Link between H1N1 vaccine and narcolepsy in children

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks. In 2009, the H1N1 swine flu triggered the development of new vaccines, which were speedily introduced and given to many at the height of the pandemic. In 2010, researchers from Sweden and Finland reported a link between narcolepsy and a H1N1Continue reading “Link between H1N1 vaccine and narcolepsy in children”

Hair loss: possible causes and what you can do about it

Your hair doesn’t just affect your looks- it’s also often an indicator of your health. The average person loses 50 to 100 hairs a day as part of the normal hair growth cycle, and with around 100,000 hairs on your head, this amount of hair loss should not be noticeable. Noticeable hair loss or thinningContinue reading “Hair loss: possible causes and what you can do about it”

News alert: New Zealand milk powder products (including infant formula) contaminated with botulism bacteria

New Zealand’s Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, issued a warning yesterday that some of its products used in infant formula and sports drinks may contain a bacteria that causes botulism, which can lead to severe food poisoning, paralysis and even death. According to Fonterra, it sold New Zealand-made whey protein concentrate contaminated with the ClostridiumContinue reading “News alert: New Zealand milk powder products (including infant formula) contaminated with botulism bacteria”

Throat cancer linked to oral sex

So, what exactly is the link between throat cancer and oral sex? In a recent interview, American actor Michael Douglas admitted that his throat cancer may have been caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV, transmitted through oral sex. HPV is a virus that is spread through physical, oral or genital contact. There areContinue reading “Throat cancer linked to oral sex”

Male infertility: can Wi-Fi kill your sperm?

A number of men keep their Wi-Fi-enabled devices on their laps, in their pockets or in close proximity to their nether regions. But a study has found that using Wi-Fi may decrease a man’s fertility by decreasing sperm motility and increasing sperm DNA fragmentation. The cause is apparently electromagnetic radiation from the wireless communication. Researchers took semen samples from healthyContinue reading “Male infertility: can Wi-Fi kill your sperm?”

Study: Advanced cancer cells more susceptible to grape seed extract

A recent study from the University of Colorado Cancer Center published in the journal Cancer Letters shows that the more advanced the cancer cells, the more grape seed extract (GSE) inhibits their growth and survival. Compared to chemotherapy, GSE leaves healthy cells entirely alone. “We’ve known for quite a while that the bioactive compounds inContinue reading “Study: Advanced cancer cells more susceptible to grape seed extract”

Study: Swimming boosts young children’s development

Children who start swimming at a young age achieve a wide range of skills earlier than the normal population, a new study finds. Researchers at Griffith University surveyed parents of 7000 children under 5 from Australia, New Zealand and the United States. They also further tested 180 children aged 3, 4 and 5 years onContinue reading “Study: Swimming boosts young children’s development”

Birth control pills Yasmin, Yaz linked to blood clots, strokes, death: 11,000+ lawsuits

Close to 12,000 lawsuits have been filed against the maker of oral contraceptives, Yasmin and Yaz. These drugs have been found to increase the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks, strokes and death. As of July 31, 2012, Bayer, the maker of these oral contraceptives, has paid more than US$402 million inContinue reading “Birth control pills Yasmin, Yaz linked to blood clots, strokes, death: 11,000+ lawsuits”

(Anti) aging naturally- part 2

In the previous post, (Anti) aging naturally- part 1, telomeres and their role in biological aging were discussed. Telomere shortening or dysfunction has been linked with the development of diseases, including cardiovascular illness, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. But just as there are factors that speed up the shortening of telomeres, researchers have found thereContinue reading “(Anti) aging naturally- part 2”

(Anti) aging naturally- part 1

Earlier this month, 4 women in Hong Kong ended up in the hospital with septic shock following a beauty treatment that involved blood transfusions, and 1 of them has since succumbed. I’ve had 20-something-year-old patients confessing to regular botox injections and others coming to me to lose another 10 pounds when they are already stick-thin.Continue reading “(Anti) aging naturally- part 1”