According to experts, schizophrenia-related perception abnormalities may be related to similar changes in NMDA receptors. Yet, it hasn’t been made clear how this might be the case.

Ketamine and psychosis

Recently, scientists investigated how ketamine alters sensory perception in rat brains.

They discovered that ketamine increased “background noise” in the brain, which reduced the clarity or intensity of sensory information. They remarked that this might help to explain why persons with schizophrenia or psychosis experience reality differently. The European Journal of Neuroscience published their findings.

These results, according to Dr. Sam Zand, a Las Vegas-based psychiatrist who was not involved in the study, “indicate that malfunction in NMDA receptors may play a role in the development of psychosis.”

“The work offers fresh understandings into the process by which ketamine may cause psychotic symptoms. The results might influence the creation of novel medications for psychosis that target NMDA receptors or brain noise, the researcher continued.

Study design

Seven male lab rats were used in the study to examine how ketamine affected their ability to perceive sensory information. To do this, they first implanted electrodes into rats’ brains to capture electrical activity.

They then recorded the brain’s reactions before and after administering ketamine while simulating their own whiskers. To be more precise, the scientists studied how ketamine affected beta and gamma oscillations in a neuronal network. They carries messages from sensory organs to the brain.

Gamma waves have a frequency range of 30-80 Hz, while beta oscillations have a frequency range of 17-29 Hertz (Hz). Processing sensory data requires the use of frequencies.

In the end, the scientists discovered that even before they stimulated the rats’ whiskers, ketamine enhanced power in both beta and gamma oscillations.

However, they also discovered that the amplitude of the rats’ beta and gamma oscillations dropped post-stimulus and after ketamine administration, which is associated with hampered perception.

They also observed that ketamine enhanced gamma frequency noise, which is related to a reduced capacity for sensory signal processing.

The researchers hypothesised that their findings suggest that increased background noise, which in turn may be brought on by damaged NMDA receptors leading to an imbalance of inhibition and excitation in the brain, may be a trigger for the distorted reality experienced in psychosis and schizophrenia.

According to Dr. Sofya Kulikova, senior research fellow at the HSE University in Perm, Russia, and one of the study’s authors, “The discovered alterations in thalamic and cortical electrical activity associated with ketamine-induced sensory information processing disorders could serve as biomarkers for testing antipsychotic drugs or predicting the course of disease in patients with psychotic spectrum disorders.”

Research limitations

The study was not conducted by Dr. Howard Pratt, a psychiatrist and mental health medical director at Community Health of South Florida. He made it clear that:

The main drawback of these results is that, although a strong association, causation has not yet been shown. There are many potential explanations for conditions like psychosis, including increases in dopamine, which is the focus of treatment for those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. I’m interested to see what happens as the investigation expands past animal studies.

We also discussed the study’s shortcomings with Dr. James Giordano, the Pellegrino Institute professor of neurology and biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center who was not engaged in the study.

The fact that the study solely looked at ketamine-induced effects, he said, “is a key limitation. While valuable and practical for understanding ketamine’s activity in a rat model, it may not provide direct translation to comprehend non-drug-induced dissociative, and psychotic states in humans.”

Dr. Giordano went on to say that it is possible that the effects of ketamine on humans, while undoubtedly dissociative and exhibiting some psychotic traits, are not entirely representative of or identical to the neurological mechanisms underlying other forms of psychosis and schizophreniform disorders.

Possible clinical repercussions

The study’s ramifications, according to Dr. Giordano, are that “[t]hese findings are useful in that evidence of ketamine’s actions at defined brain networks may enable better understanding— and improved clinical applications—of its effects in humans.”

The researcher added, “In addition, by highlighting the functions of these brain nodes and networks involved in mediating dissociative experiences, we may create improved understanding — and possibly treatments for — specific types of drug-induced psychoses, and perhaps other psychotic illnesses, such as forms of schizophrenia, as well.

Larger Trials Needed

Dan Iosifescu, MD, MSc, associate professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine in New York City, commented on the study and said that if the results “were based on a larger study” it would be very important because such patients are currently being denied access to a beneficial treatment due to a theoretical risk of psychosis.

A low risk of psychosis exacerbation following IV ketamine, according to Iosifescu, who is also the director of clinical research at the Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research in Orangeburg, New York, and was not involved in the study, is still possible given that the review is based on a small sample.

Veraart concurred, stating that “well-designed randomised controlled trials should be conducted to ascertain the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ketamine in depressed individuals with a propensity to psychosis before administration on a large scale is pushed.”

The study received no particular funding. Outside of the submitted work, Veraart has received speaker honoraria from Janssen. Disclosures from the other authors are provided in the original publication. Iosifescu has advised clinics on the most effective ways to administer IV ketamine therapy as a consultant to the Centers of Psychiatric Excellence.

REFERENCES:

For Mental disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_478

Trial Obesity therapy can lead to nausea-less weight loss.

Trial Obesity therapy can lead to nausea-less weight loss.

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Researchers have created a new class of peptides that might offer gastric bypass surgery’s advantages without requiring intrusive procedures. According to recent research, these peptides helped obese rats lose a large amount of weight and lower their blood glucose levels.

The injectable substances minimise eating while also increasing calorie burn, and they do so without the side effects of nausea and vomiting that are frequently associated with modern weight reduction and diabetic medications.

Diabetes and obesity are both major public health issues, with the former being one of the main risk factors for the latter. A good therapeutic option is bariatric surgery, which includes the gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric band. It can lead to long-term weight loss and even the remission of diabetes.

These procedures, nevertheless, have significant risks, are not appropriate for everyone, and are not easily accessible to the majority of people. Therefore, some researchers propose that a different therapeutic choice would be to treat metabolic problems with medication that mimics the long-term benefits of surgery.

Obesity

According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity and being overweight are chronic illnesses that are widespread in the United States.

These problems can worsen a variety of other medical conditions and are associated with heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

The following are some of the factors that contribute to obesity:

  • eating habits, such as consuming meals and drinks that are high in calories but poor in nutrients
  • sleep deprivation
  • absence of exercise
  • Many drugs, including those prescribed for diabetes, depression, or high blood pressure
  • genealogy and genetics

Overweight or obesity affects over three-fourths of US adults over the age of 20. Obesity affects 20% of kids between the ages of 2 and 19 years.

Body mass index (BMI) is used by medical practitioners to check for overweight and obesity. The formula is: Height squared divided by weight (in kilos) (in meters.) Online BMI calculators abound, one of which is provided by the CDC.

Sood told that he would like future research on weight loss to evaluate both weight loss and body composition. “We just lack sufficient knowledge to determine whether patients taking gut hormone agonists for weight loss are mostly losing fat or a mixture of fat and muscle,” says the researcher (the latter is more likely). To age properly and retain a strong metabolism as we age, losing muscle would be counterproductive.

Gut peptides

Some patients who have had gastric bypass surgery benefit from specific health advantages linked to adjustments in the gut’s hormone output.

The hormones in question, such as peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), signal fullness, curb hunger, and aid in blood sugar regulation.

Targeting GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas and brain, scientists have created medications that seek to mimic these effects.

These medications have been effective in managing type 2 diabetes and weight loss. There is a need for better solutions with fewer side effects because some people are unable to handle the negative effects of these medications, and studies show that roughly half of those who start taking them stop within a year.

Better option

To meet this demand, a group led by scientists from Syracuse University in New York has created a novel peptide. On March 26–30, they discussed their most current findings at the ACS Spring 2023 meeting.

The researchers suggest that an alternate treatment for those with metabolic issues would be a substance that matches the long-term advantages of gastric bypass surgery.

Several strategies have been devised by researchers to alleviate the negative effects of medications that only target one hormone receptor in the stomach. Designing medications to interact with several receptor types is one approach.

In a prior investigation, the group produced a peptide named GEP44 that activates two peptide YY receptors and one glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor.

When this substance was tested on obese rats, it was discovered that the animals that received it consumed up to 80% less food than usual and on average lost 12% of their body weight over the course of the 16-day experiment.

In a recent study, they compared the novel peptide GEP44’s efficacy in treating obesity to that of the medication liraglutide.

According to the study, rats given GEP44 lost more weight than rats given liraglutide. When tested on rats and shrews, GEP44, unlike liraglutide, did not exhibit any signs of nausea or vomiting.

According to the researchers, this might be as a result of GEP44 activating a number of receptors, which might stop the intracellular signalling cascade that results in these symptoms.

Weight loss and high energy expenditure

This study also suggests that the weight reduction brought on by GEP44 is a result of increased energy expenditure rather than just a decrease in food consumption. The manifestation of this rise in energy expenditure can take several forms, including an increase in heart rate, body temperature, or physical activity.

By directing glucose into muscle tissue to be used as fuel and by transforming specific pancreatic cells into cells that produce insulin, peptide treatments like GEP44 not only aid in weight reduction but also aid in lowering blood sugar levels.

GEP44 must be administered numerous times daily to maintain its effectiveness because it has a brief half-life in the body. The team has created a novel peptide, however, that requires only one or two injections per week and has a far longer lifespan.

The researchers discovered that rats treated with this novel molecule continue to lose weight even after the treatment has ceased, which is unusual for medications currently on the market that have been licenced to treat obesity.

“Obesity is obviously an increasing epidemic worldwide,” Dr. Becca Krukowski, professor of public health sciences at the University of Virginia and a non-participant in this study, told us.

What does it implies?

Although these are preliminary results in lab animals, Dr. Krukowski said that “over time, our research may lead to novel drugs that are safe and beneficial for patients.” But before being widely administered, this medication would need to go through the deliberate deliberate slow and thorough multi-stage and multi-year testing process, she warned.

However, if this treatment characteristic was verified in trials with humans, Krukowski continued, “the possible lack of weight regain after ceasing treatment would be extremely interesting.”

Both positive and negative impacts from this research, according to Bishoff, are possible. “The benefits being that patients can take lesser doses of medications that can deliver desired results while reducing nausea and vomiting side effects.

On the other hand, it’s possible that weight loss medications lower caloric intake to the point of malnutrition or deficiency. In the end, additional study will be required, which may take several years.

Although there may be some medical advantages to weight reduction medications, it’s crucial that patients understand they shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. They can be viewed as a tool as opposed to a fix. When controlling weight and diabetes, eating a variety of well-balanced meals, sticking to daily caloric goals, and exercising frequently should always be encouraged, according to Haley Bishoff.

REFERENCES:

For Weight loss medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=20

Can vegan protein support muscle as good as animal protein?

Can vegan protein support muscle as good as animal protein?

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A recent study looked at whether a vegan diet containing protein from non-animal sources might support muscle growth and repair during strength training just as well as a diet containing animal protein.

Young, healthy adults who were divided into two groups and given high-protein diets based on either animals or plants were used in the study.

Findings revealed that muscle mass and strength gains were comparable across the two groups, proving that resistance exercise combined with a high-protein, non-animal derived diet can be just as effective as a diet heavy in animal derived protein sources.

A recent study demonstrated that mycoprotein generated from fungi is just as effective as animal protein at promoting muscle growth during resistance exercise.

Two sections made up the study. 16 young, healthy persons were divided into two groups for the first stage of the study—eight men and eight women.

Both groups engaged in daily leg workouts, but only one (designated OMNI1) consumed a diet high in animal protein, while the other (designated VEG1) consumed a diet high in non-animal sources of protein.

The amount of muscle protein produced both during exercise and during rest was quantified by the researchers.

In the second portion of the trial, 22 young, healthy adults (11 men and 11 women) engaged in a 10-week leg training regimen five days per week. Both high-protein diets made of non-animal sources and high-protein diets made of animal sources were consumed by some of them (OMNI2) (VEG2).

Before and after the program, as well as two and five weeks into it, the research team examined the size of the leg muscles as well as the size of the body’s overall muscles, strength, and function.

Researchers discovered that compared to when the legs were at rest, exercising the legs boosted the rate of muscle protein creation by roughly 12%.

The amino acid content can differ

Amino acids make up proteins. Over 20 distinct amino acids are used by the human body to create proteins. While your body can produce some amino acids on its own, nine of them are considered to be essential and must be obtained through diet.

The kinds of amino acids present in different protein sources might differ significantly. Animal proteins are typically referred to as complete proteins since they include all nine necessary amino acids.

Many additional plant foods are regarded as incomplete sources of protein, despite the fact that some plant proteins, such as pea protein and soybeans, are also full protein sources.

This means that while plant-based foods like wheat, beans, and peanuts are high in total protein, they also lack one or more important amino acids. To meet your body’s requirements, you can still readily combine these partial plant protein sources.

A nice example of a combination that yields a complete protein source is a peanut butter sandwich. Peanuts are high in the amino acid lysine, whereas the wheat used to produce bread is deficient in it, making them a complete protein meal or snack.

To make sure they get all the necessary amino acids, persons following a vegetarian or vegan diet should consume a range of plant proteins.

Rich protein sources

You can choose from a huge selection of sources of plant and animal protein.

Animal protein sources

Among the many sources of animal proteins are:

  • eggs
  • seafood and fish
  • fatty meat
  • poultry
  • Wild animal
  • dairy items like cheese, yoghurt, and milk

Typically, sources of animal protein also contain additional crucial elements, such as heme iron and vitamin B12. Compared to non-heme iron, which is present in plant foods, heme iron is more easily absorbed.

It’s important to remember that some animal proteins are less nutrient-dense than others. For instance, highly processed animal foods like hot dogs and chicken nuggets are bad for your health since they are high in unhealthy fats and sodium.

Choose nutrient-dense sources of animal protein instead, such as whole eggs, salmon, chicken, turkey, and shellfish.

Plant protein sources

Plant proteins can be found in a variety of places, including:

  • beans
  • nuts
  • legumes
  • goods made from soybeans include tofu, tempeh, and edamame
  • buckwheat
  • Isaiah bread
  • quinoa
  • wheat
  • a wild rice
  • dietary yeast
  • the chia seed
  • seed hemp
  • spirulina

All nine essential amino acids are present in Ezekiel bread, quinoa, buckwheat, spirulina, soybeans, nutritional yeast, chia seeds, and hemp seeds, making them complete protein sources. Some plant protein sources, such as beans, nuts, legumes, wheat, and wild rice, are deficient in one or more essential amino acids.

Getting all the required amino acids on an entirely plant-based diet is still doable, it may just require a bit more work because plant foods contain various levels of different amino acids.

You may make sure that you’re getting all the necessary amino acids in your diet by consuming a varied diet and combining complimentary plant proteins, such in the aforementioned peanut butter sandwich.

Other complete protein combos include pasta salad with kidney beans, rice and beans, and hummus and pita bread.

Plant protein health benefits

Compared to diets high in animal protein, plant-based diets have been linked to considerable drops in blood pressure. Also, research indicates that vegetarians have a lower body mass index, lower cholesterol levels, and a decreased risk of stroke, cancer, and heart disease death than meat eaters.

Yet not all plant-based diets are equal, and not all plant-based foods are automatically good for your heart. One study linked a lower risk of heart disease to plant-based diets high in nutrient-dense plant foods such as whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.

Conversely, plant-based diets strong in processed grains and less nutrient-dense foods like fried veggies were linked to a higher risk.

Blood sugar control may also be enhanced by plant-based diets. Several observational studies have demonstrated the value of these diets in the management and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is greatly reduced with diets high in nutrient-dense plant foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and vegetable oils.

Although these findings are encouraging, they do not prove that these health advantages derive from cutting out sources of animal protein; rather, the advantages may come from consuming more nutrient-dense plant foods.

Animal protein health benefits

Also linked to beneficial health consequences are specific animal protein sources. For instance, regular fish consumption has been associated with a variety of health advantages, such as a decreased risk of cognitive decline and heart disease.

Moreover, consuming animal protein has been associated with a rise in lean muscle mass and a reduction in the aging-related loss of muscle.

Some animal protein sources have been associated to lowered cholesterol levels, increased muscle mass, and lowered risk of heart disease.

Animal protein not essential for muscle building

According to James Dixon, a certified personal trainer and expert in fitness and nutrition, “the findings of this study are significant since they cast doubt on the widely held notion that animal protein is required for muscle growth.”

The results are encouraging and support the idea that more individuals should promote a vegan diet and give up eating meat. In my opinion, this study also emphasises the significance of both animal and plant-based protein sources when formulating diets for people who practise resistance exercise, said Dixon.

He said that people who might have negative reactions to products like Quorn might look for other protein sources. “I notice a movement in focus on tailored diets rather than the conventional idea that vegan diets are tougher for people growing muscles and resistance training,” he said.

This study will increase interest in plant-based proteins, and we might soon see widespread trends toward vegetarian and vegan diets. Growing interest will be shown in alternative protein sources outside mycoprotein that might be just as efficient. James Dixon stated that people can include protein sources such as beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, vegetables, soy products, or other wheat-based proteins.

Plant-based protein sources of the future

Dixon noted that, despite the fact that Quorn was utilised in the study, “some forms of mushrooms or microalgae are being explored as potential plant-based protein sources.”

He claimed that “mushroom protein based on mycelium is high in protein and can be generated from agricultural waste.”

As plant-based protein sources, spirulina and chlorella are being researched. The process is more environmentally friendly and sustainable because these protein-rich microalgae need minimal space and water to thrive, Dixon noted.

In the end, more protein sources, including goods derived from microalgae, will be created, expanding the possibilities available to the general people. People will find it easier to include more plant-based protein sources in their diets as a result of this.

REFERENCES:

For Muscle disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=28

Amino acid: A key in improving depression treatment.

Amino acid: A key in improving depression treatment.

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The role of a receptor called GPR158 in depression was discovered by researchers at the University of Florida over the course of a 15-year investigation.

In a study, mice who had their GPR158 expression suppressed were less likely to experience stress-related sadness. The structure of GPR158 was discovered by the researchers, and this allowed them to connect it to the amino acid glycine.

Many drugs exist to treat depression, which affects millions of people, but it can be challenging to select the proper one.

Scientists at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Center for Biomedical Innovation and Technology uncovered a finding that revealed how an amino acid is related to depression while studying neurotransmitters.

The revelation was the result of more than ten years of investigation into the functioning of brain cell signalling. Although though discovering a connection to depression was not the original aim of the study, the researchers are enthusiastic about their findings since they potentially influence how depression will be treated in the future.

Depression

In the United States, depression affects over 21 million adults each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The COVID-19 pandemic saw a sharp increase in depression rates, which have since persisted and are now a serious issue. Rates among children under 18 are also rising.

While some people suffer situational depression as a result of external factors (such losing a loved one), other people struggle with depression for extended periods of time and it can progress into Major Depressive Disorder.

The NIMH includes the following indications and symptoms of depression among others:

  • recurring sense of sadness
  • feeling a sense of emptiness
  • experiencing a decline in energy or weariness
  • having difficulties sleeping
  • feeling suicidal thoughts

Individuals who have persistent depressive symptoms may require medical attention. To treat the symptoms of depression, doctors may give drugs, offer treatment, or advise lifestyle modifications.

Tricyclic antidepressants (like imipramine or amitriptyline), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (like sertraline or escitalopram), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are a few examples of depression drugs (such as duloxetine or venlafaxine).

Those on antidepressants should consult with their healthcare providers frequently and inform them of any suicidal thoughts because these medications can have negative effects, including thoughts of suicide.

Brain cell receptors and depression

The goal of the writers was not to find a connection to depression at first. 15 years ago, they set out to study how brain cell receptors function, and they have achieved that goal.

Prof. Kirill Martemyanov, one of the study’s authors, stated: “Fifteen years ago we discovered a binding partner for proteins we were interested in, which led us to this new receptor.” “We’ve been unravelling this for a while now.”

Professor Martemyanov teaches at the University of Florida Health’s Department of Neurology.

The next several years saw the discovery of the GPR158 receptor by the researchers. In experiments with mice, they discovered that a mouse would be more resistant to stress-induced depression if that receptor was suppressed in the body.

Amino acid treating depression

A 2017 assessment of the literature concluded that glycine is “one of the most significant and straightforward non-essential amino acids in humans, animals, and many mammals.”

The scientists were shocked to learn that GPR158 was an inhibitor when they realised that glycine was the signal’s sender and that it binds to glycine; they changed its name to mGlyR as a result (metabotropic glycine receptor).

The identification of mGlyR should pave the way for fresh investigation into the management of depression, which Prof. Martemyanov intends to do.

Expert responses

Medical News Today spoke with Dr. Simon Faynboym, a physician who has experience working with the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Faynboym stated that the findings “essentially shows that glycine can interact with the GPR158 system.” The researchers demonstrate a biochemical mechanism, but the most significant lesson is that this process may represent the link between glycine and taurine’s potential antidepressant qualities.

Currently serving as a delegate to the California Medical Association is Dr. Faynboym. Dr. Faynboym acknowledged the significance of the study but also emphasized that depression is “very complex” and that other neurotransmitters are involved.

Dr. Faynboym remarked that there are numerous factors at play while dealing with depression. “Depression involves several neuronal networks, various neurotransmitters leaving and entering neurons at various rates, and impacts all areas of the brain. Because of the dynamics of the brain, one of the most complicated medical specialisations is mental health.

Dr. Faynboym emphasised the significance of this kind of research in light of this. Since they provide another glimpse behind the curtain of the big unknown that is the brain, research pieces like this one advance the science of psychiatry.

A psychiatrist from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida named Dr. Jessica Turner also discussed the study’s findings.

The medial prefrontal cortex is a well-known brain region associated with depression, and this work suggests targeting a specific receptor there, according to Dr. Turner. “We anticipate providing better, more efficient alleviation for people who are depressed in the future with more focused treatments.”

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Common Dry-Cleaning Agent May lead to Parkinson’s Disease

Common Dry-Cleaning Agent May lead to Parkinson’s Disease

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Trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical, has been linked by some researchers to Parkinson’s disease. Dry cleaning, degreasing, and even decaffeinating coffee have all been common uses for TCE.

According to recent study, the chemical’s capacity to reach the brain and harm cell mitochondria may be the root of the problem.

The authors claim that the chemical’s influence might be “enormous” given how commonplace it is in the environment. TCE should be outlawed, and people should be shielded from more exposure, as suggested alternatives.

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the substania nigra, a region of the brain that includes cells that create the neurotransmitter dopamine, is affected by Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition.

Parkinson’s disease patients endure tremors, slowness of movement, limb stiffness, and balance issues.

Muhammed Ali and Michael J. Fox are two well-known public celebrities who suffer with the illness.

According to the authors, up to a third of the groundwater in the United States has TCE pollution. The chemical is additionally present in Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base, and 15 Superfund sites in Silicon Valley.

What is trichloroethylene (TCE)?

TCE is a chemical that is a colourless liquid that does not exist in nature. It is well known to smell like chloroform.

This substance can be found in a wide range of goods and businesses, such as:

  • industry-wide dry cleaning
  • metal scrubbing
  • wiping cloths
  • carpet and garment stain removers
  • lubricants
  • aerosol adhesives

Using TCE-containing products or working in a TCE-containing plant are two ways that people can be exposed to the chemical.

TCE can also contaminate our air, water, and food and drink by leaking into the soil, water, and air near where it is used or disposed of. High levels of TCE exposure can cause the following symptoms:

  • dizziness
  • headaches
  • confusion
  • nausea
  • facial paralysis

Link between TCE and Parkinson’s disease

According to the study, which was published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, there may be a “invisible” cause of Parkinson’s disease that is related to the widespread use of TCE.

Dr. James Beck, Chief Scientific Officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation, commented on the study, saying, “We have known for some years that TCE exposure and Parkinson’s disease are related. I believe that this opinion piece effectively highlights the risks associated with TCE exposure.

The researchers’ findings are discussed in the study together with the evidence tying TCE to Parkinson’s disease.

TCE is lipophilic, as the scientists explain in their research, which means that it has a propensity to dissolve in fatty tissues. This makes it simple for it to enter the brain and other bodily tissues where it can wreck havoc with cell mitochondrial function. This sort of toxin is extremely toxic to dopamine-producing cells, which may help to explain how exposure to TCE might cause Parkinson’s disease.

Seven other people, including the late Senator Johnny Isakson, are also profiled. Isakson employed TCE to degrease aircraft during his time in the military; as a result, he eventually developed Parkinson’s disease as well as renal cell carcinoma, a cancer associated to TCE exposure.

The matter was initially brought to his notice, according to co-author Dr. Ray Dorsey, when his colleague, Dr. Caroline Tanner, told him about the exposures at Camp Lejeune.

TCE poses a “enormous” risk to the general public’s health, he claimed. “At one time, it was used by 10 million Americans, including printers, embalmers, mechanics, dry cleaners, chip manufacturers, engineers, painters, metal workers, pilots and others. It has been absorbed into the environment by millions more people.

Avoiding exposure to TCE

The issue of TCE contamination, according to Dorsey, requires a few actions. It must be prohibited first, along with tetrachloroethylene (PCE), another industrial solvent.

Second, home remediation systems such to those used for radon must be deployed to alert and protect persons who are at danger of exposure.

The connection between TCE and Parkinson’s disease, he added, has to be explored further through research. People can be exposed to TCE through contaminated soil, food, water, air, or direct skin contact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

You are most likely to become exposed by drinking polluted water, but you can also become exposed through the air as it is released from contaminated water, as a third of all groundwater may be affected.

Working in a sector where TCE is manufactured or utilised, like the degreasing business, is a significant additional method that you could be exposed to it. It can enter the body by coming into direct touch with the skin or by inhaling the vapours.

You may also be exposed through contaminated soil, such as that found in landfills. Moreover, TCE can enter your body through the consumption of contaminated foods or contact with consumer products that contain it.

According to the CDC, TCE is a common solvent used in a variety of products, including cold metal cleaners, adhesives, lubricants, paints, varnishes, paint strippers, and paints. Labels for these goods should include instructions on how to reduce exposure.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also mandates that your company give you a material safety data sheet (MSDS) outlining the dangers and proper handling techniques for any chemicals you use at work.

When exposed to TCE

A doctor can check for TCE in your blood, breath, or urine if you’ve recently been exposed to the substance, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

It can also be tested for in the environment you have visited. But, once you’ve been exposed, there is no cure to get it out of your system. Either your breath will expel it or your kidneys will excrete it into your urine.

They advise avoiding any known toxic regions, such as those with tainted water, soil, or air.

You should always use items containing TCE in well-ventilated areas with the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as chemical-protection gloves, safety goggles, and respirators, in addition to adhering to any safety advice on such products.

High TCE exposure can, in the short term, irritate people and even make them pass out or become fatally ill. If you have been exposed to the chemical extensively, it is crucial to seek immediate medical care.

The individual should also be transferred to clean air, and any contaminated clothing should be taken off, if it’s safe to do so. If the skin or eyes have been exposed, thoroughly rinse them with water.

Kidney cancer and Parkinson’s disease have both been associated with long-term TCE exposure. The ATSDR advises that the greatest form of protection is to shield yourself from exposure altogether.

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Explore the latest link between MS and Your Gut.

Explore the latest link between MS and Your Gut.

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The central nervous system is impacted by the chronic disease known as multiple sclerosis (MS). When the immune system targets the outer layer of nerve cells, symptoms including weakness in the muscles and visual issues appear.

MS’s precise causation is unknown, however scientists believe that a number of variables may be involved. A recent study discovered that MS may be brought on in persons with a genetic predisposition by a toxin produced by a common gut bacterium.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a persistent nerve system disease. Young adults between the ages of 20 and 40 are the most frequently affected, and women are more likely than males to experience it.

There are around 2.8 million MS sufferers worldwide, and the number is growing, according to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF).

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

The immune system of the affected person destroys the myelin sheath that protects the nerve fibers in this autoimmune illness. Sclerosis is a scar or lesion that results from damage. These lesions, which most frequently affect the central nervous system, can cause a variety of symptoms, such as:

Relapsing-remitting MS, the most prevalent type of MS that accounts for 85% of cases, is characterised by episodes of new or worsening symptoms and intervals during which symptoms subside or go away.

Scientists believe that environmental variables and genetic vulnerability may play a role in the development of the illness, while the specific reason is yet unknown. MS is riddled with many mysteries.

Epsilon toxin, which is produced by a bacteria that may be found in the small intestine, has now been linked to the development of MS and the maintenance of symptoms, according to study conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Brain and Mind Research Center.

How the gut microbiota affects MS?

The trillions of bacteria that reside in your digestive system make up the gut microbiota. The majority of microbes are bacteria, but they can also include viruses, fungi, and the microscopic, single-celled creatures known as protozoa.

In general, these bacteria are beneficial and even essential to our health. Yet, dysbiosis, or an out-of-balance microbiota, can cause issues. According to studies, alterations in the microbiota may be a factor in various autoimmune diseases.

In MS patients, changes to the gut flora are frequent. According to this recent study, patients with MS are more likely than healthy controls to carry the pathogen Clostridium perfringens. Epsilon toxin, which is produced by C. perfringens, opens the blood arteries in the brain and permits inflammatory cells to enter the central nervous system (CNS).

What is the epsilon toxin?

Dr. Barbara Giesser stated that the researchers “investigated how the toxin induced an MS-like condition in a mouse model using unique and sensitive techniques to determine the presence of the bacterium.

The scientists collected faeces from both MS patients and healthy controls. They used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to examine these samples in order to find the epsilon toxin (ETX) gene, which is only present in C. perfringens.

They discovered that the ETX gene was present in 61% of samples from MS patients but only in 13% of those from healthy controls. Also, they discovered that compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls, MS patients had a higher likelihood of having ETX-positive C. perfringens invade their gut microbiome.

Treatments to target this toxin

The current amount of knowledge regarding the gut microbiome in MS patients is expanded upon by this study. It has been demonstrated to respond to treatment with various disease-modifying treatments and is known to differ from those of non-MS controls, according to Dr. Barbara Giesser.

Epsilon toxin is only produced by C. perfringens during the rapid development phase. The researchers hypothesise that ETX is the cause of MS lesions, which would explain why the illness is episodic and manifests less symptoms when the toxin-producing bacteria are absent.

They draw the conclusion that the bacterium, its toxin, and MS exhibit a robust clinical connection. According to Dr. Giesser, this finding raises the prospect of therapies that target this pathway:

“The toxin facilitates central nervous system access for immune cells. This implies that medications that target the bacterium or the toxin may be effective in treating the condition.

The researchers point out that clinical trials would be required to see whether this could result in MS treatments.

Healthy microbiome

The development of MS may be significantly influenced by the gut microbiome, according to studies. An analysis of multiple research published in 2017 discovered that nutrition might be used to alter the gut flora and alter the course of MS.

The advantages of keeping a healthy gut microbiota are becoming more widely understood, and this study provides more proof that an unbalanced microbiota may lead to the onset of disease.

A healthy diet and lifestyle that promote the growth of advantageous gut flora may potentially lower the risk of MS as well as the risk of many other illnesses.

Improve gut health

Some elements, such as genetics and environment, are beyond your control. Although our gut microbiota is set up early in life, there are some things that can change it.

Certain modifications enhance the diversity and health of our microbiome. Alterations may be harmful.

These are some actions you may do to encourage a balanced, healthy gut microbiome:

  • Consume more fibre. All of the little microorganisms in your gut can eat fibre. Fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains all contain fibre.
  • Drink less alcohol. There is evidence that alcohol causes dysbiosis. You might want to think about reducing your drinking if you do.
  • Consume fermented food. Foods that have been fermented are sources of good bacteria and may be beneficial to health. Among the foods that are fermented include kimchi, tempeh, yoghurt, kefir, miso, and sauerkraut.
  • Stress management. Your gut microbiota’s state of health can be impacted by stress. To manage tension, try some stress-relieving exercises like yoga or meditation.
  • Don’t overuse antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill some of the helpful bacteria in addition to the harmful ones. Dysbiosis may result from this. Antibiotics should only be used as necessary, and they should be taken exactly as prescribed. Some of the beneficial bacteria may be restored by taking a probiotic supplement.
  • Look into probiotic dietary supplements. Supplements with probiotics may be beneficial. To determine the appropriate dosage and strain for particular ailments, more research is required. Start with the US Probiotic Guide if you want to.

Conclusive note

  • The human body is home to trillions of microorganisms. The gut contains the majority of them.
  • The possibility that the sorts of bacteria in our guts may have an impact on our health is intriguing.
  • Dysbiosis is more likely to occur in MS patients. When the gut microbiota is out of equilibrium, it is called dysbiosis. Inflammation and autoimmune illnesses are now more likely as a result.
  • A healthy gut microbiota can be supported by consuming fermented foods and a high-fiber diet.
  • There is continuing research into the potential benefits of altering the gut microbiome for MS patients.

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