dailyhealthpost--2020-11-29--Magnesium Deficiencies Are Killing Us…Here’s What To Do About It

Magnesium is a mineral that ’ s integral to almost every metabolic function in the body .
As one of the electrolyte minerals ( along with potassium , sodium , chloride , calcium , and phosphorus ) , it ’ s responsible for carrying electrical charges between cells to regulate fluid levels , muscle contraction , and heartbeat .
Magnesium benefits also include better bone health .
Magnesium is present in trace amounts in many foods that we eat .
The scary thing is that deficiency in this very important mineral has become common and is on the rise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first physician to specialize in chronic pain management , and founder of the Shealy Institute , the first pain and stress management facility in the United States .
( 1 ) “ Every known illness is associated with a magnesium deficiency…magnesium is the most critical mineral required for electrical stability of every cell in the body .
A magnesium deficiency may be responsible for more diseases than any other nutrient.
” ( 2 ) According to a 2005 analysis of American adults ’ consumption of magnesium , 68 % didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 19 % had less than half of the recommended daily intake ( 350-400mg ) .
( 3 ) Calcium and magnesium work together in the body : if there is too much of one and not enough of the other , metabolic systems fail .
The typical North American diet includes too much calcium in relation to the amount of magnesium .
The optimal ratio is 1:1 but our diets are more like 6:1 .
When there is too much calcium and not enough magnesium , calcium builds up in cells ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cardiovascular problems , and other diseases .
( 4 ) In addition to all the critical jobs magnesium performs for muscles and fluids , did you know it is a mineral critical for brain health and function ?
Magnesium deficiency can cause brain fog , headaches , anxiety , depression , and other mood disorders .
It is a very important mineral for your brain and magnesium benefits your whole body .
Cognition and memory are housed ( primarily ) in the hippocampus area of the brain .
Magnesium enhanced learning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improving signaling between neurons in the hippocampus .
It improves both short- and long-term memory .
( 5 ) One of the characteristics of Alzheimer ’ s disease is the formation of plaque in the brain .
In mice models , increasing the level of magnesium in the brain reduced existing plaque accumulation , arrested synaptic deterioration , and reversed cognitive loss associated with Alzheimer ’ s disease .
( 6 ) In the context of anxiety disorders , cognitive improvement and increased learning capability afforded by increased magnesium in the brain makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ neuroplasticity is enhanced .
( 7 ) Without enough magnesium , cells can ’ t effectively regulate calcium , damaging nerves over time .
Additionally , when cells don ’ t communicate properly , fear , anxiety , and depression can result .
Different parts of the brain are responsible for these emotions , so when neurons aren ’ t signaling normally , they can become uncontrollable .
( 8 ) A 2006 study found that supplementing with magnesium drastically improved symptoms of depression in less than a week , even in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the study : “ Dietary deficiencies of magnesium , coupled with excess calcium and stress may cause many cases of other related symptoms including agitation , anxiety , irritability , confusion , asthenia , sleeplessness , headache , delirium , hallucinations and hyperexcitability.
” When treated with magnesium , “ Related and accompanying mental illnesses in these case histories including traumatic brain injury , headache , suicidal ideation , anxiety , irritability , insomnia , postpartum depression , cocaine , alcohol and tobacco abuse , hypersensitivity to calcium , short-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefited.
” ( 9 ) The American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society published a paper of evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of migraines and included magnesium as effective in treating and preventing headaches and migraines , especially those associated with stress .
( 10 ) Increasing magnesium intake can alleviate feelings of anxiety .
One of the paradoxes of antidepressant drugs is that they exacerbate magnesium deficiency .
Magnesium plays a large role in the regulation of sleep .
Insomnia is a term used for persistent trouble falling asleep , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day before a full sleep cycle is completed .
Modern medicine doesn ’ t fully understand magnesium-activated neural function and its effect on sleep .
What we do know is that insomnia and magnesium deficiency go hand-in-hand , presumably due to lack of conductivity between ions .
Increasing magnesium intake improves all measures of insomnia .
( 11 ) Many factors regulate sleep function , one of which is the complex interaction of various hormones .
Magnesium regulates sleep hormones , increasing melatonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) and decreasing cortisol while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Chronic magnesium deficiency comes into play in type 2 diabetes .
With insulin resistance and/or diabetes , the body loses additional magnesium through urine due to high glucose in the kidneys .
( 14 ) Magnesium is instrumental in regulating blood glucose by improving insulin secretion and response .
( 15 ) Researchers aren ’ t entirely sure about the mechanism by which magnesium affects blood glucose , however , studies show an inverse relationship between adequate magnesium and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes .
( 16 , 17 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sugar and cerebral dysfunction : common consequences of diabetes include Alzheimer ’ s disease and other forms of dementia .
( 18 ) Moreover , type 2 diabetes can lead to global brain atrophy .
( 19 ) Adequate magnesium can ameliorate the very cause of these types of brain dysfunction .
Magnesium , along with calcium and vitamin D , is essential for bone development and health .
( 20 ) Most magnesium in the body is in the bones ; the rest occurs in blood and soft tissue .
If there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cells will pull it out of bones and tissues in order to continue functioning .
When this happens , bone density decreases and the risks of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis increase .
As mentioned , calcification of joints and tissues can occur without the balance of adequate magnesium .
If cells have to pull magnesium from bones and soft tissue , you can bet your brain isn ’ t getting enough .
The heart and brain are sometimes at odds on an emotional level but physically speaking , their respective conditions affect one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart muscle contraction and rhythm .
Potassium works on a cellular level to move into cells and thereby pump out sodium from inside the cell .
The way it does this is via its interaction with magnesium .
If there ’ s inadequate magnesium , sodium builds up , leading to high blood pressure and contributing to potential arrhythmia ( irregular heartbeat ) .
This is why diuretics are prescribed for people with hypertension : they help flush the sodium out of the body .
“ Diuretic drugs are recognized as primary agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In patients on antihypertensive treatment , evidence has recently been reported that there is a link between the administration of diuretics and sudden death .
In addition to their action on the renal tubular handling of sodium and water , diuretic drugs affect the renal tubular handling of other ions .
A well-established complication of therapy with diuretic drugs is an increased urinary excretion of potassium resulting in hypokalaemia [ too little potassium ] .
” ( 21 ) Magnesium , therefore , contributes to regulating blood pressure , preventing heart disease and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Albert Hofman of the Harvard School of Public Health succinctly describes the physiological link between heart and brain health : “ An estimated one-third of all cases of dementia , including those identified as Alzheimer ’ s , can be attributed to vascular factors.
” ( 22 ) The reason for this is simple : in the same way that clogged and stiff arteries damage the cardiovascular system , those arteries also deliver blood to the brain .
The brain becomes damaged if the blood can ’ t deliver necessary oxygen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a much greater risk for cognitive and memory problems as they get older .
( 23 ) Toxins surround us all the time—more so now than at any time in human history .
Our immune systems work every second of every day to maintain health and fight off invaders of all sorts , natural and otherwise .
Magnesium boosts immune function and is necessary for DNA and RNA production .
Additionally , magnesium is a detoxifying agent , effectively binding to heavy metals and facilitating their excretion from the body .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magnesium protects organs from damage and disease , even including alcoholic liver .
( 25 ) We know that magnesium is involved in the contraction of muscles and is found in soft tissues—these include the lining of the intestines and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract .
Proper digestion is crucial for removing toxins from the body ; magnesium relaxes the intestines so waste will be expediently expelled .
Milk of magnesia is a common laxative .
Not only is magnesium conducive to relieving stress but it is involved in the synthesis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Antioxidants are necessary for the body to prevent inflammation and oxidative stress .
Oxidative stress in the brain accelerates aging and can cause cardiac failure , stroke , and neurodegenerative disease .
( 26 , 27 ) Depending on your perspective and the chicken-and-egg argument , those particularly at risk for illness and disease due to inadequate magnesium are those whose conditions contribute to magnesium deficiency : • diabetics – increased urination and reduced kidney function expedite the elimination of magnesium from the body • alcoholics – suboptimal gastrointestinal and liver function @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly – various bodily functions slow , inhibiting absorption of nutrients • people with gastrointestinal illness ( Crohn ’ s , celiac , irritable bowel , etc . )
– inability to absorb nutrients through the digestive system • many medications interfere with nutrient absorption and facilitate their loss How to Get Enough Magnesium Remember : while it ’ s virtually impossible to get too much magnesium from food , it is possible to get too much of a good thing if you take supplements .
Proper nutrition is about balance and getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some options for increasing your magnesium intake : The best place to get nutrition is from whole food—that ’ s what it ’ s there for .
Organic , non-GMO produce will give you better nutrition than conventionally-grown food and provide the full spectrum of magnesium benefits .
The following foods are good sources of magnesium : Your skin is permeable—most of the toxins in your body exit through the skin and anything you put on it goes directly into the bloodstream .
Applying a magnesium solution to the skin increases serum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 % in only 4 months .
( 28 ) Additionally , Epsom salt is really a form of magnesium .
Soaking in an Epsom salt bath is relaxing and is known to increase magnesium in your body and stimulate the production of glutathione .
Supplements are sometimes easier and indicated if you are extremely short on magnesium .
Click here for a guide on magnesium supplements .
Remember that balance among magnesium , calcium , and potassium is extremely important when shopping for a supplement .
Minerals derived naturally from whole food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Magnesium benefits are many , but 5000mg of magnesium a day can cause negative results .
If you take a supplement , you know you ’ re getting too much if you experience arrhythmia , abdominal cramping , diarrhea , nausea , vomiting , and/or heart attack .
Certain medications negatively interact with magnesium supplementation , including diuretics , diabetes medication , antibiotics , and blood pressure medication .
The University of Maryland Medical Center has published a list of medications that may be contraindicated if supplementing with magnesium—you can find it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding any kind of supplement if you regularly take medication .
If there ’ s something wrong , your body will tell you—you only have to listen .
If you feel chronically tired , anxious , depressed , or if anything else doesn ’ t feel quite right , you are feeling the struggles going on inside .
Ignoring a problem , whether physical or emotional , doesn ’ t make it go away .
Recognizing signs will help you to determine the cause .
Asking for help when you need it isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a trait of intelligence .
Many times , it ’ s just a sign that your body is craving the benefits of magnesium and other nutrients .
Eat well , get the rest you need , exercise regularly , have fun with others , and you ’ ll avoid many of the pitfalls of being human .

Magnesium is a mineral that’s integral to almost every metabolic function in the body. As one of the electrolyte minerals (along with potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, and phosphorus), it’s responsible for carrying electrical charges between cells to regulate fluid levels, muscle contraction, and heartbeat. Magnesium benefits also include better bone health.
Advertisement
Magnesium is present in trace amounts in many foods that we eat. The scary thing is that deficiency in this very important mineral has become common and is on the rise. Dr. Norman Shealy is a world-renown neuroscientist, the first physician to specialize in chronic pain management, and founder of the Shealy Institute, the first pain and stress management facility in the United States. (1)
Dr. Shealy says:
Advertisement
“Every known illness is associated with a magnesium deficiency…magnesium is the most critical mineral required for electrical stability of every cell in the body. A magnesium deficiency may be responsible for more diseases than any other nutrient.” (2)
According to a 2005 analysis of American adults’ consumption of magnesium, 68% didn’t get enough each day. Furthermore, 19% had less than half of the recommended daily intake (350-400mg). (3)
Calcium and magnesium work together in the body: if there is too much of one and not enough of the other, metabolic systems fail. The typical North American diet includes too much calcium in relation to the amount of magnesium. The optimal ratio is 1:1 but our diets are more like 6:1.
Advertisement
When there is too much calcium and not enough magnesium, calcium builds up in cells (called calcification) and can cause osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, and other diseases. (4)
In addition to all the critical jobs magnesium performs for muscles and fluids, did you know it is a mineral critical for brain health and function?
7 Magnesium Benefits for Brain Function
Magnesium deficiency can cause brain fog, headaches, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. It is a very important mineral for your brain and magnesium benefits your whole body.
Advertisement
1. Cognition and Memory
Cognition and memory are housed (primarily) in the hippocampus area of the brain. Magnesium enhanced learning and memory in young and elderly rats by improving signaling between neurons in the hippocampus. It improves both short- and long-term memory. (5)
One of the characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease is the formation of plaque in the brain. In mice models, increasing the level of magnesium in the brain reduced existing plaque accumulation, arrested synaptic deterioration, and reversed cognitive loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. (6)
In the context of anxiety disorders, cognitive improvement and increased learning capability afforded by increased magnesium in the brain makes cognitive therapy more effective, as patients’ neuroplasticity is enhanced. (7)
Advertisement
2. Mood and Stress
Without enough magnesium, cells can’t effectively regulate calcium, damaging nerves over time. Additionally, when cells don’t communicate properly, fear, anxiety, and depression can result. Different parts of the brain are responsible for these emotions, so when neurons aren’t signaling normally, they can become uncontrollable. (8)
A 2006 study found that supplementing with magnesium drastically improved symptoms of depression in less than a week, even in people for whom antidepressant drugs were ineffective.
According to the study:
Advertisement
“Dietary deficiencies of magnesium, coupled with excess calcium and stress may cause many cases of other related symptoms including agitation, anxiety, irritability, confusion, asthenia, sleeplessness, headache, delirium, hallucinations and hyperexcitability.”
When treated with magnesium, “Related and accompanying mental illnesses in these case histories including traumatic brain injury, headache, suicidal ideation, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, postpartum depression, cocaine, alcohol and tobacco abuse, hypersensitivity to calcium, short-term memory loss and IQ loss were also benefited.” (9)
The American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society published a paper of evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of migraines and included magnesium as effective in treating and preventing headaches and migraines, especially those associated with stress. (10)
Advertisement
Increasing magnesium intake can alleviate feelings of anxiety. One of the paradoxes of antidepressant drugs is that they exacerbate magnesium deficiency.
3. Insomnia
Magnesium plays a large role in the regulation of sleep. Insomnia is a term used for persistent trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking for the day before a full sleep cycle is completed.
Modern medicine doesn’t fully understand magnesium-activated neural function and its effect on sleep.
Advertisement
What we do know is that insomnia and magnesium deficiency go hand-in-hand, presumably due to lack of conductivity between ions. Increasing magnesium intake improves all measures of insomnia. (11)
Many factors regulate sleep function, one of which is the complex interaction of various hormones.
Magnesium regulates sleep hormones, increasing melatonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and decreasing cortisol while you sleep. (12, 13)
Advertisement
4. Blood Sugar
Chronic magnesium deficiency comes into play in type 2 diabetes. With insulin resistance and/or diabetes, the body loses additional magnesium through urine due to high glucose in the kidneys. (14) Magnesium is instrumental in regulating blood glucose by improving insulin secretion and response. (15)
Researchers aren’t entirely sure about the mechanism by which magnesium affects blood glucose, however, studies show an inverse relationship between adequate magnesium and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (16, 17)
A significant link exists between high blood sugar and cerebral dysfunction: common consequences of diabetes include Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. (18) Moreover, type 2 diabetes can lead to global brain atrophy. (19) Adequate magnesium can ameliorate the very cause of these types of brain dysfunction.
Advertisement
5. Bones and Joints
Magnesium, along with calcium and vitamin D, is essential for bone development and health. (20) Most magnesium in the body is in the bones; the rest occurs in blood and soft tissue. If there’s a general lack of magnesium, cells will pull it out of bones and tissues in order to continue functioning. When this happens, bone density decreases and the risks of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis increase. As mentioned, calcification of joints and tissues can occur without the balance of adequate magnesium.
If cells have to pull magnesium from bones and soft tissue, you can bet your brain isn’t getting enough.
6. Heart Health
The heart and brain are sometimes at odds on an emotional level but physically speaking, their respective conditions affect one another.
Advertisement
Magnesium and other electrolytes regulate heart muscle contraction and rhythm. Potassium works on a cellular level to move into cells and thereby pump out sodium from inside the cell.
The way it does this is via its interaction with magnesium. If there’s inadequate magnesium, sodium builds up, leading to high blood pressure and contributing to potential arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). This is why diuretics are prescribed for people with hypertension: they help flush the sodium out of the body.
“Diuretic drugs are recognized as primary agents in the treatment of essential hypertension. In patients on antihypertensive treatment, evidence has recently been reported that there is a link between the administration of diuretics and sudden death. In addition to their action on the renal tubular handling of sodium and water, diuretic drugs affect the renal tubular handling of other ions. A well-established complication of therapy with diuretic drugs is an increased urinary excretion of potassium resulting in hypokalaemia [too little potassium].” (21)
Advertisement
Magnesium, therefore, contributes to regulating blood pressure, preventing heart disease and reducing the risk of heart attack.
Dr. Albert Hofman of the Harvard School of Public Health succinctly describes the physiological link between heart and brain health:
“An estimated one-third of all cases of dementia, including those identified as Alzheimer’s, can be attributed to vascular factors.” (22)
Advertisement
The reason for this is simple: in the same way that clogged and stiff arteries damage the cardiovascular system, those arteries also deliver blood to the brain. The brain becomes damaged if the blood can’t deliver necessary oxygen. People with a history of heart disease have a much greater risk for cognitive and memory problems as they get older. (23)
7. Detoxification
Toxins surround us all the time—more so now than at any time in human history. Our immune systems work every second of every day to maintain health and fight off invaders of all sorts, natural and otherwise.
Magnesium boosts immune function and is necessary for DNA and RNA production. Additionally, magnesium is a detoxifying agent, effectively binding to heavy metals and facilitating their excretion from the body. (24) By regulating enzyme activity, magnesium protects organs from damage and disease, even including alcoholic liver. (25)
Advertisement
We know that magnesium is involved in the contraction of muscles and is found in soft tissues—these include the lining of the intestines and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. Proper digestion is crucial for removing toxins from the body; magnesium relaxes the intestines so waste will be expediently expelled. Milk of magnesia is a common laxative.
Not only is magnesium conducive to relieving stress but it is involved in the synthesis of glutathione, “the master antioxidant”. Antioxidants are necessary for the body to prevent inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress in the brain accelerates aging and can cause cardiac failure, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease. (26, 27)
Who’s at Risk?
Depending on your perspective and the chicken-and-egg argument, those particularly at risk for illness and disease due to inadequate magnesium are those whose conditions contribute to magnesium deficiency:
Advertisement
diabetics – increased urination and reduced kidney function expedite the elimination of magnesium from the body
alcoholics – suboptimal gastrointestinal and liver function pass magnesium from the body
the elderly – various bodily functions slow, inhibiting absorption of nutrients
people with compromised immune systems
people with gastrointestinal illness (Crohn’s, celiac, irritable bowel, etc.) – inability to absorb nutrients through the digestive system
many medications interfere with nutrient absorption and facilitate their loss
How to Get Enough Magnesium
Remember: while it’s virtually impossible to get too much magnesium from food, it is possible to get too much of a good thing if you take supplements. Proper nutrition is about balance and getting enough, not overdoing it.
Here are some options for increasing your magnesium intake:
Food
The best place to get nutrition is from whole food—that’s what it’s there for. Organic, non-GMO produce will give you better nutrition than conventionally-grown food and provide the full spectrum of magnesium benefits.
The following foods are good sources of magnesium:
Leafy green vegetables
Nuts and seeds
Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)
Quinoa
Avocado
Banana
Yogurt (plain)
Dates
Raw cocoa
Transdermal (Through the Skin)
Your skin is permeable—most of the toxins in your body exit through the skin and anything you put on it goes directly into the bloodstream. Applying a magnesium solution to the skin increases serum (blood) magnesium levels by almost 60% in only 4 months. (28)
Try these recipes:
Additionally, Epsom salt is really a form of magnesium. Soaking in an Epsom salt bath is relaxing and is known to increase magnesium in your body and stimulate the production of glutathione.
Dietary Supplements
Supplements are sometimes easier and indicated if you are extremely short on magnesium. Click here for a guide on magnesium supplements. Remember that balance among magnesium, calcium, and potassium is extremely important when shopping for a supplement. Minerals derived naturally from whole food are more bioavailable and therefore more potent.
Too Much Magnesium
Magnesium benefits are many, but 5000mg of magnesium a day can cause negative results. If you take a supplement, you know you’re getting too much if you experience arrhythmia, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and/or heart attack.
Certain medications negatively interact with magnesium supplementation, including diuretics, diabetes medication, antibiotics, and blood pressure medication.
The University of Maryland Medical Center has published a list of medications that may be contraindicated if supplementing with magnesium—you can find it here. Consult your healthcare provider before adding any kind of supplement if you regularly take medication.
If there’s something wrong, your body will tell you—you only have to listen.
If you feel chronically tired, anxious, depressed, or if anything else doesn’t feel quite right, you are feeling the struggles going on inside. Ignoring a problem, whether physical or emotional, doesn’t make it go away. Recognizing signs will help you to determine the cause. Asking for help when you need it isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a trait of intelligence. Many times, it’s just a sign that your body is craving the benefits of magnesium and other nutrients.
Eat well, get the rest you need, exercise regularly, have fun with others, and you’ll avoid many of the pitfalls of being human.
1.8K Shares Email Flip WhatsApp


dailyhealthpost--2020-11-30--Heartbreaking Photo of a Texas ICU Doctor Embracing a Covid-19 Patient on Thanksgiving

Professional photographers always hope that they ’ ll be able to capture a “ perfect ” image one day – one that ’ s both beautiful and tragic , heartbreaking and thought-provoking .
Few ever manage to do that but on this Thanksgiving , photographer Go Nakamura definitely succeeded .
The photographer had been at different ICUs in Houston , Texas some 20 times this fall , capturing the horrific images that doctors , nurses , and patients have to live through .
On Thanksgiving , however , he managed to capture something truly beautiful – a photo of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the chest of an ICU doctor , himself fully covered in personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
Go Nakamura identified the ICU doctor as Dr. Joseph Varon in his Facebook post and shared that “ I am grateful to witness a wonderful moment and I thank all the medical staffs for their hard work even during the holiday season , ” .
Nakamura shared that he had been observing Varon at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston for a while together with his staff and that the good doctor had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Nakamura also said that Varon was always kind and cheerful toward his patients and that he was always striving to get their spirits up , regardless of whether he was at the end of a 16-hour shift or he was just coming in .
As for the elderly man who was giving thanks to Varon in that heartwarming moment , Nakamura said that the man had initially mistaken the photographer for a doctor and that he was feeling overly “ vulnerable and lonely.
” So , when the doctor and nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old man , he immediately collapsed in the embrace of his doctor .
But while Joseph Varon is incredibly giving and selfless with his patients , he shows a much tougher demeanor .
In front of CNN , doctor Varon said that “ America is going to see the darkest days in modern American medical history ” if the nation doesn ’ t “ do things right ” in the coming weeks .
“ My hospital is full , ” Varon continued .
“ I just opened two new wings so that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I know that a lot of people are going to get sick after Thanksgiving.
” And given how the U.S. continues breaking new Covid-19 records on a daily basis , the evidence seems to support doctor Varon ’ s prediction .
And in addition to the death toll the pandemic is taking , Varon also spoke about its emotional toll on the doctors and nurses he works with .
“ My nurses in the middle of the day , they will start crying … When they finish finally getting a patient in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ER that there is another patient that is being admitted , ” he said .
“ How have I done it ?
I don ’ t know .
I ’ m running out of fumes.
” With the Trump administration doing virtually nothing with the Senate on vacation , and with the new administration still months away , Varon ’ s fears seem very justified .
The one hope many people hang on to these days are the upcoming vaccines developed by laboratories like Moderna , BioNTech , Pfizer , the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , as many experts warn there are still months and potentially more than a year before the production and distribution of these vaccines starts turning the tide of the battle .
In the meantime , all the rest of us can do is try to keep ourselves , our families , and everyone else safe by practicing social distancing , wearing masks , and following all the other CDC guidelines we have at our disposal .

Professional photographers always hope that they’ll be able to capture a “perfect” image one day – one that’s both beautiful and tragic, heartbreaking and thought-provoking. Few ever manage to do that but on this Thanksgiving, photographer Go Nakamura definitely succeeded.
Advertisement
The photographer had been at different ICUs in Houston, Texas some 20 times this fall, capturing the horrific images that doctors, nurses, and patients have to live through. On Thanksgiving, however, he managed to capture something truly beautiful – a photo of a distraught elderly man, burying his head in the chest of an ICU doctor, himself fully covered in personal protective equipment (PPE).
Go Nakamura identified the ICU doctor as Dr. Joseph Varon in his Facebook post and shared that “I am grateful to witness a wonderful moment and I thank all the medical staffs for their hard work even during the holiday season,”.
Advertisement
Nakamura shared that he had been observing Varon at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston for a while together with his staff and that the good doctor had been at work for over 250 straight days. Nakamura also said that Varon was always kind and cheerful toward his patients and that he was always striving to get their spirits up, regardless of whether he was at the end of a 16-hour shift or he was just coming in.
As for the elderly man who was giving thanks to Varon in that heartwarming moment, Nakamura said that the man had initially mistaken the photographer for a doctor and that he was feeling overly “vulnerable and lonely.” So, when the doctor and nurses arrived at the scene to assist the old man, he immediately collapsed in the embrace of his doctor.
But while Joseph Varon is incredibly giving and selfless with his patients, he shows a much tougher demeanor. In front of CNN, doctor Varon said that “America is going to see the darkest days in modern American medical history” if the nation doesn’t “do things right” in the coming weeks.
Advertisement
“My hospital is full,” Varon continued. “I just opened two new wings so that I can accommodate for the next few days because I know that a lot of people are going to get sick after Thanksgiving.”
And given how the U.S. continues breaking new Covid-19 records on a daily basis, the evidence seems to support doctor Varon’s prediction. And in addition to the death toll the pandemic is taking, Varon also spoke about its emotional toll on the doctors and nurses he works with.
“My nurses in the middle of the day, they will start crying … When they finish finally getting a patient in, they get a phone call from the ER that there is another patient that is being admitted,” he said. “How have I done it? I don’t know. I’m running out of fumes.”
Advertisement
With the Trump administration doing virtually nothing with the Senate on vacation, and with the new administration still months away, Varon’s fears seem very justified.
The one hope many people hang on to these days are the upcoming vaccines developed by laboratories like Moderna, BioNTech, Pfizer, the University of Oxford, AstraZeneca, and others. But, as many experts warn there are still months and potentially more than a year before the production and distribution of these vaccines starts turning the tide of the battle.
In the meantime, all the rest of us can do is try to keep ourselves, our families, and everyone else safe by practicing social distancing, wearing masks, and following all the other CDC guidelines we have at our disposal.
Advertisement


dailyhealthpost--2020-12-01--Some Airlines are Considering Making Covid-19 Vaccine Passports Mandatory

2020 has been a hard-hitting year in a lot of ways .
As of the start of December , the toll of the Covid-19 virus has reached 1.5 million victims worldwide and 275,000 in the U.S. alone .
The impact of the virus extends beyond human lives too , as its economic ripples affected small and large businesses alike .
Some of the bigger industries that were hit the hardest were the tourism and airline industries .
International travel almost halted for months and airline passenger volumes in the U.S. have dropped 65 % below their 2019 levels according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we may end 2020 with a bit of good news – several Covid-19 vaccines are progressing better than expected .
And even though we ’ ll still need to wait quite a bit for the vaccine , many major airlines are already working on a new digital “ Covid-19 passport ” that ’ s meant to show if a passenger is vaccinated for Covid-19 or not .
How would the Covid-19 passport work ?
The idea is being worked on by multiple airlines and agencies in The International Air Transport Association ( IATA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include detailed information on the person , including whether or not they ’ ve been vaccinated , what vaccine they ’ ve been vaccinated with , whether they ’ ve been tested for Covid-19 , and more .
The whole process is set to involve a collaboration between airlines , Covid-19 labs , and multiple governmental agencies .
The goal is simple – allow people to resume their traveling plans safely without endangering their lives and risking the further spread of the disease .
The combination of a passport , vaccine , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its knees at some point in 2021 .
“ Testing is the first key to enable international travel without quarantine measures , ” CEO of IATA Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement .
“ The second key is the global information infrastructure needed to securely manage , share , and verify test data matched with traveler identities in compliance with border control requirements .
We are bringing this to market in the coming months to also meet the needs of the various travel bubbles and public health corridors that are starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop there , however .
They ’ re also meant to provide additional information for the passenger such as nearby testing facilities and vaccination labs , as well as overall information about the state of the pandemic and the restrictions around it in any location the passenger may choose to fly to .
Does this mean that the vaccine is going to be mandatory ?
Only if you want to fly with an airline that has incorporated the Covid-19 passport initiative into its procedure .
There are no governmental restrictions for vaccinations as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more airlines are speaking up about the need for the Covid-19 vaccines and digital passports both in and outside of the U.S. One such example is the CEO of the Australian airline Qantas Alan Joyce who stated that their airline will require vaccination ahead of international travel in or out of the country .
“ We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travelers that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft , ” Joyce said .
Spokespeople for Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made similar statements already and they are being joined by more and more U.S. airlines as well .
Many U.S. airlines have been lobbying for more Covid-19 relief for months with little to no response from the federal government .
“ As the nation looks forward and takes on the logistical challenges of distributing a vaccine , it will be important to ensure there are sufficient certified employees and planes in service necessary for adequate capacity to complete the task , ” several major airline CEOs have told congressional leaders in an open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this situation because of the lack of leadership from the United States government .
Eight months into this and there ’ s no cohesive program , ” said Peter Vlitas , senior vice president of airline relations at the Internova Travel Group .
According to the group , all that ’ s needed for international travel to resume are strict travel protocols but after 10 whole months , no such protocols have been enacted by the U.S. government yet .
“ We do not have a contact tracing national policy .
If I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill out a form .
If I fly to Greece , I have to fill out a form .
Many countries , you fill out a form .
Besides the standard do you have a fever … we don ’ t have the simplest of things , ” Vlitas added .
The news about these incoming “ vaccine passports ” seems to have angered a lot of people in the U.S .
Many are protesting that this would restrict their freedom , and others are arguing that this is all a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are even some that associated the new concept with the mandatory vaccines for pets before traveling and complain that “ they are treating us like animals ” .
However , it ’ s worth noting that mandatory vaccines before international travel are not actually anything new .
Many countries have been requiring vaccines against dangerous pandemics such as polio or yellow fever before granting access to international travelers and this has helped to restrict the spread of the diseases across the world .

2020 has been a hard-hitting year in a lot of ways. As of the start of December, the toll of the Covid-19 virus has reached 1.5 million victims worldwide and 275,000 in the U.S. alone.
Advertisement
The impact of the virus extends beyond human lives too, as its economic ripples affected small and large businesses alike. Some of the bigger industries that were hit the hardest were the tourism and airline industries. International travel almost halted for months and airline passenger volumes in the U.S. have dropped 65% below their 2019 levels according to multiple major U.S. airlines.
Thankfully, we may end 2020 with a bit of good news – several Covid-19 vaccines are progressing better than expected. And even though we’ll still need to wait quite a bit for the vaccine, many major airlines are already working on a new digital “Covid-19 passport” that’s meant to show if a passenger is vaccinated for Covid-19 or not.
Advertisement
How would the Covid-19 passport work?
The idea is being worked on by multiple airlines and agencies in The International Air Transport Association (IATA). The passport is meant to include detailed information on the person, including whether or not they’ve been vaccinated, what vaccine they’ve been vaccinated with, whether they’ve been tested for Covid-19, and more.
The whole process is set to involve a collaboration between airlines, Covid-19 labs, and multiple governmental agencies. The goal is simple – allow people to resume their traveling plans safely without endangering their lives and risking the further spread of the disease.
The combination of a passport, vaccine, and extensive testing will hopefully bring the pandemic to its knees at some point in 2021.
Advertisement
“Testing is the first key to enable international travel without quarantine measures,” CEO of IATA Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement. “The second key is the global information infrastructure needed to securely manage, share, and verify test data matched with traveler identities in compliance with border control requirements. We are bringing this to market in the coming months to also meet the needs of the various travel bubbles and public health corridors that are starting operation.”
The passports won’t stop there, however. They’re also meant to provide additional information for the passenger such as nearby testing facilities and vaccination labs, as well as overall information about the state of the pandemic and the restrictions around it in any location the passenger may choose to fly to.
Does this mean that the vaccine is going to be mandatory?
Only if you want to fly with an airline that has incorporated the Covid-19 passport initiative into its procedure. There are no governmental restrictions for vaccinations as of yet, however, more and more airlines are speaking up about the need for the Covid-19 vaccines and digital passports both in and outside of the U.S.
Advertisement
One such example is the CEO of the Australian airline Qantas Alan Joyce who stated that their airline will require vaccination ahead of international travel in or out of the country.
“We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travelers that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft,” Joyce said.
Spokespeople for Korean Air and Air New Zealand have also made similar statements already and they are being joined by more and more U.S. airlines as well.
Advertisement
Many U.S. airlines have been lobbying for more Covid-19 relief for months with little to no response from the federal government.
“As the nation looks forward and takes on the logistical challenges of distributing a vaccine, it will be important to ensure there are sufficient certified employees and planes in service necessary for adequate capacity to complete the task,” several major airline CEOs have told congressional leaders in an open letter.
“We’re in this situation because of the lack of leadership from the United States government. Eight months into this and there’s no cohesive program,” said Peter Vlitas, senior vice president of airline relations at the Internova Travel Group. According to the group, all that’s needed for international travel to resume are strict travel protocols but after 10 whole months, no such protocols have been enacted by the U.S. government yet.
Advertisement
“We do not have a contact tracing national policy. If I fly to the U.K., I have to fill out a form. If I fly to Greece, I have to fill out a form. Many countries, you fill out a form. Besides the standard do you have a fever … we don’t have the simplest of things,” Vlitas added.
Is this unprecedented?
The news about these incoming “vaccine passports” seems to have angered a lot of people in the U.S. Many are protesting that this would restrict their freedom, and others are arguing that this is all a part of the “Covid conspiracy.” There are even some that associated the new concept with the mandatory vaccines for pets before traveling and complain that “they are treating us like animals”.
However, it’s worth noting that mandatory vaccines before international travel are not actually anything new. Many countries have been requiring vaccines against dangerous pandemics such as polio or yellow fever before granting access to international travelers and this has helped to restrict the spread of the diseases across the world.
Advertisement


dailyhealthpost--2020-12-02--New Study from The CDC Shows That Covid-19 Was Already in The U.S. as Early as December 2019

Scientists have long speculated that Covid-19 may have arrived in the U.S. and Europe long before the virus was discovered and announced in Wuhan , China .
And at the end of November 2020 , a new government study of blood samples collected between December 13 , 2019 , and January 17 , 2020 , by the American Red Cross proved that Covid-19 has indeed been in the U.S. as early as the 2019 Christmas season .
The study went over 7,389 blood samples provided by the Red Cross and of them , 106 had antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 1.4 % positivity rate but it still proves that the virus has been in the U.S. for a long time before December 13 , 2019 , for it to spread that much .
39 samples came from California , Oregon , and Washington in December while another 67 samples came from Connecticut , Iowa , Massachusetts , Michigan , Rhode Island , and Wisconsin in early January .
“ The findings of this report suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infections may have been present in the U.S. in December 2019 , earlier than previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is intuitively logical that the virus didn ’ t “ come into existence ” on the day of its announcement by the Chinese authorities – it ’ s impossible for scientists to notice a microscopic virus as soon as it appears in someone .
The theory was also supported by scientists in France as early as May 2020 , when antibodies for the virus were discovered in the blood sample of a 42-year-old French fishmonger in December 2019 .
“ Identifying the first infected patient is of great epidemiological interest as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its spreading in the country , ” said the head of intensive care at two large Paris hospitals Yves Cohen back then .
“ Moreover , the absence of a link with China and the lack of recent travel suggest that the disease was already spreading among the French population at the end of December.
” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier also added that “ It ’ s the old story of the deeper you look , the more you find.
” And indeed , the new study by the CDC also confirms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long before it was discovered .
“ These findings also highlight the value of blood donations as a source for conducting SARS-CoV-2 surveillance studies , ” the authors of the study said .
Why does this matter ?
Given that it ’ s already early December 2020 and the numbers now hover around 14 million cases in the U.S. and over 277,000 deaths as well as almost 1.5 million deaths worldwide in less than a year , what does it matter when the disease came to the U.S. ?
Admittedly , knowing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrival ” in the U.S. won ’ t change the current statistics and it won ’ t bring back the virus ’ victims .
However , it is important to note this information so that we can be better prepared to react to the next similar public health crisis .
The SARS-CoV-2 virus may have arrived in the U.S. before the end of 2019 and it was indeed impossible to act that soon .
However , this only means that it was even more crucial for U.S. authorities to act as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the country .
And yet , on February 7 , 2020 , President Trump told Bob Woodward in a private interview that he was aware of the virus and that “ It moves rapidly , Bob .
It moves rapidly and viciously .
If you ’ re the wrong person and if it gets you , your life is pretty much over if you ’ re in the wrong group.
” But on February 26 , President Trump was still boasting that “ You have 15 people , and the 15 within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be down to close to zero.
” This type of “ downplaying ” messaging from the White House continued for months when comprehensive action needed to be taken long before that .
Instead , all the Trump administration did was a partial travel “ ban ” that experts say has proven to be ineffective .
It may be late to change that now but it ’ s something we should at least learn from .

Scientists have long speculated that Covid-19 may have arrived in the U.S. and Europe long before the virus was discovered and announced in Wuhan, China. And at the end of November 2020, a new government study of blood samples collected between December 13, 2019, and January 17, 2020, by the American Red Cross proved that Covid-19 has indeed been in the U.S. as early as the 2019 Christmas season.
Advertisement
The study went over 7,389 blood samples provided by the Red Cross and of them, 106 had antibodies for SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19. This is only a 1.4% positivity rate but it still proves that the virus has been in the U.S. for a long time before December 13, 2019, for it to spread that much.
39 samples came from California, Oregon, and Washington in December while another 67 samples came from Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin in early January.
Advertisement
“The findings of this report suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infections may have been present in the U.S. in December 2019, earlier than previously recognized,” according to the paper.
It is intuitively logical that the virus didn’t “come into existence” on the day of its announcement by the Chinese authorities – it’s impossible for scientists to notice a microscopic virus as soon as it appears in someone.
The theory was also supported by scientists in France as early as May 2020, when antibodies for the virus were discovered in the blood sample of a 42-year-old French fishmonger in December 2019.
Advertisement
“Identifying the first infected patient is of great epidemiological interest as it changes dramatically our knowledge regarding Sars-CoV-2 and its spreading in the country,” said the head of intensive care at two large Paris hospitals Yves Cohen back then. “Moreover, the absence of a link with China and the lack of recent travel suggest that the disease was already spreading among the French population at the end of December.”
WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier also added that “It’s the old story of the deeper you look, the more you find.”
And indeed, the new study by the CDC also confirms that Covid-19 was already a quickly-spreading problem long before it was discovered. “These findings also highlight the value of blood donations as a source for conducting SARS-CoV-2 surveillance studies,” the authors of the study said.
Advertisement
Why does this matter?
Given that it’s already early December 2020 and the numbers now hover around 14 million cases in the U.S. and over 277,000 deaths as well as almost 1.5 million deaths worldwide in less than a year, what does it matter when the disease came to the U.S.?
Admittedly, knowing the exact date of Covid-19’s “arrival” in the U.S. won’t change the current statistics and it won’t bring back the virus’ victims. However, it is important to note this information so that we can be better prepared to react to the next similar public health crisis.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus may have arrived in the U.S. before the end of 2019 and it was indeed impossible to act that soon. However, this only means that it was even more crucial for U.S. authorities to act as soon as they discovered the presence of the virus within the country.
Advertisement
And yet, on February 7, 2020, President Trump told Bob Woodward in a private interview that he was aware of the virus and that “It moves rapidly, Bob. It moves rapidly and viciously. If you’re the wrong person and if it gets you, your life is pretty much over if you’re in the wrong group.”
But on February 26, President Trump was still boasting that “You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero.” This type of “downplaying” messaging from the White House continued for months when comprehensive action needed to be taken long before that. Instead, all the Trump administration did was a partial travel “ban” that experts say has proven to be ineffective.
It may be late to change that now but it’s something we should at least learn from.
Advertisement


dailyhealthpost--2020-12-03--Obama, Bush And Clinton Volunteer to Get Coronavirus Vaccine on Camera to Prove It’s Safe

With the raging Covid-19 pandemic claiming most of the 2020 news cycle , it ’ s no wonder that the development of a possible vaccine for the disease is one of the main topics at the end of the year .
However , this has also brought up another interesting question – will the vaccine we ’ re going to get at the start of 2021 be safe ?
This is a crucial question given that the standard development time of a vaccine up until now was ~10 years on average or 4 years at the earliest .
The main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow is safety – vaccine developers usually take their time to test all possible risks and eventualities before releasing a vaccine for mass production .
So , with multiple companies rushing to release a Covid-19 vaccine in less than a year since the disease ’ s discovery , it ’ s no surprise that many members of the public are skeptical about the risks of the shots as well as their effectiveness .
That ’ s why it ’ s especially nice to see the three most recent former presidents of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former Presidents Volunteer to Get Coronavirus Vaccine on Camera With misinformation about the incoming Covid-19 vaccines roaming freely around the web there are fears that many people will refuse to take the vaccine when it comes out .
To try and counteract this , former presidents Barrack Obama , George W. Bush , and Bill Clinton have all expressed their willingness to take the first publicly-available and approved vaccine on camera .
What ’ s more , they all did so independently of each other , with no apparent coordination between them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush asked me to let Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx know that , when the time is right , he wants to do what he can to help encourage his fellow citizens to get vaccinated , ” said Freddy Ford , the former president Bush ’ s chief of staff .
“ First , the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations .
Then , President Bush will get in line for his , and will gladly do so on camera.
” Angel Urena , Bill Clinton ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , December 2 , that the former president has similar intentions .
“ President Clinton will definitely take a vaccine as soon as available to him , based on the priorities determined by public health officials .
And he will do it in a public setting if it will help urge all Americans to do the same.
” Former president Obama also made the same commitment in an interview with SiriusXM ’ s Joe Madison on December 2 .
Obama also explicitly singled out Dr. Anthony Fauci as an expert whose opinion on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People like Anthony Fauci , who I know , and I ’ ve worked with , I trust completely , ” Obama said .
“ So , if Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe , and can vaccinate , you know , immunize you from getting Covid , absolutely , I ’ m going to take it.
” “ I promise you that when it ’ s been made for people who are less at risk , I will be taking it , ” he added .
“ I may end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it filmed , just so that people know that I trust this science , and what I don ’ t trust is getting Covid.
” Obama also acknowledged the significant problem of “ vaccine hesitancy ” among minorities because of previous incidents such as the Tuskegee experiments .
“ I understand you know historically — everything dating back all the way to the Tuskegee experiments and so forth — why the African American community , would have some skepticism .
But the fact of the matter is , is that vaccines are why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the reason why we don ’ t have a whole bunch of kids dying from measles and smallpox and diseases that used to decimate entire populations and communities , ” he said .
It would take more than three former presidents ’ approval to persuade Americans to take the Covid-19 vaccine , however .
Thanks to the mass misinformation campaign propagated by multiple sources during the last ten months , nearly half of U.S. adults still claim they won ’ t take the Covid-19 vaccine .
This is well below the expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve herd immunity for Covid-19 .
So there ’ s still a long way to go .
But the approval of public figures such as these three former presidents is certainly going to help .

With the raging Covid-19 pandemic claiming most of the 2020 news cycle, it’s no wonder that the development of a possible vaccine for the disease is one of the main topics at the end of the year. However, this has also brought up another interesting question – will the vaccine we’re going to get at the start of 2021 be safe?
Advertisement
This is a crucial question given that the standard development time of a vaccine up until now was ~10 years on average or 4 years at the earliest. The main reason why the process is usually so slow is safety – vaccine developers usually take their time to test all possible risks and eventualities before releasing a vaccine for mass production.
So, with multiple companies rushing to release a Covid-19 vaccine in less than a year since the disease’s discovery, it’s no surprise that many members of the public are skeptical about the risks of the shots as well as their effectiveness.
Advertisement
That’s why it’s especially nice to see the three most recent former presidents of the U.S. volunteer to take their Covid-19 vaccines publicly.
Former Presidents Volunteer to Get Coronavirus Vaccine on Camera
With misinformation about the incoming Covid-19 vaccines roaming freely around the web there are fears that many people will refuse to take the vaccine when it comes out.
To try and counteract this, former presidents Barrack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have all expressed their willingness to take the first publicly-available and approved vaccine on camera. What’s more, they all did so independently of each other, with no apparent coordination between them.
Advertisement
“A few weeks ago President Bush asked me to let Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx know that, when the time is right, he wants to do what he can to help encourage his fellow citizens to get vaccinated,” said Freddy Ford, the former president Bush’s chief of staff. “First, the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations. Then, President Bush will get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera.”
Angel Urena, Bill Clinton’s press secretary also stated on Wednesday, December 2, that the former president has similar intentions.
“President Clinton will definitely take a vaccine as soon as available to him, based on the priorities determined by public health officials. And he will do it in a public setting if it will help urge all Americans to do the same.”
Advertisement
Former president Obama also made the same commitment in an interview with SiriusXM’s Joe Madison on December 2. Obama also explicitly singled out Dr. Anthony Fauci as an expert whose opinion on medical matters he trusts absolutely.
President Obama on African American Doubt About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Watch this video on YouTube
“People like Anthony Fauci, who I know, and I’ve worked with, I trust completely,” Obama said. “So, if Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe, and can vaccinate, you know, immunize you from getting Covid, absolutely, I’m going to take it.”
“I promise you that when it’s been made for people who are less at risk, I will be taking it,” he added.
Advertisement
“I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science, and what I don’t trust is getting Covid.”
Obama also acknowledged the significant problem of “vaccine hesitancy” among minorities because of previous incidents such as the Tuskegee experiments.
“I understand you know historically — everything dating back all the way to the Tuskegee experiments and so forth — why the African American community, would have some skepticism. But the fact of the matter is, is that vaccines are why we don’t have polio anymore, the reason why we don’t have a whole bunch of kids dying from measles and smallpox and diseases that used to decimate entire populations and communities,” he said.
Advertisement
It would take more than three former presidents’ approval to persuade Americans to take the Covid-19 vaccine, however. Thanks to the mass misinformation campaign propagated by multiple sources during the last ten months, nearly half of U.S. adults still claim they won’t take the Covid-19 vaccine. This is well below the expected 75% of vaccination coverage required to achieve herd immunity for Covid-19.
So there’s still a long way to go. But the approval of public figures such as these three former presidents is certainly going to help.


dailyhealthpost--2020-12-05--Is The Body’s Natural Immune Response to Covid Better Than a Vaccine?

Last month Pfizer ’ s and Moderna ’ s Covid-19 vaccines came out with promising results .
The experimental vaccines were shown to be 90 percent and 94.5 percent effective at protecting people from infection .
Following these results , Senator Rand Paul made a controversial tweet .
According to him , “ naturally acquired ” immunity from Covid-19 offered better protection with a 99.9982 percent rate of effectiveness .
The senator who was diagnosed with Covid-19 this year argues that surviving the disease after contracting it gives greater protection , and has lower downsides , than getting vaccinated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that there ’ s no way to predict who will survive an infection unscathed , said Jennifer Gommerman , an immunologist at the University of Toronto .
There are too many external factors that could affect a person ’ s survival rate such as local hospital capacity , or the strength of the infectee ’ s immune system .
That ’ s why choosing to purposely catch the disease over the vaccine is “ a very bad decision , ” she said .
She explains the main benefit of a vaccine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s been optimally tailored to generate an effective immune response.
” Is a vaccine or natural infection better ?
The short answer is that nobody knows , not even experts in the medical field .
The reason for the ambiguity is because there have been cases of vaccines outperforming natural infection and vice versa .
One example of a natural infection being better than a vaccine is having humps .
Contracting the illness naturally generates lifelong immunity , but some people who have received one or two doses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the other hand , volunteers who participated in the Moderna shot trial ended up having more antibodies in their blood than people who had been sick with Covid-19 .
This study is by no means conclusive as the sample size was limited to only 34 healthy adults .
The majority of people who ’ ve survived a bout with the coronavirus produce some antibodies and immune cells in order to fight off the infection .
And the evidence so far suggests that this protection will persist for years , preventing serious illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune response can vary dramatically from one individual to another , with a 200-fold difference in antibody levels .
In people who were only mildly sick before recovering , the immune protection that can prevent a second infection may decrease within a few months .
“ Those people might benefit more from the vaccine than others would , ” said Bill Hanage , an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health .
One possible cause for the differences in immune response from a natural infection might be due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person is exposed to .
With a vaccine , everyone gets the same dose .
“ We know the dose that is being administered , and we know that that dose is effective at eliciting an immune response , ” Dr. Gommerman said .
“ So that becomes a variable that ’ s taken off the table when you get the vaccine.
” People who are obese , or have diabetes are particularly susceptible to severe cases of Covid-19 , where they may end up on ventilators .
But even to this day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people get very sick and die while others remain asymptomatic .
In a study of more than 3,000 people , ages 18 to 34 , who were hospitalized for Covid , 20 percent required intensive care and 3 percent died .
“ It ’ s true that most people aren ’ t going to be hospitalized , most people aren ’ t going to get in the intensive care unit or die , ” said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado , who represents the American Academy of Pediatrics at the meetings of the federal Advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nobody is immune to severe disease , ” she said .
And even if healthy people are not at high risk of Covid themselves , others could be .
That ’ s why we wear masks and practice social distancing .
At the end of the day , doctors and researchers alike all seem to agree that covid-19 vaccines are the safer option regardless if you ’ ve already been infected or not .

Last month Pfizer’s and Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines came out with promising results. The experimental vaccines were shown to be 90 percent and 94.5 percent effective at protecting people from infection. Following these results, Senator Rand Paul made a controversial tweet. According to him, “naturally acquired” immunity from Covid-19 offered better protection with a 99.9982 percent rate of effectiveness.
Advertisement
The senator who was diagnosed with Covid-19 this year argues that surviving the disease after contracting it gives greater protection, and has lower downsides, than getting vaccinated.
The problem with this train of thoughts is that there’s no way to predict who will survive an infection unscathed, said Jennifer Gommerman, an immunologist at the University of Toronto. There are too many external factors that could affect a person’s survival rate such as local hospital capacity, or the strength of the infectee’s immune system. That’s why choosing to purposely catch the disease over the vaccine is “a very bad decision,” she said. She explains the main benefit of a vaccine is that it’s predictable and safe. “It’s been optimally tailored to generate an effective immune response.”
Advertisement
Is a vaccine or natural infection better?
The short answer is that nobody knows, not even experts in the medical field. The reason for the ambiguity is because there have been cases of vaccines outperforming natural infection and vice versa.
One example of a natural infection being better than a vaccine is having humps. Contracting the illness naturally generates lifelong immunity, but some people who have received one or two doses of the vaccine still get the disease.
On the other hand, volunteers who participated in the Moderna shot trial ended up having more antibodies in their blood than people who had been sick with Covid-19. This study is by no means conclusive as the sample size was limited to only 34 healthy adults.
Advertisement
Natural immunity = High risk
The majority of people who’ve survived a bout with the coronavirus produce some antibodies and immune cells in order to fight off the infection. And the evidence so far suggests that this protection will persist for years, preventing serious illness, if not reinfection.
But the immune response can vary dramatically from one individual to another, with a 200-fold difference in antibody levels.
In people who were only mildly sick before recovering, the immune protection that can prevent a second infection may decrease within a few months. “Those people might benefit more from the vaccine than others would,” said Bill Hanage, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Advertisement
One possible cause for the differences in immune response from a natural infection might be due to the amount of virus to which a person is exposed to.
Vaccines are predictable
With a vaccine, everyone gets the same dose. “We know the dose that is being administered, and we know that that dose is effective at eliciting an immune response,” Dr. Gommerman said. “So that becomes a variable that’s taken off the table when you get the vaccine.”
People who are obese, or have diabetes are particularly susceptible to severe cases of Covid-19, where they may end up on ventilators. But even to this day, doctors have no idea why some people get very sick and die while others remain asymptomatic.
Advertisement
In a study of more than 3,000 people, ages 18 to 34, who were hospitalized for Covid, 20 percent required intensive care and 3 percent died.
“It’s true that most people aren’t going to be hospitalized, most people aren’t going to get in the intensive care unit or die,” said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, who represents the American Academy of Pediatrics at the meetings of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
But “nobody is immune to severe disease,” she said. And even if healthy people are not at high risk of Covid themselves, others could be. That’s why we wear masks and practice social distancing.
Advertisement
At the end of the day, doctors and researchers alike all seem to agree that covid-19 vaccines are the safer option regardless if you’ve already been infected or not.


dailyhealthpost--2020-12-06--The Tennis Ball Trick That Can Relieve Back, Neck Or Knee Pain In Seconds

Anyone who has ever received a massage from a registered therapist knows what sweet relief feels like .
Sometimes we can ’ t get to a therapist and need immediate help to relieve muscle tension and pain .
A friend or family member may mean well but an amateur massage doesn ’ t quite compare .
It definitely feels good but rarely gets to the root of the problem for long-lasting relief .
You can be your own massage therapist with one simple tool : a tennis ball .
The pressure and texture of a tennis ball are perfect for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spots , wherever they are .
Find our how to target each ache and pain below !
According to the American Spinal Decompression Association , at least 80 % of Americans will experience lower back pain at some time in their lives .
( 1 ) Pain can be caused by any number of factors ; knowing the cause will help to take steps to correct it .
Here is a simple stretch to loosen muscles and ease restriction .
How to do it : • Lie on your back on the floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower back between the bottom of your ribcage and your sacrum .
Ease pressure when rolling over the spine .
• Move your pelvis from side to side , rolling the balls across your lower back .
Slow down the movement over particularly tender spots .
• Continue for up to 5 minutes while taking deep breaths .
Poor posture , holding a phone between your head and shoulder , or over-exertion can cause pectoral muscles to tighten .
From simple tenderness to difficulty breathing , your chest houses organs you need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Stand in front of a wall or flat door and place a tennis ball just below your collarbone .
Press your chest into the ball .
• Shift your weight from side to side , up and down , rolling the ball along your upper chest muscles for 1 minute .
• Stop , stretch your neck and arm , then repeat on the other side .
Many people suffer from sore feet due to standing for long periods , fallen arches , athletic injury , bad posture , or shoes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awful lot of weight rests on your feet so you can ’ t blame them for getting sore .
Plantar fasciitis can also occur when the fascia ( connective tissue ) that connect the heel to the toes become inflamed .
How to do it : • Allow your weight to rest on the ball , then roll it back and forth slowly from heel to toe .
• Continue for one minute , then switch feet .
We do so much with our hands without thinking about it .
We don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pain .
Household activities , heavy lifting , writing , gardening , typing , knitting , and racket sports can put strain on the many entwined muscles , tendons , and fascia of the hand .
Flexor muscles attached the hand to the forearm can send shooting pain up to the shoulder and neck if strained .
How to do it : • On a table no higher than your shoulder , place your hand on a tennis ball .
Place the other hand on top to add pressure .
• Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your weight for 1 minute for initial tension release .
• Roll the ball in all directions under your hand to stretch all the muscles and tendons , keeping up the pressure .
Sitting too long , high-impact aerobic exercise , and non-supportive shoes can contribute to hip pain .
Hip joints hold together muscles and tendons of the back , legs , pelvis , and buttocks and withstand a lot of movement and strain .
Tension released from the muscles surrounding the hips will be felt everywhere in the lower half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • Lie on one side on the floor and place a tennis ball between your hip and the floor .
• Roll slowly over the ball in circles 12 times , then switch sides .
Joints are especially susceptible to injury and pain because of the movement they are called upon constantly .
Sitting or standing in one position too long can also cause strain .
Age , too , can result in weakened joints .
Maintaining muscle strength surrounding the knees will take some of the pressure off the joint .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint capsule where all the tendons , muscles , and nerves converge .
How to do it : • Sit with a straight back in a firm chair with feet flat on the floor .
• Place a tennis ball behind one knee toward the outer part of the joint .
• Squeeze and release the muscles around the tennis ball 10 times then switch legs .
Second only to back pain neck pain is extremely common .
Posture , insufficient support from your bed or pillow , bad shoes , and huddling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sore neck .
Constriction here can cause headaches and back , leg , and arm pain .
This stretch releases the suboccipital and erector muscles of your neck and is especially soothing before going to sleep .
How to do it : • Lie face up on the floor .
Place 2 tennis balls on either side of the spine at the base of your neck .
• Nod your head up and down , with the weight of your head and upper back applying pressure against the balls .
Continue slowly for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head from side to side for 1 minute .
• Stop and turn your head to 1 side and pause to nod up and down .
Slowly turn your head to the other side and repeat .
Continue alternating sides and nodding for 2 minutes .
The way we sit , stand , and walk affects every muscle in the body .
The effects of bad posture can cause pain and even difficulty breathing .
Becoming mindful of the position of your body , keeping the legs in alignment and the back straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restriction .
How to do it : • Lie face up on a mat or smooth rug on the floor .
Place a tennis ball on each side of your upper back just below where your neck attaches .
• Place the palms of your hands behind your head in a sit-up position and raise your head off the floor .
• Lower your chin toward your chest , then lift your hips off the floor so your body weight rests on the tennis balls .
• Slowly shift your weight so the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the muscles on either side of your spine .
Breathe deeply while stretching and continue for up to 4 minutes .
The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that allows your shoulder to move up and down , side to side , and in circles .
It is the place that stabilizes where the humerus meets the scapula and joins to the torso .
This exercise will stretch the muscles and tendons surrounding the cuff .
How to do it : • Lie face up on the floor .
Place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoulder blade ) .
Allow your weight to rest on the ball .
• Move your upper torso over the ball in the vicinity of the shoulder to release tension and ease tenderness .
The iliotibial ( IT ) band is a ligament that connects the knee to the upper leg .
Strain due to sitting in one position for an extended period ( one extreme ) to overuse while running or cycling ( the other extreme ) can cause tightness and discomfort while the surrounding muscles get stuck to the ligament or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur at the knee , the hip , or anywhere in between .
Use 2 tennis balls to loosen the muscles from the ligament and get everything moving again .
How to do it : • Sit in a firm chair with feet flat on the floor .
Hold a tennis ball in each hand and place both on the outer side of the troubled thigh .
• Slowly bend your knee up and back , rolling the balls along the side of the thigh where the muscle meets the tendon .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the sorest part of the tight muscles .
Repeat 30 times or as many as is comfortable .
• Next , with foot flat on the floor , move your thigh from side to side , allowing the balls to roll along the quadriceps .
Repeat as many times as is comfortable , then switch legs if necessary .
Who knew a fuzzy little ball could bring so much relief ?

Anyone who has ever received a massage from a registered therapist knows what sweet relief feels like. Sometimes we can’t get to a therapist and need immediate help to relieve muscle tension and pain. A friend or family member may mean well but an amateur massage doesn’t quite compare. It definitely feels good but rarely gets to the root of the problem for long-lasting relief.
Advertisement
You can be your own massage therapist with one simple tool: a tennis ball. The pressure and texture of a tennis ball are perfect for self-massage to get right to the restricted spots, wherever they are.
Tennis Ball Massage
Find our how to target each ache and pain below!
Advertisement
1. Aching Back
According to the American Spinal Decompression Association, at least 80% of Americans will experience lower back pain at some time in their lives. (1) Pain can be caused by any number of factors; knowing the cause will help to take steps to correct it.
Here is a simple stretch to loosen muscles and ease restriction.
How to do it:
Advertisement
Lie on your back on the floor. Place 2 tennis balls under your lower back between the bottom of your ribcage and your sacrum. Ease pressure when rolling over the spine. Move your pelvis from side to side, rolling the balls across your lower back. Slow down the movement over particularly tender spots. Continue for up to 5 minutes while taking deep breaths.
See also: anti inflammatory foods
2. Constricted Chest
Poor posture, holding a phone between your head and shoulder, or over-exertion can cause pectoral muscles to tighten. From simple tenderness to difficulty breathing, your chest houses organs you need to protect.
How to do it:
Advertisement
Stand in front of a wall or flat door and place a tennis ball just below your collarbone. Press your chest into the ball. Shift your weight from side to side, up and down, rolling the ball along your upper chest muscles for 1 minute. Stop, stretch your neck and arm, then repeat on the other side.
3. Sore Feet
Many people suffer from sore feet due to standing for long periods, fallen arches, athletic injury, bad posture, or shoes that don’t fit properly. An awful lot of weight rests on your feet so you can’t blame them for getting sore. Plantar fasciitis can also occur when the fascia (connective tissue) that connect the heel to the toes become inflamed.
How to do it:
(it may help to balance with your hand on a chair, table, or wall)
Advertisement
Place a tennis ball under one foot. Allow your weight to rest on the ball, then roll it back and forth slowly from heel to toe. Continue for one minute, then switch feet.
4. Hurting Hands
We do so much with our hands without thinking about it. We don’t even consciously notice until there’s pain. Household activities, heavy lifting, writing, gardening, typing, knitting, and racket sports can put strain on the many entwined muscles, tendons, and fascia of the hand.
Flexor muscles attached the hand to the forearm can send shooting pain up to the shoulder and neck if strained.
How to do it:
Advertisement
On a table no higher than your shoulder, place your hand on a tennis ball. Place the other hand on top to add pressure. Press steadily down on the ball with all your weight for 1 minute for initial tension release. Roll the ball in all directions under your hand to stretch all the muscles and tendons, keeping up the pressure. Continue for 3 minutes, then switch hands.
5. Hula Hips
Sitting too long, high-impact aerobic exercise, and non-supportive shoes can contribute to hip pain. Hip joints hold together muscles and tendons of the back, legs, pelvis, and buttocks and withstand a lot of movement and strain. Tension released from the muscles surrounding the hips will be felt everywhere in the lower half of your body.
How to do it:
Lie on one side on the floor and place a tennis ball between your hip and the floor. Roll slowly over the ball in circles 12 times, then switch sides.
6. Killer Knees
Joints are especially susceptible to injury and pain because of the movement they are called upon constantly. Sitting or standing in one position too long can also cause strain.
Advertisement
Age, too, can result in weakened joints. Maintaining muscle strength surrounding the knees will take some of the pressure off the joint.
This stretch will reach into the knee joint capsule where all the tendons, muscles, and nerves converge.
How to do it:
Advertisement
Sit with a straight back in a firm chair with feet flat on the floor. Place a tennis ball behind one knee toward the outer part of the joint. Squeeze and release the muscles around the tennis ball 10 times then switch legs.
7. Nasty Neck
Second only to back pain neck pain is extremely common.
Posture, insufficient support from your bed or pillow, bad shoes, and huddling over a radiant screen contribute to a sore neck.
Constriction here can cause headaches and back, leg, and arm pain. This stretch releases the suboccipital and erector muscles of your neck and is especially soothing before going to sleep.
Advertisement
How to do it:
Lie face up on the floor. Place 2 tennis balls on either side of the spine at the base of your neck. Nod your head up and down, with the weight of your head and upper back applying pressure against the balls. Continue slowly for 1 minute. Now move your head from side to side for 1 minute. Stop and turn your head to 1 side and pause to nod up and down. Slowly turn your head to the other side and repeat. Continue alternating sides and nodding for 2 minutes.
8. Poor Posture
The way we sit, stand, and walk affects every muscle in the body. The effects of bad posture can cause pain and even difficulty breathing.
Becoming mindful of the position of your body, keeping the legs in alignment and the back straight will help to prevent discomfort and muscle restriction.
Advertisement
Release tight muscles with this exercise.
How to do it:
Lie face up on a mat or smooth rug on the floor. Place a tennis ball on each side of your upper back just below where your neck attaches. Place the palms of your hands behind your head in a sit-up position and raise your head off the floor. Lower your chin toward your chest, then lift your hips off the floor so your body weight rests on the tennis balls. Slowly shift your weight so the balls roll up and down to relax the muscles on either side of your spine. Breathe deeply while stretching and continue for up to 4 minutes.
9. Stiff Shoulders
The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that allows your shoulder to move up and down, side to side, and in circles.
Advertisement
It is the place that stabilizes where the humerus meets the scapula and joins to the torso. This exercise will stretch the muscles and tendons surrounding the cuff.
How to do it:
Lie face up on the floor. Place a tennis ball under your scapula (shoulder blade). Allow your weight to rest on the ball. Move your upper torso over the ball in the vicinity of the shoulder to release tension and ease tenderness.
10. Tender Thighs
The iliotibial (IT) band is a ligament that connects the knee to the upper leg. Strain due to sitting in one position for an extended period (one extreme) to overuse while running or cycling (the other extreme) can cause tightness and discomfort while the surrounding muscles get stuck to the ligament or strain from being overtaxed. Pain can occur at the knee, the hip, or anywhere in between. Use 2 tennis balls to loosen the muscles from the ligament and get everything moving again.
Advertisement
How to do it:
Sit in a firm chair with feet flat on the floor. Hold a tennis ball in each hand and place both on the outer side of the troubled thigh. Slowly bend your knee up and back, rolling the balls along the side of the thigh where the muscle meets the tendon. You’ll feel where that is—it’s the sorest part of the tight muscles. Repeat 30 times or as many as is comfortable. Next, with foot flat on the floor, move your thigh from side to side, allowing the balls to roll along the quadriceps. Repeat as many times as is comfortable, then switch legs if necessary.
Who knew a fuzzy little ball could bring so much relief?
2.2K Shares Email Flip WhatsApp


dailyhealthpost--2020-12-07--New Study: The More you Hug your Kids, the More Their Brains Develop

To borrow a phrase : love works in mysterious ways .
We are born to love and , as it turns out , love and affection are necessary for both optimal positive emotional and physical development .
And to be honest , nothing feels better than giving your loved one a warm embrace –or being on the receiving end .
Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter the hypothalamus produces and the pituitary gland secretes .
Scientists first identified and observed it in 1906 .
( 1 ) Oxytocin is essential in the process of childbirth in mammals , stimulating uterine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its role a much deeper and far-reaching one that affects social interaction and bonding between people .
Scientists call it “ the love hormone “ .
As Psychology Today explains “ …As a facilitator of bonding among those who share similar characteristics , the hormone fosters distinctions between in-group and out-group members , and sets in motion favoritism toward in-group members and prejudice against those in out-groups .
Ongoing research on the hormone is a potent reminder of the complexity of biological and psychological systems.
“ ( 2 ) This special hormone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects of the reproductive process , beginning with trust and sexual arousal .
( 3 , 4 ) Oxytocin stimulates pleasure and reward centers and is the neurological basis for social bonding , especially with the people closest to you .
The brain rewards us for living with others .
( 5 ) Oxytocin increases feelings of trust , which are intrinsic to all close personal relationships .
( 6 ) Some animals are solitary but humans are not .
Social inclusion and interaction are necessary for our survival .
This becomes evident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with depression and often culminating in disease .
The neurobiological mechanisms of love and attachment are a wonderful circle : we fall in love , have a baby , raise the child with love and affection , and the child continues the process .
The attraction and bonding between us are the physiological and emotional manifestations of our need to reproduce to perpetuate the species .
What ’ s more , oxytocin is essential for embryonic brain development ( 7 ) .
More specifically , it plays a role in blood vessel formation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several physiological processes such as stress , growth , and reproduction ( 8 ) .
Secure attachments between people ( and other mammals ) require trust .
With this as a foundation , we are more able to cope with stress and avoid destructive addictive behaviors .
( 9 ) This complex process begins with the bonding between parents and child .
The brain produces a high level of oxytocin to stimulate labor during pregnancy .
After birth , oxytocin is even higher in infants than in mothers .
Additionally , in combination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oxytocin stimulates milk production for breastfeeding .
The levels stay high for mother and baby for as long as the baby nurses .
The chemical reaction that follows is nothing short of amazing : “ Through three different release pathways , oxytocin functions rather like a system activator and often influences the release of other signaling substances such as opioids , serotonin , dopamine , and noradrenaline .
Through these activations , different behavioural and physiological effects are facilitated and coordinated into adaptive patterns , which are influenced by the type of stimuli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be released by activation of several types of sensory nerves [ including in the skin ] …Light pressure , warmth and stroking contribute to oxytocin release caused by ‘ pleasant ’ or ‘ non-noxious ’ sensory stimulation of the skin.
” ( 10 ) Opioids , serotonin , and dopamine are all pleasure hormones .
It is interesting to note that newborns instinctively use their hands in addition to their mouths to stimulate milk flow .
This type of skin stimulation promotes the production of oxytocin in the mother for milk release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of oxytocin in parents with infants found that levels increased where there was a positive interaction with their babies .
In addition , increased oxytocin was found in parents who enjoyed positive close relationships with their partners and their own parents , indicating that we pass on the love hormone through positive social interaction .
Interestingly , reduced oxytocin levels in the urine of mothers stressed by parenting and negative interaction with their infants were noted .
( 12 ) The long-term emotional and societal effects of oxytocin are tangible .
Oxytocin release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , breastfeeding , and onward directly correlates to the ability to trust and form meaningful relationships .
Once a baby is weaned from her∕his mother , the brain produces oxytocin as the result of affectionate touch .
Healthy personal interactions also stimulate hormone release .
Hugging your child is the most natural instinct a parent has because it feels good for the both of you .
As we ’ ve seen , physical affection in childhood is instinctive and feels good because it fosters a solid emotional ( and physical ! )
foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong bonds with others .
So while all of love ’ s mysteries will never truly be understood , we know that it ’ s part of who we are as a species and is necessary for our survival .
Spread those hugs around—everyone needs ʹem .

To borrow a phrase: love works in mysterious ways. We are born to love and, as it turns out, love and affection are necessary for both optimal positive emotional and physical development. And to be honest, nothing feels better than giving your loved one a warm embrace –or being on the receiving end.
Advertisement
Role of Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter the hypothalamus produces and the pituitary gland secretes. Scientists first identified and observed it in 1906. (1) Oxytocin is essential in the process of childbirth in mammals, stimulating uterine contractions and lactation. Later studies found its role a much deeper and far-reaching one that affects social interaction and bonding between people. Scientists call it “the love hormone“.
As Psychology Today explains “…As a facilitator of bonding among those who share similar characteristics, the hormone fosters distinctions between in-group and out-group members, and sets in motion favoritism toward in-group members and prejudice against those in out-groups. Ongoing research on the hormone is a potent reminder of the complexity of biological and psychological systems.“ (2)
Advertisement
This special hormone is present in both sexes, stimulating all aspects of the reproductive process, beginning with trust and sexual arousal. (3, 4) Oxytocin stimulates pleasure and reward centers and is the neurological basis for social bonding, especially with the people closest to you.
The brain rewards us for living with others. (5) Oxytocin increases feelings of trust, which are intrinsic to all close personal relationships. (6)
Humans are Social Animals
Some animals are solitary but humans are not. Social inclusion and interaction are necessary for our survival. This becomes evident when we become socially isolated, starting with depression and often culminating in disease.
Advertisement
The neurobiological mechanisms of love and attachment are a wonderful circle: we fall in love, have a baby, raise the child with love and affection, and the child continues the process.
The attraction and bonding between us are the physiological and emotional manifestations of our need to reproduce to perpetuate the species.
What’s more, oxytocin is essential for embryonic brain development (7). More specifically, it plays a role in blood vessel formation in the pituitary gland, which controls several physiological processes such as stress, growth, and reproduction (8).
Advertisement
The Science of Love
Watch this video on YouTube
4.3M Shares Email Flip WhatsApp