Tag Archives: health

Go Drink Some Coffee! It’s Good for You

Posted on March 18, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Coffee is the wonder drug of our generation, helping students, like me, work through the day at maximum potential. But are we signing a deal with the devil? Caffeine has long been known by science to enhance memory, keeps us alert and improve reaction times among many other things. CGP Grey’s video, seen below, on how coffee is the greatest addiction is one of my favourite videos and is a wonderful insight on how awesome caffeine is.

The group over Healthline have also put together a comprehensive list of caffeine’s effects here. Not all of them are good for us but doesn’t seem to be much that is too detrimental to our health.

That list is so comprehensive that there surely is nothing left to learn about coffee, right? Seems not, there’s always more to learn about the world. A very recent paper published in April 2019 has found how dark coffee, my favourite by the way, protects our blood cells from DNA damage. Isn’t that awesome? Well definitely for me because I just drink way too much coffee.

As well as health benefits, it’s still difficult to pin point any increased risk in diseases by consuming caffeine. Another paper that was published within this year has found that there was no link between the risk of prostate cancer to with coffee or tea consumption. Awesome, now I can drink as much tea and coffee as I like.

These papers are just some of the work that scientists all over the world are conducting to understand the true nature of this substance that helps people all over the world. Of course, it’s all not good news as these papers are conducted on healthy individuals drinking moderate amounts. Another paper recent paper found that heavy consumption, meaning more that 6 cups of coffee a day, slightly increases the risk heart attacks, stroke, heart failure and similar diseases.

All in all, caffeine, and by extension coffee, is just the best thing ever but do be careful how you consume it. There’s still more to learn as well, with research still constantly happening as seen by these paper within the last year, so get out there, have your coffee and drink it too. Personally, I have about 2-3 cups of coffee a day and that gets me by plenty, but even that is a bit high in my opinion. Drink in moderation, stay healthy and keep active and I think caffeine will take care of you and keep you healthy as well.

– Fareez Sanif

Leave a comment

Posted in Biological Sciences, Science Communication

Tagged , , , ,

The Real Cause Behind Canker Sores

Posted on March 11, 2019 by | 3 comments

An image showing the various causes for mouth pain, including mouth sores (center). Source: Authority Dental

Have you ever experienced a painful sore inside your mouth — the kind of sore that appears on the linings of one’s cheeks, lips, tongue or gums and can last for days without end? There are a variety of mouth sores that can cause pain, but the one in particular that I have in mind are canker sores.

A canker sore on a person’s lower lip. Source: Wikimedia Commons

What are canker sores?

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, round ulcers on the inside of the mouth that can appear red, white, or yellow in color. About 1 in 5 people get them, making them the most common type of mouth sore. These sores can occur in healthy people, recurring about two to six times in the average individual within a year.

Having known people that get canker sores on a monthly basis, I take pride in the fact that I get them about only once or twice every other year. It had been a while since I had my last sore and for the longest time, I couldn’t remember what it was like to even have one… until last week. This time around, the pain and discomfort felt unfamiliar to me, and after judging that enough days had passed and it still hadn’t gone away, I decided to take matters into my own hands. In my search for possible treatment methods, I came across the following video explaining the true cause behind canker sores.


Credit: Joe Scott, Source: Youtube

So, what is the real cause?

In the video, self-proclaimed canker sore expert Joe Scott sheds light on the fact that while there are many suggested treatments for the sores, few people know about why it occurs. He explains that when we get minor cuts, our immune systems release a special protein, TNF-a, whose job is to wipe out any damaged near the site of the cut. According to Scott, canker sores indicate that the body produces too much of this protein, wiping out these damaged cells and then some, which creates “a huge crater of exposed nerves made all the more sensitive by inflammation.” Basing his knowledge off of a 2003 study published by the American Dental Association, Scott claims to have found a cure that regulates the protein, which many others have attested to on his website.

Why does all of this matter?

Despite the discovery (and strong evidence) of a working solution, it is surprising that the widespread knowledge states that the cause behind canker sores is still unknown to this day, which is echoed on sites such as KidsHealth, HealthLinkBC, Colgate and even WebMD. Although this may affect a minority of the population, this discovery could mean the world for someone who faces the pain of constantly recurring canker sores (RAS). Focusing on the bigger picture, this demonstrates that science communication still has a long way to go.

— Breyanne Bautista

3 Comments

Posted in Biological Sciences, Science Communication, Science Communicators

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

So, What’s the Deal with Vitamin D?

Posted on March 4, 2019 by | 10 comments

With spring approaching, I’m sure we’re all excited about getting a little more sunshine. As most of us know, the sun provides us with vitamin D, but have you ever wondered how it works exactly?

Let’s first start by explaining what vitamin D is. Vitamin D is a vitamin that is present in foods such as salmon, canned tuna, beef liver, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products. However, you would need to be eating them almost every day in order to get a sufficient amount of vitamin D. So instead, most of us get the rest of our vitamin D through the sun. When the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays make contact with your skin, the rays provide enough energy for the cholesterol in your skin cells to undergo vitamin D synthesis.

An image of a woman outside enjoying the sun. Photo by Morgan Sessions on Unsplash

This sunshine vitamin has many benefits and is essential for maintaining optimal health. Its most important role is to promote the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that are key for maintaining strong healthy bones, especially in children and the elderly. In addition to bone health, vitamin D is also crucial for keeping your immune system healthy so it can fight against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Studies have also linked healthy levels of vitamin D to slowing down or decreasing the chances of getting colon cancer and prostate cancer.

A black and white image of a man looking upset. Photo by Brut Carniollus on Unsplash

On the other hand, vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets in children, a painful condition due to misshapen bones. In elderly individuals, it can cause osteomalacia, a condition where the bones soften, leading to bone pain and muscle weakness. New research has also shown that not getting enough vitamin D can even lead to cognitive disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.

Does learning all this make you want to run into the sunshine yet? The optimal amount of midday sunlight exposure you should aim for for healthy vitamin D levels is 10-30 minutes several times a week, but a bit longer if you have darker skin. Also, just as an FYI, most glass windows end up blocking the UVB wavelength, so on your next study break, maybe opt for a quick walk outside to ensure you reap the vitamin D health benefits.

– Kristy Ip

10 Comments

Posted in Biological Sciences, Science Communication

Tagged , , , , ,

Please get rid of this headache!

Posted on January 29, 2019 by | 2 comments

Possibly one of the most dreadful feelings: an oncoming headache. Nothing more mundane could be worse than your head feeling like it’s caving in at any moment while you’re trying to get through the day. There are many different types of headaches, with tension headaches being the most common among adults and teens caused by a variety of factors.

Painkillers are a common and quick remedy to relieve headaches. [Source: Vox]

You soon find yourself at the local pharmacy to quickly rid yourself of the pain. So, what should you take? The following are common over-the-counter drugs (OTC) used to treat pain and fever relief.

Tylenol

This is the brand name of the chemical drug acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol). It is the most popular OTC painkiller worldwide. Acetaminophen inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are chemical messengers produced by the body in response to an injury/illness that helps to signal pain and induce fever. Acetaminophen then blocks this signalling to help reduce the pain. Prostaglandins also induce inflammation of the body tissues but (unlike the other two drugs below) acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory action.

Tylenol is the most common OTC painkiller worldwide. [Source: London Drugs]

Acetaminophen is most frequently involved in drug overdose. Overdose or mixing with alcohol may result in severe or fatal liver damage. It was the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US between 1998 and 2003.

However, Tylenol is generally considered safe for pregnant women in all three trimesters. It can also be taken by any age group including young children with fevers at 3-months-old, which is probably one of the main reasons why this brand is so popular.

Advil

This brand’s sole medicinal ingredient is ibuprofen. It belongs to the class called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen blocks the production of prostaglandins and helps relieve a broad range of aches, especially hangover-type headaches!

Advil is popular to take when relieving headaches during a hangover. [Source: BisonOffice.com]

Most NSAIDs also have an anti-platelet effect from reversibly altering platelet function, which protects from blood clots by prolonging bleeding time.

Women are not recommended to take Advil during pregnancy. Unlike Tylenol, children need to wait until at least 6-months-old to take Advil.

Aspirin

The chemical name of this brand is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Like Advil, they also belong to the class of NSAIDs therefore also providing release with anti-inflammatory action. They also work by decreasing the body’s production of prostaglandins. In addition to providing relief from headaches, Aspirin can be prescribed by a doctor as a blood-thinner to lower the risk of stroke and heart disease, something that Tylenol and Advil cannot do.

Aspirin is another well-known brand of OTC painkillers. [Source: London Drugs]

Unlike other NSAIDs, Aspirin irreversibly and permanently prevents platelet function during their lifespans of 8-10 days, resulting in inclined unstopped bleeding.

Aspirin is considered relatively safe in infrequent doses for women during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, but should be avoided in the third trimester as it can be harmful to both the mother and baby. Aspirin should also be avoided in children less than 18-years-old that have a viral illness (e.g. flu or chicken pox) due to the risk of Reye syndrome.

Comparison and conclusions:

Table comparing the three painkiller brands. Advil has the most adverse effects, but Advil is less toxic than Tylenol in terms of overdosage. Advil and Aspirin are similar in their type class and side effects. Tylenol is safest to use for pregnant women and can be taken the earliest in children. [Source: Created using Microsoft Powerpoint]

It’s common sense that taking too many painkillers is bad for you. Do not take OTC drugs too frequently as it may cause the body to overly rely on the medication, resulting in additional headaches. There are many natural ways to treat headaches that can be just as effective. Below is a video on head massage techniques that can help as well.

Please note this post is a basic guideline for the self-treatment of common, mild-to-moderate headaches. If your headache is excruciating or lasts longer than a couple days, please consult with a pharmacist/doctor if there is an underlying issue and to discuss other treatment options.

– Julie Zhu

2 Comments

Posted in Science Communication

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Why the Snooze Button is Anything But Your Friend

Posted on January 21, 2019 by | Leave a comment

The weekend’s over, it’s Monday morning, and suddenly it’s time to go back to another busy week of work. Your alarm clock goes off and almost instinctively – like a predator just waiting to pounce on its prey – you hit snooze.

You know that feeling all too well, and you’re not the only one. A 2014 study revealed that more than half of the American population admitted to regularly using the snooze button. It turns out that what we see as only a few extra minutes of “much-needed” sleep is doing us more harm than good.

So, what’s actually going on when we hit snooze?

A person reaching for the alarm clock at 7 a.m.
Source: The Dreaming Show

Most people who rely on alarm clocks experience sleep inertia, which is the state of grogginess and disorientation one immediately feels upon waking. The deeper the sleep stage you are waking up from, the more intensely you feel the effects of sleep inertia (and the more tempting it is to reach for that snooze button!). When we hit the snooze button and doze off again, our bodies are actually preparing to enter the start of another sleep cycle, making it nearly impossible to reach the final stage of the sleep cycle, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, within a matter of minutes. This ends up leading us to feel even more exhausted throughout the day.

According to research and Human Sleep Science expert Professor Matthew Walker, being abruptly woken by an alarm clock triggers a “burst of activity [within the nervous system that causes] a spike in blood pressure and sudden acceleration in heart rate.” This means that repeatedly bargaining for more sleep is dangerously detrimental to our own hearts.

Is there anything I can do about it?

A woman basking in the sunrise. Source: Pixabay

If you’re only realizing this now, it’s not too late to turn around and reverse this impulsive snoozing habit. Luckily for you, the road to recovery isn’t a difficult one. Perhaps set only one alarm at a later time rather than having multiple alarms to avoid interrupting your sleep or consider sticking to a consistent sleep schedule to train your body’s natural wake mechanisms. There are even sunrise alarm clocks that replace the blaring alarms with gradually brightening light to help us ease out of our slumber more naturally.

While we may have plenty of excuses to get a few additional moments of sleep in the mornings, we should have no excuse when our health and well-being is on the line.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Posted in Biological Sciences

Tagged , , , , , , , ,