Travel to Health

Skin aging is a complex process caused by both intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external) factors. Intrinsic aging is influenced by hormonal changes and is inevitable, while extrinsic aging is caused by exposure to environmental factors, such as UV radiation.  Both intrinsic and extrinsic aging can lead to collagen degradation, dryness, loss of elasticity, and wrinkling of the skin. Skin aging is also associated with loss of skin moisture, due to decreased production of hyaluronic acid .   How to Naturally Reduce Wrinkles with Food (YouTube link ) Skin Aging Human skin aging is a complex biological process, not yet fully understood. It is the result of two biologically independent processes: [1] Intrinsic or innate aging Extrinsic aging Intrinsic or Innate aging An unpreventable process, which affects the skin in the same pattern as it affects all internal organs Is influenced by  hormonal changes  that occur with age.   It is well established tha...

A major new NIH initiative has been announced to identify the causes and ultimately the means of prevention and treatment of " Long COVID ." Symptoms Acute COVID-19  is a  highly inflammatory illness .  Most people with COVID-19 recover within two weeks. Some, as reported in [30], with so-called Long Covid (symptoms lasting longer than three weeks ), continue to experience excessive fatigue, breathlessness, headache, insomnia, muscle fatigue and pains, chest pains, persistent cough, intermittent fevers and brain fog. Causes In the post-acute phase,  Inflammation Immune activation Long-term dysregulation of virus-specific immune responses  have been consistently identified in peripheral blood.  These immune responses have been associated with a variety of factors including: Clotting dysfunction Reactivation of latent viral infections such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) Autoimmune responses Importantly, there is a growing body of evidence that persistent SARS-Co...

Update on MSG (YouTube link ) A frequent cause of post-dinner headaches, mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive, enhancing flavor. MSG is often added to in prepared Asian food and soy sauce, but it’s also added to some prepared soups, soup mixes, fast foods, deli meat, and salad dressings. In some people , MSG activates two major pathways of chronic inflammation, [11]  and it also has a negative effect on liver health. MSG has been associated with palpitations of the heart, [8] muscle weakness, and numbness. To further prove the ill effects MSG can cause, a Japanese study found constant consumption of products that contain MSG can lead to obesity, inflammation in the liver based on mice studies. [3] MSG Symptom Complex During years of using MSG as a food additive, the FDA has received many reports of concerning reactions that people have attributed to foods that had MSG in them. These reactions — called MSG symptom complex. [5] But researchers have found no clear proof of...

So far most global efforts have focused on severe illness in COVID-19, for example: The Link between TLR7 Variants and Critical COVID-19 However, examining asymptomatic infection provides a unique opportunity to  consider early immunological features that promote rapid viral clearance .  Asymptomatic COVID-19 At least 20% of people who become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus never feel sick . [4-7]  Now scientists have identified a genetic mutation (i.e.,   HLA-B*15:01 ) that is linked to a higher likelihood of avoiding symptoms during infection. [1] Here variation in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci may underly processes mediating asymptomatic infection was postulated . Initially, scientists suspected that this genetic association is due to pre-existing T cell immunity .  After further study, now they show that: The structural similarity of the peptides underpins T cell cross-reactivity of high-affinity public T cell receptors , providing...

Unveiling Life: A Petal-Painted Symphony of Renewal (12/19/2023) (Updated on 12/19/2023) This document details the full orchid life cycle, encompassing hibernation and the opening of a bud signifying a new cycle. Figure 1.  Orchid varieties Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae , a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colorful and fragrant. [1] The orchid flower is typically has an outer whorl of three sepals , an inner loop of three petals , a single large column in the center, and an enlarged bottom petal called a lip or labellum (see Figure 2 ). The overall flower shape is characteristically bilaterally symmetrical (the left and right halves of the blossom are mirror images), a necessity for reliable pollination by bees . Figure 2.  Basic structure of orchid [1] Orchid Care There are more than 20,000 species of orchids , and contrary to popular belief, they are extremely easy to look after, yet many homeowners...

Here are 13-steps for a long healthy life summarized from [1] by @ColinKeeley on Twitter: [2] Our Goal Lifespan is the number of years you live Health span is how long you’re healthy enough to do the things that matter to you Longevity means maximizing health span and lifespan Our goal is to live longer and live better and it all starts with prevention... Avoid Icebergs Medicine 2.0 (medicine today) deals with problems after they present themselves. Medicine 3.0 focuses on prevention over cures . We are trying to avoid icebergs in the distance It is better and easier to avoid the first heart attack than treat it after The 4 Horsemen There are four major killer diseases : 1. Cardiovascular disease , 2. Cancer , 3. Neurodegenerative disease , 4. Type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction Metabolic health is the common thread Exercise is our best prevention Exercise Exercise is "by far the most potent longevity drug ” Weekly: Weight training 3 days Zone 2 training 3 hours—Zone 2...

Hydroponics—Farming without soil, which uses less water Nitrates in Plants Several factors influence the accumulation of nitrates in plants, which include: Lack of sunlight or water, variety, maturity High levels of fertilizers Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers should be avoided so as to reduce nitrate buildup in soil and vegetables. [5]   Nitrate levels in the soil , and  Quality of irrigation water Nitrate is nontoxic below maximum residue levels ( MRLs ), but if it reaches above this level, it "could" (see more details later) be dangerous due to its reduction in  nitrites , which can react with amines and amides to produce “ N-nitroso ” compounds responsible for gastric cancer. [5,6] High levels of nitrates in children stomach are also responsible for methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). [7,8] The Healthy Route to Nitrite Processing Certain vegetables contain nitrates, which break down into nitrites when eaten.  Nitrites  are necessary and life-e...

The Alarming Rise in Parkinson’s Disease with Dr. Ray Dorsey (YouTube link ) Recent advancements in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) research have provided new insights into its progression and potential treatments: COVID-19 Linked to Parkinson's Risk: Some studies indicate that COVID-19 may increase the risk of Parkinson's disease . This is supported by a rise in cases of parkinsonism, a group of symptoms including tremors, slow movement, stiffness, and balance problems, following COVID-19 infections . [29] Gut Microbiota Link to Parkinson’s Disease:  Researchers found that reduced bacterial genes related to vitamins B2 and B7 synthesis in the gut microbiota are linked to Parkinson’s disease. This deficiency affects intestinal short-chain fatty acids and polyamines, which maintain the intestinal barrier. B vitamin therapy could potentially restore the barrier and treat Parkinson’s disease . [27] Potential link between air pollution and Parkinson's disease:  The prevalence of Park...