The Panamanian golden frog likes life in a bubble. Inside a lab or a zoo, the strikingly handsome amphibian thrives nicely. But out in the wild, the frog sickens and dies. The culprit, a fungus named Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is the cause of many species extinctions. The Bd fungus however has some enemies and is […]
Articles
Schizophrenia: From the Gut
Schizophrenia: severe brain disorder characterized by abnormal interpretations of reality, resulting in hallucinations, delusions and disordered behavior. What causes it? Researchers believe it is a combination of genetics and environment. This “nature vs. nurture” hypothesis pretty much describes the cause of most illnesses, short of those caused by accidents. But it is helpful in that the […]
Probiotics to Extend Dental Shelf Life
Teeth don’t last a lifetime. Are we living too long or are we mistreating them along the way? The answer is “yes” to both. Fortunately we may be able extend our dental shelf life not by reducing our own but by taking better care. Teeth face hard foods such as nuts, sticky foods like gummi bears, scorchers […]
A Place for FOS in Kidney Disease?
Designing healthy diets for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is tricky. Protein, electrolytes, minerals and fluids must be tightly monitored for the intent of striking a balance between optimum intake for health and minimal stress to the damaged kidneys (reduced glomerular filtration rate). At the same time, energy requirements must be respected. It’s a […]
Mad March to Metabolic Syndrome
The term “metabolic syndrome” smacks of new age mumbo-jumbo. In reality, metabolic syndrome is a clutch of symptoms, including obesity, hypertension, and high blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease. As causes and effects of these major killers find common ground, it is evident that metabolic syndrome demands attention. First, a bit […]
Gut Microbes Shore Up Blood-Brain Barrier
“The brain is wider than the sky.”-Emily Dickinson Protecting such a wonder is no easy task but the blood-brain barrier (BBB) does a good job of it, most days. Both the endothelial and epithelial barriers close ranks around the brain and are reinforced by complex junctions. The blood-brain barrier: Acts as a gatekeeper between the […]