Jerry Shaver 
Periodontitis is an inflammatory gum disease caused by infection by bacteria, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis, which colonizes biofilms on tooth surfaces and proliferates in deep periodontal pockets. Left untreated, periodontitis can lead to complications including tooth loss. It has also been associated with diabetes, preterm birth, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. GreenRead
Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a thorny, flowering plant native to the Mediterranean region. For centuries, extracts or teas of blessed thistle have been used to treat indigestion, infections, and wounds. While research on the plant’s medicinal properties is spotty, some evidence suggests that the tannins present in blessed thistleRead
The link between diet and brain health has been well established, with research showing that a so-called Western diet high in saturated fats and simple sugars may trigger Alzheimer’s disease. Research also shows that people who suffer from Alzheimer’s tend to have lower levels of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, whichRead
Our gut microbiota is made up of the millions of microscopic creatures that inhabit our gastrointestinal tract. It is responsible for producing enzymes, metabolites, and other molecules crucial for optimum health, helping regulate our metabolism, immunity, and other processes throughout the body. Previous research has also shown that a mother’sRead
Methylation is a relatively simple process that underlies many of our bodies’ most complex functions. According to the National Cancer Institute, it is “a chemical reaction in the body in which a small molecule called a methyl group gets added to DNA, proteins, or other molecules. The addition of methylRead
Science is only beginning to understand the role that the gut microbiome—the collection of bacteria and other microbes that live in our intestines—plays in our overall health. For one thing, these tiny tenants of our digestive system metabolize various components of our diets to produce beneficial fatty acids (FAs) thatRead
Depression affects nearly 300 million people, including 5% of all adults and almost 6% of adults over age 60. And these numbers are on the rise, with the number of people suffering from this often-debilitating condition up almost 20% over the past decade, making it the leading cause of disabilityRead
A study published in the journal npj Biofilms and Microbes shows that short-term supplementation with cranberry extract can improve gut health and may help protect against disease.
Schizophrenia is one of the most common severe mental illnesses, affecting some 24 million people—about one in every 300—worldwide. Symptoms range from listlessness and apathy to issues with attention, memory, and concentration to full-blown hallucinations and delusions. Currently, there is no cure for schizophrenia, and treatments focus mainly on managingRead
Childhood obesity has long been understood as a cause of or contributor to a host of other conditions, including many that used to be considered “adult” problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. And its mental toll can also be as damaging as the physicalRead
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