Exciting new research done on mice indicates that the placenta plays a more active role in fetal development than previously thought. Researchers discovered that in mice, the placenta actually produced serotonin — a chemical that plays a key role in fetal brain development. Researchers will continue to examine these new findings particularly as serotonin is believed to play a role in the development of schizophrenia or autism. The production of serotonin by the placenta has been a surprising find — one that researchers are excited about because in the past it was determined that the serotonin wasn’t produced by the fetus nor could it pass through the placenta. Interestingly, researchers also determined that the placenta only produced serotonin during a certain window of time — then it stops.
Researchers have found that the human placenta has the potential to make serotonin as well.
The microbes in your guts help you digest food and synthesize vitamins — playing an important role in your health. Now researchers have discovered that people have three distinct ecosystems within their guts. So far, researchers have not been able to find a link between the three enterotypes (gut ecosystems) and ethnicity, weight, health, sex or age. So why does one person have a specific enterotype? Researchers will continue to look for the answer.
Why does a person’s gut type matter? Well, think of blood types. Today, many treatments are dependent upon your blood type. In the future, one’s enterotype may play a role in dietary recommendations or prescriptions. Enterotypes may even alter our use of antibiotics — if researchers discover means of restoring good gut bacteria, rather than eliminating the disease-causing bacteria (as antibiotics commonly do).
Read the entire article in Nature magazine, or a synposis of the findings from the New York Times.
Noroviruses - which can lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting - are highly contagious. Thus outbreaks typically occur in crowded environments such as resorts, daycare facilities, hospitals, cruise ships or nursing homes. The infection can be spread by close contact with an infected person - who may or may not have symptoms - or via food or drink that has been contaminated by an infected person or animal.
Most people infected with norovirus become ill within 24 to 48 hours and recover within three days after becoming ill. However, in some cases infected persons may suffer from more severe diarrhea and vomiting, and may be sick up to five or six days. In such cases it is very impotant that the person drink plenty of fluids in order to remain hydrated. Remember that sodas, sugary drinks and caffeinated beverages do not help a person hydrate and can, in fact, lead to more frequent urination that contributes to dehydration.
Yes, kids are full of energy - it’s one of the benefits of being young. Yet today children are increasingly consuming so-called “energy” drinks. It’s estimated that 77% of children regularly ingest caffeine-laden soda, energy drinks and other products with “hidden” caffeine - such as hot chocolate, coffee ice cream, certain teas/iced teas and dark chocolate. The problem is, most parents and children are not aware that caffeine can have detrimental side effects on youth and children.
According to the Caffeine Awareness Association, children who consume caffeine regularly can suffer academically because they’re unable to focus and are more fidgety. If they consume too much caffeine, children can exhibit ADHD-like symptoms, feel nauseas, have difficulty sleeping and even experience heart arrhythmias.
With the passing of Elizabeth Taylor, I’ve received several questions about congestive heart failure - what it is and who is most likely to be affected.
Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition in which your heart weakens and can no longer pump enough blood throughout your body. Your blood is essentially a very important bodily delivery system - bringing nutrients and oxygen to all your tissues and organs and removing toxins. If your heart is weak, it can’t keep up with the circulatory needs of your body. Typically the heart responds to its weakened condition by stretching so it can hold more blood. It may also become thicker and stiffer so it can pump “better” - for a while.
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