Many parents are alarmed by recent polio news reports. Here are some things to be aware of and take action on.
It's understandable if you know little to nothing about polio. Since 1979, there have been no wild cases of polio in the US. This is because people get vaccinated.
Sadly, this does not imply that polio is absent in the US. Either the "vaccine-derived" virus or the wild poliovirus can be brought into the country by travellers. Recently, there have been reports of instances of polio, primarily vaccine-derived cases, coming from neighbouring nations, although wastewater data indicates that the poliovirus is spreading in some regions. Parents should be aware of the following:
The polio vaccine aids in the body's production of the antibodies required to fight polio. Many nations utilise an inactivated form of the poliovirus in the oral polio vaccination. The sole vaccine used in the US since 2000 is an inactivated shot that is based on a virus that has been killed.
The oral polio vaccine is where the virus used in vaccines is obtained from. Although the oral vaccine is safe and effective in most cases, those with compromised immune systems may get sick from the weak virus. When there are many people who are unvaccinated, illness may spread.
Herd immunity to polio is built via widespread immunization. The infrequent traveller carrying wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus doesn't pose a threat if enough individuals are vaccinated. Herd immunity is a word used to describe how vaccination protects people: if enough people are protected by vaccination, it makes it difficult for the illness to spread, protecting others who aren't.
Sadly, this does not imply that polio is absent in the US. Either the "vaccine-derived" virus or the wild poliovirus can be brought into the country by travellers. Recently, there have been reports of instances of polio, primarily vaccine-derived cases, coming from neighbouring nations, although wastewater data indicates that the poliovirus is spreading in some regions. Parents should be aware of the following:
What is vaccine-derived poliovirus?
The polio vaccine aids in the body's production of the antibodies required to fight polio. Many nations utilise an inactivated form of the poliovirus in the oral polio vaccination. The sole vaccine used in the US since 2000 is an inactivated shot that is based on a virus that has been killed.
The oral polio vaccine is where the virus used in vaccines is obtained from. Although the oral vaccine is safe and effective in most cases, those with compromised immune systems may get sick from the weak virus. When there are many people who are unvaccinated, illness may spread.
Herd immunity to polio is built via widespread immunization. The infrequent traveller carrying wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus doesn't pose a threat if enough individuals are vaccinated. Herd immunity is a word used to describe how vaccination protects people: if enough people are protected by vaccination, it makes it difficult for the illness to spread, protecting others who aren't.
How safe are outpatient ketamine clinics? Ketamine is approved for the treatment of difficult-to-treat depression.
An uncommon class of psychedelic drug known as a dissociative, ketamine, is experiencing a resurgence in use. Ketamine, sometimes known as "special K," is a common anaesthetic used in hospitals and veterinary clinics that was originally developed from PCP, also known as "angel dust."
Both ketamine's medical and recreational uses are supported by its effects, which include pain control, amnesia, intoxication, dissociation, and euphoria. Due to its clearance for treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which is severe depression that has not improved with other therapy and includes people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, it has recently become more extensively used.
Evidence of ketamine's benefits
Esketamine (Spravato), a prescription form of ketamine that is administered through a nasal spray, was approved by the FDA in 2019 for TRD. However, the rules state that it can only be used "under the supervision of a health care professional in a qualified doctor's office or clinic." Therefore, medical personnel must watch you using it and then follow you after you've taken your dose to monitor your vital signs and your overall clinical progress.
In research when ketamine was compared to a placebo, depression scores decreased subjectively and statistically significantly, and the efficacy of ketamine for TRD was first shown for short-term treatment. (In both trial groups, patients continued taking their normal antidepressants out of anxiety that TRD wouldn't be treated in the placebo arm.) In a study where ketamine (together with the standard antidepressant) helped patients stay in stable remission 16 weeks into treatment, it was discovered that nasal ketamine has longer-term efficacy.
With ketamine, TRD relief happens quickly. People who are struggling with the crushing weight of depression can start to feel the effects of ketamine in about 40 minutes, whereas they may have to wait weeks for an SSRI to help.
Is ketamine the best course of treatment for you?
Your primary care physician, your mental health professional, and any other healthcare providers who are involved in your treatment should be involved in this conversation. Keep in mind that ketamine is not a first-line treatment for depression and is typically only used when other, more established treatments have failed. It is not regarded as curative; rather, it is thought to alleviate symptoms for a limited time. By looking at the bad effects, it is easier to figure out who shouldn't get ketamine treatment.
Should you seek therapy at a ketamine clinic?
Ketamine outpatient clinics run independently are springing up everywhere. These clinics are thought to number in the hundreds to thousands at present, practically all of which were started when ketamine was authorised for TRD in 2019. These clinics are typically for-profit businesses with a staff that includes a nurse, a social worker, a psychiatrist or anesthesiologist (who can administer the infusion), and (of course) the entrepreneurs who make it all run.
How safe are ketamine clinics?
These ketamine clinics present a number of concerns, such as what to look for in a reliable ketamine facility. We don't currently have any conclusive responses to that query. One wonders whether ketamine infusions, which can result in a deep dissociation from reality, would be better managed in a hospital setting where there are guidelines for safety in case something goes wrong. The level of communication, if any, between the ketamine clinic staff and your healthcare providers was unclear (in part because I didn't actually follow through with the therapy), and normally the treatments you receive wouldn't be recorded in your primary electronic medical record.
Common Causes of Hair Loss and How to Stop It.
Both men and women throughout the UK and across the world can develop hair loss. There are a number of factors that can cause hair loss, such as ageing and genetics. What is causing your hair loss can determine whether your hair falls out abruptly or gradually, or can regrow on its own. In some instances, treatment may be needed to regrow hair.
Here are some of the common causes of hair loss, as well as methods that can help in treating it.
Hereditary Hair Loss
Both men and women of all ages can develop this kind of hair loss. Hereditary hair loss is the most common type across the world. It’s known as male pattern hair loss for men and female pattern hair loss for women. Regardless of the type, the medical term is known as androgenic alopecia. This type of hair loss means you have inherited genes that cause hair follicles to shrink and stop growing hair eventually. Shrinking can start in your teens but normally begins later in life. Treatment can help to stop or slow down hair loss. There’s also the possibility that hair can regrow. However, this depends on when you start treatment.
Age
The aging process is inevitable and happens to us all. What comes with ageing is hair loss. Most people notice some hair loss. This is because hair growth slows down. There will come a point where hair follicles stop growing hair. This causes the hair on the scalp to start thinning. Hair will also begin to lose its colour. A woman’s hairline starts to recede naturally over the years. If caught early, treatment can help regrow hair in some individuals.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a disease that begins when the body’s immune system starts attacking hair follicles. This results in hair loss. One can lose hair anywhere on the body, including the nose, scalp, and ears. Some people lose their eyebrows and eyelashes too. If you opt for treatment, this may help in stimulating hair regrowth. You can find out more about alopecia areata, including what causes it, treatment options, and how common the disease is.
Childbirth
A couple of months after giving birth, you may start noticing a lot more hairs on your pillow or brush. Try not to panic. This is common and happens to many women. Postpartum hair loss isn’t anything to worry about. In most cases, postpartum hair loss is temporary. To deal with postpartum hair loss and speed up the process, there are certain things that can help. These include getting the right nutrients in your diet, going easy on your hair, and choosing the right accessories. If you have any concerns, make sure to speak to your GP.
What Are Postnatal Vitamins?
Principal Ingredients in Postnatal Vitamins
Getting the right nutrients is crucial for mothers both during and after pregnancy. While postnatal vitamins give you the micronutrients you need after giving birth, prenatal vitamins are taken during pregnancy. The major nutrients in postnatal vitamins are shown below.Omega-3 Fatty Acids
For a healthy brain, eye, and nerve cell development in developing infants, omega-3 fatty acids are essential, particularly the longer chain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) found in fish or algal oils. There is some evidence that taking fish oil supplements can also help with mood and stress management after giving birth.Choline
An essential vitamin for a healthy infant's brain and memory development is choline. Choline requirements rise during pregnancy and are greatest for breastfeeding mothers. Additionally, choline helps maintain digestive and immunological health in pregnant women.Eggs, organ meat, caviar, salmon, shitake mushrooms, and soybeans are among the foods high in choline. A postnatal vitamin containing choline is a good substitute if some of these items are a little too exotic for you to regularly eat.
For the first year after giving birth, lactating moms are advised to take 550 mg of choline daily.
Iron
Due to blood loss after childbirth, iron levels can drop. Iron is a crucial mineral for breastfeeding mothers to restore for both themselves and their children.
Iron helps your baby's thyroid function develop properly. To generate haemoglobin, a protein that delivers oxygen to your red blood cells, your body needs iron. You can get iron deficiency anaemia if your haemoglobin is low due to low iron levels. You experience fatigue and poor energy when you have anaemia, which can influence your mood and make it more difficult to form a bond with your child. Additionally, you can become more agitated and more prone to postpartum depression.
Cereal with iron added, lentils, lima beans, oysters, and chicken liver are a few examples of foods high in iron. A good source of iron is a postnatal vitamin.
Due to blood loss after childbirth, iron levels can drop. Iron is a crucial mineral for breastfeeding mothers to restore for both themselves and their children.
Iron helps your baby's thyroid function develop properly. To generate haemoglobin, a protein that delivers oxygen to your red blood cells, your body needs iron. You can get iron deficiency anaemia if your haemoglobin is low due to low iron levels. You experience fatigue and poor energy when you have anaemia, which can influence your mood and make it more difficult to form a bond with your child. Additionally, you can become more agitated and more prone to postpartum depression.
Cereal with iron added, lentils, lima beans, oysters, and chicken liver are a few examples of foods high in iron. A good source of iron is a postnatal vitamin.
Dietary fat can be beneficial or detrimental to the heart. Make an informed choice.
There are 'no fats, low fats, healthy fats, and bad fats. Dietary fat has a lengthy and often perplexing history. Where does it fit into a balanced diet, and what effect does it have on your health, particularly your heart? The following are some facts regarding fat.
A tale about two kinds of fat
Saturated and unsaturated fats are the two types. (A third form, trans fat, has been abolished or significantly reduced in food products.)
Saturated fat is regarded as "bad" fat. It is found mostly in animal products such as beef and pork, as well as dairy products such as cream, butter, and cheese. Other sources include fast food and processed meals.
Unsaturated fat is the "healthy" type of fat. There are two major subtypes of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
Monounsaturated. Avocados, peanuts, peanut butter, and nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, and pecans contain these lipids. Additionally, certain oils, such as olive, peanut, safflower, sunflower, and canola, contain significant amounts.
Polyunsaturated. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are among these lipids. These are also referred to as essential fats because they cannot be synthesised by the body and must be obtained through meals. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in oils such as soybean, corn, sesame, and peanut. Additionally, they are abundant in walnuts, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseeds. Canola and soybean oils, as well as fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, and trout, contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Are you planning a trip this summer or fall? Remember to carry these digestive remedies.
With the lifting of the COVID travel restrictions, Americans are eager to resume their travels. Some estimates say that 75% of us will travel within the United States this summer, and new data shows that international travel from the United States was more than twice as high in May 2022 as it was in May 2021.
However, keep your digestive health in mind while you pack your bags. Travel companions with stomach issues, including diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion, are all too prevalent.
Travel messes with a lot of the body's natural cycles, including digestion, according to Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, which is affiliated with Harvard. Time shifts, changed eating habits, and a lack of sleep are all likely to blame, particularly in people with sensitive gastrointestinal systems.
Here is a closer look at three typical digestive problems, along with advice on how to avoid and treat them.
Travel tummy: diarrhea
The most common travel-related ailment is diarrhea. People typically experience cramps, urgency, and loose, watery feces. Intermittent diarrhea may be from an infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water, intestinal parasites, or it may be induced by a change in the environment or stress.
The easiest approach to preventing diarrhea when traveling is to avoid contaminated food and drink and to practice excellent hygiene by often washing your hands.
Keep yourself hydrated. Factory-sealed bottled water is the most secure choice in underdeveloped nations. Additionally, consistently use bottled water for brushing your teeth. Avoid ice, as it can be made from contaminated water.
Pick your foods and beverages wisely. Avoid eating food that has been sitting on a buffet and only consume cooked items that are served hot.
Consume only fruits and vegetables that have undergone peeling or washing in clean water. Sanitize your hands.
Frequently wash your hands in warm water and soap, especially after using the restroom and right before eating. As a backup, use a hand sanitizer with alcohol.
Dealing with diarrhea: The majority of diarrheal bouts end on their own two to five days after beginning. However, if your diarrhea is bloody, you have significant abdominal pain, a fever, or it lasts longer than a week or two, you should consult a doctor.
If not, follow these instructions to speed up your recovery:
Reply any lost fluids.
By consuming bottled water and electrolyte-containing low-sugar sports drinks, you can prevent dehydration. Apply over-the-counter remedies. Many digestive aids contain the chemicals loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate), which help ease cramps and lower the number of times you have loose, watery stools.
Testing of wastewater has detected increased COVID levels and even poliovirus. Can it anticipate future virus outbreaks?
When can we anticipate the next increase in COVID?
For months, the United States has documented more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases and 300 deaths every day. In reality, the number of cases is likely substantially higher due to declining testing rates and the exclusion of positive home tests from official counts. With this many cases and new strains coming out, it seems likely that there will be more in the future.
When then?
Possibly in the coming weeks, when new, extremely contagious variants spread. Or perhaps in autumn and winter when we spend more time indoors. Or perhaps this virus will surprise us once more and wait until next year to reappear.
By the time we realise that COVID-19 infections are quickly spreading in a community, the pandemic has already been ongoing for some time. Because the first signs of the infection are often absent, it could spread for a while before anyone notices.
If we could predict when the next increase will occur, we might be able to take preventative actions. And this is where your stool comes in — faeces, poop, or whatever term you want — comes in.
Using wastewater to detect viral outbreaks
When a person has a viral infection, the virus can frequently be discovered in their faeces. Therefore, it is possible to test the wastewater of a town, city, or community for the presence of viruses and to determine the rate of increase over time.
This method has been utilised since the 1940s when polio was a significant threat. But testing wastewater can also find different kinds of hepatitis, the norovirus that causes flu-like symptoms, and maybe even measles.
The testing procedures for wastewater have evolved throughout time. In the beginning, people tried to grow viruses from water samples. More recently, they have been trying to find viral genetic material.
Polio and COVID were discovered in wastewater.
In June 2022, testing of London's wastewater detected the virus that causes polio, a potentially fatal or crippling disease. Even though no active cases of polio have been found in London yet, this discovery has led to a look into where the virus came from, who might be infected, and if it is a threat to public health.
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are thought to affect more than 55 million people around the world. This number is expected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. There are simply insufficient neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, neuropsychologists, and other specialists to diagnose these people with cognitive decline and dementia. Primary care doctors and nurses will need to take charge.
Despite the fact that this may seem like an obvious and straightforward answer, my friends who work as primary care physicians remind me that they hardly have time to handle the essentials, such as managing blood pressure and diabetes, and that they have no time to conduct elaborate cognitive tests. Even a simple test like the Mini-Cog, where they have to draw a clock and remember three words, takes too long for them. So, how will we diagnose the growing number of people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia in the next few decades?
In 2010, doctors at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's division of cognitive neurology developed a cognitive test that people can use on their own to check for memory loss. This idea of a cognitive test that people can give themselves could help primary care providers who are short on time. People can take this test at home, and they can bring the results with them to the office. The results can then be used to decide if more tests are needed or if a specialist should be called in.
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and other clinician-administered tests as well as traditional neuropsychological testing have all been favourably compared to the exam known as the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE). However, SAGE's accuracy in identifying people who will later develop Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, however, was unknown.
Despite the fact that this may seem like an obvious and straightforward answer, my friends who work as primary care physicians remind me that they hardly have time to handle the essentials, such as managing blood pressure and diabetes, and that they have no time to conduct elaborate cognitive tests. Even a simple test like the Mini-Cog, where they have to draw a clock and remember three words, takes too long for them. So, how will we diagnose the growing number of people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia in the next few decades?
A self-administered test can check for memory loss.
In 2010, doctors at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's division of cognitive neurology developed a cognitive test that people can use on their own to check for memory loss. This idea of a cognitive test that people can give themselves could help primary care providers who are short on time. People can take this test at home, and they can bring the results with them to the office. The results can then be used to decide if more tests are needed or if a specialist should be called in.
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and other clinician-administered tests as well as traditional neuropsychological testing have all been favourably compared to the exam known as the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE). However, SAGE's accuracy in identifying people who will later develop Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, however, was unknown.
Predicting the future
The authors conducted a retrospective chart analysis on 655 patients seen in their memory problems clinic over a follow-up period of up to 8.8 years in order to provide an answer to this topic. They contrasted the MMSE with their SAGE exam.
They classified the clinic's population into four groups based on both the initial and subsequent clinic visits. Let me define a few words before I explain the groups:
When cognitive impairment results in impaired function, it is called dementia.
They classified the clinic's population into four groups based on both the initial and subsequent clinic visits. Let me define a few words before I explain the groups:
When cognitive impairment results in impaired function, it is called dementia.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which cognitive performance is normal but there is cognitive impairment.
Subjective cognitive decline happens when people worry about their memory and thinking, even though their thinking and reasoning are fine.
Individuals in the four groups they compared had
Alzheimer's disease-related dementia.
Subjective cognitive decline.
MCI that coverted to Alzheimer's disease dementia.
MCI coverted to another type of dementia.
In their ability to forecast how each of these groups would do over time, they discovered an unexpectedly strong connection between the SAGE test and the MMSE. Additionally, they discovered that the SAGE test was able to predict a person with MCI who would acquire dementia six months earlier than the MMSE.
Stress is a condition of extreme mental or emotional tension. Because some stress is unavoidable in everyday life, managing stress is crucial for many aspects of your health. Many scenarios lead to stress, from the rush to leave the house and navigate the traffic to minor irritants like a broken dishwasher or a blocked sink.
It's not healthy to have too much stress in your life because it can cause bodily issues. Stress excess compromises your metabolism, weakens your immune system, and may even alter how your brain processes information. An excessive amount of stress might make it difficult for you to obtain a good night's sleep and may harm your relationships. To prevent stress from rising to unhealthy levels, there are fortunately many healthy and constructive ways to handle it.
Tea's Relaxing Properties
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Numerous teas provide benefits for relaxation and stress reduction. The dried flowers and leaves of the chamomile plant are used to make chamomile tea. This tea is thought to relieve sleeplessness and anxiety. An unsettled stomach, a typical sign of stress, can be soothed by chamomile tea. You can have a cup of chamomile tea approximately 30 minutes before bedtime to help you get a restful night's sleep because it contains no caffeine.
Peppermint tea is a fantastic alternative. Benefits of this sort of tea include improved relaxation and improved digestion. Additionally devoid of caffeine, peppermint tea is a healthy beverage to sip before bed. The main component of peppermint tea, menthol, also lessens pain and inflammation. The tea can reduce inflammation and pain since stress chemicals like cortisol make these conditions worse.
Tea preparation alone is calming. Pick yourself a lovely teacup and saucer yourself. Add a few drops of lemon juice for vitamin C which strengthens the immune system and a few drops of raw, organic honey for sweetness and other health advantages.
Essential Oils for Reducing Stress
The management of stress can benefit from the use of essential oils. Consider using geranium and rose essential oils. These essential oils support mood enhancement and stress reduction. Try lemon essential oil as well. While vitamin C enters your skin and strengthens your immune system, the energising aroma can uplift your mood. The discharge of poisons and negative energies that accumulate from repeated exposure to stressful conditions is aided by ylang ylang essential oil.
There are many applications for essential oils. For every ounce of shampoo or conditioner, one drop of essential oil can be added. Additionally, essential oils can be used topically to your pulse spots, such as the inner wrists. Your body's heat warms the oils, making them active. Find a little glass vial with a cork and use that to store essential oils instead. Check to see if the glass vial has a clasp so you may use it as a necklace. All day long, the oils will spread from the cork and offer their stress-relieving effects.
Take a Relaxing Bath
If you want to relax your body and reduce tension, think about taking a long bath. Try taking a bubble bath to unwind. If you tend to stiffen up when agitated, a warm bubble bath can assist your muscles, ligaments, and tendons relax. An Epsom salt or mineral bath can also be beneficial for reducing tension. These salts aid in your body's ability to remove pollutants. They also enhance your skin's ability to recover. Several drops of your preferred essential oils can also be added to the bathwater.
Stress-Relieving Meals
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You can try a variety of foods that reduce stress. A square of dark chocolate gives your brain endorphins. Antioxidants found in dark chocolate can help to counteract some of the negative effects of stress on the body. Make sure to consume very little chocolate. Because it includes caffeine, avoid eating it four hours before going to bed.
Pistachios are another superfood worth trying. In a single tiny container, pistachios include complex carbs, dietary fibre, protein, and healthy fats. They deliver nutrients like folate, riboflavin, potassium, lutein, and vitamin B-6. You can manage your weight, lower your cholesterol, and restore good skin thanks to these nuts. Pistachios are a fantastic source of antioxidants and support your immune system by reducing the negative effects of stress.
Another stress-relieving snack is seeds. Pick sesame, chia, or pumpkin seeds. These foods with little processing include important nutrients like manganese and copper, have a lot of dietary fibre, and make you feel full after a small amount.
In addition to experimenting with those superfoods, alter your diet in general. Your body will be more capable of handling stress when it is healthy. Prioritize whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats as well as complex carbohydrates. Make sure your body is well hydrated, paying special attention to getting adequate water. Reduce the amount of added sugar and caffeine in your beverages. Avoid using food, alcohol, or other addictive drugs as self-medication. In the end, they'll make your stress worse.
Exercise to Reduce Stress
Exercise is beneficial for stress management. Your body naturally releases endorphins when you work out. Your mood is affected by the endorphins, which aid in letting go of unpleasant feelings. After an exercise, endorphins' effects might last for several hours. You don't have to be an athlete to benefit from exercise's beneficial stress-reduction effects.
Think about going for a 30- to 60-minute walk outside. Locate a lovely park and take in the scenery. You may wander around a mall in bad weather. You have the chance to challenge yourself by using the exercise equipment in the gym. You can enhance your metabolism and develop muscle via aerobic activity and weightlifting.
There is a certain sense of satisfaction in letting your energy out while performing a leg press or bench press after a particularly stressful day. Try low-impact exercises like yoga or swimming if you have sore joints. Try something different if your regular fitness routine is getting boring. Rock climbing, including indoor climbing, challenges you while working out your entire body. While exercising, turn on some motivating music to get your body going.
In nature, essential vitamins and minerals are nearly never isolated. Typically, foods contain a complex combination of macronutrients and micronutrients that work in concert to give our systems what they need to function efficiently. As our knowledge of nutrition has increased over time, we have isolated and identified the specific vitamins and minerals that our bodies require for survival. This has made it possible to consume substantial amounts of a single nutrient. However, certain nutrients perform more effectively when consumed combined than when given separately. Understanding how nutrients are utilized together might help to supplement specific nutrients optimize their advantages and avoid potential risks.
Vitamin D and Vitamin K
Our knowledge of vitamin D has grown during the past three decades. Recent research has revealed a considerably more sophisticated and nuanced knowledge of vitamin D's role in bone health, particularly in children, than was previously believed.
Calcium absorption is dependent on vitamin D. However, evidence strongly shows that it also plays an important role in cardiovascular health, autoimmune illness, neurological problems, infections, pregnancy outcomes, and other chronic disease states. According to research, enough vitamin D helps prevent infections and reduces inflammation. Recent studies suggest that supplementation may aid in the treatment of diabetes and respiratory infections. In addition, research indicates that vitamin D intake may prevent or slow the onset of certain autoimmune disorders. Given the often-devastating effects of these disorders, it is not surprising that vitamin D supplementation is widespread. Links to lifespan have been hypothesized but not demonstrated.
As with vitamin D, vitamin K has been historically identified with a specific function. Vitamin K is commonly known as the blood-clotting vitamin. Warfarin, one of the earliest anticoagulants used to treat and prevent blood clots, inhibits vitamin K. However, similar to vitamin D, our knowledge of vitamin K continues to grow.
Recent research indicates that vitamin K helps strengthen bones, may reduce artery hardening associated with heart disease, and may play a role in diabetes by enhancing insulin sensitivity. Vitamin K has a role in calcium metabolism, preventing calcium from accumulating in blood vessels and causing damage while diverting it into the bone to promote bone density.
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