Credit: Yoko Wang In recent years, the vagus nerve has become more well-known than ever before, as it has become a golden target for many chronic disease therapies. What is the vagus nerve? And what does it do, and why is it so important to our health? For centuries, the vagus nerve (also called the … Continue reading Spotlight On: The Vagus Nerve
Spotlight
Spotlight On: Atherosclerosis and Cholesterol
Credit: iStock Atherosclerosis, a disease that affects the large vessels of the body and typically progresses over time, is one of the major causes of heart attack and stroke. It begins with the development of fatty streaks in the blood vessels, which can start forming as early as childhood. Compounds that cause inflammation (including cholesterol … Continue reading Spotlight On: Atherosclerosis and Cholesterol
Spotlight On: Scoliosis
Credit: iStock Scoliosis is a condition where the spine is curved or rotated. Scoliosis affects between 6 and 9 million people across the U.S. It is often diagnosed in the tween and teen years but can develop at any time. Women tend to have scoliosis more than men. There are four different types of scoliosis … Continue reading Spotlight On: Scoliosis
Spotlight On: Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Credit: iStock Cells have many different compartments—known as organelles—that have different functions. A commonly known example of an organelle is the “energy center” of the cell called mitochondria. Each organelle has its own important role in cellular function. One lesser-known organelle is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER is essential for making and maturing proteins, … Continue reading Spotlight On: Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Spotlight On: Lymphatic System and Lymphedema
Credit: iStock The cardiovascular system includes the heart, arteries and capillaries that transport blood, oxygen, nutrients and water across our bodies. Veins also collect blood, while something called the lymphatic system collects a fluid called lymph. Lymph contains byproducts from our metabolism and immune factors to maintain our health. Cardiovascular health is central to our … Continue reading Spotlight On: Lymphatic System and Lymphedema
Spotlight On: Cervical Cancer
Credit: iStock “Barbie”—an empowering movie about feminism featuring a personified version of the iconic doll—ends with a line that is shocking, surprising and funny (spoiler alert!): “I’m here to see my gynecologist.” Earlier in the movie, viewers learned that Barbie does not have genitals, but by the end of the movie, she starts to embrace … Continue reading Spotlight On: Cervical Cancer
Spotlight On: Heart Attack
Credit: iStock Our heart tirelessly pumps blood through the body to nourish our tissues with oxygen and nutrients and to remove waste. The human heart has four chambers: the two upper chambers are the left and right atria and contract first. The two bottom chambers, called the left and right ventricles, contract second. The right … Continue reading Spotlight On: Heart Attack
Spotlight On: Stroke
Credit: iStock Every year about 800,00 people living in the U.S. have a stroke. Stroke is a public health concern that costs the U.S. billions of dollars and remains one of the leading causes of death. A stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack” because it interferes with oxygen and glucose (sugar) delivery to the … Continue reading Spotlight On: Stroke
Spotlight On: Probiotics
Credit: iStock You may notice the term “probiotics” popping up more and more often. These products seem to be everywhere. As you walk down your local supermarket aisles, you will find probiotics in fermented food such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha, as well as supplement pills. Additionally, the global market for probiotics is … Continue reading Spotlight On: Probiotics
Spotlight On: The Brain
Credit: iStock Our understanding of the human brain has come a long way since scientists first started studying this intricate organ. Throughout history, the brain has been thought to have different purposes and varying levels of importance, with some thinking that it was not really important at all. But steadily, researchers grew to understand more … Continue reading Spotlight On: The Brain