Nature Knows and Psionic Success

The failure of modern medicine in preventing and curing modern chronic diseases partly rests on the inability to connect the dots between health, overconsumption, physical inactivity, and the immune system. Everyone knows that exercise is good, but few could explain how good and one bestselling author, a kidney specialist and proponent of fasting in diabetic reversal, stated that exercise is so good that it’s a waste of time talking about it. Permit me to digress here: Years ago, my son had an ear infection and insisted that his pediatrician prescribed amoxicillin tablets, instead of the liquid form to him because he thought that he was no longer a little kid. Besides, he loved and still loves West African pounded yam, which involves swallowing the good stuff in small balls after dipping it in soup.

However, he initially refused to take the tablets because he thought they were too big for him to swallow. I took advantage of his knowledge of animal cell biology, including the aggressive streak in boys, and informed him that the medicine worked to kill the bacteria that was causing him pain by piercing its “skin” and then releasing its contents to neutralise the bacteria. In addition, I informed him that the pain would come back or not go away if he missed the dosages because the bacteria would die only if he took them as prescribed. The point was he knew the medicine was good but understanding how it worked made the difference in swallowing the “big” pills.

Exercise sometimes means different things, based on circumstance, and with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, exercise, to many, is a “booster” of the immune system. As I noted in my previous article, human beings are both instinctively and deliberately endowed with “disease avoidant” behaviours to prevent us from getting sick. For example, and this is in no way meant to gross you out, but be ready to have your own treat if you invite friends over and prepare the most delicious chocolate brownies and shape it like coiled faeces, with the placement of a few synthetic flies perched on the “pile”! The full awareness that it is chocolate brownies probably may not be enough for many to overcome the disgusting sight wired to avoid infection, despite the familiar smell of chocolate.

The question is: Beside inherent behaviours to avoid sickness, what are the roles of skeletal muscle as an important part of immune system in overall health, and given the present attention to COVID-19 and social distancing, why must we remain physically active during and after the ongoing lockdown? A short context applies here: Man is not the strongest being on the planet, but he is the smartest and the most intelligent. In addition, his bipedal locomotion is highly efficient and costs far less energy than the locomotion of four-legged animals. As the Holy Scripture says to man: “…be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.” Therefore with the superb combination of unsurpassed the locomotion apparatus (legs/feet) and smartness (big brain), man has therefore been curiously nosey, not just exploring new environments but has thrived everywhere, even with the ability to reproduce, in the face of starvation, dehydration, accidents, violence and infections. …the immune system is broadly divided into innate and adaptive categories. The innate immune system is the first line of attack once bacteria, virus, or fungus successfully gains entrance into the body. Primarily, the goal of the innate cells is to ingest these foreign bodies before they enter the body cells and this assignment is performed by innate cells called neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. Therefore, man’s constant migration, despite environmental challenges, requires an effective immune system in an anti-inflammatory mode as a preventive measure to stave off infections. However, in rest periods, such as overnight sleep, occasional accidents and infections, the immune system switches to a pro-inflammatory mode. To give a clearer picture, the immune system acts as a “watchman” for cell repair and cell production during overnight sleep, promotes wound healing following occasional accidents, and mounts an overwhelming response to severe infections causing sickness behaviour with little or no priority for physical activity, in line with an Italian saying: “prima vivi e poi filosofi” (First live and then philosophise).

Multiple studies have described the decline in immune function with age, which includes increased risk for new infections, recurrent infection from old antigens and decreased vaccine efficacy. In fact, it has been reported that the yearly influenza vaccine is only 40–60 per cent effective in people aged 65 and above. However, these studies, as always, did not reflect the roles of regular physical activity in immune competence.

Briefly, the immune system is broadly divided into innate and adaptive categories. The innate immune system is the first line of attack once bacteria, virus, or fungus successfully gains entrance into the body. Primarily, the goal of the innate cells is to ingest these foreign bodies before they enter the body cells and this assignment is performed by innate cells called neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. However, if the invaders succeeded in entering and infecting the body cells, the infected cells are promptly recognised and dissolved by the innate cells called Natural Killers with their potent toxins. Natural Killers are so named because they do not require “training” and can attack all kind of invading antigens.

For an effective innate immune system, working muscles via regular exercise secretes anti-inflammatory proteins called myokines, which help to mobilise the increased circulation of immune cells. Even in the absence of infection, contracting muscles cause circulating neutrophils to release soluble anti-microbial and anti-cancer proteins called lactoferrin and lysozyme. These proteins are also found in saliva, nasal secretion, and tears. According to a study, a bout of 45 minutes of running significantly increases the production of lysozyme and lactoferrin in saliva. In addition, a 2004 paper also reported an increase of 15.5 per cent in circulating neutrophils following an hour of exercise, including a 33 per cent increase in serum lactoferrin concentration. In fact, the human’s first encounter with […]

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Natalie Morgan, sleep specialist, offers advice on how to get healthy, consistent, quality sleep. Disrupted lifestyles have led to disrupted sleep cycles during the pandemic, and that shift in sleep patterns can have negative effects on both health and mood, according to sleep experts.

Natalie Morgan, nurse practitioner with Christus Trinity Clinic sleep medicine, offered insight into the effects of disrupted sleep cycles, and offered tips to help improve sleep patterns for both children and adults.

“Most people would agree their sleep patterns have been disrupted due to a sudden change in lifestyle. Everybody’s story is different but if sleep patterns have been disrupted, it will affect focus, mood, memory, immunity and even appetite,” said Morgan.

Morgan said people may be sleeping in more or taking naps during the day where they used to not have the ability to do so. She recommended that people mentally note not only what time they are waking up, but also pay attention to how they wake up in the morning.

“When you have a regular morning routine, it affects overall sleep health. I’ve noticed with my clients that making sure they have a morning schedule helps them fall and stay asleep at night,” she said.

Morgan explained the importance of waking up and being exposed to natural light in the morning, as well as incorporating some form of physical movement to help the body shift from sleep mode to “awake” mode.

“Waking up right away in the morning, having the natural sunlight on the skin, and physical exercise help your body realize it’s time to wake up. It gets your blood flow and heart pumping faster,” said Morgan.

Additionally, the more active a person is during the day, the higher their “sleep drive” will be when they lay down to go to sleep at night, she explained.

Overall, the most important aspect of having a healthy sleep cycle is sticking to a consistent schedule.

“In the evening, both children and adults should have a regular bedtime routine. An hour before bed, shut off screens and partake in a calming activity like bedtime prayers, a bath, meditation or reading,” she said.

Although many people believe that watching TV before bed helps them fall asleep, falling asleep to an electronic sound inevitably affects the quality of sleep, said Morgan.

“There are blue lights in screens that affect our brains’ ability to produce melatonin, which naturally helps us get sleepy at night. Screens shut off that melatonin production and negatively affects the sleep you get,” she said.

Another common sleep inhibitor, Morgan explained, is consuming sugary foods before heading to bed.

“After consumption, the blood sugar spike gives added energy but a few hours later the dip in blood sugar could cause a sleeping person to wake up,” she said.

She additionally cautions people who are having difficulty sleeping at night against taking naps during the day. Although sleep recommendations vary by age, an adult should get seven and a half to eight hours of sleep each night, she said.

“That healthy number of hours asleep does include naps, but I would caution against recommending naps because they could increase sleep disruption at night. Limit naps, if you are struggling to sleep at night,” said Morgan.

According to Morgan, the pandemic may have improved sleep structure for some individuals.

“The pandemic may be a positive effect for some people. If people are more productive if their day starts at 9-10 o’ clock. If they can start day later and end the day later, that’s great. The important part is consistency. They may be more productive at home than they are normally,” she said.

For those working from home, Morgan recommended that they do not work in the bedroom, and stressed the importance of training the brain to view the bed as a place to relax and sleep, taking care to separate it from the work space.

If individuals have a set sleep and wake-up routine, are limiting naps during the day, limiting screen time before bed and refraining from eating sugary foods before sleeping yet still experiencing disruptions in sleep, Morgan recommends scheduling an appointment with a sleep specialist who can offer further recommendations or treatment plans based on the client’s specific needs.

In many cases, sleep experts will discuss lifestyle changes with their clients that fit their specific sleep struggles, and any further measures can be discussed depending on the severity of the clients case, she said.

A video visit is now legally considered the same as an office visit, which means they are available through insurance and medicine can be prescribed if necessary, she said.

“The best way to get in touch with a sleep specialist is through a direct call to the Christus sleep office, which can be reached by calling (903) 606-1664. You van also call (903) 606-DOCS which is available 24/7,” she said.

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Whether we take it for granted or not, deep learning algorithms have become an inseparable part of our daily lives. Personalized feeds, face and voice recognition, web search, smart speakers, digital assistants, email, and many other applications that we can’t part ways with using deep learning algorithms under the hood.

But how effective is deep learning in scientific research, where problems are often much more complex than classifying an image and requirements are much more sensitive than recommending what to buy next?

To answer this question, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Google AI researcher Maithra Raghu have put together a comprehensive guide on the different deep learning techniques and their application to scientific research.

“The amount of data collected in a wide array of scientific domains is dramatically increasing in both size and complexity,” the authors write, adding that along with advances in machine learning, this rich corpus of data can provide “many exciting opportunities for deep learning applications in scientific settings.”

Read: [ How deep learning algorithms can be used to measure social distancing ]

Titled “ A Survey of Deep Learning for Scientific Discovery ,” their guide provides a very accessible overview of deep learning and neural networks for scientists who aren’t necessarily versed in the complex language of artificial intelligence algorithms.

I strongly recommend reading the entire 48-page document and visit many of its references. But here are some key takeaways. You don’t necessarily need to do deep learning

With deep learning being all the rage, it’s easy to be tempted to apply it to anything and everything. After all, the basic proposition is very attractive: It’s an end-to-end AI model that takes a bunch of data, develops a mathematical representation, and performs complex classification and prediction tasks.

Deep neural networks can tackle problems previously solved by other types of machine learning algorithms, such as content recommendation or fraud detection. They can also handle problems that were traditionally difficult to handle with other machine learning techniques, including complex computer vision and natural language processing (NLP) tasks.

However, Schmidt and Raghu warn, when formulating a problem, it is important to consider whether deep learning provides the right set of tools to solve it. “In many settings, deep learning may not be the best technique to start with or best suited to the problem,” they write.

For many problems, simpler machine learning algorithms often provide more efficient solutions. For instance, if you want to find the most relevant of a set of chemical characteristics of different substances, you might be better off using “dimensionality reduction,” a technique that can find the features that contribute most to outcomes.

On the other hand, if you have limited data or if your data has been neatly arranged in a tabular format, you might want to consider trying a regression model before using neural networks. Neural networks usually (but not always) need lots of data. They are also difficult to interpret. In contrast, linear and logistic regression algorithms can provide more accurate results when the data is scarce, especially if the problem is linear in nature. Regression models also provide a clear mathematical equation with coefficients that explain the relevance of each feature in the dataset. Deep learning for image-related scientific tasks

Scientists are using deep learning algorithms to detect signs of COVID-19 infection in chest x-rays of patients (source: COVID-Net ) One area where deep learning algorithms have been very effective is the processing of visual data. The authors describe convolutional neural networks as “the most well-known family of neural networks” and “very useful in working with any kind of image data.”

Aside from the commercial and industrial applications , CNNs have found their way into many scientific domains. One of the best-known applications of convolutional neural networks is medical imaging analysis. There are already many deep learning algorithms that examine CT scans and x-rays and help in the diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. Recently, scientists have been using CNNs to find symptoms of the novel coronavirus in chest x-rays.

Some of the visual applications of deep learning are less known. For instance, neuroscientist are experimenting with pose-detection neural networks to track the movements of animals and analyze their behavior. NLP technology can expand to other fields

Another area that has benefitted immensely from advances in deep learning algorithms is natural language processing . Recurrent neural networks, long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, and Transformers have proven to be especially good at performing language-related tasks such as translation and question-answering.

To be clear, the current AI algorithms process language in fundamentally different—and inferior—ways than the human brain. Even the largest neural network will fail at some of the simplest tasks that a human child with a very rudimentary understanding of language can perform.

This is because like all other types of neural networks, RNNs and Transformers are at their very core pattern-matching machines. They can find recurring patterns in sequences of data, whether it be text or any other kind of information. According to Schmidt and Raghu, these structures can be used in “Problems where the data has a sequential nature (with different sequences of varying length), and prediction problems such as determining the next sequence token, transforming one sequence to another, or determining sequence similarities are important tasks.”

While this scheme presents limits in dealing with the abstract and implied meanings of language , it has some very interesting applications in scientific research in areas such as genomics and proteomics, where sequential structures play an important role.

Transformers have proven to be especially efficient in scientific research. In one recent project , AI researchers used unsupervised learning to train a bidirectional Transformer on 86 billion amino acids across 250 million sequences spanning evolutionary diversity. “The resulting model maps raw sequences to representations of biological properties without labels or prior domain knowledge,” the researchers write. This is an important step toward understanding protein sequences and extracting general and transferable information about proteins from raw sequences. What if you don’t have a lot of data?

One of the main criticisms against deep learning is its […]

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( Natural News ) To prevent the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), several states have issued stay-at-home orders. In preparation, citizens have stocked up on supplies while they’re on lockdown.

Still, it’s important to maintain your overall well-being by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly – even as you’re hunkered down and stuck indoors. Follow these tips to stay healthy and strong while practicing social distancing. Eat nutritious homemade meals

It’s good to have extra food in your pantry during the lockdown, but eating canned food every day can be bad for your health. If you can’t leave your house daily to buy fresh produce, you’ll need to be creative when cooking your meals. For instance, use frozen fruit and vegetables when you don’t have fresh variants on hand.

Try these tips to whip up nutritious meals using healthy pantry staples: Choose whole-grain pasta or brown rice as the base for your main dish.

Use canned tomatoes and tomato paste to add flavor to soups and stews.

Add fiber- and protein-rich legumes like beans and lentils to sauces, soups and stews. Legumes will also add texture and flavor to your dishes.

Eat fatty fish like canned mackerel or tuna that are full of omega fatty acids, which keep your brain and body healthy.

Enjoy healthy snacks like a handful of dried fruit and nuts. Nutritious snacks will also help sustain your energy longer than a bag of potato chips or other junk food.

Start each day with a balanced breakfast of fruit or fruit juice, fiber-rich breakfast cereal, whole-wheat toast and a hardboiled egg .

Prepare healthy snacks

While on lockdown, you can’t easily buy food from your favorite restaurants. Take this time to learn how to cook your favorite food at home, or look up healthier versions of different snacks to cut down on the sugar and preservatives in unhealthy foods.

You can also keep your children busy by letting them help you prepare tasty and nutritious snacks, such as: Baked sweet potato or potato wedges with a drizzle of olive oil, sea salt and rosemary.

Homemade pizza using frozen pizza bases. Top them with tomato sauce, your favorite vegetables and lean meat like shredded chicken.

Eat more berries

Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries naturally contain very powerful antioxidants.

Compared to grapes, blueberries contain more resveratrol, an antioxidant compound found in red wine. Resveratrol is believed to have medicinal properties that help fight against cancer and heart disease. (Related: 7 Ways to encourage healthy eating amid stay-at-home lockdown .) Eat foods that help manage your stress levels

Following a low blood sugar diet is essential for stress management. Eat regular, small, healthy meals with a lot of fruits and vegetables.

If you’re feeling anxious, drink calming herbal teas like chamomile or green tea . Adding unrefined carbohydrates like bananas and nuts to your diet helps boost the formation of serotonin, a feel-good chemical. Incorporate calcium-rich foods into your diet

Bone density often declines after 30 years of age. Enhance your regular calcium intake by drinking milk or eating yogurt.

You need calcium to keep your bones strong. The daily calcium requirement is at least 200 milligrams, which must be combined with magnesium for proper calcium absorption. Exercise regularly

If you’re working from home, chances are you sit in front of your computer from morning until night. This isn’t just bad for your eyes and posture; it’s also bad for your overall health.

Do some stretching exercises after you wake up in the morning. These exercises will help boost your circulation and digestion.

Exercise every day for at least 45 minutes to one hour by using a treadmill. If you prefer low-impact activities, try yoga. Maintain oral hygiene

Now that you can’t easily visit your dentist for regular cleaning, it’s even more important you maintain proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth thoroughly using a fluoride-free toothpaste.

Floss regularly and gargle using organic mouthwash to keep your teeth strong and your breath fresh even while on lockdown.

Teach your kids to brush their teeth properly: > Brush your teeth for at least two minutes every time. Brush the teeth, the junction of your teeth and gums, your tongue and the palate (roof area of the mouth). Use a sturdy, soft-bristled toothbrush. Replace your toothbrush every month. Try neurobic exercises for your mind Just as exercise and a balanced diet keeps your body healthy, neurobics (brain training) exercises keep your brain sharp while you’re on lockdown.Researchers have coined the term “ neurobics” for tasks that help activate the brain’s biochemical pathways and develop new functional pathways that will help to strengthen or preserve the brain circuits. Multiple studies suggest that people with increased mental agility have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and age-related disorders associated with mental decline.Not sure where to start? Try brain-stimulating games such as : Board games Crossword puzzles Online memory games Scrabble Sudoku Word games Quit unhealthy habits like drinking and smoking Even without the coronavirus pandemic and enforced lockdowns, it’s a good idea to limit your alcohol consumption, a habit often associated with health problems.Quitting smoking also ensures that you stay healthy and helps prevent damage to your lungs and overall well-being.While you’re practicing social distancing, also practice healthy lifestyle habits. Follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly, so your immune system can protect you against infectious diseases. Sources include: Health24.com

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Advertisement Mustard, a cruciferous vegetable native to the temperate regions of Europe , is typically cultivated and processed to make the popular yellow condiment that shares its name.

In its natural state, mustard is a nutritional powerhouse thanks to large amounts of antioxidants and essential nutrients. Common varieties include white mustard, black mustard and brown mustard.

Whether you prefer its spicy leaves or its earthy, bitter seeds, mustard offers several health benefits that cement its status as a superfood. Here are some of them. Contains important nutrients

The mustard plant is a nutritional powerhouse, and its nutrients are generously divided among its different parts. For instance, the seeds contain the highest concentrations of minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium . Meanwhile, its leaves are abundant in immune-boosting micronutrients including vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B9 (folate). Reduces the risk of cancer

Mustard has also been observed to have anti-cancer potential. Like many cruciferous vegetables, mustard has sulfur-rich plant compounds that can suppress the growth of cancer cells. Antioxidants can also prevent DNA damage caused by free radicals, which can eventually lead to cancer. Relieves rashes caused by psoriasis

Mustard seeds have potent anti-inflammatory effects against psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes red, scaly rashes to break out across the skin. Enzymes in the seeds can also speed up the healing process. Treats symptoms of contact dermatitis

The powerful enzymes in mustard seeds can also ease rashes and heal broken skin tissue caused by contact dermatitis. Although contact dermatitis causes rashes similar to psoriasis, it is typically caused by an allergic reaction instead of an abnormal immune response. Supports cardiovascular health

Due to a high concentration of the mustard’s anti-inflammatory compounds, the oil extract of mustard seeds is linked to a reduced risk of heart attack and cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rate). Omega-3 fatty acids present in mustard oil also help support heart health. Eases nasal congestion

Mustard is used in traditional medicine as a natural decongestant, which helps clear excess mucus along the nasal tract. Oral administration of mustard oil is also used to relieve respiratory conditions like chronic bronchitis and asthma. Alleviates aches and pains

When used as a poultice, mustard seeds can also ease muscle aches and general pain throughout the body. Its analgesic effects can be especially useful for soreness after strenuous exercise. Eliminates toxins

Ground mustard seeds have also been used traditionally to clear the body of toxins, especially in cases of poisoning and excessive alcohol consumption. Protects against fungal infections

Mustard seeds also have antimicrobial properties that can combat fungal pathogens. In case of infection, apply a paste made from mustard seeds to the site. This can help soothe any inflammation or itchiness and eliminate the pathogen itself. Maintains healthy skin and hair

Mustard stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, which can help boost hair growth. Its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties also make it a potent remedy for acne, hyperpigmentation and sunburn. Improves brain functions

The omega-3 fatty acids in mustard help support cognitive health and improve brain functions like memory and concentration. This helps prevent the onset of age-related cognitive decline that leads to dementia. Regulates blood sugar levels

Mustard leaves help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent sudden spikes or fluctuations after meals. The anti-inflammatory effects of the leaves can also help restore insulin sensitivity in diabetics. Lowers cholesterol

The leaves of the mustard plant can also reduce the amount of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol in the blood. Many cruciferous vegetables can do this due to the presence of plant compounds known as glucosinolates. Prevents bone loss

Menopausal women may also greatly benefit from regular consumption of mustard seeds. Minerals like magnesium and calcium help prevent bone loss, which can eventually lead to osteoporosis. This chronic bone disease tends to occur in menopausal women, and it is typically marked by brittle bones and a higher risk of fractures.

Mustard is highly versatile superfood rich in nutrients and antioxidants that help improve overall health and well-being. Aside from its culinary uses, mustard also works as a remedy for several health problems including high blood sugar, skin infections and chronic diseases.

Sources:

CMS.HerbalGram.org

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Whether cannabis, or marijuana, kills brain cells remains unknown, and current research studies have yielded conflicting results.

Keep reading to learn more about what current studies have to say about marijuana’s short- and long-term effects on the brain. Marijuana may affect a person’s appetite, pain regulation, and mood. Please note that the studies covered in this article mainly consider the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on the brain. THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana, or cannabis, that creates the ‘high’ effect. THC is just one of over 100 cannabinoids found in marijuana.

The body naturally produces endocannabinoids, which are similar to cannabinoids. Both cannabinoids, such as THC, and these natural endocannabinoids, bind to the same receptors in the brain.

Researchers have identified two types of these receptors:

When endocannabinoids bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, they affect the following body functions: appetite and metabolism

pain regulation

learning

memory

mood

cardiovascular functions

reproductive functions

immune system functions

muscle and bone formation

coordination and motor control

Cannabinoids, such as THC, and naturally occurring endocannabinoids may have significant effects on brain function and development. This is because regions of the brain that control memory, learning, motor control, and sensory perception contain high concentrations of CB1 receptors .

Current research on this topic has yielded conflicting results. Some studies suggest that THC has potentially permanent neurotoxic effects that impair people’s verbal learning, memory, and focus. Other studies indicate the opposite.

In one 2017 animal study , researchers compared differences in working memory between adult rats exposed to a synthetic cannabinoid and those exposed to glucose during adolescence.

The researchers found that the rats they exposed to cannabinoids had a significantly better working memory in adulthood than the control rats.

In another 2018 animal study , researchers found that exposure to THC induced brain tissue growth and improved learning and memory function in rats.

In a 2016 study , researchers assessed the cognitive function of 3,385 people aged 18–30 by looking at the data from the 25-year-long Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study that began in 1986. At year 25, 84% of these participants reported previous marijuana use, but only 9% reported using marijuana into middle age.

After adjusting for demographic factors, psychiatric conditions, and other drug use, the researchers found long-term exposure to marijuana was associated with impaired verbal memory.

However, they found no evidence to suggest an association between marijuana use and cognitive processing or executive function.

In one 2016 study , researchers compared changes in the IQ scores of adolescent twins when one used marijuana, and the other did not. Those who used marijuana had an average reduction of 4 IQ points by early adulthood.

However, the researchers found that individuals who started using marijuana as adolescents had lower baseline IQ scores anyway, which suggests that marijuana does not necessarily have a direct effect on IQ.

It is also worth noting that a subset of the study participants who used marijuana in adolescence had slightly better working memory scores than those who did not use marijuana.

In a 2019 study , researchers took MRI scan s of 781 teenagers and young adults aged 14 to 22. 147 of the participants reported either occasional or frequent marijuana use, while 634 participants identified as non-users.The MRI scans of individuals who reported occasional or frequent marijuana use showed no significant differences in the brain volume, cortical thickness, or gray matter density compared to their abstinent peers.Gray matter refers to regions of brain tissue that contain nerve cell bodies. These regions control muscle movement, sensory perception, and executive functions, including self-control and decision making.These findings directly oppose research on alcohol use in young adults, such as this 2017 study , which shows heavy drinking can significantly reduce the amount of gray matter in the brain.Potential short-term side effects of heavy marijuana use include: dry or red eyes rapid heart rate lung irritation problems with short-term memory difficulty learning or retaining information loss of coordination lung irritation with inhalation Researchers do not fully understand the long-term risks and side effects associated with cannabis use. Research in this area is still ongoing.However, long-term marijuana may increase a person’s risk of substance use disorders, as well as problems with memory and concentration.Available research offers some insight into the short-term effects of drug use. However, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions regarding the long-term effects of drug use. This because many studies track small samples of people over short periods. This is likely to change in the near future.In 2015, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study that aims to understand how tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use impacts adolescent health and brain development.The NIH has now enrolled 11,878 children between the ages of 9 and 10 and their families onto the ABCD study. Over the next decade, researchers will use neuroimaging technology to track brain development from late childhood to early adulthood.There are still a lot of unknowns surrounding how marijuana affects adolescent and adult brains.Research in this area is ongoing.Long-term, large-scale studies should provide useful insights within the next decade.

Read more at www.medicalnewstoday.com

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By Kristen Rogers, CNN This year’s Earth Day — the 50th anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement — will be a quiet one. This year’s Earth Day — the 50th anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement — will be a quiet one.

For humans, at least, the planet is essentially closed on Wednesday, April 22, due to a worldwide pandemic.

The observance was created in the US by late former Democratic Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson to increase public awareness of environmental issues.

By 1990, Earth Day had gone global, mobilizing millions of people in more than 140 countries to take up environmental issues and turn them into a worldwide movement.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s celebrations are limited to our immediate and virtual surroundings.

Even though we can’t celebrate our planet with community tree plantings, cleanups and national park visits this year, there are outdoor activities to enjoy within the vicinity of your home that are good for the planet and good for your health.

On Earth Day, take a walk or run through the neighborhood. Go alone and relish your solitude, enjoying the time for free thought or listening to a podcast. Or take advantage of the opportunity for quality time with your loved ones and stroll with your family and dog by your side.

It’s safe to do so if you make sure you “keep your distance from other people” outside of your family, said Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts.

“The key word is consideration,” Kuritzkes added. “People need to be aware of their distance from others to be respectful and not crowd them, and not have other people crowding you. If people are respectful, it should be pretty simple to stay sufficiently far apart from other people so that there’s really no risk.”

It’s also good for your health. Walking in nature may even lead to less repetitive negative thoughts , according to research. And a study of older women in the US found the higher the number reached on their step counters each day, the lower their rate of premature death.

Getting your heart pumping by walking may improve your executive functioning skills, a 2018 study also concluded. Those are the skills centered in the part of your brain that helps you take care of yourself and keep up with chores and bills.

And walking at a decent speed may reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels as much as running.

Running has been found to reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of depression and improve self-esteem. The activity has also been tied to living longer by improving heart health and sleep, and staving off cognitive decline.

But is going to the beach okay ? And what about hiking? If you can keep a respectful distance from other people and pay attention to hygiene, both are acceptable, Kuritzkes said.

A beach that is isolated, unpopular and uncrowded is best. If you hike on a nearby trail, maintain the same distance of at least six feet apart from others. Bring hand sanitizer and wipes so that if you stop to eat or sit on picnic tables and benches, you can disinfect your hands, Kuritzkes suggested.

Cycling through your neighborhood, on a trail or into town is permissible, as “most people on bicycles are reasonably far apart from each other,” Kuritzkes said. And since you’d be speeding down a road or path, there’s not much opportunity to transfer the virus by closely talking with people.

Just be courteous to those around you. If you do need to come to a halt, be sure you’re maintaining the proper distance from other cyclists or pedestrians.

Considering the health boosts, climbing aboard a two wheeler for exercise is easy on your joints, for one, as your weight rests on your pelvis and not your legs. Cycling is beneficial for your heart, brain and blood vessels, according to Harvard Medical School . It can also trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s feel-good chemicals.

Different phases of pedaling also help you build muscles in your thighs, calves and hips. The exercise builds bone density and smaller muscles, too: You use your abdominal muscles to balance and stay upright, and your arm and shoulder muscles to hold on and steer.

Those benefits can carry over to everyday activities, improving your balance when you walk or stand and extending your endurance.

Putter around in your garden on Earth Day to keep in touch with nature and appreciate whatever you pull from its soil.

One study found gardening may prevent brain shrinkage in older adults. Our cognitive abilities, including learning and memory, partly depend on the size of our brains.

Gardening is good for the Earth when you replenish its soil in the form of compost or grow flowers from which bees can graze for pollen and plant nectar. But it’s also advantageous for reaching a state of mindfulness.

Horticultural therapy is rooted in the idea that interacting with plants contributes to well-being. Caring for plants can improve your mood, blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormone levels. But we may also have a philosophical lesson to learn from plants.

In a 2018 CNN article on the topic, horticultural therapist Libba Shortridge described the life cycle of a seed to a group at Skyland Trail, a mental health treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia.At first, a seed may appear dormant and hopeless. What does it need to grow? It requires sun and water, and patience, courage and confidence from you, to name a few. We could use those things as we navigate this unsettling time.The term comes from the Japanese word shinrin-yoku, which means “immersing in the forest atmosphere.” Since the 1980s, the Japanese have managed forests to help citizens relax and reduce stress.Studies have shown that within just 15 minutes of this immersion, stress levels can decrease while your heart rate and blood pressure improve. You might even feel less depressed, or not as anxious, which is considerably needed during these vexing times.Getting some […]

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A subset of monocytes (a type of immune cells) that can infiltrate the central nervous system and drive nerve cell damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) may be a better target for preventing disease progression than the cells of the immune system that are currently targeted with MS therapies, a study in mice suggests.

Current MS treatments designed to dampen immune reactions against myelin — the protective coating of nerve cells that is lost in MS — are known to put patients at higher risk of infections. But researchers found that depleting this newly identified monocyte subset can reduce clinical signs of MS without affecting immune cells that fight off infections.

The study, “ Cxcl10 + monocytes define a pathogenic subset in the central nervous system during autoimmune neuroinflammation ,” was published in the journal Nature Immunology .

The immune system plays a critical role in MS onset and progression. In patients, immune cells travel from the blood into the brain, where they wrongly attack the myelin sheath that covers neurons, and initiate a set of inflammatory reactions that eventually cause nerve cells to die.

Immune B-cells and T-cells are seen as the major drivers of this inflammation, and most MS therapies are meant to target and eliminate these immune cells. But such approaches are not without side effects, as they also deplete patients from memory immune cells needed to fight foreign threats.

“Up until now, MS drugs have essentially targeted these T and B cells, both of which are part of the acquired immune system,” Alexander Mildner, the study’s co-senior author, said in a press release . Mildner is a scientist at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine , Germany.

“But by attacking the acquired immune system, the MS drugs adversely affect the body’s immune memory, thus making patients more susceptible to infections in the long run,” Mildner said.

Knowing this, Mildner has been focusing on another subset of immune cells that is believed to also play a major part in MS progression: a subset of monocytes that produce the CCR2 protein .

“In an earlier study with a mouse model of MS, we were able to show that disease symptoms in the mice declined significantly within a few days after their monocytes were selectively destroyed by antibodies [against CCR2],” said Mildner. “Apparently, it is not only T and B cells that are involved in causing tissue damage in MS.”

Monocytes are immune cells that travel in the blood before migrating into tissues, where they can fight threats by engulfing them.

In MS, these cells also can participate in the process of inflammation by “eating” pieces of the central nervous system (CNS). But exactly what subsets of monocytes are entering the CNS and causing disease is largely unknown.

Mildner’s team set out to explore the different subsets of monocytes that are found in the CNS of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an established animal model of MS.

Results revealed several molecularly distinct populations of monocytes or closely related cells, of which two monocyte subpopulations — called Saa3 + and Cxcl10 + monocytes — exhibited a strong pro-inflammatory and disease-causing genetic signature (genes that are switched “on” or “off,” and to what extent).

Other subpopulations appeared to be more involved in wound healing, tissue remodeling, regulation of blood vessels, and engulfing processes — all natural functions of monocytes.

The composition of monocytes and related cells in the CNS varied during disease progression. Particularly, Cxcl10 + monocytes increased from 8.8% in the acute phase of disease to 21.2% in the chronic stage.

The team then examined exactly which subsets were depleted when mice were treated with a CCR2 antibody, which induced a notable clinical improvement after six days. They found that mice receiving this antibody lacked Saa3 + and Cxcl10 + monocytes in their spinal cords, but other subsets were essentially intact.

Other cells of the immune system, including B-cells, T-cells, and natural killer cells, also were not affected by the antibody treatment. Only a slight increase in the amount of regulatory T-cells (immunosuppressive cells) was noted in treated animals.

Overall, the findings revealed the presence of a previously unknown monocyte subset, called Cxcl10 + monocytes, with a unique behavior in the spinal cord of EAE mice. “It seems that these cells exhibit direct pathogenic function with minimal influences on other immune cells,” the researchers wrote.

The research team believes that Cxcl10 + monocytes may have an even bigger role than anticipated, being the immune cells that open up the blood-brain-barrier to help other immune cells enter the CNS, and then recruiting and activating other immune players in the disease.

“If that is the case, in the future most forms of MS could be treated by specifically deactivating the Cxcl10+ monocytes instead of targeting the T or B cells of the immune system,” said Mildner. “This would protect the body’s immune memory and prevent many side effects of current MS therapies.”

Read more at multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com

If you’re like most people, your response when sickness hits is to take a pill. While this approach is sensible for fighting off disease and infection, it doesn’t work the same way when it comes to building up your body’s natural defenses. Gulping down supplements might seem like an easy way to boost your immune system, but research shows that the beneficial effects of minerals and vitamins were much more pronounced in those who consumed those nutrients as part of real food, as opposed to taking supplements .

There’s also the possibility of taking so much of a given supplement that you do more harm than good. With a huge variety of nutritional supplements just a click away, it’s far too easy to ingest potentially toxic amounts of a particular nutrient. (Just look at what’s been happening with turmeric.)

According to Dr. Clifford Lo , an associate professor of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, nutrients are most potent when they come from food. Plus, he adds, “consuming immune-boosting nutrients through food brings an entourage of other beneficial nutrients, such as hundreds of carotenoids, flavonoids, minerals, and antioxidants that aren’t in most supplements.” Not to mention food tastes better and is often less expensive than stocking up on bottles of individual vitamins and minerals.

We’ve pulled together a list of some of the top foods for boosting your immune system, as well as some easy ways to incorporate them into your shelter-in-place menu. As the French say, “à ta santé.” Red Bell Pepper

Westend61/Getty Images If you’re like most people, you’ve been taught to mainline Vitamin C as soon as cold season begins. Outside of a capsule, orange juice has been the most popular way to get your daily intake of vitamin C. Thing is, all that sugar in your system kind of offsets the benefit — any form of sugar, even the natural kind, is no bueno for your immune system. In lieu of citrus, we present for your consideration the red bell pepper. It’s sweet, it’s crunchy, it tastes great raw or cooked, and just one medium-sized pepper contains enough vitamin C to fully arm the body against infection.

Try this : Roast a couple red bell peppers (in the oven or over an open flame), then puree and add into a tomato sauce or soup for an unexpected caramel-like flavor. Garlic

Sébastien Marchand/Unsplash Another perennial cure-all, garlic’s immune-supporting powers are well backed by scientific research. Smash open a clove, and drink in the smell of that antibacterial, immune cell-enhancing elixir. Studies show that healthy adults who consume garlic for 90 days experienced much milder symptoms of seasonal illnesses like cold and flu than those who took a placebo. (Given what we know about this virus, we’re happy to settle for milder symptoms.)

Try this : Wrap a whole bulb of garlic (not just a clove) in aluminum foil, pop in the oven for 20 minutes. When you take it out and pierce the skins, you’ll find little petals of pure molten deliciousness. Spread it on toast, sprinkle with salt and olive oil, and try not to make awkward moaning sounds. Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, and Butternut Squash

Jonathan Pielmayer/Unsplash Do you even beta carotene, bro? This antioxidant, a precursor to the body manufacturing vitamin A, supports the immune system by triggering the production of white blood cells that fight viruses and bacteria. Beta-carotene also helps form mucous membranes within the respiratory tract, which serves as a barrier against germs. Nature’s own face mask, if you will. Just a cup of sweet potato or carrot will give you all the beta carotene you need for the day.

Try this : Toss chunks of sweet potato, carrot and/or butternut squash carrot in some lemon-scented olive oil and roast at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes (until soft enough to spear with a fork). Remove and add salt and a fresh herb like dill, rosemary, or marjoram. Cauliflower

Eric Prouzet/Unsplash We all kind of know that cruciferous vegetables are good for fighting illness. But cauliflower tends to be the red-headed stepchild of this prestigious family, overlooked for its forgettable color and bland flavor. The most action cauliflower sees these days is when it’s disguised by dieters as potatoes. (Which we think is an insult to both vegetables) However, in addition to having all the antioxidant powers of its greener cousins, cauliflower is rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off infection. Worth a second look, don’t you think?

Try this : Roast cauliflower chunks at 450 degrees F until the tips are brown and they give off a popcorn-like smell. Toss with avocado oil, a healthy sprinkling of curry powder, and a handful of golden raisins. You’ll never look at cauliflower the same way again. Beans

Tijana Drndarski/Unsplash With all the hype about foods that search-and-destroy toxins, bacteria and viruses, nobody thinks to mention the foods that help shuttle the nasty stuff out of the body. In short, we’re talking about fiber, which means we’re talking about beans. Shelter-in-place has been a real popularity boom for the humble bean, finding its way off the dusty back shelf and diving straight into our hearts and our Instant Pots. But along with binding to the waste in our blood and moving it on outta there, beans also have the virtue of zinc, a mineral that plays a crucial role in immune cell production.

Try this : Fry some garlic and shallots in olive oil, then add a tablespoon of tomato paste, a tablespoon of vinegar, and a can of your favorite beans. Stir it all together until it’s warm, then serve over greens or crusty bread (or both). Fennel

Benjamin Egerland / EyeEm/Getty Images If the greenmarket stalls are anything to go by, fennel tends to strike people as a vegetable only a chef could love. It looks more like a weed than a food, and has a faintly licorice-y smell … so what are you supposed to do […]

Read more at www.themanual.com