Helminth Immunomodulation in Autoimmune Disease.
This study relates to my interest in ways to modulate an overactive immune system. One radical way is to inoculate the patient with hookworm. Because hookworm has learned how to evade the immune system and coexist with humans, the thought is that it can put the brakes on immune overreaction. It doesn’t work reliably, unfortunately,…
Read MoreSauna bathing is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality and improves risk prediction in men and women
Laukkanen T, Kunutsor SK, Khan H, Willeit P, Zaccardi F, Laukkanen JA. Sauna bathing is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality and improves risk prediction in men and women: a prospective cohort study. BMC Med. 2018;16(1):219. Published 2018 Nov 29. doi:10.1186/s12916-018-1198-0 Background Previous evidence indicates that sauna bathing is related to a reduced risk of fatal cardiovascular…
Read MoreExercise and Immune Function
This study looks at the positive effects of exercise on immune function in younger and especially in older individuals. We’ve discussed exercise here and here Campbell JP, Turner JE. Debunking the Myth of Exercise-Induced Immune Suppression: Redefining the Impact of Exercise on Immunological Health Across the Lifespan. Front Immunol. 2018;9:648. Published 2018 Apr 16. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00648 Campbell…
Read MoreThe Vagus Nerve Can Predict and Possibly Modulate Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases: Introducing a Neuroimmunological Paradigm to Public Health
I’m referencing this article in my writing project but apparently never covered it in the blog. It supports the use of HRV as a measure of frontal brain activity, a part of the brain that can regulate unhealthy behaviors. ” Vagal nerve activity is related to frontal brain activity which regulates unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Epidemiologically,…
Read MorePredictors of autonomic neuropathy in rheumatoid arthritis.
Auton Neurosci. 2016 Dec;201:54-59. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2016.07.008. Epub 2016 Jul 29. Predictors of autonomic neuropathy in rheumatoid arthritis. Syngle V1, Syngle A2, Garg N3, Krishan P3, Verma I3. Author informationαα 1 Cardio Rheuma and Healing Touch City Clinic, Chandigarh, India. 2 Cardio Rheuma and Healing Touch City Clinic, Chandigarh, India; Fortis Multispecialty Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India….
Read MoreAcupuncture and Long Covid
In this interview with Kevin Tracey, a neurobiologist interested in using surgically implanted electrodes to stimulate the vagus nerve, he and his interviewer postulate that Long Covid has autonomic dysfunction as part of the problem. Vagal dysfunction could be from direct infection of the vagus nerve, but it could also be a side effect of…
Read MoreDeep Resilience: Pain and Acupuncture
Pain Chapter 3.25.2022 for sharing “The easiest pain to bear is someone else’s.” Francois de la Rochefoucauld. We might be inclined to think that pain is unlike any of the other conditions discussed in Deep Resilience and not subject to the laws of Dr. One. Pain is real! Pain is urgent and serious! But even…
Read MoreAndrew Huberman: Toolkit for sleep
I have heard Dr. Huberman on a few podcasts. This particular segment is about sleep, an evergreen topic on this blog. He stresses the roles of light (when to get it and how) and temperature. He is not a fan of melatonin. I will most likely stop recommending that patients take it. What he says…
Read MoreTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation augments postprandial inhibition of ghrelin
I will be watching this ghrelin research carefully. I’m a bit skeptical of this research that promises effortless weight loss. On the other hand, I do believe that there are some powerful homeostatic mechanisms at play when the autonomic nervous system is stimulated. As of now, the effects are muted but with the correct stimulation…
Read MoreExercises for Back Pain
This article is from the New York Times. Back pain is so common that anything we can do to control it is well worth the time and effort. “If holding a regular plank is uncomfortable, start with your knees on the ground, then progress to balancing on your toes. Dr. Shah also suggested squats, push-ups and bridges. To build…
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