One of the most common cancers affecting women today is breast cancer. Breast cancer has affected thousands of women and has claimed thousands of lives all over the world. Though most women who have breast cancers are over 50 years of age, younger women and men may also get this cancer too. Breast cancer is a type of cancer wherein cells grow and multiply unregulated. Cancer cells first start in the breast which may turn to be malignant and invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer

There are many possible causes of breast cancer, one of which is older age. The risk of acquiring breast cancer is higher when a woman is aged 50 years or more. Another factor is genetics. Women who have a close relative who have breast or ovarian cancers are more likely to develop breast cancers, although majority of breast cancers are not hereditary.

Women who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a considerably higher risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. Carriers of another gene known as TP53 also have greater breast cancer risks. Women who have histories of breast cancers may more likely develop the disease again compared to women who have no history of the disease. Women who have certain types of breast lumps may also be prone to develop cancers later on such as atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ. Also, women with more dense breast tissue are also more prone to develop breast cancers.

Women who have increased estrogen exposure, such as those who have periods earlier and those who entered menopause later than usual, have a higher risk of developing breast cancers. This is because they have been exposed to estrogen longer, from the time their periods have started until menopause. Women who are obese are also at high risk for developing breast cancers, especially those who are post menopausal. Women who are taller than average have a high risk for developing breast cancer. Increased alcohol consumption may also lead to increased risks for breast cancers.

Increased radiation exposure in the form of exposure to X-rays and CT scans may raise a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Women who have been treated with radiation to the chest may also have increased risk for breast cancer. Women treated with hormone replacement therapy, whether combined and estrogen-only HRT therapies may also increase this risk.

Women who worked at night before having their first child are also at a high risk for developing breast cancers. Certain jobs can also predispose one to develop breast cancers, such as bar or gambling occupations, automotive plastics manufacturing, metal-working, food canning and agriculture. Women who had cosmetic breast implants and develop breast cancer may have a higher risk of dying from breast cancer than their counterparts.

Breast cancer may present with various signs and symptoms. These symptoms include a lump in the breast, pain in the armpits or breast which is not related to menstrual period, redness or pitting of the skin of the breast with the appearance like that of an orange, rashes on one or both nipples, swelling or lump in one of the armpits, a thickened area of the breast, nipple discharge which may be tinged with blood, sunken or inverted nipples, changes in the shape and the size of the breasts, and peeling or scaling or flaking of the skin of the breasts.

Vitamin A and Breast Cancer

Vitamin A, also known as retinoic acid, is often found in sweet potato and carrots. This vitamin has been found out by latest research to help turn pre-cancer cells back to normal healthy breast cells. The results are published in the International Journal of Oncology. The research helps explain why some studies have not found benefits of Vitamin A on cancer, because the effect of this vitamin works only on pre-cancerous cells and only works at a very narrow dose.

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Huntington's disease is a hereditary brain disorder whose exact causes have not been identified. There are also no known treatments for this medical condition. However, new research has currently identified certain mechanisms of the disease which may later on serve as a potential target for treatment.

What Is Huntington's Disease?

Huntington's disease is a hereditary brain disorder which often causes damage to brain cells and leads to neurological deterioration. This disease affects movement, cognition and behaviour of individuals affected, and may also affect the way they think, talk, reason and move. These people soon develop deterioration little by little and may rely on caregiver care and treatment. Huntington’s disease can affect quality of life of those affected, as well as their emotional, physical, mental, social and economic aspects.

Huntington's disease was previously known as Huntington's chorea because of the involuntary movements such as jerks affecting the sufferer. This medical condition can affect both men and women equally and often starts during middle age. It has a predisposition according to races; Asians and Africans have a 1 in 1,000,000 risk of acquiring it while Caucasians have a risk which is about 70 to 100 times higher.

Huntington's disease can give rise to various signs and symptoms which may start at age 35 to 55 years old. These signs and symptoms may worsen for the next ten to twenty years until the patient dies. Signs of this disease often include slight uncontrollable movements, clumsiness, stumbling, some slight signs of lack of emotion, lack of focus, slight concentration problems, lapses in short-term memory, depression and mood behaviours which may include antisocial behavior and aggression.

As Huntington's disease progresses, signs and symptoms may become more severe. These signs and symptoms may include physical changes not including uncontrollable movements, difficulty in speech through expression or slurring, weight loss due to problems in swallowing and chewing food leading to choking, problems in balance and coordination, uncontrollable movements, jerking of parts of the face or of the head, flicking or fidgety movements of the limbs and trunk, stumbling and lurching and slower movements. Also, there may be emotional changes such as aggression, anger, apathy, antisocial behaviour, depression, lack of emotion, moodiness, stubbornness, cognitive changes, loss of organizational skills, loss of initiative, disorientation, and problems focusing. Now you can see that this disease can have physical, psychological and emotional changes. People can also die from complications of this disease such as pneumonia, aspiration, choking and other infections. Huntington's disease can weaken the immune system in the long run. This makes the sufferer prone to infections and other complications. Thus the diet of the patient should be adjusted to ensure adequate food intake.

Huntington's disease is a genetic condition. Genetic testing should be done on children of patients who have the disease, as these children have a 50% chance of inheriting the defective gene. Genes are made up of DNA which are packaged in strands called chromosomes. The faulty gene in Huntington’s disease is found on chromosome number 4. The faulty gene is larger than it should be and produces a larger form of Huntington, a protein. Some brain cells react to Huntington so that they get destroyed. The cells that especially get damaged the most are those found in the part of the brain that controls movement.

Targets for Huntington's disease

A UCLA study published March 30 in the online edition of Nature Neuroscience has found out that tweaking a cell's ability to absorb potassium in the brain was able to improve walking and prolonged survival in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease. This could lead to new drug targets for treatment of this disease. The researchers were able to unravel the role played in Huntington’s by astrocytes–large, star-shaped cells found in the brain and spinal cord. Two mouse models have been used to explore whether astrocytes behave differently during Huntington’s disease: the first mimicked aggressive, early onset of the disorder, while the second imitated a slow-developing version. In these two models, astrocytes with the mutant gene showed a measurable drop in Kir4.1, a protein that allows the astrocyte to take in potassium through the cell membrane.

If you want to know more about Huntington's disease, feel free to read other articles on this site.

The liver is one of the most important parts of the body. It functions to regulate the composition of blood such as proteins, fat and sugar. It also removes toxins such as bilirubin, ammonia and other toxins. It also processes some nutrients absorbed by the intestines to be converted into forms that can be used by the body. It also functions to store nutrients such as vitamin A, iron and other minerals. It also produces cholesterol, proteins such as albumin, clotting factors and other substances needed by the body. It also metabolizes alcohol and many drugs. The liver is involved with the detoxification of harmful substances in the body by purifying blood and manufacturing important nutrients.

This is why we have to take care of liver in any way we can.

Liver Cirrhosis

One of the most common liver diseases is cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is an abnormal liver condition which leads to irreversible scarring of the liver. Causes of cirrhosis include viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, fatty liver and other factors. Cirrhosis can give rise to yellowing of the skin, tongue and eyes, along with itching and fatigue. Cirrhosis if long-term can cause liver damage. In this condition, the liver is replaced by scar tissue and if it becomes serious, blood flow to the liver may be blocked, causing liver dysfunction. If there is only mild cirrhosis, the liver can make repairs yet it can continue its basic functions. However, when cirrhosis becomes far-advanced, more scar tissue forms in the body and there is irreparable damage. The liver is then replaced by fibrous scar tissue and there are regenerative nodules present. These regenerative nodules are lumps that appear due to regeneration of damaged tissue.

Cirrhosis can give rise to signs and symptoms later on in its process. Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis include visible blood capillaries on the skin of the upper abdomen, fatigue, insomnia, itchy skin, loss of appetite, loss of body weight, nausea, pain and tenderness in the area of the liver, red or blotchy palms, and weakness. Later on there may be ascites or the filling up of fluid in the abdomen, fast heartbeat, changes in personality and mood due to toxins that build up in the brain, bleeding gums, loss of muscle mass, alcohol intoxication, difficulties in drug metabolism, confusion, dizziness, fluid retention or edema of the limbs, hair loss, high susceptibility to bruising, jaundice, loss of libido or sex drive, memory problems, more frequent fevers, muscle cramps, muscle cramps, nosebleed, shoulder pain, panting or breathlessness, black or tarry stools, dark urine, vomiting of blood, and walking problems.

There are many causes of cirrhosis, the most common of which are fatty liver disease, alcohol abuse, and hepatitis. Too much consumption of alcohol can also lead to liver cirrhosis, when a man drinks more than 21 units and a woman drinks more than 14 units per week. This is because an unusually high amount of alcohol cannot be metabolized well by the liver and the liver cells can experience damage. Long term, heavy and regular alcohol drinkers are more likely to develop cirrhosis. These people are also more prone to develop fatty liver. With regards to hepatitis, hepatitis C can often lead to cirrhosis because it can precipitate liver damage. Liver damage can also be cause by hepatitis B and D.

Cirrhosis can also develop from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may be found in people who are obese, diabetes patients, those with high blood lipid (fat) levels and those with hypertension.

Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer

In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 studies with 15,158 patients, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have found out that patients with cirrhosis who underwent liver ultrasound with or without measurement of serum alpha fetoprotein have liver cancers at an earlier stage. These persons were also more likely to have received curative instead of palliative treatment, and had longer survival. This should alert health professionals to screen patients with cirrhosis for liver cancer so that prognostication may be done and prompt management should be given.

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Infections affecting the gastrointestinal system are becoming more common, and one of these infections is rotavirus infection. Rotavirus infection is caused by rotavirus, a virus that infects the bowels. Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children and infants. It can also cause the deaths of thousands of children worldwide; however vaccination has been made available in most countries. Vaccination is not totally effective in preventing the disease however because different strains can infect people. Immunity is only achieved after several infections of the same strains of the virus.

Rotavirus Infections

Rotavirus belongs to the Reoviridae family of viruses and contains double-stranded RNA with a double-shelled outer layer known as a capsid. This virus commonly affects infants and young children yet adults may also acquire this viral infection. Different strains of the virus are available so that children and infants can have repeated rotavirus infections within a short period of time.

There are people who are especially prone to have rotavirus infections. Those who can easily contact the infection include infants and young children. Also who are prone to rotavirus infections are those who are in constant close contact with infected people and children in group day-care settings. It is said that most children can acquire rotavirus infections by the age of 3 years.

The incubation period or the time from initial infection to the onset of symptoms of the infection is about two days. Symptoms of the disease include, vomiting, nausea, fever and watery diarrhea. There may also be abdominal pain along with profuse watery diarrhea for several times a day. These symptoms may usually last for three to nine days. Immunity is incomplete after viral infection however repeated infections are less severe than the original infection.

Rotavirus infection can bring about severe dehydration in infants and children, which can further lead to death, although this may be rare. This is why parents need to identify symptoms of dehydration so that they may treat dehydration as soon as possible. These symptoms of hypertension include lethargy, dry and cool skin, absence of tears when crying, dry mouth or mucous membranes, sunken eyes, sunken fontanel, and extreme thirst.

Rotavirus is a highly contagious disease which is transmitted through the passage of the virus in stools to the mouth of another child. This is known as fecal-oral route of transmission. This infection can be transmitted easily when people forget to wash their hands before they eat or after they use the toilet. Infections can also result from touching a contaminated surface and then touching the mouth area. Rotavirus can also live in respiratory tract secretions and other body fluids. It can also have the ability to live in hard and dry surfaces and even on human hands.

The diagnosis of rotavirus infection may be made by rapid detection of rotavirus in stool specimens. It may also be diagnosed through testing with enzyme immunoassay or polymerase chain reaction. There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. This infection may limit itself to the bowels only and may last for only a few days. Increased fluid intake or oral rehydration should be done, and hospitalizations may be needed for intravenous fluids administration.

Rotavirus Infection and Type 1 Diabetes

A recent study by researchers from the University of Melbourne has shown that rotavirus infection can accelerate the development of type 1 diabetes in mice. The results were published in the recent issue of PLOS Pathogens. The researchers believe that rotavirus infection brings about autoimmune disease in mice which can later on lead to Type 1 diabetes. The virus seems to activate the immune system strongly, causing spillover and attack of the body cells not only on viruses and other foreign bodies but also on the body's own cells, including the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

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Do you feel constantly tired every now and then even if you think you have rested adequately? If so, you may have chronic fatigue syndrome.

Facts about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

So what is chronic fatigue syndrome? Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease which can cause persistent fatigue or exhaustion which can affect most aspects of everyday life and would simply go away with adequate sleep or rest. In other countries, it is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, due to the fact that it causes myalgia or muscle pain and encephalomyelitis which means inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord. Thousands of people are affected by chronic fatigue syndrome nowadays. This problem usually develops in the early 20s and can persist until the mid 40s. Older children may also be affected, usually between the ages 13 and 15 years old.

Chronic fatigue syndrome can affect our life. It can be mild or moderate in intensity, however one out of four people may have severe symptoms. Mild symptoms mean that the person is able to take care of himself but only needs a few days to rest. Moderate symptoms mean that the person has reduced mobility, disturbed sleep and needs to sleep during the afternoon. Severe symptoms mean that the person may have to carry out only minimal tasks everyday because of the condition and that he may have reduced mobility. This person with severe chronic fatigue syndrome may also have difficulty in concentrating.

There is no known cause for chronic fatigue syndrome. However, chronic fatigue syndrome may develop after a viral infection. Often times, it may also be due to problems in the immune system or an imbalance of hormones. It may also be due to psychiatric problems such as emotional trauma or stress. There are people who are more prone to this illness more than anyone else. More research is currently ongoing to determine the exact causes of this illness.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is often diagnosed through signs and symptoms and physical examination. These symptoms may persist from weeks to months. If fatigue lasts for many months, the suspicion for chronic fatigue syndrome is high. There are criteria set for physicians that can help them diagnose this disorder. There may also be accompanying symptoms such as loss of appetite, sleeping problems or problems in thinking or concentrating.

Not all people would need expert medical help. However, the doctor should be approached in cases when chronic fatigue syndrome is accompanied by flu-like symptoms that come and go, and are accompanied by extreme fatigue and weakness. Also a doctor should be consulted when the fatigue is felt for longer than 24 hours, even after sleep, and after exercise. Other symptoms that may warrant visits to the doctor include aches and pains in the joints and muscles without redness or swelling, unusually headache, sore throat and tenderness in the lymph nodes of the neck or underarms.

Treatments

There is also no known cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. Treatments are usually prescribed to reduce symptoms. Each treatment may affect a patient differently, so that a treatment plan should be tailored out to the patient by the doctor. Main treatments for this illness include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), graded exercise therapy which is a structured exercise programme for chronic fatigue syndrome and medications to control sleeping problems, nausea, vomiting or pain. These treatments are all helpful in relieving the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, yet these people often do not make a full recovery. The illness may also have a waxing and waning course and may either give rise to better or worse symptoms. More research is currently done to discover targets sites for chronic fatigue syndrome

To know more about chronic fatigue syndrome, feel free to read more of our articles on this site.

Honey is a type of sweet food made by bees which uses nectar from flowers. The edible type consumed by us comes from honey bees belonging to the genus Apis. These honey bees transform nectar into honey by evaporation and regurgitation. Inside the beehive they store it in honeycombs made of wax.

The Goodness of Honey

Honey can be consumed as food, as sugar substitute or as sweetener. Microorganisms cannot live in honey because of its low water content; however some microorganisms such as endospores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum may live in it and cause harms to health. These endospores can transform into bacteria that may produce toxins that can bring about illnesses and death.

Across the centuries, honey has been used due to its potential health benefits. It owes its sweetness due to the monosaccharides fructose and glucose. It has been used to treat ailments before. First of all, honey has been known to prevent cancers and heart disease due to its healthy contents such as antioxidants and flavonoids which can have benefits in heart and overall health. Honey can also prevent ulcers and other gastrointestinal illnesses from occurring. It is also known as an ant-bacterial and an anti-fungal substance, which may be attributed to the fact that some experts claim that bees add an enzyme to the honey that makes hydrogen peroxide. It was also reported to increase stamina in exercise and enhance athletic performance. This substance has the ability to maintain glucogen levels in the body and improve recovery time of muscles than other supplements. For those with cough and throat irritations, honey may have certain benefits which are comparable to that of dextromethorphan in relieving nocturnal cough and allowing proper sleep.

For ayurvedic medicine practitioners honey is said to balance material needs of the body. Ayurvedic practitioners claim that it can improve eyesight, promote weight loss, treat impotence, treat premature ejaculation, and prevent urinary tract disorders, bronchial asthma, and nausea. Honey is said to penetrate the deep tissues of the body to facilitate cleansing and promote rejuvenation.

Honey is also said to regulate elevated blood sugar levels. It contains simple sugars, yet these sugars are not the same as white sugars or artificial sweeteners. Honey is a low-glycemic index type of food so that they wouldn't increase blood sugar levels further. Honey also facilitates easy healing from wounds and burns and is comparable to the topical treatment silver sulfadiazine. These simple sugars found in honey have a drying effect and may even have anti-bacterial effects. Honey may also promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, acting as a probiotic. Honey can also give rise to beautiful skin and can moisturize and nourish the skin while preventing bacterial infections.

Honey and Bacterial Resistance

A recent study has shown that honey could be a solution for problems in bacterial resistance and that it may have a larger role in fighting infections. This study made by researchers from Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. has shown that honey may have a certain ability to fight off infection at various levels, so that bacteria cannot develop resistance. Honey's weapons against microorganisms include the production of hydrogen peroxide, acidity, osmotic effect, high sugar concentrations and polyphenols. These processes and components have the ability to kill bacterial cells. Osmotic effect, in particular, is the result of the high sugar concentration in honey, which draws water from bacterial cells to dehydrate and kill them. Honey also prevents the formation of biofilms or slimy communities of disease-causing bacteria. It also inhibits quorum sensing, a way by which bacteria communicates with one another to form biofilms and promote resistance to antibiotics. Quorum sensing can also control the release of toxins which further affects pathogenicity of bacteria or their ability to cause disease.

Unlike conventional antibiotics, honey does not target essential growth processes of bacteria. In this way it prevents the buildup of bacterial resistance against drugs. This is because honey is made up of healthy polyphenols or antioxidants such as phenolic acids, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and ellagic acid. It also contains flavonoids which are beneficial to the body. Aside from these facts, honey has also been proven by many studies to have broad-spectrum antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

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Red Meat

Are you fond of eating red meat? Well, you better not be. Studies are now showing that red meat is associated with a lot of ugly health effects nowadays. You may be grateful to know how red, processed meat can actually ruin your health.

 Red Meat

 Red meat can give rise to certain medical problems such as Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, colon cancers, type 2 diabetes, viral diseases, and other problems. Red meat may increase Alzheimer's disease, a disease which is marked by protein accumulation in the brain. These proteins such as Tau and beta-amyloid accumulate in the brain to cause damage and death to nerve cells, and this later on brings about Alzheimer's dementia. New studies have also told that iron accumulation in the brain is one contributing factor to Alzheimer's disease. Experts speculate that iron accumulation may be a result of high red meat consumption.

 A lot of studies have focused on the link between red meat and heart disease. Some of these studies say that this link is not related to the saturated fats and cholesterol that is derived from red meat but instead from the way that gut microbes break down red meat into a substance known as carnitine. Carnitine further turns into trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) which further causes atherosclerosis or the buildup of fats in the blood vessels, causing diseases such as heart attacks and stroke.

 Colon cancers can surface out because of a high consumption of red meat. In studies, it was shown that people between the ages of 50 to 75 years old who ate red meat regularly elevated their risk for colorectal cancers. On the other hand, fish, fowl and vegetables seem to lower the risk for this type of cancer. Red meat consumption also increases your risk for type 2 diabetes.

 Virus infections can also be easily obtained from regular red meat consumption. One of these diseases is Mad Cow disease, an epidemic which started in the United Kingdom in 1986. It may also cause another infection known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease which can be life-threatening for only a few months.

 Meat is also not the same meat that people consumed during the early years. Red meat being sold in supermarkets are now being pumped with hormones and antibiotics to help animals grow faster and be free from diseases. These antibiotics and hormones may still be present in the red meat that we consume today. These chemicals may act as toxins in your body and may cause health  dangers to us and to unborn children. This is why we need to be careful about red meat consumption. Health organizations nowadays are advising people to limit their intake of red and processed meat so as to not experience their bad effects on health.

 Red Meat and Health

 A recent paper by 23 scientists talks more about the uncertainties in previous research about the link between red meat and ill-health. This report, published in the latest issue of journal Meat Science has suggested that experts should do more research and improve future recommendations on red meat intake. This review talks about recent studies that have tried to establish the link between red meat consumption and cancer risk in humans and animals. Animals can develop prostate cancer if fed with red meat without vegetables, fiber, milk or other sources of calcium. In humans, there is a small observed association between red meat consumption and cancer risk; the authors claim that this may be due to the fact that animals are more dependent on vegetables and natural diets than humans. These experts also claimed that the damage caused by meat to humans can be reversed by consuming other foods that may enhance the activity of the bacteria living on the human gut.

 The group continues to conclude that for experts to fully understand the link between red meat consumption and human health, they should first understand how the body gets affected by the food that it eats. They recommend that food organizations should develop more guidelines that say how much red meat should be consumed by people, the composition of meat that should be eaten and how meat consumption affects cancer risks.

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The brain is the most important part of the body because it serves as the body's control center. Just like any other organ in the body, the brain also needs energy. The brain always needs a constant supply of energy to carry out its functions such as the organization, concentration and processing of information. This constant supply of energy can be achieved with various foods that slowly release glucose into the bloodstream. These low-GI foods can keep a person mentally alert throughout the day.

So what are these foods which can boost brain function? Here are some of them.

Top Brain Foods

Whole grains

Whole grains provide a slow release of energy which can boost brain performance and concentration. Examples of these whole grains include brown cereals, wheat bran, brown pasta and granary bread. You should bear in mind that there are various types of grains: whole, refined and enriched. You should be able to differentiate whole grains from all other types. Whole grains are unrefined grains whose bran and germ hadn't been removed through milling. These types of grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients such as selenium, potassium and magnesium. They either make single foods or as ingredients in food products.

Refined grains, on the other hand are milled grains wherein the bran and germ are stripped off to give them a finer texture. These grains are often stripped off of important nutrients such as fiber. Examples of refined grains are white bread and degermed cornflower, as well as commercially available breads, cereals, crackers, desserts and pastries. Enriched grains are the type of grains that have received enrichment of nutrients after processing. These grains are fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish contain essential fatty acids that are not made by the body and should be obtained through the diet. Some of these essential fatty acids include EPA and DHA. These fatty acids are from fatty fish which includes salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards and kippers. It is not only in fatty fish that these fatty acids may be found. They may also be obtained from flaxseed oil, soya bean oil, walnut oil, pumpkin seeds and soya beans. These essential fatty acids can prevent memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.

Blueberries

Blueberries are said to be effective in preventing memory loss. This is because these fruits are rich with antioxidants that may have potential benefits on brain health and other parts of the nervous system. Blueberries have been found in some studies to improve cognitive function and boost memory. The antioxidants present in this fruit can also slow down other problems associated with aging. Berries are also low in terms of glycemic index, thus triggering a slow release of energy for the brain.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful oxidant that can protect the brain and nerves from antioxidant damage. It can protect against dementia such as Alzheimer’s. Lycopene is responsible for the deep red color of tomatoes. Aside from brain health benefits, lycopene may also give rise to good bone health. It can also lead to good heart health.

Vitamins

Vitamins particularly B6, B12 and folic acid can reduce homocysteine levels in the body. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with impaired cognition, Alzheimer’s disease and increased risk for strokes. There are some studies which show that high doses of B6, B12 and folic acid can lead to lessen brain shrinkage.

Blackcurrants

Blackcurrants are known to be rich with Vitamin C. This vitamin can boost brain function and improve memory. These are also due to the antioxidants that it contains. These fruits can provide more Vitamin C than oranges and other citrus fruits.

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds have increased amounts of zinc and other nutrients that can enhance memory and boost brain function.

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 Asthma

So what causes asthma? Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways. The pulmonary system is made up of the lungs, the trachea or the windpipe and small tubes of bronchi that carry air from the nose to the lungs and vice versa. In people with asthma, the bronchi are more sensitive than usual and they may become inflamed with certain stimuli. These stimuli may cause irritation when you inhale an allergen or a trigger. After the contact, the airways become narrow and the muscle tighten. The bronchi then produces a sticky substance known as phlegm, which brings about more symptoms such as difficulty of breathing, chest tightness, wheezing and coughing. These symptoms are collectively known as an asthmatic attack or an acute asthma exacerbation. This requires immediate treatment and can be life-threatening when not treated immediately.

 Asthma needs to be controlled, especially if it is occurring for a long time already. Long term untreated asthma may lead to long-term inflammation of the airways and more permanent narrowing. The diagnosis of asthma usually begins during childhood, with symptoms first appearing during this stage up to the teenage years. If there are moderate or severe symptoms, they are most likely to persist or be back later in life during adulthood. The exact cause of asthma is unknown however studies say that this disease usually runs in families.

 There are some common triggers for asthma. These triggers usually irritate the airways and bring about asthma symptoms. Triggers may affect each person differently. Some common triggers include exercise, smoke, infections, cold air, pollen, animal fur, and house dust mites. The symptoms of asthma can also be made worse by certain activities such as exposure to latex, paint, sawdust, dust, too much heat or any work-related triggers. There is no exact cure for asthma, however, there are certain medications that can control this condition. Treatments usually relieve symptoms of asthma while preventing future attacks and symptoms. Thus it is important for scientists nowadays that they identify new targets for asthma.

 New Targets for Asthma Drugs

 A recent study has shown that an enzyme that helps maintain the body's immune system by eliminating a specific protein has an important role in controlling the symptoms of allergic asthma. This enzyme, called Cbl-b, could be a target for drugs used to treat allergic asthma and other autoimmune disorders. This study was done by researchers from Ohio State University and is published in the journal Cell reports.

 In this study, mice were made as models for allergic asthma and were injected with a substance to incite an allergic response. The researchers found out that cells in these mice which lacked the Cbl-b enzyme were unable to send a protein called Stat6 to the biological garbage after its services were no longer needed. This results to the overactivity of two types of immune cells that soon lead to the inflammation of the airways of these mice. Those mice with normal functioning of the Cbl-b were shown to have less severe allergic asthma symptoms.

 Cbl-b is said to be an important enzyme that helps keep the levels of proteins stable within cells of the immune response. This enzyme leads proteins which have finished their jobs into a space that functions as a garbage can, where they are degraded.

 You can learn more about asthma by browsing our other articles on this site.