Credit: iStock With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many people connect their post-feast drowsiness to the amino acid tryptophan found in turkey. But how does tryptophan make you feel sleepier and more relaxed? It turns out tryptophan is not only known for causing those cozy post-meal naps but also for being a precursor to Vitamin … Continue reading Gobble Up Your Thanksgiving Turkey for Better Gut Health
Bacteria
The Haunted House of Microbes: Exploring the ‘Eerie’ Microbiome System
Credit: iStock It’s Halloween! This time of year many of us revel in all things spooky, huddle by a cozy fire and share chilling tales of our favorite monsters. Embracing the eerie ambiance of the season and the looming specter of fearsome creatures, I’ve embarked on a journey to delve into the enigmatic world of … Continue reading The Haunted House of Microbes: Exploring the ‘Eerie’ Microbiome System
The Oral Microbiome: Tiny Organisms with a Huge Impact on Health
Credit: iStock Have you heard of the gut microbiome? This diverse community teeming with trillions of bacteria, fungi and other tiny organisms lives in the body’s intestines. Even if you’re familiar with the gut microbiome, you might be less so with the oral microbiome, another major community of microorganisms. This one lives in our mouths. … Continue reading The Oral Microbiome: Tiny Organisms with a Huge Impact on Health
Don’t Let Food Poisoning Spoil Your Holiday Fun
Credit: iStock In Hawai’i, no matter the holiday or occasion, there’s always a spread of pūpūs, small appetizers and finger foods that typically include spicy ahi poke, shoyu edamame and other local favorites. As my grandma says, “Everything is so ono (delicious)!” Leftovers are often packed as a convenient meal or snack for the next … Continue reading Don’t Let Food Poisoning Spoil Your Holiday Fun
A Battle Against ‘Superbugs’ in a New Medical Era
Have you heard of “superbugs?” Superbugs are bacteria that have gained the superpower to survive in the presence of antibiotics—medicines developed to slow or kill the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics are widely used to treat infections and to prevent infections after surgery. Because antibiotics are effective and convenient, doctors prescribe them often, which may lead … Continue reading A Battle Against ‘Superbugs’ in a New Medical Era