According to the National Onion Association (yes, that’s a thing), approximately 170 countries grow onions, and it’s estimated that 9.2 million acres of them are harvested annually around the world. Onions are low in calories Read More
It’s a question that’s plagued exercise enthusiasts and dieters for eons: is brisk walking or running better for weight loss? The truth is, both forms of exercise provide excellent benefits–but they cater to different preferences, Read More
It’s that time of year again. Sending kids back-to-school, back to enclosed classrooms, exposed to illnesses such as COVID, flu, colds, strep, and other infections. So how do we keep our kids healthy and build Read More
We are living in a different world today. We need to take steps to make sure that our immune system is in the best condition possible. You’ve heard it before—“Don’t sweat the small stuff”—but when Read More
Getting sick isn’t fun. Unless, of course, you relish thoughts of recessing deeper into the couch, unable to muster the energy to eat, drink, sleep in a real bed, or replace the entire tissue box Read More
In our fast-paced society, it’s all too common to put sleep on the back burner when we’re pressed for time. But here’s the truth: it isn’t just a luxury, and the negative effects of lack Read More
The stay-at-home orders during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to decreased physical activity in children and an increase in screen time, finds two new studies from the Brown School at Washington Read More
As many states opens up COVID-19 vaccination eligibility to everyone age 16 and older, UC San Diego Health sports medicine specialists Samuel Galloway, MD, and Alan Shahtaji, DO, provide some exercise tips and information of what people Read More
Despite the lack of accurate data on how physical activity improves the immune response against the new coronavirus, there is evidence of lower rates of Acute respiratory infections (ARIs), duration and intensity of symptoms and Read More
A modeling study suggests a majority of adult COVID-19 hospitalizations nationwide are attributable to at least one of four pre-existing conditions: obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure, in that order. The study, published today in the Journal Read More
One of the most significant factors in fighting immunity is lifestyle. As we age, our immune response capability becomes reduced, which in turn contributes to more infections and more cancer. As life expectancy in developed countries has increased, so too has the incidence of age-related conditions.
While some people age healthily, the conclusion of many studies is that, compared with younger people, the elderly are more likely to contract infectious diseases and, even more importantly, more likely to die from them. Respiratory infections, including, influenza, the COVID-19 virus and particularly pneumonia are a leading cause of death in people over 65 worldwide. No one knows for sure why this happens, but some scientists observe that this increased risk correlates with a decrease in T cells, possibly from the thymus atrophying with age and producing fewer T cells to fight off infection. Whether this decrease in thymus function explains the drop in T cells or whether other changes play a role is not fully understood. Others are interested in whether the bone marrow becomes less efficient at producing the stem cells that give rise to the cells of the immune system.
A healthy lifestyle is a key ingredient in providing immune support.
