Month: December 2022

How Does Vagus Nerve Stimulation Impact the Gut–Brain Axis?

By Molly Campbell: For Complete Post, Click Here…

The gut–brain axis is a communication network that links the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Sensory signals are received by the brain from the stomach via afferent nerve fibers, which trigger neurological responses that are fed back to the periphery via efferent nerve fibers. Sensations such as feeling full or hungry are attributed to the processes of the gut–brain axis.

The vagus nerve – sometimes referred to as “the wandering nerve” due to its long, winding pathway through the human body – is a key player in the gut–brain axis. Receptors located in the stomach wall trigger signals regarding how “full” the stomach is, which are delivered to the brain via the vagus nerve. Once processed, these signals are relayed via efferent vagal signaling to the GI smooth muscle, helping to modulate muscle movement and aid digestion.

The role of the vagus nerve in regulating digestion speed is well understood. However, whether vagal stimulation can lead to more widespread effects across the brain, affecting regions that are involved in higher-order cognitive functions, like goal-directed behavior, wasn’t known – until now.  

Professor Nils Kroemer, researcher in the neuroMADLAB at the University Hospitals of Tübingen and Bonn, studies the neurobiological principles of motivation, action and desire. Earlier this year, Kroemer and colleagues published a study that showed – for the first time – how non-invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve can strengthen the communication between the stomach and the brain within minutes. Using non-invasive techniques to record the stomach and the brain, the researchers were also able to demonstrate how this coupling effect spreads across sub-cortical and cortical regions of the brain. The findings could have therapeutic applications, as some mental disorders are characterized by reduced sensory input to the brain.

Common food dye can trigger inflammatory bowel diseases, say McMaster researchers

From MCMASTER UNIVERSITY: For Complete Post, Click Here…

Allura Red (also called FD&C Red 40 and Food Red 17), is a common ingredient in candies, soft drinks, dairy products and some cereals.

Hamilton, ON (Dec. 20, 2022) – Long-term consumption of Allura Red food dye can be a potential trigger of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, says McMaster University’s Waliul Khan. Researchers using experimental animal models of IBD found that continual exposure to Allura Red AC harms gut health and promotes inflammation.

The dye directly disrupts gut barrier function and increases the production of serotonin, a hormone/neurotransmitter found in the gut, which subsequently alters gut microbiota composition leading to increased susceptibility to colitis.

Khan said Allura Red (also called FD&C Red 40 and Food Red 17), is a common ingredient in candies, soft drinks, dairy products and some cereals. The dye is used to add colour and texture to foodstuffs, often to attract children.

Antioxidant Supplement Linked to Deadly Heart Disease & Stroke, New Study Finds

By Desirée O: For Complete Post, Click Here…

Desirée O

Wed, December 21, 2022 at 6:52 PM EST·2 min read

Trust us, we’re well aware of the fact that making sure that you’re eating a proper diet isn’t always easy. That’s why it can sometimes be beneficial to add a few supplements to your regular routine. While taking supplements may be common, it’s important to note that you need to be careful when it comes to what you happen to be taking. As it turns out, some supplements might be doing more harm than good. In fact, a new study has found that the  beta-carotene supplements have been linked to serious and even potentially fatal health issues.

In the study that was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers took a look at data from 884 previous studies that involved 883,627 participants. While analyzing the effects of various supplements—including omega fatty acids, magnesium, zinc, and others—they found that synthetic supplements formulated with the antioxidant beta-carotene were connected to a higher risk of both cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and all-cause mortality.

Apple Silently Launched A New Sleep Feature With NightWare That Can Actually Stop Nightmares

By Jano le Roux: For Complete Post, Click Here…

Why is nobody talking about this?

Apple just launched a magical new feature.

  • It can detect nightmares.
  • It can prevent nightmares.

It’s called NightWare.

And absolutely nobody in the tech community is talking about it. This is one of the most incredible innovations we’ve seen.

It actually helps solve a serious problem that has pestered humanity for millennia, unlike a new way to unlock your phone.

So how exactly does Apple actually stop nightmares?

Although the underlying data is not fully clear yet, Apple says it works like this:

With the help of the Apple Watch and an iPhone, the digital therapeutic system NightWare can stop nightmares brought on by PTSD.

NightWare detects nightmares using data from the heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope on the Apple Watch.

Once a nightmare is detected, the device interrupts the nightmare with haptic feedback, sending out soft pulses that gradually get stronger until the user is awakened from the nightmare but not from sleep.

Can anyone with an Apple Watch use it?

Not yet. It is the first and only digital therapy created particularly to treat nightmares that have been approved by the FDA, and it is only available via prescription.

So no, this is not available for just anyone — yet.

It is for people with severe PTSD.

Why are schools submitting kids to this barbaric treatment?

By Brian Calley: For Complete Post, Click Here…

Brian Calley, a former lieutenant governor of Michigan, is chief executive of the Small Business Association of Michigan and vice chair of the Autism Alliance of Michigan board of directors.

Imagine a child with a disability, unable to communicate needs, wants or fears. In frustration or fright, that child might overturn a desk or throw a book. Now, imagine a teacher secluding that child in a dark closet or pinning that child to the floor.

This year, thousands of U.S. schools are using these barbaric “restraint and seclusion” practices as go-to strategies to punish or segregate students with disabilities. Yet these techniques don’t resolve problematic or dangerous behaviors — they make things worse, escalating behaviors and potentially causing physical harm to children, emotional damage or even death.

“Restraint” refers to physical force or the use of a device such as ties or straps to hold a child down. “Seclusion” involves forced isolation — solitary confinement in a closed spaced such as a soundproof, padded room or a closet where an unsupervised child having a meltdown could be seriously injured.

I have a daughter with autism. When I first heard about this practice, I thought it must be rare. But it is shockingly common, having been used against tens of thousands of U.S. students in recent years.

In Michigan alone, where my family resides, restraint and seclusion was used in schools more than 94,000 times from 2017 to 2022. Because there are no penalties issued to schools for failing to report, this number is undoubtedly an undercount. An Education Department analysis covering the 2017-2018 school year (based on self-reporting) showed that more than 100,000 children across the United States had been subjected to these inhumane practices.

‘End this scam’: Calls erupt to ban private Medicare plans as scandals mount

By Brett Wilkinsand: For Complete Post, Click Here…

As yet another scandal involving Medicare Advantage made headlines this week, progressive U.S. lawmakers and advocates renewed calls to abolish the private health insurance program that a recent Senate report said is “running amok” with “fraudsters and scam artists.”

In a new Nationarticle written with health insurance reform advocate Wendell Potter, Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) contend that one of the most confusing things facing elders while choosing their Medicare plans “is a scheme by private insurance companies to prey on seniors and profit off of the Medicare brand, all in the name of padding their corporate profits and shareholder returns.”

“The scheme is called Medicare Advantage. But in reality, so-called ‘Medicare Advantage’ is neither Medicare nor an advantage,” wrote the lawmakers, who earlier this year introduced legislation that, if passed, would ban private insurance plans from using the Medicare name.

“It’s actually just private insurance that uses the trusted Medicare name to trick seniors and people with disabilities into enrolling, then profits by denying coverage for necessary medical care,” Khanna and Pocan added. “It is long past time for Congress to end this scam and ensure that consumers get accurate information about their healthcare options.”

Thoughts On Our Third Pandemic Holidays

By Andrew Pulrang: For Complete Post, Click Here…

The holidays are a good time — the third time now — for disabled and chronically ill people to take stock of the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The end of the year is a convenient milestone. It’s also the time of year when we are most likely to be pushed into close interactions with others who may or may not view pandemic risks the way we do.

It seems like many if not most of the risks are at least somewhat reduced for most people at this point. But that arguably makes these holidays more complicated, uncertain, and therefore physically and emotionally risky for at least some people with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Death and hospitalization rates overall have been falling in most places for a good long time. But they are on the rise again, and some areas of the U.S. are in bad shape. Infection rates are rising again too. In at least some places, like where I live, even when rates are low the danger is still significant because hospitals are full of patients with COVID, flu, and other viral infections. And new variants keep emerging. Some of them may turn out to be no worse than what we’ve already seen. But they can always end up being much worse, nightmare variants.

Common food dye can trigger inflammatory bowel diseases, say McMaster researchers

From McMasters U: For Complete Post, Click Here…

Allura Red (also called FD&C Red 40 and Food Red 17), is a common ingredient in candies, soft drinks, dairy products and some cereals.

Long-term consumption of Allura Red food dye can be a potential trigger of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, says McMaster University’s Waliul Khan. Researchers using experimental animal models of IBD found that continual exposure to Allura Red AC harms gut health and promotes inflammation.

The dye directly disrupts gut barrier function and increases the production of serotonin, a hormone/neurotransmitter found in the gut, which subsequently alters gut microbiota composition leading to increased susceptibility to colitis.

Always Tired? This Virus Could Be The Culprit

By: DoctorNDTV: For Complete Post, Click Here…

Do you feel constant fatigue, or get low-grade fever every now and then? Talk to your doctor and get an EBV test done.

The human body can get complicated even beyond your imagination. While you are carrying on with your day-to-day life, there’s so much happening inside, you can’t anticipate. Sometimes, your body has certain symptoms but you fail to gauge the exact reason behind them. Some people often get constant headaches, or migraine-like symptoms also. There are times when you start getting low-grade fever and that stays for a long time. Even though you are busy with your daily activities, the body doesn’t feel energetic. Do you feel that constant fatigue all the time? Well, it could be a virus troubling you inside your body. Elaborating more on this, lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho shares a video on Facebook. He talks about a virus called Epstein–Barr virus (EBV).

Foster children to Michigan: Remove barriers, help us graduate school on time

By Tracie Mauriello: For Complete Post, Click Here…

Only 40 percent of Michigan foster children graduate from high school in four years, compared to 80 percent of the general population.

Christian Randle expected to spend his senior year in a dual enrollment program that allows Michigan students to receive college credit while still in high school.

Instead, the Farmington 17-year-old is working toward just a high school equivalency certificate.

He told the State Board of Education on Tuesday that he’s frustrated and feels like he’s starting high school, because he’s been unable to get credit for schoolwork he did over the last five years while living in a series of foster homes and residential facilities.

Christian addressed the board at its December meeting along with several other teenagers and young adults who were removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect. They’re asking the board to help ensure that others like them can graduate on time and with a solid education.

More than 10,000 children are in foster care in Michigan, according to the Children’s Defense Fund.  About 40 percent of them graduate high school in four years, compared with 80 percent of all students in Michigan.