dailyhealthpost--2020-05-31--Eating Foods Rich in Selenium Can Help Against Covid-19. Here’s How Much You Need…

Covid-19 has stunned the world in more ways than one .
Not only has it taken the lives of over 360,000 people as of the end of May but it has also caused untold job loss across the world .
The new respiratory disease has also left the scientific field scrambling for answers with new possible complications and treatments being discovered almost every day .
One such example is that high selenium diets have been reported to help against Covid-19 .
Selenium is a basic mineral that ’ s found naturally in many soils and waters .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuts , beef and poultry , and certain grains .
It ’ s also added to some processed foods .
Selenium is a key mineral for our metabolism and it has very beneficial antioxidant properties .
There ’ s been a lot of speculation about which conditions and diseases selenium helps with over the years .
So far , the scientific consensus has been that selenium is especially beneficial for people with HIV , those with Crohn ’ s diseases ( a gastrointestinal condition ) , and people who are receiving dialysis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ selenium helps prevent prostate cancer in men .
The revelation that it may also help against Covid-19 is a welcome surprise .
Does selenium really help against coronavirus ?
This isn ’ t the first mineral or vitamin we ’ ve discovered to be helpful against the novel coronavirus .
For a while now , scientists have known that increased doses of vitamin C are very helpful for the recovery of Covid-19 patients .
The discovery of selenium ’ s benefits still needs research but it looks pretty promising so far .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows the link between high selenium levels and Covid-19 recoveries .
In the making of the review , the researchers sifted through data from multiple Chinese cities and provinces that had been hit by the novel coronavirus .
The reason they chose China wasn ’ t just Covid-19 , however .
China is also the country with the highest and lowest reported selenium intake levels .
The reason seems to be that coastal cities have an easy source of selenium through fishing while the poorer inland provinces lack most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suitable research ground , the results were unambiguous – the provinces and cities with the highest selenium intake levels also had the highest percentage of Covid-19 recoveries and vice versa .
For example , the city of Enshi in Hubei Province has the highest selenium intake in China and the recovery rate there was 3x times higher than other cities in the province .
On the other hand , the Heilongjiang Province has one of the lowest selenium intake levels in the entire world .
Unsurprisingly , the Covid-19 death rate there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most other provinces .
The researchers acknowledge that other factors are also at play here – economic status , general health , etc .
However , with the differences being so drastic , the selenium connection also seems clear .
What can we do with this information ?
The intuitive conclusion from that is that we should just start stocking up on selenium .
In a country like the U.S. that shouldn ’ t be a problem .
Even though many people here are used to going for high-calorie , low-nutrient processed foods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selenium-rich foods is there too .
Keep in mind , however , that going overboard with selenium is not recommended either .
Unlike some vitamins where the body simply dumps the unnecessary excess , that ’ s not the case with minerals such as selenium .
Taking too much selenium for prolonged periods of time leads to “ selenium toxicity “ .
That , in turn , has been connected to conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome , lightheadedness , hair loss , muscle tenderness , myocardial infarction , tremors , facial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and even non-melanoma skin cancer .
So , don ’ t go overboard .
But how much selenium do you need exactly ?
Here ’ s a handy chart courtesy to WebMD : The recommended maximum safe intake for adults is 400 micrograms per day .
Anything above that is deemed excessive and unnecessarily dangerous .
Which foods are rich in selenium ?
We already mentioned several above but here ’ s a more extensive breakdown .
From richest to poorest selenium sources , here ’ s what the National Institute of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommends : • Brazil nuts contain 544 mcg in a serving of six to eight nuts • Sardines , oysters , clams , halibut , shrimp , salmon , and crab contain between 40 and 65 mcg in servings of 3 ounces • Beef will contain 18-33 mcg per 3 ounces , depending on the cut • 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds contains almost 19 mcg Of course , if you can ’ t or don ’ t want to eat any of these foods you can also take selenium supplements .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily dose through the foods you eat than with supplements but the latter can do just as well .
Just remember not to overdose by taking both the supplements and eating selenium-rich foods .

Covid-19 has stunned the world in more ways than one. Not only has it taken the lives of over 360,000 people as of the end of May but it has also caused untold job loss across the world. The new respiratory disease has also left the scientific field scrambling for answers with new possible complications and treatments being discovered almost every day. One such example is that high selenium diets have been reported to help against Covid-19.
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What is selenium?
Selenium is a basic mineral that’s found naturally in many soils and waters. It’s present in foods such as fish, nuts, beef and poultry, and certain grains. It’s also added to some processed foods.
Selenium is a key mineral for our metabolism and it has very beneficial antioxidant properties.
Advertisement
There’s been a lot of speculation about which conditions and diseases selenium helps with over the years. So far, the scientific consensus has been that selenium is especially beneficial for people with HIV, those with Crohn’s diseases (a gastrointestinal condition), and people who are receiving dialysis. There have also been studies showing that selenium helps prevent prostate cancer in men. The revelation that it may also help against Covid-19 is a welcome surprise.
Does selenium really help against coronavirus?
This isn’t the first mineral or vitamin we’ve discovered to be helpful against the novel coronavirus. For a while now, scientists have known that increased doses of vitamin C are very helpful for the recovery of Covid-19 patients.
The discovery of selenium’s benefits still needs research but it looks pretty promising so far. A new scientific review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows the link between high selenium levels and Covid-19 recoveries.
Advertisement
In the making of the review, the researchers sifted through data from multiple Chinese cities and provinces that had been hit by the novel coronavirus. The reason they chose China wasn’t just Covid-19, however. China is also the country with the highest and lowest reported selenium intake levels. The reason seems to be that coastal cities have an easy source of selenium through fishing while the poorer inland provinces lack most selenium-rich foods.
With China being such a suitable research ground, the results were unambiguous – the provinces and cities with the highest selenium intake levels also had the highest percentage of Covid-19 recoveries and vice versa.
For example, the city of Enshi in Hubei Province has the highest selenium intake in China and the recovery rate there was 3x times higher than other cities in the province. On the other hand, the Heilongjiang Province has one of the lowest selenium intake levels in the entire world. Unsurprisingly, the Covid-19 death rate there was nearly 5x times higher than in most other provinces.
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The researchers acknowledge that other factors are also at play here – economic status, general health, etc. However, with the differences being so drastic, the selenium connection also seems clear.
What can we do with this information?
The intuitive conclusion from that is that we should just start stocking up on selenium. In a country like the U.S. that shouldn’t be a problem. Even though many people here are used to going for high-calorie, low-nutrient processed foods, the ability to also get some selenium-rich foods is there too.
Keep in mind, however, that going overboard with selenium is not recommended either. Unlike some vitamins where the body simply dumps the unnecessary excess, that’s not the case with minerals such as selenium. Taking too much selenium for prolonged periods of time leads to “selenium toxicity“. That, in turn, has been connected to conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, lightheadedness, hair loss, muscle tenderness, myocardial infarction, tremors, facial flushing, kidney failure, cardiac failure, and even non-melanoma skin cancer. So, don’t go overboard.
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But how much selenium do you need exactly? Here’s a handy chart courtesy to WebMD:
Group Recommended Dietary Allowance Children 1-3 20 micrograms/day Children 4-8 30 micrograms/day Children 9-13 40 micrograms/day Adults and children 14 and up 55 micrograms/day Pregnant women 60 micrograms/day Breastfeeding women 70 micrograms/day
The recommended maximum safe intake for adults is 400 micrograms per day. Anything above that is deemed excessive and unnecessarily dangerous.
Which foods are rich in selenium?
We already mentioned several above but here’s a more extensive breakdown. From richest to poorest selenium sources, here’s what the National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements recommends:
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Brazil nuts contain 544 mcg in a serving of six to eight nuts
3 ounces of yellowfin tuna contains 92 mcg
Sardines, oysters, clams, halibut, shrimp, salmon, and crab contain between 40 and 65 mcg in servings of 3 ounces
3 ounces of ham contains 42 mcg
3 ounces of pork contains 33 mcg
Beef will contain 18-33 mcg per 3 ounces, depending on the cut
3 ounces of boneless turkey contains 31 mcg
White chicken meat contains 22-25 mcg per 3 ounces
Cottage cheese contains 20 mcg per 1 cup
1 hard-boiled egg contains 20 mcg
1 cup of cooked long-grain brown rice contains 19 mcg
1/4 cup of sunflower seeds contains almost 19 mcg
1 cup of baked beans contains 13 mcg
100 grams of mushrooms contain 12 mcg
1 cup cooked oatmeal contains 13 mcg
1 cup cooked from frozen spinach contains 11 mcg
1 cup of milk contains 8 mcg
1 cup of yogurt contains 8 mcg
1 cup of cooked lentils contains 6 mcg
1 ounce of dry, roasted cashews contains 3 mcg
1 cup chopped bananas contains 2 mcg
Of course, if you can’t or don’t want to eat any of these foods you can also take selenium supplements. It’s always better to take your daily dose through the foods you eat than with supplements but the latter can do just as well. Just remember not to overdose by taking both the supplements and eating selenium-rich foods.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-06-02--The Forgotten Link Between Poor Dental Hygiene and Alzheimer’s Disease

We ’ ve always known that tooth problems are often closely related to neurological issues or at the very least – to more pronounced pain .
There ’ s a reason why toothaches are more annoying than similar problems elsewhere in our bodies – they are simply closer to our central nervous system .
Is there a way for tooth problems and diseases to actually “ transfer ” to the brain , however ?
It turns out that yes , the Porphyromonas gingivalis or just P. gingivalis which is the leading cause of both gingivitis and periodontitis may have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alzheimer ’ s as well .
Thanks to a recent study from the University of Bergen we now know that gingivitis plays a big role in whether and when you ’ ll develop Alzheimer ’ s disease .
Piotr Mydel at Broegelmanns Research Laboratory , Department of Clinical Science , University of Bergen ( UiB ) , a researcher on the project explains that they ’ ve discovered irrefutable DNA-based proof about how the P. gingivalis bacteria can move from the mouth to the brain .
Once it gets to the brain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads to memory loss and in turn – to Alzheimer ’ s .
Mydel points out , however , that the bacteria is not directly responsible for Alzheimer ’ s disease , but it is a major contributing factor .
The presence of the bacteria in our brains substantially increases the risk of developing the disease .
It ’ s also been shown to speed up its progression .
Of the 53 people the Bergen scientists tested , 96 % had signs of P. gingivalis ’ proteins and enzymes in their brains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gingivitis Even though Mydel ’ s team is adamant about their discovery , in science things must always be fact-checked and peer-reviewed .
That ’ s why it ’ s important to point out that this isn ’ t actually the first research to point out a connection between gingivitis and Alzheimer ’ s .
In 2019 , scientists from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and Jagiellonian University in Krakow , Poland also looked into the connection .
They compared samples of deceased people both with and without Alzheimer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general health .
The scientists determined that the P. gingivalis bacteria was much more common in the bodies of former Alzheimer ’ s patients .
Fortunately , this also gives some insight into how we can delay or prevent Alzheimer ’ s – by taking an even better care of our dental hygiene .
So , what do we need to know about P. gingivalis both in relation to Alzheimer ’ s and in general ?
Here ’ s a quick summary .
• The bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis or P.gingivalis is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gums .
• The bacteria can easily move to the brain if left unchecked where it can damage our nerve cells .
• About 50 % of the population have this bacteria in one form or another .
• People typically contract the bacteria in their developmental teen years .
From then , it ’ s a matter of how well we maintain our dental hygiene to prevent the spread of the bacteria .
• About 10 % of people with P. gingivalis develop serious gum disease , loose teeth , or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • P. gingivalis has also been linked to rheumatism , COPD , and esophageal cancer .
Medicine is on the way There are more positive developments from this discovery , not just the realization of how important it is to brush our teeth .
The Bergen scientists have also started working on a new medicine that can help prevent the disastrous effects of the bacteria on our brains .
If the drug pans out , it can help slow or prevent the development of Alzheimer ’ s altogether .
“ We have managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harmful enzymes from the bacteria , postponing the development of Alzheimer´s .
We are planning to test this drug later this year , ” said Piotr Mydel .
It sounds silly to just recommend brushing your teeth and visiting a dentist but it ’ s clear that it ’ s important for brain health .
With that in mind , here are some extra tips if you ’ re worried about developing Alzheimer ’ s : • Maintain excellent dental hygiene .
This includes brushing your teeth , using dental floss and mouthwash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dental checkups at least once per year .
• Eat well .
Maintaining a good diet is essential for preventing or slowing down Alzheimer ’ s as the Nation Institute of Aging explains here .
• Exercise more .
Our brains require a constant supply of blood and oxygen to stay healthy and that ’ s best achieved by regular exercises .
• Keep your heart healthy .
For the same reason as above , having good cardiovascular health is crucial for delaying or avoiding Alzheimer ’ s .
Plus , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons .
• Improve your sleep .
Our sleep is the brain ’ s time for self-maintenance and healing .
Suffering from sleep apnea , insomnia , or just not getting enough sleep are all closely related to developing cognitive problems .

We’ve always known that tooth problems are often closely related to neurological issues or at the very least – to more pronounced pain. There’s a reason why toothaches are more annoying than similar problems elsewhere in our bodies – they are simply closer to our central nervous system.
Advertisement
Is there a way for tooth problems and diseases to actually “transfer” to the brain, however? It turns out that yes, the Porphyromonas gingivalis or just P. gingivalis which is the leading cause of both gingivitis and periodontitis may have a role to play in the development of Alzheimer’s as well.
What’s the connection?
Thanks to a recent study from the University of Bergen we now know that gingivitis plays a big role in whether and when you’ll develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Advertisement
Piotr Mydel at Broegelmanns Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen (UiB), a researcher on the project explains that they’ve discovered irrefutable DNA-based proof about how the P. gingivalis bacteria can move from the mouth to the brain.
Once it gets to the brain, the bacteria start producing a protein which leads to memory loss and in turn – to Alzheimer’s.
Mydel points out, however, that the bacteria is not directly responsible for Alzheimer’s disease, but it is a major contributing factor. The presence of the bacteria in our brains substantially increases the risk of developing the disease. It’s also been shown to speed up its progression.
Advertisement
Of the 53 people the Bergen scientists tested, 96% had signs of P. gingivalis’ proteins and enzymes in their brains.
Not the first study to point to gingivitis
Even though Mydel’s team is adamant about their discovery, in science things must always be fact-checked and peer-reviewed. That’s why it’s important to point out that this isn’t actually the first research to point out a connection between gingivitis and Alzheimer’s.
In 2019, scientists from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland also looked into the connection. They compared samples of deceased people both with and without Alzheimer’s of relatively similar ages of death and general health. The scientists determined that the P. gingivalis bacteria was much more common in the bodies of former Alzheimer’s patients.
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Fortunately, this also gives some insight into how we can delay or prevent Alzheimer’s – by taking an even better care of our dental hygiene.
Key facts about Gingivitis
So, what do we need to know about P. gingivalis both in relation to Alzheimer’s and in general? Here’s a quick summary.
The bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis or P.gingivalis is one of the main causes of infections in the gums.
The bacteria can easily move to the brain if left unchecked where it can damage our nerve cells.
About 50% of the population have this bacteria in one form or another.
People typically contract the bacteria in their developmental teen years. From then, it’s a matter of how well we maintain our dental hygiene to prevent the spread of the bacteria.
About 10% of people with P. gingivalis develop serious gum disease, loose teeth, or have an increased risk of Alzheimer´s disease.
P. gingivalis has also been linked to rheumatism, COPD, and esophageal cancer.
Medicine is on the way
There are more positive developments from this discovery, not just the realization of how important it is to brush our teeth. The Bergen scientists have also started working on a new medicine that can help prevent the disastrous effects of the bacteria on our brains. If the drug pans out, it can help slow or prevent the development of Alzheimer’s altogether.
Advertisement
“We have managed to develop a drug that blocks the harmful enzymes from the bacteria, postponing the development of Alzheimer´s. We are planning to test this drug later this year,” said Piotr Mydel.
In conclusion
It sounds silly to just recommend brushing your teeth and visiting a dentist but it’s clear that it’s important for brain health.
With that in mind, here are some extra tips if you’re worried about developing Alzheimer’s:
Advertisement
Maintain excellent dental hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth, using dental floss and mouthwash, as well as going for routine dental checkups at least once per year.
Eat well. Maintaining a good diet is essential for preventing or slowing down Alzheimer’s as the Nation Institute of Aging explains here.
Exercise more. Our brains require a constant supply of blood and oxygen to stay healthy and that’s best achieved by regular exercises.
Keep your heart healthy. For the same reason as above, having good cardiovascular health is crucial for delaying or avoiding Alzheimer’s. Plus, it’s vital for a lot of different reasons.
Improve your sleep. Our sleep is the brain’s time for self-maintenance and healing. Suffering from sleep apnea, insomnia, or just not getting enough sleep are all closely related to developing cognitive problems.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-06-03--How Sugar Steals Vitamin C From Your Cells

Vitamin C is one of those vitamins that are relatively well-known to people outside of the medical sciences .
Common sources of vitamin C include oranges , lemons , grapefruits and bell peppers .
On par in popularity with vitamin D which is famously derived from the sun ’ s UVB rays , vitamin C is hardly intriguing to most people .
Yet , we ’ re still not getting enough of it .
In fact , we eat way too much sugar which is has been found to “ steal ” our vitamin C. Sure , most of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering from scurvy but we ’ re usually still not getting enough to enjoy the many different benefits of vitamin C. And with recent revelations of how vitamin C is helpful against Covid-19 , it makes sense to want to pay extra attention to your vitamin C intake .
Why is vitamin C so good ?
Vitamin C has an almost unparalleled antioxidant power which is why it ’ s great to combat oxidative stress .
Because of that it greatly reduces the risks of most autoimmune diseases .
Vitamin C accomplishes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against free radical molecules .
Vitamin C also relaxes blood pressure and can help people with both low and high blood pressure .
It also reduces the blood ’ s uric acid levels and prevents gout attacks ( a type of arthritis ) .
Probably most famously , vitamin C also reduces the risk of heart diseases .
It also prevents iron deficiency , boosts our immunity systems , and much more .
How eating sugar “ steals ” your vitamin C ?
To utilize the antioxidant potential of vitamin C our white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times more vitamin C in their cell walls than there is in the surrounding blood plasma .
This can be difficult to achieve , however , because our bodies don ’ t actually have the ability to produce vitamin C – we can only take it from food and supplements .
To make matters worse , consuming too much glucose can deprive our cells of the vitamin C that we ’ ve eaten , essentially nullifying its effects .
How does this happen ?
This isn ’ t something new .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vitamin C enter our cells through the same “ doors ” , namely the Glut-1 receptors .
That makes sense since animals that are able to synthesize their own vitamin C do so through glucose .
This has also led some scientists such as Nobel Prize-winning chemist Linus Pauling to believe that humans were also able to synthesize vitamin C at one point but we ’ ve lost that ability over time .
All that has a nasty side-effect , however – when we consume sugar it gets within our cells and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C. Not only that , but our white blood cells actually “ prefer ” to take the sugar instead of the vitamin C when given the chance .
Add to that the fact that consuming too much glucose also leads to more free radicals in our systems and sugar becomes a clear “ nemesis ” to vitamin C. What does all this mean ?
In short , when you ’ re trying to up your vitamin C intake you should also keep your sugar intake into consideration .
Even if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re eating vitamin C-rich foods , the excessive sugar you eat can counteract them and leave you with insufficient levels of vitamin C in your system .
So , there are two things you need to do : • Cut your sugar intake .
Excessive sugar is pretty horrible for us anyway so , aside from its taste , you shouldn ’ t miss it .
• Take more vitamin C. The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is ~100 mg for adults .
However , that ’ s not counting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems or side factors that may require more vitamin C. Fortunately , vitamin C is water-soluble which means that you can ’ t really overdose on it – our bodies simply excrete any excess through our urine .
There are some possible side effects of consistent and excessive intake of vitamin C such as diarrhea or nausea but reaching such extreme levels is pretty difficult .
Plus , according to the Harvard T.H .
Chan School of Public Health , the “ Tolerable Upper Intake Level ” ( i.e .
with no side-effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Which foods are rich in vitamin C ?
Aside from getting your vitamin C as supplements , you can also eat foods that are rich in vitamin C. The first food group won ’ t be a surprise to anyone but a few of the others may be new to some : • Citrus fruits such as oranges , lemons , and grapefruits

Vitamin C is one of those vitamins that are relatively well-known to people outside of the medical sciences. Common sources of vitamin C include oranges, lemons, grapefruits and bell peppers. On par in popularity with vitamin D which is famously derived from the sun’s UVB rays, vitamin C is hardly intriguing to most people. Yet, we’re still not getting enough of it. In fact, we eat way too much sugar which is has been found to “steal” our vitamin C.
Advertisement
Sure, most of us are getting enough vitamin C to avoid suffering from scurvy but we’re usually still not getting enough to enjoy the many different benefits of vitamin C. And with recent revelations of how vitamin C is helpful against Covid-19, it makes sense to want to pay extra attention to your vitamin C intake.
Why is vitamin C so good?
Vitamin C has an almost unparalleled antioxidant power which is why it’s great to combat oxidative stress. Because of that it greatly reduces the risks of most autoimmune diseases. Vitamin C accomplishes that by entering our cells and strengthening them against free radical molecules.
Advertisement
Vitamin C also relaxes blood pressure and can help people with both low and high blood pressure. It also reduces the blood’s uric acid levels and prevents gout attacks (a type of arthritis). Probably most famously, vitamin C also reduces the risk of heart diseases. It also prevents iron deficiency, boosts our immunity systems, and much more.
How eating sugar “steals” your vitamin C?
To utilize the antioxidant potential of vitamin C our white blood cells need to have over 50 times more vitamin C in their cell walls than there is in the surrounding blood plasma. This can be difficult to achieve, however, because our bodies don’t actually have the ability to produce vitamin C – we can only take it from food and supplements. To make matters worse, consuming too much glucose can deprive our cells of the vitamin C that we’ve eaten, essentially nullifying its effects.
How does this happen?
Advertisement
This isn’t something new. We’ve known since the 1970s that sugar and vitamin C enter our cells through the same “doors”, namely the Glut-1 receptors. That makes sense since animals that are able to synthesize their own vitamin C do so through glucose. This has also led some scientists such as Nobel Prize-winning chemist Linus Pauling to believe that humans were also able to synthesize vitamin C at one point but we’ve lost that ability over time.
All that has a nasty side-effect, however – when we consume sugar it gets within our cells and “takes the place” of vitamin C. Not only that, but our white blood cells actually “prefer” to take the sugar instead of the vitamin C when given the chance. Add to that the fact that consuming too much glucose also leads to more free radicals in our systems and sugar becomes a clear “nemesis” to vitamin C.
What does all this mean?
In short, when you’re trying to up your vitamin C intake you should also keep your sugar intake into consideration. Even if you’re purposefully taking vitamin C supplements or you’re eating vitamin C-rich foods, the excessive sugar you eat can counteract them and leave you with insufficient levels of vitamin C in your system.
Advertisement
So, there are two things you need to do:
Cut your sugar intake. Excessive sugar is pretty horrible for us anyway so, aside from its taste, you shouldn’t miss it.
Take more vitamin C. The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is ~100 mg for adults. However, that’s not counting the sugar you’re eating or other problems or side factors that may require more vitamin C.
Fortunately, vitamin C is water-soluble which means that you can’t really overdose on it – our bodies simply excrete any excess through our urine. There are some possible side effects of consistent and excessive intake of vitamin C such as diarrhea or nausea but reaching such extreme levels is pretty difficult. Plus, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the “Tolerable Upper Intake Level” (i.e. with no side-effects) is 2,000 mg a day.
Which foods are rich in vitamin C?
Aside from getting your vitamin C as supplements, you can also eat foods that are rich in vitamin C. The first food group won’t be a surprise to anyone but a few of the others may be new to some:
Advertisement
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits
Chili peppers
Guavas
bell peppers
Fresh thyme
Mustard spinach
Kale
Brussels sprouts
Broccoli
Kiwi fruit
Persimmons
Papayas
Strawberries
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
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dailyhealthpost--2020-06-04--Quitting These 5 Habits Can Protect You From Heart Attacks

A hundred years ago people probably thought that we ’ d have dealt with all diseases by the year 2020 .
And with all the amazing technology at our disposal , it ’ s almost weird that we haven ’ t .
People do die , however , and from a vast host of different causes .
Respiratory diseases , dementia and Alzheimer ’ s , diabetes , road accidents , tuberculosis , and the biggest killer of them all – cardiovascular diseases .
Heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases are responsible for ~647,000 Americans dying every year .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cardiovascular problems , the treatment costs amount to about $ 219 billion each year .
Those statistics become even more dire when we look at the elderly and their main causes of death .
Between the ages of 60 and 79 , a staggering 70.2 % of men and 70.9 % of women die from cardiovascular diseases .
For people between the age of 40 and 59 , those percentages are 40 % and 34.4 % respectively and for people of ages 80+ , it ’ s 83 % for men and 87.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and causes are well documented but the question remains – what should people do to lower those percentages ?
Or , maybe a better question would be – what should we stop doing ?
We ’ re going to skip the obvious dietary recommendations .
We all know that we should avoid unhealthy fats and processed foods , we should reduce the sodium ( salt ) we consume , and that we should eat more vegetables and fruits .
But it ’ s worth wondering – while we ’ re working on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ habits we should deal with as well ?
To answer that , here are 5 habits linked to heart attacks that you can easily get rid of : A lot of the technological marvels and discoveries of the last several decades have turned us into couch potatoes .
Not to mention that the current coronavirus pandemic isn ’ t helping in that regard either .
All this has the nasty side-effect of limiting the time we spend outdoors .
A recent study published in the Current Epidemiology Reports has determined that even just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cardiovascular diseases , strokes , and ischemic heart diseases .
So , while spending time home may be fun , staying indoors for too long may be one habit that we should limit .
There has been quite a lot of research pointing to various mouth bacteria contributing to problems elsewhere in our bodies .
One such example is an article in the BMJ Journals which shows how high-risk periodontal pathogens can contribute to pathogenesis and atherosclerosis – hardening and narrowing of our arteries .
From there , the road to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , while we all hate going to the dentist , we shouldn ’ t be postponing those regular check-ups indefinitely .
3 .
Not Getting Enough Intimacy Ok , this may not be an “ easy ” habit to break but it is crucial .
There are lots of reasons why people today are having less sex than before and we won ’ t go into all of them here .
Regardless , it ’ s a statistical fact that American adults are having less sex than they used to .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because sex is enjoyable but because it speaks about people ’ s deteriorating relationships .
It ’ s also unfortunate because stale sex lives have been connected to heart attacks .
A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology has shown a direct correlation between having sex only once per month or less and increased risk of heart disease and heart attacks .
So , easy or not , the stale love life is one bad habit that needs to be ditched .
The Circulation Journal has come up with a review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns out that skipping breakfast leads to a stunning 33 % increase in heart disease risks .
The reason seems to be that eating smaller but more frequent meals is important for our cardiovascular health and breakfasts are a big part of that .
So , whether it ’ s a bagel , a protein shake , or some oats , find something healthy to eat at for your first meal of the day .
Another habit that may not be too easy to break is being lonely .
Isolation and loneliness bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been well documented already .
A study on the BMJ Journal also identified loneliness as a cardiac risk factor .
Participants in the study who reported lower levels of social relationships had a 29 % increased risk of developing heart diseases .
This seems to be the result of many different reasons .
Lonely and less socially active people may be less likely to go out and to take part in physical activities .
The various psychological factors related to isolation likely also contribute .
Either way , finding a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your loneliness seems to be very important for much more than just your mental health .

A hundred years ago people probably thought that we’d have dealt with all diseases by the year 2020. And with all the amazing technology at our disposal, it’s almost weird that we haven’t.
Advertisement
People do die, however, and from a vast host of different causes. Respiratory diseases, dementia and Alzheimer’s, diabetes, road accidents, tuberculosis, and the biggest killer of them all – cardiovascular diseases.
Heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases are responsible for ~647,000 Americans dying every year. And for the lucky few who survive their cardiovascular problems, the treatment costs amount to about $219 billion each year.
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Those statistics become even more dire when we look at the elderly and their main causes of death. Between the ages of 60 and 79, a staggering 70.2% of men and 70.9% of women die from cardiovascular diseases. For people between the age of 40 and 59, those percentages are 40% and 34.4% respectively and for people of ages 80+, it’s 83% for men and 87.1% for women.
The various reasons and causes are well documented but the question remains – what should people do to lower those percentages? Or, maybe a better question would be – what should we stop doing?
We’re going to skip the obvious dietary recommendations. We all know that we should avoid unhealthy fats and processed foods, we should reduce the sodium (salt) we consume, and that we should eat more vegetables and fruits.
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But it’s worth wondering – while we’re working on our dietary preferences, are there some other habits we should deal with as well?
To answer that, here are 5 habits linked to heart attacks that you can easily get rid of:
1. Staying indoors
A lot of the technological marvels and discoveries of the last several decades have turned us into couch potatoes. Not to mention that the current coronavirus pandemic isn’t helping in that regard either. All this has the nasty side-effect of limiting the time we spend outdoors.
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A recent study published in the Current Epidemiology Reports has determined that even just spending time in nature reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and ischemic heart diseases.
So, while spending time home may be fun, staying indoors for too long may be one habit that we should limit.
2. Ignoring our dental hygiene
There has been quite a lot of research pointing to various mouth bacteria contributing to problems elsewhere in our bodies. One such example is an article in the BMJ Journals which shows how high-risk periodontal pathogens can contribute to pathogenesis and atherosclerosis – hardening and narrowing of our arteries.
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From there, the road to a heart attack is quick and painful. So, while we all hate going to the dentist, we shouldn’t be postponing those regular check-ups indefinitely.
3. Not Getting Enough Intimacy
Ok, this may not be an “easy” habit to break but it is crucial. There are lots of reasons why people today are having less sex than before and we won’t go into all of them here. Regardless, it’s a statistical fact that American adults are having less sex than they used to. And that’s a problem not only because sex is enjoyable but because it speaks about people’s deteriorating relationships. It’s also unfortunate because stale sex lives have been connected to heart attacks.
A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology has shown a direct correlation between having sex only once per month or less and increased risk of heart disease and heart attacks. So, easy or not, the stale love life is one bad habit that needs to be ditched.
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4. Skipping breakfast
The Circulation Journal has come up with a review that may surprise some people. It turns out that skipping breakfast leads to a stunning 33% increase in heart disease risks. The reason seems to be that eating smaller but more frequent meals is important for our cardiovascular health and breakfasts are a big part of that.
So, whether it’s a bagel, a protein shake, or some oats, find something healthy to eat at for your first meal of the day.
5. Chronic loneliness
Another habit that may not be too easy to break is being lonely. Isolation and loneliness bring a lot of psychological risks with them that have been well documented already.
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A study on the BMJ Journal also identified loneliness as a cardiac risk factor. Participants in the study who reported lower levels of social relationships had a 29% increased risk of developing heart diseases.
This seems to be the result of many different reasons. Lonely and less socially active people may be less likely to go out and to take part in physical activities. The various psychological factors related to isolation likely also contribute.
Either way, finding a way to limit your isolation and dealing with your loneliness seems to be very important for much more than just your mental health.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-06-07--How Vitamin B Can Help You Go Through Summer Heat Without Breaking a Sweat

With all the problems we ’ ve had so far in 2020 , it ’ s easy to forget that warm days are upon us .
The searing summer heat can seem insignificant compared to all the wars , environmental , and health crises we ’ ve been dealing with , but summer heats do kill , both in the city and in rural areas .
There are many things we can do to prevent heat strokes .
Aside from the usual advice , here we ’ ll mention one vitamin that can help you get through the summer heatwaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B that ’ s found in green leafy vegetables .
According to scientists at Penn State , it can be of great assistance against warm weather as it helps to keep our blood moving .
Why does that matter ?
One of the major problems with summer heatwaves is that they both overheat and dehydrate our bodies .
Having a strong and well-functioning cardiovascular system is crucial for dealing with that .
Unfortunately , not only are cardiovascular problems common in the U.S. , but middle-aged and older people also have trouble dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here is that older blood vessels have problems dilating which slows their circulation .
And since one of the main functions of our blood circulation is to act as a cooling system for our bodies , that can be an issue .
Fortunately , that ’ s exactly what vitamin B folate helps with .
How does it work ?
One of the key benefits of vitamin B folate is that it stimulates the production of an enzyme called tetrahydrobiopterin ( BH4 ) .
That enzyme is crucial for a lot of things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our bodies .
And it ’ s that nitric oxide which helps widen our blood vessels and thus – improve our blood circulation .
“ We know that when older adults are exposed to heat , their bodies are not able to increase skin blood flow to the same extent that young subjects do , and as a consequence , older adults are at a greater risk for cardiovascular events , such as heart attack and stroke , during environmental heat waves , ” says Penn State researcher Anna Stanhewicz .
Anna Stanhewicz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a bigger problem for middle-aged and older people as their bodies produce less nitric oxide .
“ When young , healthy people are exposed to heat , their bodies increase blood flow to the skin , and this increased flow , combined with sweating , helps to cool the body down.
” That ’ s why the Penn State researchers used folate in their studies .
Or , more accurately , they used folic acid which is a synthetic form of folate .
Their study also showed that standard vitamin B can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The bottom line is that folic acid supplementation increased nitric oxide production in older blood vessels , ” Stanhewicz says .
“ In the past , studies conducted in our lab showed that we can increase nitric oxide production , and then consequently reflex skin blood flow , in older adults by giving them an expensive pharmaceutical .
So in this study , we wanted to test that again , but with an inexpensive treatment that might work the same way.
” In their research , Stanhewicz and her colleagues gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great effect .
Still , the Penn State scientists remind us that just taking vitamin B supplements isn ’ t a substitute for a healthy diet .
Ideally , you should still make sure to eat leafy greens every day , as well as to take vitamin B and staying well-hydrated .

With all the problems we’ve had so far in 2020, it’s easy to forget that warm days are upon us. The searing summer heat can seem insignificant compared to all the wars, environmental, and health crises we’ve been dealing with, but summer heats do kill, both in the city and in rural areas.
Advertisement
There are many things we can do to prevent heat strokes. Aside from the usual advice, here we’ll mention one vitamin that can help you get through the summer heatwaves – folate.
Folate is the vitamin B that’s found in green leafy vegetables. According to scientists at Penn State, it can be of great assistance against warm weather as it helps to keep our blood moving.
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Why does that matter?
One of the major problems with summer heatwaves is that they both overheat and dehydrate our bodies. Having a strong and well-functioning cardiovascular system is crucial for dealing with that. Unfortunately, not only are cardiovascular problems common in the U.S., but middle-aged and older people also have trouble dealing with sharp temperature changes.
The reason here is that older blood vessels have problems dilating which slows their circulation. And since one of the main functions of our blood circulation is to act as a cooling system for our bodies, that can be an issue. Fortunately, that’s exactly what vitamin B folate helps with.
How does it work?
One of the key benefits of vitamin B folate is that it stimulates the production of an enzyme called tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). That enzyme is crucial for a lot of things including the production of nitric oxide in our bodies. And it’s that nitric oxide which helps widen our blood vessels and thus – improve our blood circulation.
Advertisement
“We know that when older adults are exposed to heat, their bodies are not able to increase skin blood flow to the same extent that young subjects do, and as a consequence, older adults are at a greater risk for cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, during environmental heat waves,” says Penn State researcher Anna Stanhewicz.
Anna Stanhewicz also goes on to explain that this is a bigger problem for middle-aged and older people as their bodies produce less nitric oxide.
“When young, healthy people are exposed to heat, their bodies increase blood flow to the skin, and this increased flow, combined with sweating, helps to cool the body down.”
Advertisement
That’s why the Penn State researchers used folate in their studies. Or, more accurately, they used folic acid which is a synthetic form of folate. Their study also showed that standard vitamin B can be used to the same effect.
“The bottom line is that folic acid supplementation increased nitric oxide production in older blood vessels,” Stanhewicz says. “In the past, studies conducted in our lab showed that we can increase nitric oxide production, and then consequently reflex skin blood flow, in older adults by giving them an expensive pharmaceutical. So in this study, we wanted to test that again, but with an inexpensive treatment that might work the same way.”
In their research, Stanhewicz and her colleagues gave the participants 5 milligrams of folic acid to a great effect. Still, the Penn State scientists remind us that just taking vitamin B supplements isn’t a substitute for a healthy diet. Ideally, you should still make sure to eat leafy greens every day, as well as to take vitamin B and staying well-hydrated.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-06-11--Top 10 Surgeries That Are “High Risk” The Older You Get

Modern medical science has lots of different ways to help us and treat our problems .
This includes hundreds of different regularly-performed surgeries , each solving a different issue and each – with a different level of risk involved .
Those risks also vary a lot depending on a person ’ s overall health condition .
That ’ s why medical professionals always try their best to assess the individual risks for each patient before surgery .
One of the key risk factors when it comes to most surgeries is one that ’ s unavoidable – age .
The older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start accumulating general wear and tear .
So , while some surgeries are relatively low- or medium-risk for younger people , they can become life-threatening for older patients .
It ’ s precisely those risks that a 2015 study tried to examine .
Published in JAMA Surgery , the study detailed 277 different risk procedures for older adults and examined their outcomes .
The study used admission data for patients 65 years and older from multiple different hospitals .
A total of 4 739 522 patients were examined and 10 procedures were identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adrenalectomy , this procedure centers around the removal of one or both of our adrenal glands .
These glands produce hormones necessary for our day-to-day bodily functions .
However , when tumors start forming in them , an adrenalectomy is often unavoidable .
According to the Cleveland Clinic , recovering from an adrenal gland removal can require between 2 and 6 weeks of recovery time .
The procedure is high-risk as it can lead to blood clots , infections , and high blood pressure .
Called carotid endarterectomy , this surgery removes plaque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person ’ s neck .
A very high-risk procedure , carotid endarterectomy is sometimes necessary as said plaque can obstruct the blood flow to the brain .
This is a preventative procedure against strokes as it removes the very buildup that can cause them .
However , it still runs the risk of causing a clot or a stroke if the buildup was already too much as the National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute points out .
Fortunately , the risks can be mitigated a bit by taking anti-clotting medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our arms can get blocked or narrowed as well , leading to reduced blood flow in the arm .
This procedure is called peripheral vascular bypass surgery and it does more than just clean your arteries .
Here , your arm ’ s artery is replaced with an artery from another part of your body or with a whole new synthetic blood vessel .
The main risk here , outlined by the Summit Medical Group is infection and death .
A similar procedure to the one above , abdominal vein replacements and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to clogged or damaged abdominal veins .
As John Hopkins Medicine points out , the procedure itself can also cause an infection , a pulmonary embolism , and excess bleeding .
Another common vein removal surgery , this one is done to the veins in our legs when they stop functioning properly .
A problem for many people today , this surgery is usually preceded by pain , blood clots , and bleeding .
These can lead to many serious complications which is why doctors will usually recommend a varicose vein removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks too , however , as it can cause nerve damage , infections , and heavy bleeding .
This procedure is received for people with an urgent need for weight management .
The high gastric bypass changes how your stomach and intestines handle food and how much they can take .
As a result , patients start eating less and lose weight very quickly .
It is a high-risk procedure , which is why the patient must meet a myriad of criteria to qualify for it .
The many possible complications from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perforation during the procedure , malnutrition as a result of the lowered food intake , and dumping syndrome – a syndrome in which the food is directly “ dumped ” from the stomach into the small intestine without being digested .
Also known as rectal prolapse surgery , this procedure is done when the patient has trouble controlling their bowel movements ( fecal incontinence ) , experiences stool leakage , or has obstructed bowel movements .
Essentially , proctopexy puts the rectum back in place and removes the irregularities .
Its risks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or worsening of constipation , damage to the nearby nerves and organs , or a narrowing of the anal opening .
This extraction is typically done when a tumor is obstructing the flow of bile in the patient ’ s bile ducts .
The procedure can lead to a series of complications , including jaundice , nausea , or high body temperature .
This is essentially a follow-up to a bladder removal .
The latter is sometimes necessary due to the presence of a cancer , the general dysfunction of the bladder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is essential for urination , urinary reconstruction becomes necessary to enable the patient to urinate without a bladder .
The most common risk from this procedure is urine going back into the kidneys , as well as infections , kidney stones formation , and organ damage .
The ureter is usually damaged due to physical injuries .
This can necessitate a ureter repair .
The possible complications of this surgery can include blood clots , chest pain , and troubles urinating .
What does this mean for you ?
The purpose of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients from undergoing these procedures , of course .
High-risk or not , some procedures still have to be done .
So , the study ’ s authors Margaret L. Schwarze , MD , Amber E. Barnato , MD , and Paul J. Rathouz , PhD still urge patients to always follow the advice of their medical consultant .
The study is simply meant to inform people of how risky each surgery is .
At the very least , this information can guide younger adults about which health problems are especially important to @ @

Modern medical science has lots of different ways to help us and treat our problems. This includes hundreds of different regularly-performed surgeries, each solving a different issue and each – with a different level of risk involved.
Advertisement
Those risks also vary a lot depending on a person’s overall health condition. That’s why medical professionals always try their best to assess the individual risks for each patient before surgery.
One of the key risk factors when it comes to most surgeries is one that’s unavoidable – age. The older we get, the more our bodies start accumulating general wear and tear. So, while some surgeries are relatively low- or medium-risk for younger people, they can become life-threatening for older patients.
Advertisement
It’s precisely those risks that a 2015 study tried to examine. Published in JAMA Surgery, the study detailed 277 different risk procedures for older adults and examined their outcomes.
The study used admission data for patients 65 years and older from multiple different hospitals. A total of 4 739 522 patients were examined and 10 procedures were identified to be especially risky.
1. Adrenal gland removal
Also called adrenalectomy, this procedure centers around the removal of one or both of our adrenal glands. These glands produce hormones necessary for our day-to-day bodily functions. However, when tumors start forming in them, an adrenalectomy is often unavoidable.
Advertisement
According to the Cleveland Clinic, recovering from an adrenal gland removal can require between 2 and 6 weeks of recovery time. The procedure is high-risk as it can lead to blood clots, infections, and high blood pressure.
2. Plaque buildup removal from carotid arteries
Called carotid endarterectomy, this surgery removes plaque buildup from inside the carotid artery on a person’s neck. A very high-risk procedure, carotid endarterectomy is sometimes necessary as said plaque can obstruct the blood flow to the brain.
This is a preventative procedure against strokes as it removes the very buildup that can cause them. However, it still runs the risk of causing a clot or a stroke if the buildup was already too much as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute points out. Fortunately, the risks can be mitigated a bit by taking anti-clotting medicine before and after the surgery.
Advertisement
3. Arm blood vessel replacements
Arteries in our arms can get blocked or narrowed as well, leading to reduced blood flow in the arm. This procedure is called peripheral vascular bypass surgery and it does more than just clean your arteries. Here, your arm’s artery is replaced with an artery from another part of your body or with a whole new synthetic blood vessel. The main risk here, outlined by the Summit Medical Group is infection and death.
4. Abdominal vein resection or replacement
A similar procedure to the one above, abdominal vein replacements and resections are done to avoid health complications due to clogged or damaged abdominal veins. As John Hopkins Medicine points out, the procedure itself can also cause an infection, a pulmonary embolism, and excess bleeding.
5. Varicose vein removal
Another common vein removal surgery, this one is done to the veins in our legs when they stop functioning properly. A problem for many people today, this surgery is usually preceded by pain, blood clots, and bleeding. These can lead to many serious complications which is why doctors will usually recommend a varicose vein removal. The procedure is not without its risks too, however, as it can cause nerve damage, infections, and heavy bleeding.
Advertisement
6. High gastric bypass
This procedure is received for people with an urgent need for weight management. The high gastric bypass changes how your stomach and intestines handle food and how much they can take. As a result, patients start eating less and lose weight very quickly.
It is a high-risk procedure, which is why the patient must meet a myriad of criteria to qualify for it. The many possible complications from a high gastric bypass include stomach or intestine perforation during the procedure, malnutrition as a result of the lowered food intake, and dumping syndrome – a syndrome in which the food is directly “dumped” from the stomach into the small intestine without being digested.
7. Proctopexy
Also known as rectal prolapse surgery, this procedure is done when the patient has trouble controlling their bowel movements (fecal incontinence), experiences stool leakage, or has obstructed bowel movements. Essentially, proctopexy puts the rectum back in place and removes the irregularities.
Advertisement
Its risks, according to the Mayo Clinic involve developing or worsening of constipation, damage to the nearby nerves and organs, or a narrowing of the anal opening.
8. Bile duct extraction
This extraction is typically done when a tumor is obstructing the flow of bile in the patient’s bile ducts. The procedure can lead to a series of complications, including jaundice, nausea, or high body temperature.
9. Urinary reconstruction technique
This is essentially a follow-up to a bladder removal. The latter is sometimes necessary due to the presence of a cancer, the general dysfunction of the bladder, or another reason. As the bladder is essential for urination, urinary reconstruction becomes necessary to enable the patient to urinate without a bladder.
Advertisement
The most common risk from this procedure is urine going back into the kidneys, as well as infections, kidney stones formation, and organ damage.
10. Ureter repair
The ureter is usually damaged due to physical injuries. This can necessitate a ureter repair. The possible complications of this surgery can include blood clots, chest pain, and troubles urinating.
What does this mean for you?
The purpose of the study wasn’t to dissuade older patients from undergoing these procedures, of course. High-risk or not, some procedures still have to be done. So, the study’s authors Margaret L. Schwarze, MD, Amber E. Barnato, MD, and Paul J. Rathouz, PhD still urge patients to always follow the advice of their medical consultant.
Advertisement
The study is simply meant to inform people of how risky each surgery is. At the very least, this information can guide younger adults about which health problems are especially important to avoid.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-06-11--How Covid-19 is Turning ICUs Across America Into “Delirium Factories”

One of the main reasons why Covid-19 is still so misunderstood by the general public is that it often doesn ’ t kill directly but causes additional complications instead .
That ’ s why we often hear people complaining about patients being misdiagnosed .
We hear questions such as “ He died of a stroke , why was he listed as a Covid-19 victim ?
!
” Of course , the medical reasoning is clear – there are always additional factors , and the cause of death is often a secondary complication .
However , Covid-19 is still a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflammation it causes is usually the driving force behind those complications .
What happens to the brain ?
Seizures , strokes , mental confusion and hallucinations , paralysis , and even coma – the list is as long as it ’ s unpleasant to go through .
The virus ’ s tendency to affect the brain has already been well documented .
The immune system can also start damaging the brain in its overreaction to the virus resulting in excessive inflammation .
Why are brain and neurological complications such a major problem ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and neurological problems are highly dangerous and unpleasant , they are very difficult to diagnose .
For example , when doctors suspect a stroke , they usually order an MRI .
However , Covid-19 often makes patients too weak and unstable to get to the MRI scanner .
Another issue is that Covid-19 will contaminate the scanner and might infect other patients and staff members .
“ Our hands are much more tied right now than before the pandemic , ” said Dr. Sherry Chou , an associate professor of critical care medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine .
Another common problem is doctors not being able to test the patients ’ reflexes because they need to be heavily sedated at all times .
“ We may not know if they ’ ve had a stroke , ” said Dr. Kevin Sheth , a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the Yale School of Medicine .
How common are these neurological problems and symptoms ?
A common objection to even just pointing out these neurological issues is that they are exceedingly rare and therefore – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study after study proves otherwise .
One study from Wuhan , China , showed that 36 % of the affected patients had neurological symptoms such as headaches , strokes , insufficient muscle coordination , and drifting in and out of consciousness .
Another study from France observed such symptoms in 84 % of their ( albeit smaller ) test group .
Many of the symptoms also persisted after the patients had recovered from the virus and were discharged from the hospital .
What are doctors doing to deal with these problems ?
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and overworked to have the opportunity to look for newer and more effective solutions .
Nevertheless , innovations are still popping left and right .
For example , New York ’ s Northwell Health has started utilizing a mobile MRI machine for Covid-19 patients .
Dr. Richard Temes , the health system ’ s director of neurocritical care explained that the mobile MRI scanner uses a low-field magnet to be wheeled safely around the hospital .
Yet , procedures such as EEGs or brain electrical activity tests are still worrying the hospital ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right now , we actually don ’ t know enough to say definitely how Covid-19 affects the brain and nervous system , ” said Dr. Sherry Chou .
She is leading an international study on neurological effects of the virus .
“ Until we can answer some of the most fundamental questions , it would be too early to speculate on treatments.
” While testing patients may be complicated , getting data from brain autopsies should be easier , right ?
It turns out that ’ s not the case either .
Lena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the microbial pathogens and immunity department at Rush Medical College in Chicago points out that performing autopsies on Covid-19 victims is quite difficult .
That ’ s because autopsies on Covid-19 patients run the risk of aerosolization of the virus and contamination of the facility .
As a result , pathologists need more specialized facilities and equipment to perform autopsies safely and such facilities and equipment are still in short supply .
Why does all this matter ?
Brain and neurological symptoms and complications are not just unfortunate – they can also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
Dr. Robert Stevens , an associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University points out that many of the most well-known symptoms of Covid-19 are related to the virus invading the brain .
According to a German study , the coronavirus can enter a cell through the molecular getaway ACE-2 receptor .
These receptors are found in multiple organs aside from the lungs , including our brain , which is why Covid-19 is so invasive .
Another study from Japan showed that Covid-19 can even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounds our brains .
It ’ s problems like these that may eventually explain not only the main symptoms that we already understand but some of the more bizarre ones such as the loss of smell and taste in many patients .
These symptoms have also been well-detailed by studies such as this one from May .
They are believed to be caused by neurological complications as well since nasal congestions and inflammations have already been ruled out .
There ’ s also a recent JAMA study which showed how Covid-19 invades the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the loss of smell and taste abnormalities .
Another condition that ’ s linked to Covid-caused neurological problems is “ sleep hypoxia ” .
This condition is characterized by a stark plummeting of the oxygen levels in the brain that ’ s isn ’ t registered by the patient .
According to Temes , most specialists believe the problem is in the brain stem which prevents the brain from signalling when an issue arises .
Another big problem all hospitals face is that even as they are trying their best , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s due to the highly infectious nature of the disease , as well as of how hard it can be to diagnose .
One such tragic yet common example is doctors putting patients into a deep sleep when they are on mechanical ventilators .
Doctors do that to prevent the patients from accidentally pulling the tubes out and killing themselves , said Dr. Pratik Pandharipande , chief of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville , Tennessee .
However , the same sedatives used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , memory problems , and delirium , as explained by Dr. Jaspal Singh , a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Atrium Health in Charlotte , North Carolina .
Many recovered patients have shared their experience of terrifying hallucinations , nightmares , and post-traumatic stress disorder while in the ICU as well as after it .
Problems like these have caused many people to dub ICUs as “ Delirium factories ” .
Some research shows that up to 70 % or 75 % of patients on medical ventilators have reported experiencing delirium and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t realize they ’ re in the hospital , ” Singh said .
“ They don ’ t recognize their family.
” A French study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has estimated that ~33 % of Covid-19 patients also experience “ dysexecutive syndrome ” which is expressed through disorientation , poorly organized movements , and inattention .
Research also shows that delirious patients also have a higher death rate .
Even when they survive , they often require longer hospitalization periods and are at risk of developing long-term disabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on brain health is one of many specialists to point out that delirious patients recover much better when they can interact with their friends and family .
It also helps when they can walk around and orient themselves about their environment .
Because of Covid-19 , however , family members are usually banned from entering hospital grounds and patients are restricted to their beds .
This makes their recoveries much harder .
“ You can decrease the need for some of these drugs just by talking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Fleisher said .
According to him , the rate of delirium can be reduced with as much as 50 % of patients can be allowed to move around and interact more with their relatives .
Another reason why delirium rates are increasing is that many doctors are placing ventilator patients on their stomachs rather than on their backs .
This is called “ a prone position ” and it ’ s done because it ’ s been shown to increase the survival rate of Covid-19 patients .
However , the prone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more delirium .
“ The way we ’ re having to care for patients right now is probably contributing to more mortality and bad outcomes than the virus itself , ” said Dr. Sharon Inouye , a geriatrician at Harvard Medical School and Hebrew SeniorLife , a long-term care facility in Boston .
“ A lot of the things we ’ d like to do are just very difficult .
”

One of the main reasons why Covid-19 is still so misunderstood by the general public is that it often doesn’t kill directly but causes additional complications instead. That’s why we often hear people complaining about patients being misdiagnosed. We hear questions such as “He died of a stroke, why was he listed as a Covid-19 victim?!”
Advertisement
Of course, the medical reasoning is clear – there are always additional factors, and the cause of death is often a secondary complication. However, Covid-19 is still a key part of the problem as the chronic inflammation it causes is usually the driving force behind those complications.
What happens to the brain?
Seizures, strokes, mental confusion and hallucinations, paralysis, and even coma – the list is as long as it’s unpleasant to go through. The virus’s tendency to affect the brain has already been well documented. The immune system can also start damaging the brain in its overreaction to the virus resulting in excessive inflammation.
Advertisement
Why are brain and neurological complications such a major problem?
Aside from the obvious reason that brain and neurological problems are highly dangerous and unpleasant, they are very difficult to diagnose.
For example, when doctors suspect a stroke, they usually order an MRI. However, Covid-19 often makes patients too weak and unstable to get to the MRI scanner. Another issue is that Covid-19 will contaminate the scanner and might infect other patients and staff members.
“Our hands are much more tied right now than before the pandemic,” said Dr. Sherry Chou, an associate professor of critical care medicine, neurology, and neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Advertisement
Another common problem is doctors not being able to test the patients’ reflexes because they need to be heavily sedated at all times.
“We may not know if they’ve had a stroke,” said Dr. Kevin Sheth, a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the Yale School of Medicine.
How common are these neurological problems and symptoms?
A common objection to even just pointing out these neurological issues is that they are exceedingly rare and therefore – aren’t noteworthy. Yet, study after study proves otherwise.
Advertisement
One study from Wuhan, China, showed that 36% of the affected patients had neurological symptoms such as headaches, strokes, insufficient muscle coordination, and drifting in and out of consciousness.
Another study from France observed such symptoms in 84% of their (albeit smaller) test group. Many of the symptoms also persisted after the patients had recovered from the virus and were discharged from the hospital.
What are doctors doing to deal with these problems?
Many hospitals and healthcare centers are too underfunded and overworked to have the opportunity to look for newer and more effective solutions. Nevertheless, innovations are still popping left and right. For example, New York’s Northwell Health has started utilizing a mobile MRI machine for Covid-19 patients.
Advertisement
Dr. Richard Temes, the health system’s director of neurocritical care explained that the mobile MRI scanner uses a low-field magnet to be wheeled safely around the hospital. Yet, procedures such as EEGs or brain electrical activity tests are still worrying the hospital’s staff, Temes added.
“Right now, we actually don’t know enough to say definitely how Covid-19 affects the brain and nervous system,” said Dr. Sherry Chou. She is leading an international study on neurological effects of the virus. “Until we can answer some of the most fundamental questions, it would be too early to speculate on treatments.”
Are brain autopsies helping doctors get a clearer picture?
While testing patients may be complicated, getting data from brain autopsies should be easier, right? It turns out that’s not the case either. Lena Al-Harthi, a professor and the chair of the microbial pathogens and immunity department at Rush Medical College in Chicago points out that performing autopsies on Covid-19 victims is quite difficult.
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That’s because autopsies on Covid-19 patients run the risk of aerosolization of the virus and contamination of the facility. As a result, pathologists need more specialized facilities and equipment to perform autopsies safely and such facilities and equipment are still in short supply.
Why does all this matter?
Brain and neurological symptoms and complications are not just unfortunate – they can also be used for better identification and diagnostics of the disease.
Dr. Robert Stevens, an associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University points out that many of the most well-known symptoms of Covid-19 are related to the virus invading the brain.
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According to a German study, the coronavirus can enter a cell through the molecular getaway ACE-2 receptor. These receptors are found in multiple organs aside from the lungs, including our brain, which is why Covid-19 is so invasive.
Another study from Japan showed that Covid-19 can even be found in the cerebral fluid that surrounds our brains.
It’s problems like these that may eventually explain not only the main symptoms that we already understand but some of the more bizarre ones such as the loss of smell and taste in many patients. These symptoms have also been well-detailed by studies such as this one from May. They are believed to be caused by neurological complications as well since nasal congestions and inflammations have already been ruled out.
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There’s also a recent JAMA study which showed how Covid-19 invades the brain. That study also delved deeper into the loss of smell and taste abnormalities.
Another condition that’s linked to Covid-caused neurological problems is “sleep hypoxia”. This condition is characterized by a stark plummeting of the oxygen levels in the brain that’s isn’t registered by the patient. According to Temes, most specialists believe the problem is in the brain stem which prevents the brain from signalling when an issue arises.
The risk of collateral damage
Another big problem all hospitals face is that even as they are trying their best, their efforts often lead to collateral damage. That’s due to the highly infectious nature of the disease, as well as of how hard it can be to diagnose.
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One such tragic yet common example is doctors putting patients into a deep sleep when they are on mechanical ventilators. Doctors do that to prevent the patients from accidentally pulling the tubes out and killing themselves, said Dr. Pratik Pandharipande, chief of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee.
However, the same sedatives used to induce this deep sleep often cause hallucinations, memory problems, and delirium, as explained by Dr. Jaspal Singh, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. Many recovered patients have shared their experience of terrifying hallucinations, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder while in the ICU as well as after it.
Problems like these have caused many people to dub ICUs as “Delirium factories”.
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Some research shows that up to 70% or 75% of patients on medical ventilators have reported experiencing delirium and hallucinations.
“[They] don’t realize they’re in the hospital,” Singh said. “They don’t recognize their family.”
A French study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has estimated that ~33% of Covid-19 patients also experience “dysexecutive syndrome” which is expressed through disorientation, poorly organized movements, and inattention.
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Research also shows that delirious patients also have a higher death rate. Even when they survive, they often require longer hospitalization periods and are at risk of developing long-term disabilities.
Hospitals’ ban on visitors further complicates things
Dr. Lee Fleisher, chair of an American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on brain health is one of many specialists to point out that delirious patients recover much better when they can interact with their friends and family. It also helps when they can walk around and orient themselves about their environment.
Because of Covid-19, however, family members are usually banned from entering hospital grounds and patients are restricted to their beds. This makes their recoveries much harder.
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“You can decrease the need for some of these drugs just by talking to patients and providing light touch and comfort,” Fleisher said. According to him, the rate of delirium can be reduced with as much as 50% of patients can be allowed to move around and interact more with their relatives.
Another reason why delirium rates are increasing is that many doctors are placing ventilator patients on their stomachs rather than on their backs. This is called “a prone position” and it’s done because it’s been shown to increase the survival rate of Covid-19 patients. However, the prone position also necessitates more medication which leads to more delirium.
“The way we’re having to care for patients right now is probably contributing to more mortality and bad outcomes than the virus itself,” said Dr. Sharon Inouye, a geriatrician at Harvard Medical School and Hebrew SeniorLife, a long-term care facility in Boston. “A lot of the things we’d like to do are just very difficult.”
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dailyhealthpost--2020-06-17--Dexamethasone – An Old Steroid Drug Proves Effective Against Coronavirus

With the infamous hydroxychloroquine drug proving unusable due to health concerns , a new drug is now showing promising results .
Dexamethasone is a cheap , widely available , and a well-known steroid that was recently found to have promising results on Covid-19 patients .
UK experts have determined that the drug can cut the risk of death of patients on ventilators by a third ( from 40 % to 28 % ) and for patients on oxygen – by a fifth ( from 25 % to 20 % ) .
Percentage-wise this may not seem too significant – it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients on ventilators and one out of every twenty-five patients on oxygen .
However , when you consider the incredible numbers of patients ( over 8 million worldwide as of mid-June ) , dexamethasone could have saved thousands in the UK and millions worldwide if used from the start of the pandemic .
The breakthrough discovery was made during the big trial testing Recovery .
The standard use of dexamethasone is to help reduce inflammations due to other conditions such as asthma , arthritis , and certain skin conditions .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , it seems clear , it ’ s also useful against the deadly cytokine storm caused by Covid-19 .
The drug is given either intravenously to intensive care patients or in tablet form to less seriously ill patients .
And the other bit of good news ?
We have stockpiles of it .
As a standard and old steroid drug , dexamethasone is widely-available .
In the UK alone there are 200,000 courses of the drug stockpiled and ready for use .
This has led the British Prime Minister Brosi Johnson to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause for celebrating “ a remarkable British scientific achievement.
” He also added that “ We have taken steps to ensure we have enough supplies , even in the event of a second peak.
” Professor Chris Whitty exclaimed that “ This is the most important trial result for COVID-19 so far .
Significiant reduction in mortality in those requiring oxygen or ventilation from a widely available , safe , and well known drug .
Many thanks to those who took part and made it happen .
It will save lives around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also added that “ This is the only drug so far that has been shown to reduce mortality – and it reduces it significantly .
It ’ s a major breakthrough.
” Lead researcher Prof Martin Landray from the Nuffield Department of Population Health also lauded the positive results of dexamethasone .
“ There is a clear , clear benefit , ” he said .
“ The treatment is up to 10 days of dexamethasone and it costs about £5 per patient .
So essentially it costs £35 to save a life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ available.
” Prof Landray also said that when appropriate , hospitals should give it to Covid-19 patients without delay .
However , experts also point out that people should NOT just go and buy it from pharmacies for personal use .
Not only does dexamethasone seem to be of no help to people with milder symptoms ( no cytokine storm to treat ) but such steroids should always be used with professional supervision regardless .
The same Recovery Trial that proved the effectiveness of dexamethasone also disproved the supposed effectiveness of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also shown that common antiviral drug remdesivir can shorten the recovery time for coronavirus patients .
Remdesivir has also been successfully used to treat Ebola .
Thankfully , that drug has been made available by the NHS and can also be found worldwide .
However , unlike dexamethasone , remdesivir hasn ’ t been shown to reduce the death rate of patients , and it ’ s also a newer , more expensive , and not so widely-available drug .

With the infamous hydroxychloroquine drug proving unusable due to health concerns, a new drug is now showing promising results. Dexamethasone is a cheap, widely available, and a well-known steroid that was recently found to have promising results on Covid-19 patients.
Advertisement
UK experts have determined that the drug can cut the risk of death of patients on ventilators by a third (from 40% to 28%) and for patients on oxygen – by a fifth (from 25% to 20%). Percentage-wise this may not seem too significant – it equals to one out of every eight patients on ventilators and one out of every twenty-five patients on oxygen.
However, when you consider the incredible numbers of patients (over 8 million worldwide as of mid-June), dexamethasone could have saved thousands in the UK and millions worldwide if used from the start of the pandemic.
Advertisement
The breakthrough discovery was made during the big trial testing Recovery. The standard use of dexamethasone is to help reduce inflammations due to other conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and certain skin conditions. It’s been in use since the 1960s. Now, it seems clear, it’s also useful against the deadly cytokine storm caused by Covid-19. The drug is given either intravenously to intensive care patients or in tablet form to less seriously ill patients.
And the other bit of good news? We have stockpiles of it. As a standard and old steroid drug, dexamethasone is widely-available. In the UK alone there are 200,000 courses of the drug stockpiled and ready for use.
This has led the British Prime Minister Brosi Johnson to say that this discovery is a genuine cause for celebrating “a remarkable British scientific achievement.” He also added that “We have taken steps to ensure we have enough supplies, even in the event of a second peak.”
Advertisement
Professor Chris Whitty exclaimed that “This is the most important trial result for COVID-19 so far. Significiant reduction in mortality in those requiring oxygen or ventilation from a widely available, safe, and well known drug. Many thanks to those who took part and made it happen. It will save lives around the world.”
Chief investigator Prof Peter Horby also added that “This is the only drug so far that has been shown to reduce mortality – and it reduces it significantly. It’s a major breakthrough.”
Lead researcher Prof Martin Landray from the Nuffield Department of Population Health also lauded the positive results of dexamethasone.
Advertisement
“There is a clear, clear benefit,” he said. “The treatment is up to 10 days of dexamethasone and it costs about £5 per patient. So essentially it costs £35 to save a life. This is a drug that is globally available.”
Prof Landray also said that when appropriate, hospitals should give it to Covid-19 patients without delay.
However, experts also point out that people should NOT just go and buy it from pharmacies for personal use. Not only does dexamethasone seem to be of no help to people with milder symptoms (no cytokine storm to treat) but such steroids should always be used with professional supervision regardless.
Advertisement
The same Recovery Trial that proved the effectiveness of dexamethasone also disproved the supposed effectiveness of Trump’s favorite hydroxychloroquine. The trial has also shown that common antiviral drug remdesivir can shorten the recovery time for coronavirus patients. Remdesivir has also been successfully used to treat Ebola. Thankfully, that drug has been made available by the NHS and can also be found worldwide. However, unlike dexamethasone, remdesivir hasn’t been shown to reduce the death rate of patients, and it’s also a newer, more expensive, and not so widely-available drug.
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dailyhealthpost--2020-06-19--New Research Shows That Hummingbirds Can See Colors We Can’t Even Imagine

The light spectrum is responsible for a lot of things .
The colors we see are entirely dependant on different wavelengths of light being reflected off of surfaces .
Things we see as “ green ” appear so because they reflect green light and absorb the rest of the visible lights , for example .
It ’ s important to note that what we refer to as “ visible light ” or the “ visible light spectrum ” is only what ’ s visible to us .
There are many other animals , birds , and reptiles that are actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
A recent example of that are hummingbirds which were found to perceive at least five additional colors than what humans can see .
The interesting findings were published in a report in the PNAS journal .
The reason that ’ s possible is that different animals have different eyes .
Our vision , like that of most other primates , is called “ trichromatic ” or “ tri-colored ” .
That ’ s because our eyes use three types of photoreceptor cells ( called “ cones ” ) – blue cones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yellow ) cones .
The difference between us and hummingbirds is that they have four such “ cones ” in their eyes , allowing them to see colors outside of our “ visible light spectrum ” .
Of course , it ’ s difficult for us to imagine what these colors look like to birds .
That ’ s why we call these colors “ non-spectral ” .
As best as we can guess , these colors are likely made out of hues from widely separated parts of the visible spectrum that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maybe they are similar to magenta which is made out of both blue and red wavelengths ?
Most of the colors we can see are made up of blends of “ neighboring ” colors on the spectrum .
Yellow is a mix of red and green , teal is a combination of green and blue , and so on .
In that sense , magenta is one of the rare “ unique ” colors we can see because red and blue are not neighboring colors .
Therefore , the assumption is that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as hummingbirds can see are other such invisible to us combinations of non-neighboring basic colors .
The colors tested by the researchers included combinations of ultraviolet plus green , ultraviolet and yellow , ultraviolet and purple , ultraviolet and red , and purple plus magenta .
All five of these combinations are unrecognizable to the human eye but they seem to have caught the hummingbirds ’ attention .
“ Humans are color-blind compared to birds and many other animals , ” explained Mary Caswell Stoddard , an assistant professor in the Princeton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In her statement she also elaborated that “ Humans have three types of color-sensitive cones in their eyes — attuned to red , green and blue light — but birds have a fourth type , sensitive to ultraviolet light .
“ Not only does having a fourth color cone type extend the range of bird-visible colors into the UV , it potentially allows birds to perceive combination colors like ultraviolet+green and ultraviolet+red — but this has been hard to test.
” The research team from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrive to these findings .
They set up multiple different bird feeders and filled only some of them with sugar water .
Then , they placed LED lights over each of the bird feeders , with each light going off in a different color combination – some “ normal ” , i.e .
in the visible spectrum , and others in non-spectral colors .
Once the wild broad-tailed hummingbirds ( Selasphorus platycercus ) they were working with identified the feeders with sugar water , the scientists started switching things up .
Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bird feeders around while still keeping the corresponding LED lights with them .
The result ?
The hummingbirds kept honing into the “ correct ” lights and finding the full bird feeders without an issue .
This led the RMBL researchers to the conclusion that the birds didn ’ t use their special orientation to find the bird feeders but instead , the “ invisible ” colors provided by the LED lamps .
“ It was amazing to watch , ” said Harold Eyster , co-author of the study and a Ph.D. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The ultraviolet+green light and green light looked identical to us , but the hummingbirds kept correctly choosing the ultraviolet+green light associated with sugar water.
” “ It is impossible to really know how the birds perceive these colors .
Is ultraviolet+red a mix of those colors , or an entirely new color ?
We can only speculate , ” said Ben Hogan , also a co-author of the study and a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton .
Four-coned eyes aren ’ t common to just hummingbirds .
They are also present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fish .
This likely means that they were also the norm for dinosaurs .
Something that ’ s significantly rarer are pentachromacy eyes – these are eyes with five different photoreceptor cells or cones .
Pentachromacy sight allows the user to see even more differing ranges of the wavelight spectrum .
Needless to say , these are even more unimaginable to us .
Pentachromacy is seen in some bird species such as pigeons as well as in butterflies .
Lampreys ( a type of Petromyzontiformes fish are also believed to have pentachromacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more research in that area to be done .

The light spectrum is responsible for a lot of things. The colors we see are entirely dependant on different wavelengths of light being reflected off of surfaces. Things we see as “green” appear so because they reflect green light and absorb the rest of the visible lights, for example.
Advertisement
It’s important to note that what we refer to as “visible light” or the “visible light spectrum” is only what’s visible to us. There are many other animals, birds, and reptiles that are actually able to see more colors than we do. A recent example of that are hummingbirds which were found to perceive at least five additional colors than what humans can see. The interesting findings were published in a report in the PNAS journal.
The reason that’s possible is that different animals have different eyes. Our vision, like that of most other primates, is called “trichromatic” or “tri-colored”. That’s because our eyes use three types of photoreceptor cells (called “cones”) – blue cones, red cones, and green (not yellow) cones. The difference between us and hummingbirds is that they have four such “cones” in their eyes, allowing them to see colors outside of our “visible light spectrum”.
Advertisement
Of course, it’s difficult for us to imagine what these colors look like to birds. That’s why we call these colors “non-spectral”. As best as we can guess, these colors are likely made out of hues from widely separated parts of the visible spectrum that we usually can’t perceive. Maybe they are similar to magenta which is made out of both blue and red wavelengths?
Most of the colors we can see are made up of blends of “neighboring” colors on the spectrum. Yellow is a mix of red and green, teal is a combination of green and blue, and so on. In that sense, magenta is one of the rare “unique” colors we can see because red and blue are not neighboring colors. Therefore, the assumption is that some of the “extra” colors animals such as hummingbirds can see are other such invisible to us combinations of non-neighboring basic colors.
The colors tested by the researchers included combinations of ultraviolet plus green, ultraviolet and yellow, ultraviolet and purple, ultraviolet and red, and purple plus magenta. All five of these combinations are unrecognizable to the human eye but they seem to have caught the hummingbirds’ attention.
Advertisement
“Humans are color-blind compared to birds and many other animals,” explained Mary Caswell Stoddard, an assistant professor in the Princeton University Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. In her statement she also elaborated that “Humans have three types of color-sensitive cones in their eyes — attuned to red, green and blue light — but birds have a fourth type, sensitive to ultraviolet light.
“Not only does having a fourth color cone type extend the range of bird-visible colors into the UV, it potentially allows birds to perceive combination colors like ultraviolet+green and ultraviolet+red — but this has been hard to test.”
The research team from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado had a pretty extensive test to arrive to these findings. They set up multiple different bird feeders and filled only some of them with sugar water. Then, they placed LED lights over each of the bird feeders, with each light going off in a different color combination – some “normal”, i.e. in the visible spectrum, and others in non-spectral colors.
Advertisement
Once the wild broad-tailed hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus) they were working with identified the feeders with sugar water, the scientists started switching things up. Every once in awhile they’d move the bird feeders around while still keeping the corresponding LED lights with them.
The result? The hummingbirds kept honing into the “correct” lights and finding the full bird feeders without an issue. This led the RMBL researchers to the conclusion that the birds didn’t use their special orientation to find the bird feeders but instead, the “invisible” colors provided by the LED lamps.
“It was amazing to watch,” said Harold Eyster, co-author of the study and a Ph.D. student from the University of British Columbia. “The ultraviolet+green light and green light looked identical to us, but the hummingbirds kept correctly choosing the ultraviolet+green light associated with sugar water.”
Advertisement
“It is impossible to really know how the birds perceive these colors. Is ultraviolet+red a mix of those colors, or an entirely new color? We can only speculate,” said Ben Hogan, also a co-author of the study and a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton.
Four-coned eyes aren’t common to just hummingbirds. They are also present in many other birds, reptiles, and fish. This likely means that they were also the norm for dinosaurs.
Something that’s significantly rarer are pentachromacy eyes – these are eyes with five different photoreceptor cells or cones. Pentachromacy sight allows the user to see even more differing ranges of the wavelight spectrum. Needless to say, these are even more unimaginable to us. Pentachromacy is seen in some bird species such as pigeons as well as in butterflies. Lampreys (a type of Petromyzontiformes fish are also believed to have pentachromacy sight but there’s still much more research in that area to be done.
Advertisement
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