Popular protein great for increasing muscle mass, but could reduce your life-span — researchers say to vary protein intake UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Amino acids have long been touted by the fitness and bodybuilding communities for their muscle building benefits. From ultra-bulk protein powders to lean mass-promoting snack bars, there’s no shortage of products available for those seeking a muscle boost. However, protein’s...
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Explainer: What is Sjögren’s syndrome, the condition Venus Williams lives with?
by Fabien B. Vincent And Maureen Rischmueller, The Conversation Sjögren’s syndrome hit the headlines when US tennis player Venus Williams declared she was suffering from it. What is Sjögren’s syndrome? How do you pronounce it anyway? And is there a cure? What is it? Sjögren’s syndrome, pronounced “Showgren’s syndrome”, is what doctors call a chronic systemic autoimmune disease. It’s when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks...
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Vaccines cause seizures? Not really and you shouldn’t worry about it
Every once in a while vaccines come back to the spotlight of attention with public dividing into two opposing camps. Some people spread misinformation about potential dangers of vaccines and regard them as unnecessary or even a part of a big conspiracy. For example, vaccines sometimes may cause febrile seizures, which is scaring some parents away from this important decision. Now scientists from University...
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Protein supplements containing BCAA may have ‘detrimental effects’ on health and lifespan
By Sally Robertson, B.Sc. Reviewed by Kate Anderton, B.Sc. (Editor) New research from the University of Sydney suggests that excessive intake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the form of pre-mixed protein powders, shakes and supplements may do more harm to health than good. Amino acids have long been praised by bodybuilders and fitness fanatics for their muscle building...
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Does body weight contribute to the risk of psoriasis?
By Maria Cohut Fact checked by Paula Field New research has found evidence suggesting that a person’s body mass index can increase their risk of developing psoriasis, an increasingly common skin condition. The mechanisms at play, however, remain unclear. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) estimate that 32.5% of adults in...
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What to know about vitamin K-2
By Jamie Eske Reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, RD Vitamin K is an essential vitamin that supports blood clotting and healthy bones. It occurs in two forms, K-1 and K-2. Vitamin K-1 is the primary form, and it mainly comes from leafy green vegetables. Vitamin K-2 occurs in animal proteins and fermented foods. The bacteria in the human gut also produce small...
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How to recognize and treat an infected wound
By Jayne Leonard Reviewed by Alana Biggers, MD, MPH A wound infection occurs when germs, such as bacteria, grow within the damaged skin of a wound. Symptoms can include increasing pain, swelling, and redness. More severe infections may cause nausea, chills, or fever. A person may be able to treat minor wound infections at home. However, people with more severe or persistent wound infections should...
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Suicidal thoughts? Therapy-oriented website can help
Researchers find that nowmattersnow.org reduces self-harm feelings in nearly one-third of visitors UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON HEALTH SCIENCES/UW MEDICINE Mental health researchers behind the website nowmattersnow.org have demonstrated that the site could be beneficial in decreasing suicidal thoughts. Researchers asked more than 3,000 website visitors how they felt before they got to the site compared to a few minutes on the website. Nearly one-third were significantly...
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Mayo Clinic Q&A: Vitamin D—too much or too little can lead to health problems
by From Mayo Clinic News Network, Mayo Clinic News Network Dear Mayo Clinic: I have heard different recommendations from different sources regarding vitamin D. One doctor told my husband that everyone living in the Northern Hemisphere should take a vitamin D supplement every day, even in the summer. What do you recommend? A: Understanding how much vitamin D you need can be confusing because there are different recommendations...
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Sexuality continues to change and develop well into adulthood, finds study
by Taylor & Francis A new study has shown that traditional labels of ‘gay’, ‘bisexual’ and ‘straight’ do not capture the full range of human sexuality, and whether a person is attracted to the same, or opposite sex can change over time. The study, published in the Journal of Sex Research, analysed surveys from around 12,000 students, and found that substantial changes in...