The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but our immune systems are still feeling the impact. After years of battling constant viral threats, from COVID-19 to seasonal flu and other infections, our body’s defense system is exhausted. Many people continue to experience lingering inflammation, frequent illnesses, and slower recovery times. This extended state of immune stress has compromised us further to chronic illness, including autoimmune diseases and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. So why is our immune system still in trouble? And how do we give it its power back? Understanding immune exhaustion is the beginning of rebuilding our body's natural immunity.
A weakened immune system makes people more susceptible to disease, mental illnesses, and even sleep disorders. Now, new research indicates that immune system depletion may play an important role in the onset of Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurologic disorder that compromises movement and cognition.
Dysfunctional immune response is a leading cause of long-standing inflammation within the body, that has been found to contribute towards a multitude of conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
As people age, their immune system naturally becomes less effective. This deterioration, referred to as immune exhaustion, may be a key contributor to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Rebecca Wallings, a Parkinson’s Foundation Launch Award grant recipient and senior postdoctoral fellow at the University of Florida, believes that an accumulation of exhausted immune cells could be driving neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s patients.
Parkinson's disease is most commonly linked with the degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons—motor nerve cells that produce dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter for movement. While researchers have long suspected inflammation is involved in this neurodegeneration, the mechanisms are not yet well understood.
Wallings' study is on immune cell exhaustion, a process by which aging immune cells fail to control immune responses effectively. Her research indicates that instead of dampening inflammation in Parkinson's patients, attempts should be made to rejuvenate the immune system to regain its functionality.
One of the major findings of Wallings' work is the function of mitochondrial impairment in immune cell exhaustion. Mitochondria are commonly called the powerhouses of cells, as they are vital for generating energy. As mitochondria age and become inefficient, immune cells fail to function well, potentially accelerating neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.
Wallings has found that mutations in the LRRK2 gene, a recognized genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease, are linked with defective mitochondrial function and immune cell exhaustion. Her current work includes testing various therapeutic approaches to restore mitochondrial function in immune cells with the potential to enhance the immune system and potentially prevent or treat Parkinson's disease.
For decades, the standard practice in treating Parkinson's has been to suppress brain inflammation. Yet Wallings' work indicates that instead of slowing down immune responses, restoring the immune system could be a more successful strategy. By addressing mitochondrial impairment and immune resilience, researchers can potentially reverse or slow down Parkinson's disease.
Wallings is now looking into how to rejuvenate immune cells by fixing mitochondria. She studies immune cells from patients with Parkinson's as well as from healthy subjects and performs experiments on animal models to determine if rejuvenation of the immune system could result in improved disease outcomes.
While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, some lifestyle adjustments may decrease the chances of developing the illness. Since neurodegenerative diseases are associated with chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, developing habits that enhance immune function might prove helpful.
Diet: There is evidence to suggest that eating in accordance with the Mediterranean or MIND diets, both high in antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory foods, can encourage brain wellness and reduce Parkinson's risk.
Avoiding Dangerous Substances: Restricting alcohol and nicotine use can maintain a robust immune system and suppress inflammation.
Reducing Stress: Chronic stress weakens immune function, so methods such as meditation, exercise, and sufficient sleep can lead to improved overall well-being.
Credits: AP
At least 55 people have lost their lives and 279 remain missing after Hong Kong’s most severe fire in more than a century swept through several high-rise towers on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Fire crews are still trying to put out the blaze in the Tai Po area and reach those who are trapped inside. By early Thursday, authorities said they had managed to control the fire in four buildings, though teams were still working on three others more than 16 hours after the flames first appeared.
A residential complex in the Tai Po district caught fire at around 2:51pm local time on Wednesday. The flames started on the bamboo scaffolding fixed to the outside of one of the buildings. This scaffolding, made of bamboo poles used by workers during repairs, burns very easily. Once it caught fire, the flames moved quickly up the outside of the building, spread into the apartments, and then reached nearby towers.
The blocks were also covered in green construction netting from the ground to the roof because renovation work was taking place. This netting caught fire as well and helped the flames advance at a faster pace. Local reports noted that the fire grew at incredible speed. By 3:34pm, it had reached a level four alarm, and by 6:22pm, it had been raised to a level five alarm, the highest alert in Hong Kong. It is now the deadliest fire the city has seen in more than 100 years.
The blaze spread in minutes because it began on the bamboo scaffolding around the building and moved to the green netting covering the towers. Both materials burn very easily. Once they ignited, the flames climbed the outside of the tower and reached many floors above. Burning fragments then dropped to the ground and set nearby buildings on fire within minutes. Wind and the open gaps created during the renovation work likely pushed the flames even faster. While officials are still examining the exact cause, they said that the flammable scaffolding, the construction materials, and the tall buildings standing close together all played a part in letting the fire grow out of control, according to Al Jazeera.
As per The American Red Cross society, here are some essential safety tips you should follow during incase a fire emergency strucks.
Smoke Alarms:
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Sonali Bendre, actor, who is known for talking about her cancer journey, inspiring other survivors to talk about it too, has found herself at the center of a heated debate after she spoke how naturopathy and autophagy helped her in her cancer recovery.
Bendre, who was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic endometrial cancer in 2018, wrote on X that she believes autophagy played a role in her healing journey. Her post quickly drew sharp criticism from several doctors.
Members of the medical community reminded her that her remission was the result of evidence-based cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Many emphasized that autophagy is not a recognized medical therapy and should not be presented as one.
One post from hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips on X said, “Your cancer went into remission after chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery at an advanced cancer treatment hospital. Not because of Naturopathy. Not because of autophagy. Because you have the option and privilege to opt for the best treatments from scientific practice to help you.”
Following the criticism, Bendre clarified that she was sharing her personal experience as a survivor, not medical advice. She wrote that her journey included elements she explored with the help of her naturopath, and these practices were only part of her overall healing process. In her words, “I have never claimed to be a doctor, but I am certainly not a quack either. I am a cancer survivor, someone who has lived through the fear, pain, uncertainty, and rebuilding that the disease brings.”
Autophagy is a natural process in which the body breaks down and recycles old or damaged cell components. Cells contain various structures that help them function, and over time some of these structures wear out. Autophagy acts like a clean-up and recycling system. It allows cells to dismantle faulty parts and reuse the useful components to maintain healthy cell function. Anything that cannot be used is removed by the cell.
This process is an important quality control mechanism. If too much cellular waste builds up, it can interfere with normal cell activity. Autophagy helps keep cells efficient and healthy. The scientific understanding of autophagy grew significantly after Japanese biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2016 for his work uncovering how it works. While autophagy is essential for survival, it is not considered a medical treatment for diseases.
Experts explain that autophagy plays a complicated role in cancer. In the early stages, it may help prevent tumor formation by clearing damaged components. However, in established cancers, the same process can allow tumor cells to survive stress and become more resistant to treatments like chemotherapy.
Disclaimer: Please consult a qualified doctor or oncologist before choosing any treatment for cancer. Health and Me does not endorse alternative therapies as substitutes for evidence-based medical care. This article is based on publicly available information. All medical conditions should be evaluated and managed under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional.
Credits: iStock and Canva
What if you are told that the vape you are using contains bacteria found in poop. You read that right. According to a study conducted by HAYPP along with Microbiologist Reynold Mpofu at BioLabTests, bacteria like staphylococcus and bacillus were found on vape, as well as fecal bacterium, E. coli is found on vape, which is often found in public bathroom.
More than 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes or vapes, and at least 1 in 6 people vape in toilet. Furthermore, vapes are rarely cleaned, and thus become germ hotspots.
The study found that vape mouthpieces are highly contaminated with bacteria. More than 1.5 million colony-forming unites or CFUs were identified on the vape mouthpiece, the maximum amount measurable by the lab, carrying as many as 2,300 times more bacteria than a public toilet, which has 50 CFUs per square inch.
“Laboratory analysis revealed that the mouthpiece is the dirtiest component of the vape. This isn’t surprising given that the human mouth, largely considered to be one of the ‘dirtiest’ parts of the body, harbors approximately 700 species of bacteria, that amounts to billions of individual bacteria,” said Mpofu.
The study was able to identify a range of bacteria, including skin microbes to gut bacteria like E.coli.
Also Read: UK Investigates Impact Of Vaping On Its Young Users
The study identified these following bacteria on the vape:
The study was also able to identify bacteria on the vape body. The lab also observed a rapid microbial growth between just 2 to 3 days of use. These colonies could be seen multiplying thousand of times over.
While many of these are found on human skin or surrounding, some are intestinal bacteria, like aforementioned, E.coli, and Enterococcus, which points towards unwashed hands, explaining the transfer on the surface.
“Much like phones, vapes are frequently handled and placed on a variety of surfaces, allowing germs, oils, and dirt from hands, pockets and various environments to latch on the device. The findings confirmed the presence of bacteria, including E. coli and Enterococcus, on the vape body, likely arising from inadequate hand hygiene or the transfer of microorganisms from bathroom environments or other contaminated surfaces,” said Mpofu.
Read: Why Is My Idea Of Break Is To Have A Smoke?
The first signs of microbes start to appear within the first day of buying a brand new vape, especially around the mouthpiece.
By day three, the vape accumulates more than 2,300 times the microbial load typically found on a toilet seat.
By the seventh day, bacteria like E.coli. and Enterococcus and other fecal indicators are detected on the mouthpiece and vape’s body. Mould and bacteria are also found on levels.
By day 14, despite no new use or cleaning, the vape remains heavily contamination. The contamination does not fade overtime.
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