Protect FamiliesTips to protect and increase families healthiness

A Bostonian company is developing a neural stimulator whose objective to stabilize the immune system out of control in this type of diseases.

The investigation, which began a decade ago, trying to decipher the connections between the brain and immune system control, especially in the process of inflammation.

Treatment – which not yet tested in humans – constitute a breakthrough applied to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and in rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune in nature all.

Brain and Immune Function

It is known that the brain has a direct connection with the spleen, the organ that contains several types of immune cells ready to launch in case of infection.

Brain and inflammation

It was shown the vagus nerve, the organ that controls in part the inflammatory process, sending signals to the brain and other organs.

Stimulation of this nerve can control or stop the fast contribution of immune cells to the site of infection course, with an effect similar to that of TNF drugs used to treat arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Advantages of neural stimulation

• Do not lose effectiveness over time, as with TNF treatments.
• Lack serious side effects.
• All indications are that the new treatment works better than current drugs, or simultaneously with them.
• It can be controlled easily. If the patient suffers a crisis, the device could be switched off immediately, while drugs may take days to clear.

Many people take supplements of zinc to fight colds, and a new study may explain how the mineral that apparently helps fight infections by balancing the response of the immune system.

Researchers believe the results help reduce a significant gap that has existed in understanding how this relatively simple metal helps to defend us from infection. Zinc deficiency affects about two billion people worldwide, including 40 percent of people in the United States. This can have serious consequences on vulnerable people.

Red meat and poultry are rich in zinc. Other foods that contain zinc are beans, nuts, certain seafood, whole grains, fortified cereals and dairy products. The essential mineral works by stopping the action of a protein known to play an important role in the immune response to infection. As a result, generates prevents uncontrolled inflammation. Zinc deficiency, at the time of infection, particularly sepsis – a systemic response to overwhelming infection common among patients in an intensive care unit – may be harmful or even fatal.

Zinc is a critical element to be obtained from the diet, and typically, if gaps are the same, is usually observed other nutritional deficiencies. Most adults may receive 8 mg to 11 mg of zinc day.

Job stress doubles the risk of developing diabetes in women who have little or no control over what they do at work, according to a new Canadian study. The same does not apply to men.

According to Peter Smith, author of a study conducted for nine years by researchers at the Institute for Work and Health and the Institute for Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, men and women react differently to stress labor.

Smith suggests, as a possible explanation of the results, that women under stress may be more likely to resort to foods high in fat and sugar than men .

The main reasons given in the study to the increased risk for women are interruptions to the operation of the neuroendocrine and immune system and increasing or prolonging the release of the cortisol hormone and sympathetic reaction to stress , and changes in diet and energy expenditure that this implies, possibly as survival mechanisms.

The researchers looked closely at 7443 women working in the Canadian province of Ontario, without filing a prior diagnosis of diabetes. Results showed that 19 percent of diabetes cases in women were due to what is understood as ” little control over their work “, a higher percentage than factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol or a low level of physical activity, although lower than obesity.

A type of bacteria in the mouth can cause blood clots and lead to serious heart problems if it enters the bloodstream, according to a new study revealed.

The bacterium, called Streptococcus gordonii contributes to the plaque that forms on the surface of the teeth. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream through the bleeding of the gums, can cause problems by pretending to be human proteins.

The authors found that Streptococcus gordonii could produce a molecule on its surface, which allows the protein to mimic human fibrinogen, a clotting factor from blood. It activates platelets (cells found in the blood and participate in the coagulation) and causes are grouped within blood vessels. Blood clots that result contain bacteria, protecting the immune system invaders and antibiotics used to treat infection.

Pooling of platelets can lead to increases in heart valves (endocarditic) or inflammation of blood vessels that can block the blood supply to the heart or brain.

In the development of infective endocarditic, a crucial step is that the bacteria from sticking to the heart valve and then activates the platelets to form a clot. Researchers are now looking for the mechanism behind this sequence of events with the hope of developing new drugs needed to prevent blood clots and infective endocarditic.

The mood problems are related to weight problems, sleep problems and fatigue, and depression can hurt your immune system and increase the risk of heart problems. While depression can be a complex issue that requires medical attention there are several things you can do to help elevate the spirit.

If you have not exercised in a while, the idea to try on some shoes and sportswear may seem depressing in itself. The exercise, however, has proved more effective than many antidepressants in reducing major depression. Y has the same kind of effect on mood issues minor. Part of this can be attributed to the effect of the endorphins released by exercise, we can also feel the sense of purpose and accomplishment that comes from completing an exercise program.

On the other hand, we can arrange the diet. One of the most vicious circles exists: Feeling sad, eat fried foods. They eat fried foods, you feel sad. The food, in many ways, is the real medicine. And if you can break that cycle of carbohydrate eating sugary, processed carbohydrates, fried carbohydrates and all foods considered junk, then you will have the opportunity to strive to improve mood naturally. Lots of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats can help. In addition, to help you can always have a good ally: a piece of black chocolate.