Immune System Health

Rates of autoimmune diseases are increasing in the developed world. These diseases, which include diverse illnesses such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease, can be devastating to one's health, even causing lifelong disability or death. There are many theories about why these illnesses are increasing in prevalence. According to several new studies on gut bacteria and autoimmune...

There have been numerous studies linking gut bacteria and human health. The modern Western diet and wide availability of antibiotics have changed the number and variety of bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tract, which appears to have poor overall health effects. Surprisingly, even our immune systems are affected by this global shift in gut flora. According to a new...

Every moment, there are trillions of microorganisms residing in your digestive system. Some of these species of bacteria are beneficial, while others are harmful. Though one of their main functions is to help you digest food, in the past few years scientific research has revealed that gut bacteria impacts many aspects of health, including your metabolism and immune system. For...

In general, men are often perceived as being the physically stronger (and thus possibly healthier) gender. However, their response to infectious illness appears to be an exception to the rule. Many people over time have noted that men subjectively report worse symptoms from colds, cases of the flu and other illnesses. The same illness that most women will work through...

Have you ever talked about having a "gut feeling" about something? Your gut, particularly the bacteria that live there, may be more important to your health than most people realize. A lot has been written lately about probiotics and their impact on health. A surprising range of diseases, from depression to certain types of cancer, have been linked to imbalances...

Phytoestrogens for men? According to numerous scientists and medical professionals, phytoestrogens—plant compounds that mimic the female hormone estrogen in the body—may play an important role in men’s health. This article describes phytoestrogens, the benefits men might reap from incorporating them into their health regiment and attempts to dispel misconceptions about certain side effects men might experience resulting from exposure to phytoestrogens...

A growing body of research suggests that bacteria in the gut influence overall human health. While past research has indicated that trillions of bacteria thriving in the human digestive tract can affect everything from immune system function and nutrition to mood, two new studies have found that gut bacteria influence diet as well as reproductive success in fruit flies. These...

Recommendations for vitamin intake during pregnancy are constantly being modified to reflect new research. Most people are aware of the importance of taking in enough folic acid and other B vitamins during their child-bearing years. A new study on taking vitamin D during pregnancy suggests that this vitamin also may be crucial to developing children, especially in the areas of...

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common and complex medical issue. New research suggests that gut health may be important in preventing and treating this disease. All people have experienced fatigue and exhaustion at some point. However, for some people this is a constant condition. Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as CFS, is on the rise, yet we understand little about...

The idea of taking vitamin C for colds is common. However, does it really help? New research revisits this old controversy—with surprising results. Many people throughout the ages have relied on vitamin C to help treat the common cold. From folk remedies like lemon in tea to popular vitamin C cold supplements, we turn to vitamin C to lessen cold...