I attended the two-day NIH Pain Consortium Symposium on Whole Patient Health. There were some engaging sessions. Interestingly, there was not a single session on the impact of the microbiome on pain--maybe someday!?! The two-day symposium had me thinking about simple, low-risk interventions anyone can do to help modulate their pain.
Read MoreWith the technological understanding and wealth of the United States, one might think our longevity would be among the best in the world. It's not. In the U.S., longevity does not even remotely correlate with expenditures.
Read MoreMost Americans don’t eat enough fiber. And most Americans don’t drink enough water. Staying hydrated to regulate body temperature helps maintain body weight, prevent infections, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.
Read MoreAn article in the New York Times called attention to a recent study that investigated the biochemical / molecular changes of the body with exercise. The study, published in Cell, used multi-omics to catalog and quantify over 9000 different molecules that changed with exertion.
Read MoreMany of us have had the opportunity to focus on our health during the Covid-19 pandemic. Exercise has a myriad of benefits to health and mental well being and is one of the pillars of wellness.. Most of us are familiar with the "runners high." Many exercise specifically for this feeling. The "high" is not limited to running. One can feel bliss with any sustained physical activity. An interesting article on TED focuses on the phenomenon.
Read MoreA healthy microbiome is a diverse microbiome. One of the substances up-regulated in those with the healthiest microbiomes is short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs influence gut health directly by acting as food for the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract and by tightening the junctions between cells, but SCFAs are also are increasingly associated with a wide range of systemic health benefits. These benefits include improved immunologic function, lower systemic inflammation, and anti-cancer effects. Individuals with the highest level of SCFAs tend to have the healthiest and most diverse gut flora.
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