Aging

Study Shows Fruits and Veggies Reduce Death Risk

Fruits and vegetables are essential sources of the fiber, nutrients and vitamins that our bodies need to thrive. We already know that a healthy plant-based diet can help us maintain healthy blood pressure, improve digestion and reduce our risks of developing certain types of cancer. Now, a new study suggests that fruits and veggies reduce death risk. More specifically, consuming a sufficient amount of each may help stave off heart disease.

Study Finds Fruits And Veggies Reduce Death Risk From Heart Disease

Recently, a group of researchers analyzing records from a past Harvard University health study concluded that fruits and veggies reduce death risk from heart disease. These researchers estimate that by eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, the risk of developing heart disease may be decreased by up to 20 percent. Surprisingly, eating as much as three servings of fruits and veggies daily did not produce these same health benefits.

By way of comparison, let’s look at the guidelines set out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture defining the minimum number of servings of fruits and vegetables people should eat each day. For fruits, a minimum of one-and-a-half to two cups of fresh fruit is recommended. In addition, it is recommended that each individual eat between two to three cups of veggies each day. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) supports these guidelines, but reports that only one in 10 people meet these standards.

A separate study published earlier this year found that eating an insufficient amount of fruits and vegetables could be blamed for as many as one in seven heart-related deaths. The same report also posited that eating too few vegetables may be responsible for one in every 12 heart disease deaths. What’s more, the researchers determined that poor fruit intake was even more deadly than low vegetable intake. While eating an insufficient amount of vegetables caused close to one million deaths from cardiovascular disease, there were two million cardiovascular-related deaths attributed to low fruit consumption.

Victoria Miller, who co-authored the study, said these results shine a light on the need for greater nutrition education. She suggested that more community campaigns are needed to encourage populations to eat more fruits and vegetables.

More Research Highlights the Importance of a Plant-Based Diet

Another study, based out of Jinan, China, confirmed the crucial role that fruits and vegetables play in protecting against cardiovascular disease and cancer. This study was aimed at determining the long-term health consequences of eating a poor diet that lacked sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables. The study involved reviewing the health records and dietary habits of 833,234 subjects and re-evaluating them with follow-up examinations between four and 26 years later.

As the subjects were contacted for follow-up exams, it was found that there had been a total of 56,423 deaths within the time frame of the study. Of those deaths, 11,512 of them could be attributed to cardiovascular disease, while 16,817 deaths resulted from various types of cancer.

The researchers determined that a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables was a contributing factor to a lower risk of premature death from all causes. This study also confirmed that five servings of fruits and vegetables per day is the ideal dietary requirement to achieve these health benefits. Fewer servings per day didn’t positively impact the health of the individuals, while eating more than five servings of fruits and veggies daily didn’t seem to increase the health benefits.

The Health Benefits of Eating More Fruits and Vegetables

While reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer are important reasons to increase your intake of fruits and veggies, they’re not the only benefits to your health these foods can provide. Eating more fruits and vegetables has also been credited with the amazing benefits listed below.

Hypertension

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, eating more fruits and vegetables can help you alleviate the condition. In one study, participants were asked to adopt a diet that consisted of plenty of fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy and eliminated or reduced the amount of saturated fat. As a result, systolic blood pressure was lowered by an average of 11 mm Hg, while diastolic blood pressure dropped by about 6 mm Hg.

Type 2 Diabetes

Currently, there is only limited research looking into the effects of eating fresh fruits on the development and treatment of diabetes. We already know that drinking fruit juice, which has high amounts of added sugar, is hazardous to those with diabetes and those at risk of developing the disease. However, some new research has found that eating fresh fruit, such as apples, blueberries and grapes, actually lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While fruit juices and fruits preserved in cans are likely to raise the risks of developing diabetes, eating leafy green vegetables and fresh fruit seems to lower those risks for both men and women.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber, which is essential to a healthy digestive system. As fiber is processed, it absorbs the water and moisture in the intestinal tract and this can help alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, more fiber will help the individual experience more frequent bowel movements, so issues with constipation and diverticulosis can be avoided.

Vision Problems

Finally, eating more fruits and vegetables will help keep your eyes in good condition. Typically, people develop cataracts and macular degeneration as they reach their senior years, but increasing the amount of plant-based foods you consume can reduce those risks. In particular, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are nutrients that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors, are especially effective in reducing the risks of developing cataracts.

Scientists Find Link Between Osteoporosis and Quality of Social Life

Jul 24 by Ewcopywriting

When bones are healthy, they are able to maintain a certain degree of density; that is, as bone tissue begins to degrade, the body produces more bone to make up for that loss. In this way, the body stays strong and the bones can continue to support the tissue, muscle and organs throughout the body. However, with osteoporosis, bone loss occurs more quickly than it can be replaced. Alternatively, the body may no longer be able to create more bone to maintain optimum levels of bone density. The onset of osteoporosis can have a variety of causes, including hormone imbalance, nutritional deficiencies and age. Now, recent research has found a surprising link between osteoporosis and social life, which suggests maintaining an active social life as you age may help you keep your bones strong.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a common condition that primarily affects older adults and seniors. According to surveys conducted by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), there are more than 44 million people suffering from osteoporosis in the United States. Even though this is a common medical condition, it’s hard to identify because there usually aren’t any obvious symptoms.

Osteoporosis is typically diagnosed after the individual experiences a bone fracture. In fact, the condition makes breaks and fractures more likely to occur from minor accidents. A fall is one way a break may occur, but people with advanced osteoporosis may also break a bone by sneezing or coughing. The spinal vertebrae, hips or wrists are common places where bone fractures can occur. When there’s a break in the spinal vertebrae, the individual may notice that their posture is affected and they may fit into smaller sized clothes.

The risk factors for developing osteoporosis include:

Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men, especially after menopause.
Age: The condition is more common in adults over the age of 30.
Estrogen: When estrogen production is inhibited, the body has more difficulty generating new bone.
Race: The condition is more common among white and Asian people.
History: If there are family members with multiple bone fractures, or if you have broken bones a few times in your lifetime, you may be more likely to develop osteoporosis.

New Research Finds Surprising Connection Between Osteoporosis and Social Life

A new study out of Tucson’s University of Arizona examining the link between osteoporosis and social life may have found a startling link between a woman’s level of social interaction and her risk of developing osteoporosis. The study found that women who were less socially active were more likely to develop the condition within their lifetimes. The study also suggested that the quality of the social interactions played a part in how they affected physical health. Specifically, it was important that the individual enjoyed the social interactions for them to be of benefit.

The researchers worked off the premise that this interesting relationship between osteoporosis and social life was related to a type of stress called “psychosocial stress.” Psychosocial stress is the type of stress experienced after highly negative life events. When a person feels dissatisfied with life in general, experiences lower levels of optimism or suffers frequent setbacks, this type of stress becomes more common. As conditions that cause psychosocial stress persist, the body produces higher levels of stress hormones in response. These hormones cause the body to utilize minerals that are essential to bone health and, as bone density decreases, inhibited growth hormones prevent restoration of lost bone.

In the study, 11,020 women between the ages of 50 and 70 were studied to observe the relationship between bone health, social interactions and psychosocial stress. These participants were a part of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which is an ongoing study intended to understand more about how women are affected by heart disease, osteoporosis and breast cancer. The study involved surveys about the women’s social interactions, support structures and social strain.

Data was collected from the women at the start of the study and again after six years. By the six-year mark, the research team found that women who had poor social interactions had also experienced greater bone density loss. Even after the researchers accounted for contributing variables, such as body mass, age and tobacco and alcohol use, these results held true. It was also found that greater social strain was linked to greater loss of bone mineral density, particularly around the lower back and hip bone.

These areas were also negatively impacted when women experienced higher stress from challenging social functioning levels. In particular, the researchers found that social strain resulted in increased bone loss. Using a scale of one to five to measure social strain, they found that bone loss increased for each additional point the women scored for social strain. They recorded 0.082 percent more bone loss in the femoral neck bone, a 0.108 percent increase in the loss of hip bone density and an increase of 0.069 percent in degraded lumbar spine bone density.

Tips for Keeping Your Bones Strong and Healthy

While engaging in more enjoyable social activities may be one way to protect against osteoporosis, there are many more natural ways to help you keep your bones strong and healthy. Following are just a few suggestions.

Get More Calcium

At a minimum, everyone should be getting at least 1,000 mg of calcium each day. As women reach age 50, that amount should be increased to 1,200 mg daily. Men should increase to 1,200 mg of calcium daily by age 70.

Take a Dietary Supplement

In addition to vitamin D and calcium, there are certain vitamins and minerals that your body needs to help protect and strengthen your bones. Taking a high-quality dietary supplement specially engineered to promote bone health can help you protect your bones as you age.

Increase Daily Exercise

While you should get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate- to high-intensity physical activity each day, getting more is better. Increased exercise will help you build muscle and strengthen your bones.

Stay Away From Tobacco and Alcohol

Controlled substances will degrade your bone density over time, especially when you overindulge. If you can’t quit smoking, at least reduce the frequency that you do smoke. Similarly, limit alcohol consumption to two drinks or less per day.

Can Anthocyanins in Blueberries Protect Heart Health and More?

Jun 15 by Ewcopywriting

We already know that blueberries are packed with vitamins and nutrients that provide a vast array of health benefits. According to a new study, certain compounds found in blueberries protect heart health and and may even help prolong life.

New Study Finds Blueberries Protect Heart Health

A joint project, which brought together researchers from the U.K.’s University of East Anglia and Harvard University, looked at how eating blueberries affected the development of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The research was intended to identify how blueberry consumption affected metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a situation in which an individual suffers from high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar. Heightened triglyceride and cholesterol levels are also common in people suffering from metabolic syndrome. When these conditions are present for an extended period of time, the individual develops increased risks for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

In the past, it was discovered that people who frequently eat blueberries exhibited a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Professor Aedin Cassidy, who led the most recent study, suspected that this was due to the presence of a compound called anthocyanin in blueberries. Anthocyanins are flavonoids that are water-soluble and can affect the pigmentation of the plants in which they are found. Anthocyanins have also been found to reduce the risks of premature death from all causes.

Can Blueberries Help At-Risk People?

The latest study was conducted to find out if people who were already at risk for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes could benefit from regular blueberry consumption. The researchers recruited 115 volunteers. All of the study participants were between the ages of 50 and 75, were determined to be obese and had been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Since the six-month study was designed to determine if blueberries protect heart health, it was important that the participants consume a sufficient amount of blueberries. For the purposes of the study, a blueberry powder was used to simulate fresh blueberries. The first group was given the equivalent of one cup of fresh blueberries. A second group was given the equivalent of half a cup of fresh blueberries and a third group was given a placebo freeze-dried powder made to resemble the blueberry powder given to the first two groups.

Prior to starting the study, each participant was tested for vascular function, insulin resistance and lipid status. The participants were tested at the end of the six months, as well. Those participants consuming one cup of blueberries per day were found to have improved vascular function. Additionally, arterial stiffness was improved. Overall, it was determined that this group experienced a twelve- to fifteen-percent drop in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Since the group consuming half a cup of blueberries per day exhibited no changes in cardiovascular health, it was concluded that the higher level of consumption was needed. The lead researchers on the project concluded that those struggling with obesity needed a higher quantity of blueberries to provide the health benefits. Blueberry consumption did not affect other aspects of vascular function, including blood pressure levels or insulin resistance.

What Role Do Anthocyanins Play?

The researchers believe blueberries are particularly beneficial to heart health due to the high amount of anthocyanins in the fruit. When we consume blueberries, the body transforms the anthocyanins into a host of chemical compounds, which are beneficial to the bacteria in the gut microbiome. Once delivered to this part of the large intestine, scientists believe the compounds help promote healthier metabolism. In laboratory experiments, it was found that one compound produced through this process, syringic acid, benefited the body’s vascular endothelial cells.

In a separate experiment, rats were given proportionate doses of anthocyanin. One of the compounds produced was vanillic acid, which was found to lower blood pressure. This may indicate that blueberries can be effective in helping patients treat hypertension, though more research is needed.

While blueberries do possess high levels of anthocyanin, they’re not the only foods that contain these highly beneficial substances. Other foods containing anthocyanin include:

blackcurrant
raspberries (red or black)
blackberries
red cabbage
plums
red radish
black carrot
purple potato

The research into the health benefits of blueberries is especially promising, because the current methods for treating metabolic syndrome are complicated. Primarily, treatment requires making lifestyle changes so the individual can prevent the condition from worsening. This means adopting a largely plant-based diet with an emphasis on monounsaturated fat, while also adding more physical activity on a daily basis.

Treatment becomes more complicated in terms of addressing the individual conditions that define metabolic syndrome. For instance, an individual may need to be treated separately for their hypertension, glucose levels and cholesterol levels. This may require administering several medications and monitoring the effects to determine whether or not the condition of the individual is improving.

If further research shows that anthocyanins are as beneficial as researchers believe, some of these medications may be eliminated. Eating a cup or more of blueberries, or taking a supplement that provides anthocyanidins, may provide a natural option for metabolic syndrome while reducing the risks of developing many other medical conditions. Even though we still don’t know the full benefits that eating blueberries provides, it already seems as though this fruit should be an essential part of any healthy diet.

Can Diversity in Gut Bacteria Promote Healthy Aging?

Jun 06 by Ewcopywriting

It’s common knowledge that our bodies are comprised of cells, however most people are unaware that we also rely heavily on the presence of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes. In fact, these microbes are just as common as human cells. Each person’s body is comprised of up to 40 trillion human cells and up to 38 trillion microbial cells. The vast majority of those microbial cells thrive in the large intestine, where they form a community called the gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome functions in tandem with the immune system, helping to strengthen it against the infections and illnesses people experience. As experiments with mice have shown, an absence of a gut microbiome inhibits the immune system’s ability to function. This is because the microbes in the gut microbiome help the body process vitamins, minerals and other nutrients necessary for good health. In addition to aiding in the digestive process, the gut microbiome, which is considered a hidden organ, helps many other biological functions. According to a new study, gut bacteria promote healthy aging; a discover that makes it even more important to maintain a healthy and diverse gut microbiome.

How Does Your Gut Microbiome Keep You Healthy?

In general terms, the more diverse your gut microbiome, the better your health. Research has found that infants with a limited gut microbiome are more likely to develop allergies to peanuts and dairy products. As we expose ourselves to new microbes through a diverse diet and new environments, our gut microbiomes will grow accordingly. Here are just a few benefits of a diverse gut microbiome:

Weight Gain

Obesity is becoming more and more common, but research conducted at Cornell University in New York and King’s College in London, England has revealed that a specific type of bacteria may affect weight management. Christensenellaceae minuta was commonly found among mice with low body weights. By introducing the bacteria to overweight mice, researchers found that the bacteria may also promote weight loss. Researchers suspect this is just one type of bacteria responsible for helping people maintain ideal body mass.

Cancer

While there are many types of bacteria in the gut microbiome that are helpful, there are also harmful types of bacteria present. For instance, a 2013 study linked Helicobacter pylori to stomach cancer. It may also be responsible for causing duodenal ulcers. It’s suspected that a grouping of different types of bacteria work together to cause colorectal cancer. Some gut bacteria is beneficial in helping the body process cancer treatments, so the news isn’t all bad. Studies of cancer patients revealed chemotherapy and other types of cancer treatments worked more efficiently in people with a more diverse gut microbiome.

Mental Health

The gut microbiome is also responsible for producing neurochemicals, which are sent to the brain for use in regulating cognitive and emotional functioning. In particular, almost all of the serotonin that the brain uses is processed in the gut microbiome. In this way, functions like memory, learning and mood all rely on the gut microbiome.

Autism

Research into gut bacteria and autism found a surprising link. Children diagnosed with autism exhibited lower levels of Coprococcus, Veillonellaceae and Prevotella than those children without autism. This suggests a less diverse gut microbiome may play a part in determining whether or not a child develops autism.

New Studies Suggest Gut Bacteria Promote Healthy Aging

As we get older, our gut microbiomes go through changes just like other aspects of our health. As a result, the gut immune response becomes inhibited, opening the door to a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses. However, a study at the Babraham Institute in the United Kingdom has provided new hope that the gut microbiome could possibly be restored to full functionality.

In this study, the research team found that they could boost the diversity and strength of the gut microbiome in older mice by feeding them the fecal matter of younger mice. The experiment produced findings that suggested revitalizing the gut microbiome in this manner could boost metabolism, cognitive function and gut immune responses. Finding that gut bacteria promote healthy aging has given the researchers hope that the research could lead to a treatment for alleviating age-related conditions.

As people age, their immune system reaches its weakest point since birth. This is the result of a combination of factors. In addition to changes in one’s diet, exposure to medications and antibiotics cause alterations in the gut microbiome. By weakening the microbiome, the gut immune response is also inhibited. These findings raise the question of whether or not the process can be reversed.

A study at Queen Mary University of London looked at how the Caenorhabditis elegans worm reacted to this process. The lifespan, stress, fertility and growth of the worm was examined as it was exposed to 4,000 bacterial genes. They found that they could affect the health of the worm by deleting or removing certain types of bacteria. For exampl, they found a reduced risk of tumor growth, while general immunity was enhanced.

The team also found that the worms were helped by administering a diabetes drug called metformin. Previously, the drug has been found helpful in reducing the risks of cancer, but it is now suspected to alleviate age-related conditions. Results of administering the drug to the worms suggested that the degeneration of the gut microbiome could be reversed. In this way, gut immunity could also be improved.

Probiotics Encourage a Diverse Gut Microbiome

Probiotic supplements may hold the key to benefiting from a fully diverse gut microbiome. Lactobacillus reuteri was administered to mice in a recent study and, as a result, symptoms of autism were greatly alleviated. Additionally, signs of depression and anxiety were similarly helped in the mice that were administered the bacteria. Lactobacillus is the best known series of probiotics and is widely available in high-quality probiotic supplements.

There are many more types of probiotics that can help improve the health of the gut microbiome and strengthen overall immunity. For instance, Prevotella histicola was found to alleviate some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Other probiotics protect against type 2 diabetes, eczema and many other medical conditions. By combining a probiotic supplement with a diverse and healthy diet, it may be possible to maximize the strength and benefits of your own gut microbiome.

New Research Reveals How Resveratrol Lowers Blood Pressure

May 29 by Ewcopywriting

Resveratrol is a natural compound found in a variety of healthy foods, such as blueberries, peanuts and red grapes, that has been proven to offer a variety of health benefits. Since red grapes contain a high concentration of the compound, it is also found in red wine. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound, meaning it contains polyphenols, plant constituents with strong antioxidant properties. Resveratrol has long been known to provide cardiovascular benefits, including helping to maintain healthy blood pressure, but the means through which it does so has eluded researchers. Now, a new study sheds light on how resveratrol lowers blood pressure.

New Study Reveals How Resveratrol Lowers Blood Pressure

Much previous research has suggested that resveratrol is beneficial to heart health. A new study led by Joseph Burgoyne, Ph.D. and conducted at King’s College London sought to identify its precise effect on blood pressure. In this study, the research team selected a group of mice with high blood pressure and added resveratrol to their diets. Using telemetry probes, which were implanted in the mice, the team was able to monitor the mice for a 15-day period.

The team divided the mice into two groups. One group was fed a diet containing resveratrol, while the second group was fed a resveratrol-free diet. After 15 days, the researchers found that the mice on the resveratrol diet exhibited a drop of approximately 20 milliliters of mercury in their blood pressure. Additionally, it was observed that a protein called PKG1a was oxidized by the resveratrol, causing blood vessels to relax. In short, the study discovered that oxidizing proteins in the blood while the mice were experiencing oxidative stress caused blood pressure levels to drop.

While resveratrol is believed to be an antioxidant, the researchers concluded that, paradoxically, it actually acts as an oxidant in the way that it helps lower blood pressure. Furthermore, the team speculated that all antioxidants may work via a similar process. To confirm that their findings may be applicable to humans, Burgoyne’s team injected smooth human muscle cells with resveratrol. They observed that the resveratrol initiated the same oxidation process in the human cells.

While these findings are promising, the researchers caution against trying to reap these benefits at home. In order to experience a positive effect on blood pressure, an individual would have to consume massive amounts of resveratrol-rich foods. In terms of red wine, for example, this would mean consuming more than 1,000 bottles daily.

Dr. Burgoyne is hopeful that the research will lead to new blood pressure medications. If a more efficient delivery method can be devised, resveratrol may one day hold the key to regulating high blood pressure. The research may ultimately lead to more effective drugs that can benefit the over 100 million suffers of high blood pressure.

Resveratrol May Help Fight Aging, Protect Against Cardiovascular Disease and More

A person’s brain and central nervous system communicate via neurons that transmit messages across a bridge known as a synapse. As people age, these connections, commonly called neuromuscular junctions, degrade, which is why we move more slowly as we get older. This degenerative process also causes other age-related symptoms. Suspicions that resveratrol may affect this type of degeneration prompted a new study.

The study, which was conducted at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, sought to understand how resveratrol affected aging. Researchers administered resveratrol-rich diets to two-year-old mice to see how the compound would affect the senior rodents. After one year of administering resveratrol to the mice, they found that the neuromuscular junctions were just as protected as they would have been through a regimen of healthy eating and regular exercise. The research team cautioned that humans would have to ingest massive amounts of resveratrol-rich foods to enjoy a similar benefit.

The antioxidant properties of resveratrol may also be effective in protecting against certain types of cancer, according to a Federal University of Rio de Janeiro study. In particular, the study team examined the compound’s effects on protein p53. Under normal circumstances, p53 is supposed to be a cancer-fighting protein, but the protein can mutate and act in opposition to its original purpose: Instead of protecting healthy cells and fighting off cancerous tumors, p53 may actually cause tumors to develop.

The researchers studied how resveratrol affected the mutated versions of p53 by injecting breast cancer cells into the mice. When resveratrol was administered, the research team discovered that the compound fought the growth of mutated p53 cells in the mice. This observation remained true in relation to combating the injected breast cancers cells as well as in treating tumor cells found naturally in the mice. This research may lead to a treatment for cancer in cases where it is caused by the growth of mutated p53 proteins, as is often the case with certain types of breast cancer.

An earlier study which prompted the latest research on how resveratrol lowers blood pressure found that the compound may reduce the risks of developing cardiovascular disease. This research found that resveratrol may protect blood vessels by lowering the presence of LDL cholesterol in the body. The antioxidant properties of the compound may also help prevent blood clots from forming, while helping to reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Resveratrol: Wonder-Supplement of the Future?

Admittedly, this early research is promising, but more studies are needed to fully understand how resveratrol affects cardiovascular health. If it can be confirmed that resveratrol reduces the inflammation and impeded blood flow that are often responsible for cardiovascular events, this may open the door to new treatments.

While there’s promise that resveratrol may help improve a number of health conditions, researchers are still a long way from developing medications based on the compound. In addition, even though it is found in natural foods, it would be nearly impossible to consume enough each day to experience a lasting effect on health. Until further research commences, the best possible way to enjoy the health benefits that resveratrol provides is through a high-quality, concentrated supplement.

Skin Health and Disease: Could Moisturizing Your Skin Reduce Your Risk?

Mar 28 by Ewcopywriting

In order to study how skin health and disease are related, researchers had to first understand why disease causes us to experience inflammation. When it comes to physical injuries, inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process because it builds a buffer around the wound to protect it. Even though we try to reduce the swelling around the wound, it’s actually the inflammation that helps the area heal. Once new skin grows around the wound, the inflammation usually subsides on its own.

Inflammation is characterized by a few mild to severe signs, depending on the nature of the medical condition. When damage to tissue occurs, the first thing most people notice is that the affected area is painful. Chemical compounds are released in the body to stimulate the nerves so pain messages can be delivered to the brain. This prevents you from touching the area, since pain is stronger with physical contact. The area will also appear redder than your normal skin color, because the capillaries in that part of the body are carrying a higher concentration of blood. The increased blood flow will also make the affected area feel hotter and more sensitive.

At this point, physical swelling may begin. While this happens to protect the affected area, it also causes a reduction in mobility. The swelling builds a physical barrier that inhibits the free range of motion you usually experience. Trying to push, or force, motion of that area often triggers a more intense sensation of pain.

Some people think that inflammation is the result of an infection, but this isn’t necessarily true. What does actually happen is that the smallest arteries in the affected area will enlarge to allow maximum blood flow. This allows the capillaries to move more easily between cells and the blood, attracting proteins as they move through the arteries. Finally, white blood cells called neutrophils are released and they begin consuming the foreign microorganisms in the affected area. This immune response is what triggers inflammation.

Research Uncovers a Connection Between Skin Health and Disease

The skin is the largest organ of the body, so it only makes sense that it plays a major role in how we’re affected by disease. Previous research has found that inflammation of the skin can be linked to diseases like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. As the largest organ in the body, even the smallest levels of inflammation can affect the body in significant ways.

As people age, they experience increased dryness, irritation and itchiness of the skin. Researcher Dr. Mao-Qiang Man believes this to be a sign of inflammation in the body, prompted by heightened cytokines. The cytokines released into the blood supply help younger skin heal more easily, but older, dryer skin is less resilient. As a result, inflammation becomes chronic and the body has more difficulty filtering out pathogens.

In the new study, designed to examine the effects of skin treatments on disease, Dr. Theodora Mauro reveals that skin conditions, particularly psoriasis and dermatitis, can increase the risk of heart disease. If skin health could be restored, Dr. Mauro surmised that inflammation and the risks of disease could also be affected. In this case, keeping skin moisturized might be an effective way of fighting degenerative diseases.

Is Skin Moisturizer an Effective Weapon Against Disease?

The researchers for the pilot study chose 33 older adults, ranging in ages from 58 to 95. Since cytokines are good indicators of internal inflammation, the researchers started the 30 day study by measuring cytokine levels in each of the participants. Throughout the study, each participant rubbed moisturizer into their skin from head to toe, twice each day.

There are different types of cytokines that can inhabit the body, but three in particular are responsible for age-related degenerative illnesses. They are tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6. When a moisturizer containing ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids was applied twice daily, there was a noticeable drop in those cytokine levels. The levels dropped low enough that the participants’ cytokines were similar to those of people in their 30s.

This was the first study of its kind, linking skin health to inflammation and the risks of degenerative illnesses. While it laid the groundwork and established that there is a connection, more research will have to be conducted. As future studies confirm the correlation between disease and skin health, there will likely be greater emphasis placed on keeping skin moisturized and healthy.

Skin health has always been a major concern, particularly in terms of the damage caused by the sun’s rays. In addition to moisturizing twice per day, it’s important to always wear sunscreen outdoors and to avoid direct sunlight at the hottest times of the day. Using a natural supplement designed to nourish the skin from the inside out by delivering crucial nutrients may also be beneficial. A dermatologist can recommend more skin care tips, so you can keep your body’s largest organ healthy and youthful into old age.