Immune Health
Obesity Accelerates Loss of Vaccine Protection
The protection offered by Covid-19 vaccinations declines more rapidly in obese people than in those with normal weight, according to a new study in Nature Medicine.
Biofilms — A Contributor to Chronic, Degenerative Disease
From the plaque on our teeth to the mucosal layers in the gut lumen, biofilms are everywhere in our environment — and they are a major threat to our health. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 65% of all microbial and chronic infections are associated with biofilmRead
TCM Outperforms Conventional Drug for Kids’ Respiratory Infections
A team of Chinese researchers found that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was more effective at treating recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in children compared to a commonly used drug. Study Details Published in a recent issue of Pediatric Investigation, the study focused on Yupingfeng (YPF), a patented Chinese herbal formulaRead
The Immune and Gastrointestinal Benefits of Colostrum
From Top-Notch Athletes to the Critically Ill, this Colostral “First Milk” Provides Nutritional Protection What’s the nutritional superfood almost all of us have had at some time in our life, and new mothers, dairy farmers, and Ob/Gyn’s know best? It’s colostrum, the first milk that comes at birth. Colostrum isRead
Effects of dietary selenium on immune function of spleen in mice
Journal of Functional Foods Xin Zhang, Liangliang Zhang, Kaide Xia, Jie Dai, Jiangtao Huang, Yun Wang, Guiming Zhu, Zuquan Hu, Zhu Zeng, Yi Jia ABSTRACT: The effects of selenium on serum cytokines, immune cell composition and spleen proteome in mice are still unclear. In this study, male mice were fed withRead
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): Setting the Record Straight
By Jessie Hawkins, PhD/ Elderberries–dark purple berries from the Sambucus nigra plant–have become a universal natural remedy for respiratory complaints such as the common cold and seasonal influenza (Roxas, 2007; Blumenthal, 2003). Native to northern Europe, the elderberry has a centuries-long history of medicinal use. Since the onset of theRead
Major Boost in COVID-19 Protective Antibodies Seen in Breast Milk after Vaccination
Nursing mothers who receive a COVID-19 vaccine may pass protective antibodies to their babies through breast milk for at least 80 days following vaccination, suggests new research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “Our study showed a huge boost in antibodies against the COVID-19 virus in breastRead
DISCOVERY: Immune Defense Guidance System Identified
A new mice experimental study shows that at the kick off of the immune response, the molecule sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) mobilizes immune cells into the bloodstream to target infection sites and then rapidly shifts position. Researchers say this indirectly amplifies the attack on foreign microbes or the body’s ownRead
Tissue Stiffness Contributes to Immune Responses & Chronic Aging Diseases
A new study shows that tissue stiffness causes tension in cells, which likely drives immune responses in many chronic diseases. The findings suggest the cellular tension likely sets off an inflammatory loop that contributes to the development of chronic diseases of aging. Research from the Buck Institute, the University HealthRead
Part 2: Melatonin, Respiratory Health, and Infections
In Part 1, we take a look at the mechanisms by which melatonin may impact immune function and inflammation. Herein, we take a look at its impact on respiratory health in general and its anti-infective effects. Melatonin and Respiratory Health Melatonin has been shown to improve various markers of lungRead
