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What is Your Opinion on the Benefits of Coffee for Alzheimer’s Disease? Here’s What the Latest Research Says About the Link.

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In a study evaluating the relationship between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of dementia and stroke, the researchers revealed that a certain number of cups consumed per day had the highest association with a decreased risk.

That is the message from recent research that is generating much attention. The research, published in the journal PLOS Medicine on November 16, assessed data from 365,682 adults aged 50 to 74 who took part in the UK Biobank. (If you are not acquainted with the UK Biobank, it is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource.) The health of the individuals and their coffee and tea consumption habits were monitored for 10 to 14 years.

During the research, 5,079 people got dementia, and 10,053 people had at least one stroke. The researchers examined persons who did not drink coffee or tea to those who did and discovered that those who enjoyed their brewed beverages had a reduced risk of stroke and dementia than abstainers. Those who drank two to three cups of coffee or three to five cups of tea per day had a decreased risk of dementia and stroke. Those who drank two to three cups of coffee and two to three cups of tea per day—so four to six cups of coffee and tea per day—had the most outstanding outcomes, with a 32% reduced risk of stroke and a 28% lower risk of dementia.

“We discovered that consuming coffee and tea individually or together was connected with a decreased risk of stroke and dementia,” the researchers concluded. “Consumption of coffee alone or in conjunction with tea was linked to a decreased incidence of poststroke dementia.”

It is worth noting that the research discovered merely a relationship, not causality. That is, the researchers did not discover that drinking coffee or tea reduces a person’s chance of dementia or stroke; instead, they discovered that persons who consume coffee and tea had a decreased risk of these primary health conditions. Scott Kaiser, MD, a geriatrician and the director of Geriatric Cognitive Health at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells health that the correlation vs. causation component is critical. He emphasizes that the research “does not establish that consuming coffee or tea caused this decrease in risk.”

Doctors are still interested. “He is delighted that coffee drinking may reduce my own risk of dementia,” Amit Sachdev, MD, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University, tells health.

This is not the first research to discover a correlation between coffee, in particular, and good health. For example, one research of over 468,000 adults, presented in August at the European Society of Cardiology, showed that drinking up to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a decreased risk of stroke and heart disease. In addition, a meta-analysis of 34,282 people’s data published in the journal Clinical Nutrition in 2016 discovered that drinking one or two cups of coffee per day is associated with a decreased risk of dementia.

Of course, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. For example, research published earlier this year in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience discovered that consuming more than six cups of coffee each day increases your chance of developing dementia.

The “considerable disagreement” around the link between coffee and tea intake and stroke and dementia is one of the reasons the researchers claim they undertook this most recent study.

It is unclear why there could be a relationship between coffee and tea use and dementia and stroke risk—and the new research did not look into this. “While caffeine is undoubtedly a crucial shared denominator,” Dr. Kaiser explains, “coffee and tea are both derived from plants with many, many potentially beneficial chemical components, including strong antioxidants.” Any of these phytonutrients—chemicals produced by plants to maintain their health—”can really lower inflammation in our brains, protect brain cells from damage, improve learning and memory, and give other obvious advantages for brain health,” he continues.

All of this begs the question: Should the individual start drinking coffee or tea if the individuals are not already? Dr. Sachdev does not recommend it. “He is a little doubtful that this research will affect behavior,” he adds. “He would be more interested if a specific chemical in coffee or tea could be discovered.”

However, if one is already a coffee or tea user, individuals will be relieved to discover that the daily habit may be linked to a decreased risk of dementia and stroke.

Reference:

Korin Miller, Can Drinking Coffee Lower Your Dementia Risk? Here’s What New Research Says About the Association, November 17,Health. 2021.https://www.health.com/condition/neurological-disorders/coffee-and-dementia?fbclid=IwAR2DVl54rZI4I3zAbn17ZsGZxWaVD1CbzGXeTZl2e4qmFfIivm83a10yQj0

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Did you know that Germany debates imposing tighter rules as infections surge?

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Treating Covid-19 patients at a hospital in Leipzig, Germany, on Monday.
Treating Covid-19 patients at a hospital in Leipzig, Germany, on Monday.Credit…Waltraud Grubitzsch/DPA, via Associated Press

On Tuesday, about 40,000 new cases were recorded in the nation. In the 24-hour period, 236 individuals died from the sickness. “They have a true emergency scenario,” says Dr. Christian Drosten. Since the outbreak, Germany has recorded around 97,000 Covid fatalities. On Wednesday, officials in Bavaria announced a state of emergency, citing a 68 percent increase in cases in the past two weeks. Several additional states, particularly those that have been affected the hardest, have enacted or are about to implement stronger laws this week.

For anyone wishing to access specific services, the guidelines would require vaccines or paperwork demonstrating a previous illness. Approximately 67 percent of the population is completely immunized.

Reference

Germany debates imposing tighter rules as infections surge. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/10/world/europe/covid-germany-cases.html?fbclid=IwAR2mpFqsz7tIznyEdmYs0VoDbdELk96k3nfBeSpX1vtwzXo9PKRH7GSoSz0

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Would like to know more on how cause of neurological COVID-19 symptoms are explored?

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The Society for Neuroscience is the world’s biggest organization of scientists and doctors working on brain and nervous system health concerns. The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, obtains entry into the brain and produces neurological symptoms. Fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell are the most frequent respiratory symptoms of the virus. Dr. Kumar believes his results will aid in the development of future medications to prevent or cure the disease’s neurological symptoms. “We evaluated the expressions of NRP1 and furin in postmortem human brain tissue out of curiosity, and both of these molecules are abundant in all critical brain areas, including the olfactory and hippocampus,” the researchers said.


“The virus may enter the brain via the nose through the olfactory neurons, and their infection can also explain the loss of smell as a significant symptom in COVID-19.”

Reference

Cause of neurological COVID-19 symptoms explored.https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cause-of-neurological-covid-19-symptoms-explored?fbclid=IwAR2Ex6U7jwErO0LDy7fY5V-ph7CPQFP_sPPD-2RsxlrR-zXaBqi9eANGhcQ

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Red blood cells Important in the inflammation process

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According to a recent research, red blood cells are also important in the process of inflammation. When a patient has an infection such as malaria, sepsis, or a bacterial infection, they are more likely to develop acute inflammatory anemia. It is believed that red blood cells combat infection by scavenging mitochondrial DNA fragments that escape from wounded tissues. Why does a red blood cell transform from an oxygen-delivering cell into a disease-fighting machine, you may wonder? It has been a long time since we have understood why persons who are severely unwell with sepsis, trauma, COVID-19, a bacterial infection, or a parasite infection develop acute anemia.

(Science Photo Library, Steve Gschmeissner/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images)

This engulfing triggers a chain reaction of inflammatory messengers, which effectively signals the immune system to respond in a time-sensitive manner. A higher level of mitochondrial DNA was found in mice infected with parasites as compared to red blood cells from non-infected animals, the researchers found. The standard practice currently in place when patients in the ICU [intensive care unit] become anemic, which occurs in almost all of our critically ill patients, is to administer blood transfusions, which has long been associated with a number of complications, including acute lung injury and an increased risk of death, according to Mangalmurti.

The induction of inflammation in areas of the body that are ordinarily not at risk of infection may be problematic, particularly in those who suffer from autoimmune illnesses.

Reference

Discovery Points to a Crucial Role Red Blood Cells Play in Our Immune Systems, https://www.sciencealert.com/red-blood-cells-play-a-much-greater-role-in-our-immune-system-than-we-thought?fbclid=IwAR0q44-OZClyDCcDJnNSCBluX9liisA_N0h8D9v7O9I2nghUU0LQNpli4KU

disease, drugs, Health, medications, Pharmaceuticals, Public health

More than 500,000 children tested positive for Covid-19

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Between August 5 and August 26, more than 500,000 children tested positive for Covid-19 in the United States, according to state statistics obtained by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Across the US, more states and school districts enact mask and vaccine mandates, while others attempt to minimize exposure among the unvaccinated. Unfortunately, they have no other safeguards. Dr. Jonathan Reiner stated last week that they are sitting ducks. “We’ve been doing this for decades, requiring vaccinations against polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis,” Fauci added.

“So, requiring immunizations for youngsters to attend school is not novel.” In many parts of the United States, he said that public schools require that children who wish to attend be vaccinated.

Reference
More than 500,000 children tested positive for Covid-19 in 3 weeks. Experts say school mask mandates are needed. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/02/health/us-coronavirus-thursday/
More than 500,000 children tested positive for Covid-19 in …. https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/features/health/more-than-500-000-children-tested-positive-for-covid-19-in-3-weeks-experts-say/article_685ed2a2-05f6-577e-8b37-02571f7ae244.html

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Unvaccinated elementary school teacher infected 22 pupils and four parents

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According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an unvaccinated elementary school teacher infected 22 pupils and four parents with COVID-19 in California. The teacher began experiencing symptoms on May 19 and received a positive test on May 21, just in time. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says schools have measures to safeguard their students, including universal masks, immunizations, and social distancing rules. “This is not a permanent solution; this is a temporary solution,” Health Secretary Eric Walensky explains why children must wear face masks to school. “Universal masks at schools help avoid epidemics and limit the risk of children spreading the infection to susceptible family members,” he explains.

Reference
Unvaccinated, unmasked elementary school teacher infects 22 students and four parents with COVID-19, https://news.yahoo.com/unvaccinated-unmasked-elementary-school-teacher-155943932.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnlhaG9vLmNvbS9oZWFsdGgvP19ndWNfY29uc2VudF9za2lwPTE2MzAxOTMxMzI&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADwEMphjQUw1MJqZq18nPYMC9_jbPA6Rsy6K211ho4hVXv6ehUaQA3HMsVgKH0ArtYSQ1CPtZx_MLb4uAnR0UTEwXL8DxGcmz-uxUaERDEV1LqojsHyeZOSu0k4oP_uC-BU_WLNrUllicxgzJ15br6rWnJbzbO9dkwz2_KhmZf0W&_guc_consent_skip=1630193136

disease, drugs, Health, medications, Pharmaceuticals

CDC Reveals New Data On COVID Vaccine Stopping Delta Variant

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The COVID-19 vaccine can still protect you against the delta variant, although the level of protection is smaller than the coronavirus’s original mutation.

Does the vaccine stop the delta variant? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new study that found vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection dropped from 91% to 66% when the delta variant became the majority of virus cases.

“While we did see a reduction in the protection of the COVID-19 vaccine against the delta variant, it’s still a two-thirds reduction of risk,” the study’s lead author, Ashley Fowlkes, an epidemiologist for CDC COVID-19 Emergency Response, told CNN. The study suggests that there are minor infections among fully vaccinated people, primarily due to the delta variant, which has shown to be highly transmissible.

That said, COVID-19 vaccines remain majorly effective at stopping severe COVID-19 illness from all known variants, according to CNN. More data on the delta variant and COVID-19 vaccines The new CDC study comes as new data from Israel suggests the vaccine’s protection against the delta variant will lessen with time.

Officials in Israel said the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines might not be effective at stopping the delta variant.

Though the vaccines can stop the delta variant, they’re less effective against delta than previous mutations.

Israel – one of the highest vaccinated places in the world with 78% of those 12 years old and up fully vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine – has been suffering from one of the world’s highest infection rates recently due to the delta variant, according to Science Magazine. Please make sure you have accurate information and consult your doctor.

Reference
The CDC reveals how well the COVID-19 vaccine protects you from the delta variant, https://www.deseret.com/coronavirus/2021/8/25/22641187/cdc-delta-variant-covid-vaccine-latest-numbers-two-thirds.

disease, drugs, Health, medications, Pharmaceuticals

Did you know 31% of unvaccinated U.S. adults who claim they are waiting for the COVID-19 vaccinations

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Of the 31% of unvaccinated U.S. adults who claim they are waiting for the COVID-19 vaccinations to be approved by the FDA, one-third of these individuals believe this to be for religious reasons. The FDA has approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine for ages 16 and up on August 23, 2021. The FDA requires safety studies on a few persons for the temporary use of medications and medications that have received full approval from the FDA. Approximately 43,000 adults participated in the safety studies’ early phases. As Pfizer and Moderna launched their rolling submission for approval in the FDA’s “Fast Track” procedure, which expedites review, Moderna and Pfizer started that process off with a rolling submission in the FDA’s “Fast Track” program.

Initial FDA approval will be granted limited to the same age groups studied under the emergency use authorization issued previously. In Pfizer’s case, the vaccine was initially only licensed for those ages 16 and above and was anticipated to be approved for those ages 18 and up shortly afterward for Moderna.

Reference
What Does Full FDA Approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Mean?, https://heavy.com/news/pfizer-covid-vaccine-fda-approval/

disease, Health, medications, Pharmaceuticals, Public health

The worst-hit states in the US due to a Delta variant-driven surge

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Florida has become one of the worst-hit states in the US due to a Delta variant-driven surge, with new cases recently surpassing their winter peak.

Following President Biden’s announcement earlier this week, the Education Department would consider taking legal action to discourage states from prohibiting universal masking in classrooms.

On Saturday, Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria, announced that the state’s lockdown, which has been in effect since early August, would be expanded to cover all of the conditions after 17 new cases of Ebola were discovered in the regional hub of Sheppparton.

New South Wales, which includes Sydney, recorded 825 new cases on Saturday, the highest number of new cases reported since the pandemic began.

David Elliott, the police commissioner for the state of New South Wales, which includes Sydney, stated on Friday that anyone who joins the protest on Saturday would be subjected to “the full force” of the state’s police force.

Long-term-care employees and state employees working in hospitals will be required to have at least one dose of the vaccine starting on September 27, according to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. All other state employees, including teachers, will be required to be vaccinated or undergo regular testing.

It is claimed that the Culver City Unified School District, a tiny school district in Los Angeles County, is the first in the state – and maybe the nation – to mandate children aged 12 and older to be immunized against the flu.

Reference

Covid Delta variant vaccine, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/21/world/covid-delta-variant-vaccine

disease, drugs, Health, medications, Pharmaceuticals, Public health

A significant milestone in its battle against COVID-19

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States achieved a significant milestone in its battle against COVID-19 on Friday, with half of all Americans now completely vaccinated against the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 165.9 million Americans, or 50 percent of the population of all ages, are completely vaccinated, with 193.7 million Americans having gotten at least one shot as of Friday.

COVID-19 Data Director Cyrus Shahpar reports that 565,000 new vaccinations were recorded in the United States on Friday. The one-week average of recent vaccinations has increased by 11 percent over the previous week and 44 percent over the last two weeks.

The vaccine surge comes as the country experiences a rise in infections caused by the highly infectious delta strain, which experts estimate accounts for about 80% of all new cases in the country. Officials from the White House have said that they think the increase in the number of individuals seeking vaccination is since the delta version of the virus poses a more danger in the areas that have been worst affected by the illness.

The White House COVID-19 response coordinator, Jeff Zients, said at a press conference on Thursday that “clearly, Americans are witnessing the effect of not being protected and not getting vaccinated.” ‘And people reacted by doing their bit, by rolling up their sleeves, and by getting vaccinated,’ says the author.

Zients said that the number of individuals who received a flu shot for the first time each day over the last three weeks had more than quadrupled in the states with the highest case rates. That assisted the United States in meeting President Joe Biden’s objective of vaccinating 70 percent of people, a month later than his original July 4 aim.

References
1. “Terrific Teeth Day Held at The Poe Center in Raleigh.” The Triangle Tribune, vol. 21, no. 44, Charlotte Post Publishing Co., 9 Feb. 2020, p. 8A.
2. DEA announces improvements to medication assisted treatment. https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2020/02/26/dea-announces-improvements-medication-assisted-treatment
3. News in Brief 13 November 2020 | | UN News. https://news.un.org/en/audio/2020/11/1077622
4. CDC says 50% of Americans are now vaccinated; Florida reports worst week of new cases; 616K US deaths. Latest COVID-19 updates. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/08/07/cdc-americans-vaccinated-covid-florida-worst-week-anthony-fauci/5514204001/?utm_source=usatoday-Daily%20Briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=baseline&utm_term=hero&utm_content=8872UT-E-NLETTER02