Because it infects adults between two and four times per year, the guilty virus has earned its name as the common cold. What to do? Decongestants and antihistamines may relieve its miserable symptoms including fever, sore throat and stuffy noses. Zinc and vitamin C have shown some benefit. Of course, antibacterials are useless because […]
After You, Doctor
For some scientists, the easiest and often best research subjects are those closest. Textbooks are full of lively examples which have led to great discovery. Take the polio vaccine which has eradicated the deadly disease from most countries in the world: Almost two decades before Jonas Salk announced his breakthrough, a research assistant at New […]
Fermentation in Filipino Foods
Filipino cuisine offers a delightful menu of fermented dishes, each one as different as the region of the country from which it comes. Fermentation extends the shelf-life of food in this country of nearly 100 million people many of whom live in poverty. But rich they are in probiotic taste treats. A recent paper—access the […]
Probiotics May Fight Tooth Decay
One thing stands out when watching an old movie. Very few actors had perfect teeth. Today most young people in developed countries look as though they just stepped out of Photoshop. Orthodontics of course are widespread. But there is one other thing that is drastically different. Fluoride. This mineral which is added to water […]
Probiotics May Change Your Drug Dose
Medications affect different people in different ways. Now scientists think that gut microbes and enzymes may be one reason. This review explores mechanisms including biotransformation, bioactivation, and biodegradation as well as up- or down-regulation of the epithelial transporters. These reactions may lead to overdosing or underdosing. Read more about this new thinking here in […]
Probiotics in Chronic Stress
Probiotics have been shown to reduce the ill effects of chronic stress on intestinal function. Researchers from the Netherlands wondered if mast cells played a part. In recently published work with rats, they were able to see protective effects of probiotics when mast cells were present.