To vaccinate or not to vaccinate…that is the question.

Vaccines save lives.

It is no secret that vaccinations have revolutionized global health. Arguably the single most life-saving innovation in the history of medicine, vaccines have eradicated smallpox, slashed child mortality rates, and prevented lifelong disabilities. Hundreds of millions of people have died prematurely before vaccinations were developed and began to be routinely administered. Fear of paralysis or death from polio and smallpox was a reality for people everywhere until a few decades ago. Studies have shown a greater than 92% decline in cases and a 99% or greater decline in deaths due to diseases prevented by vaccines recommended before 1980 were shown for diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, and tetanus. Endemic transmission of poliovirus and measles and rubella viruses has been eliminated in the United States; smallpox has been eradicated worldwide. Declines were 80% or greater for cases and deaths of most vaccine-preventable diseases targeted since 1980 including hepatitis A, acute hepatitis B, Hib, and varicella. https://jamanetwork.com/journals

At the heart of every vaccine is a component called an antigen -- typically a chunk of a protein that's identical to one borne by the targeted pathogen -- that can excite the immune system to recognize it, then rally and retaliate against it.

When a vaccine dose is shot into your arm, it draws the attention of front-line immune sentinels called dendritic cells, Stanford Medicine vaccine expert Bali Pulendran, PhD, told me. Widely distributed throughout the body's tissues (notably under the skin and in or near muscle tissue), dendritic cells sit around waiting for trouble.

As soon as these dendritic cells sense an antigen, suggesting an invading pathogen is present, they slurp it up, chew it into little pieces, display these tidbits on their surfaces like battle trophies and head for the lymph nodes, the barracks of the immune system.

There, they alert an assemblage of diverse immune-cell types, which launch a coordinated attack on anything possessing features identical to those antigenic battle trophies.

The ingredients in these vaccines are very different than our newest vaccine for COVID 19.

They are the first vaccines ever approved for clinical use that employ an information-coding molecule called RNA to generate an immune response to a microbial pathogen. This is revolutionary because what the immune system responds to is not the RNA, but something the RNA teaches our cells to make. These new vaccines are the first to use the RNA coding molecule to prompt our bodies to fight the virus. https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/.

Regardless of your beliefs regarding any safety about vaccines, the bottom line is, the risk associated with vaccinations compared to the benefit that they provide are unparalleled.

Vaccines save lives.

The man revered as the father of American psychology, William James, said, “True beliefs are those that prove useful to the believer.”

Please educate yourself before turning down any preventative treatment or test. They could end up saving your life or even the lives of the ones you love the most!

How dangerous is radiation exposure?

In large doses, radiation can cause serious tissue damage and increase a person’s risk of later developing cancer. The low doses of radiation used for imaging tests might increase a person’s cancer risk slightly, but it’s important to put this risk into perspective. So, is it safe or not? We are constantly exposed to radiation from a number of sources, including radioactive materials in our environment, radon gas in our homes, and cosmic rays from outer space. This is called background radiation and it varies across the country.

The average American is exposed to about 3 mSv (millisieverts) of radiation from natural sources over the course of a year. (A millisievert is a measure of radiation exposure.) But background radiation exposure varies throughout the United States, and the world.

The largest source of background radiation (typically about 2 mSv per year) is radon, a natural gas found in our homes. Radon levels vary greatly from one part of the country to another.

Location also plays a role because the earth’s atmosphere blocks some cosmic rays. This means being at a higher altitude increases a person’s exposure. So, people living in the higher parts of New Mexico and Colorado are exposed to more radiation per year (about 1.5 mSv more) than people living closer to sea level. And a 10-hour airline flight increases cosmic ray exposure by about 0.03 mSv.

A single chest x-ray exposes the patient to about 0.1 mSv. This is about the same amount of radiation people are exposed to naturally over the course of about 10 days.

• A mammogram exposes a woman to 0.4 mSv, or about the amount a person would expect to get from natural background exposure over 7 weeks.

Some other imaging tests have higher exposures, for example:

• A lower GI series using x-rays of the large intestine exposes a person to about 8 mSv, or about the amount expected over about 3 years.

• A CT scan of the abdomen (belly) and pelvis exposes a person to about 10 mSv.

• A PET/CT exposes you to about 25 mSv of radiation. This is equal to about 8 years of average background radiation exposure.

If you have concerns about the radiation you may get from a CT scan, PET scan, or any other imaging test that uses radiation, talk to your health care provider. Ask whether the test is needed and if it’s the best one to use in your case. You may also want to know what you and your health care provider can expect to learn from it.

The best advice at this time is to get only the imaging tests that are needed and try to limit your exposure to all forms of radiation. If you do need to have a test that will expose you to some radiation, ask if there are ways to shield the parts of your body that aren’t being imaged. For example, a lead apron can be used to protect parts of your chest or abdomen from getting radiation, and a lead collar (known as a thyroid shield or thyroid collar) can be used to protect your thyroid gland. Remember that MRI and ultrasound exams do not expose you to radiation. Radiation exposure depends on the type of test done, the area of the body exposed, the person’s body size, age, and gender, and other factors.

Radiation experts believe that if imaging tests do increase the risk of cancer, the increase in risk is likely to be very small. Still, it’s hard to know just how much radiation exposure from imaging tests might increase a person’s cancer risk. Most studies on radiation and cancer risk have looked at people exposed to very high doses of radiation, such as uranium miners and atomic bomb survivors. The risk from low-level radiation exposure is not easy to calculate from these studies. We do know that children are more sensitive to radiation and should be protected from it as much as possible.

Because radiation exposure from all sources can add up over a lifetime, and radiation can, indeed, increase cancer risk, imaging tests that use radiation should only be done for a good reason. In many cases, other imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may be used. But if there’s a reason to believe that an x-ray, CT scan, or nuclear medicine scan (such as a PET scan) is the best way to look for cancer or other diseases, the person will most likely be helped more than the small dose of radiation can hurt.

Source: cancer.org/treatment

Why are hormones important?

Because hormones play a critical role in daily health and well being. When hormone levels are out of balance (for both men and women), our mood, health, weight, stress, blood sugar levels, and, for women, ovulation and even fertility are impacted.

But what causes our bodies to get out of balance in the first place?

Common culprits are frequently due to lifestyle factors including poor diet, stress, bad sleeping habits and lack of exercise. In addition for women, menopause, pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and “the pill” or other contraceptives help imbalance hormones. Still other factors could be due to hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, autoimmune diseases and diabetes. When any ONE of these stressors occur in our lives, our hormones become off balanced causing us to feel off balanced, both mentally and physically. Hormones are created by the glands that are a part of the endocrine system. Hormone.org shows us which glands are responsible for what.

      “Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is responsible for body temperature, hunger, moods and the release of hormones from other glands; and also controls thirst, sleep and sex drive.

·       Parathyroid: This gland controls the amount of calcium in the body.

·       Thymus: This gland plays a role in the function of the adaptive immune system and the maturity of the thymus, and produces T-cells.

·       Pancreas: This gland produces the insulin that helps control blood sugar levels.

·       Thyroid: The thyroid produces hormones associated with calorie burning and heart rate.

·       Adrenal: Adrenal glands produce the hormones that control sex drive and cortisol, the stress hormone.

·       Pituitary: Considered the “master control gland,” the pituitary gland controls other glands and makes the hormones that trigger growth.

·       Pineal: Also called the thalamus, this gland produces serotonin derivatives of melatonin, which affects sleep.

·       Ovaries: Only in women, the ovaries secrete estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, the female sex hormones.

·       Testes: Only in men, the testes produce the male sex hormone, testosterone, and produce sperm.

Steroid Hormones:

These hormones are derived from cholesterol, includes sex hormones and adrenal hormones (mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids):

·       Estrogen – produced by the ovaries, placenta, breasts, liver, adrenal glands, fat cells, hypothalamus, and others. Responsible for female sexual development, breast development, menstruation, pregnancy, memory, and anti-aging.

·       Progesterone – produced by the ovaries, placenta, and CNS. Responsible for female sexual development, breast development, menstruation, and pregnancy.

·       Testosterone – produced by the testes and ovaries. Responsible for male sexual development, sex drive, sperm production, and muscle and bone mass.

·       DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) –  produced by the adrenals and the brain. Responsible for lean body mass, bone strength, immunity, heart health, and resistance to stress.

·       Pregnenolone – produced by the adrenals. Responsible for memory and resistance to stress.

·       Cortisol – produced by the adrenals. Responsible for resistance to stress, energy production, anti-inflammatory, and mood stability.

·       Vitamin D (1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D or calcitrol) – produced by the skin, liver and kidneys. Responsible for a variety of functions, including bone and muscle health, heart health, immunity, metabolism, brain development, cell communication, and more!

 Peptide Hormones

These hormones are often in “pre-hormone” form, requiring further processing to be active:

·       HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) – produced by the placenta. Helps support the endometrial lining for a developing fetus (and stimulates progesterone).

·       HGH (Human growth hormone, or somatotropin/somatropin) – produced by the pituitary. Promotes growth in children and adolescents, and helps regulate body composition, tissue growth, and metabolism in adults.

·       Melatonin – produced by the pineal gland. Responsible for sleep; supports brain health, heart health, immune system, and cancer prevention.

·       Insulin – produced by the pancreas. Signals glucose to be transferred from your blood into your cells for energy usage; fat body regulation.

·       Glucagon – produced by the pancreas. Signals liver to release glucose into your blood.

·       Prolactin – produced by the pituitary, breasts, uterus, prostate, skin, fat, and immune cells. Promotes lactation, bonding, and more than 300 reproductive, metabolic, immune, and other functions.

·       Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) – produced by the pituitary. Stimulates cortisol release.

·       Leptin – produced by fat cells. Promotes fat regulation.

·       Ghrelin – produced by the stomach and pancreas. Stimulates hunger.

·       Parathyroid hormone (PTH) – produced by the parathyroid gland. Controls amount of calcium in your bones and blood.

·       Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) – produced by the hypothalamus. Stimulates the thyroid gland to release TH.

·       Humoral factors (e.g., thymosin) – produced by the thymus. Responsible for the development of a healthy immune system.

Amino Acid Derivative Hormones (Amines)

These hormones are derived from tyrosine and tryptophan, includes thyroid hormones and catecholamines.

·       Adrenalin – produced by the adrenals. Responsible for the “fight or flight” response: increases heart rate, dilates blood vessels, and releases glucose.

·       Thyroid hormone (TH) – produced by the thyroid gland. Responsible for organ development and metabolism.

Eicosanoid Hormones

These hormones are produced from fatty acids (arachidonic acid); very short-lived in your body and exert effects primarily on local tissues.

·       Prostaglandins – produced by nearly every cell in the human body. Varying responsibilities, including uterine contractions, bronchodilation and inflammation.

 If you’re one of the thousands that find yourself struggling to lose weight, experiencing major food cravings, have difficulty falling or staying asleep, feeling scatterbrained or forgetful, battling painful migraines, experiencing painful or irregular cycles, increase in body aches, inability to gain muscle mass despite work outs, or feeling “off” including depression and anxiety then you should have your hormones evaluated.

The Beginners Guide to Meditation

Why meditate?

Meditation can have extensive mental and physical health benefits, and you need less than 10 minutes alone each day to do it. It might seem difficult to get started and keep up a routine, but it is a great habit to start.

Meditation isn't about learning how to empty your mind or stop your thoughts. Instead, meditation is the practice of training your attention and focus from a place of non-judgement.

Mindfulness meditation is the most common type of meditation in the West — and perhaps the easiest one to start. Mindfulness has to do with paying attention to what you're feeling and observing in the present moment. 

It's important to recognize that meditation and mindfulness are not one in the same. 

If the main idea of meditation is to be present and aware of your thoughts and feelings, mindfulness is the ongoing practice of honing that awareness and reconnecting to what we do and why we do it. Meditation is the intentional practice of mindfulness. Instead of focusing on a specific task, you're focusing on each inhale and exhale of your breathing. This type of mindful breathing is an important and useful way to anchor your focus in the present moment. Mindfulness meditation can be done anywhere that you can focus. Here are a few steps to help you meditate: 

1. Find a quiet space. Make sure there is nothing to disturb you before you start meditation. Turn your phone on silent and go into a room away from others.

2. Sit in a comfortable position. You can sit on top of a cushion or blanket, on the floor or in a chair. Sit upright, but don't tense up — your body should feel relaxed.

3. Breathe gently. Focus your attention on each inhale and exhale. Alternatively, you can begin with a body scan: focus on each part of the body, down from your toes and up to your head, pausing to notice the sensations.

4. Let distractions come and go. If your mind wanders, acknowledge the thought that has distracted you, but do not dwell on it. Then, gently bring your attention back to your breathing. Getting distracted when meditating is inevitable and one of the biggest worries for beginners — but learning how to manage distraction is a vital part of the process.

Meditating for just five to 10 minutes each day is an achievement to be proud of. Some people like to meditate for as long as 30 minutes to 45 minutes once they become more experienced, but there are benefits even with short amounts of practice.  If possible, try to meditate at the same time every day, as this will help you build a habit so you build meditation into your daily schedule. And if you have to skip a day for whatever reason, don't be too hard on yourself — just try to get back to your routine the next day. Research has found that meditation can improve your mental and physical health in a variety of ways. 

Here are seven science-backed benefits of meditation: 

• Better focus and concentration. Studies have found that meditation can increase grey matter in parts of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

• Improve self-esteem and self-awareness. Self-observation without judgement is one of the core tenets of meditation, and it can help you see yourself in a new way.

• Reduce stress. Meditation can lower levels of cortisol — the stress hormone — and help you feel more calm and relaxed.

• Help manage anxiety or depression. Daily meditation is one of the best natural treatment methods for anxiety disorders, as well as other mental illnesses.

• Fight addiction. Research has found that mindfulness training can help prevent future relapses for those with substance use disorders.

• Control pain. Many doctors recommend meditation – especially body scans — to help manage chronic pain.

• Promote altruistic behavior. Some studies have found that meditation may even reduce implicit bias and fight against racial prejudice.

To help you get started with meditation, the good people at Insider Reviews have put together a list of the best meditation apps.

Some of these guided apps are well-suited for specific purposes, such as: 

• For daily use: Headspace

• For sleep: Calm

• For variety: Insight Timer

• For skeptics: Ten Percent Happier

• For newbies: Simple Habit

Source: https://www.insider.com/how-to-meditate