Health
How the hidden epidemic of violence against nurses affects health care
“Violence is just part of the job. Every nurse and health care worker experiences it at some point.” Sentiments like this echo across American hospitals and health care facilities, capturing a disturbing and growing reality. Though Americans think of nursing as the most trusted profession, we often fail to see that… Read
U.S. actions may set polio eradication back, WHO says
The eradication of polio as a global health threat may be delayed unless U.S. funding cuts – potentially totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over several years – are reversed, a senior World Health Organization official has warned. The WHO works with groups such as UNICEF and the Gates Foundation… Read
Selenium is an essential nutrient that may help prevent and treat cancer
Selenium is a nutrient that plays a crucial role in human health, contributing to the thyroid and immune function, DNA repair, and cardiovascular and cognitive health. It acts as an antioxidant – substances that protect cells from unstable molecules that can damage DNA, proteins and cell membranes. It can even… Read
The quest to extend human life is both fascinating and fraught with moral peril
“Who wants to live forever?” Freddie Mercury mournfully asks in Queen’s 1986 song of the same name. The answer: Quite a few people – so much so that life extension has long been a cottage industry. As a physician and scholar in the medical humanities, I’ve found the quest to… Read
CDC layoffs strike deeply at its ability to respond to flu, norovirus, measles outbreaks and other public health emergencies
In just a few short weeks, the Trump administration has brought drastic changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health. Beginning with the removal of websites and key public health datasets in January, the Trump administration has taken actions to dismantle established public health infrastructure as… Read
Many gluten-free foods are high in calories and sugar, low on fiber and protein, and they cost more
U.S. consumers often pay more for gluten-free products, yet these items typically provide less protein and more sugar and calories compared with gluten-containing alternatives. That is the key finding of my new study, published in the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. This study compared gluten-free products with their gluten-containing… Read
What’s the difference between a food allergy and an intolerance?
At one time or another, you’ve probably come across someone who is lactose intolerant and might experience some unpleasant gut symptoms if they have dairy. Maybe it’s you – food intolerances are estimated to affect up to 25% of Australians. Meanwhile, cow’s milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies… Read
Enzymes are the engines of life
Enzymes are molecular machines that carry out the chemical reactions that sustain all life, an ability that has captured the attention of scientists like me. Consider muscle movement. Your body releases a molecule called acetylcholine to trigger your muscle cells to contract. If acetylcholine sticks around for too long, it can… Read
Poor sleep and addiction go hand in hand
A good night’s sleep often sets the stage for a positive day. But for the nearly quarter of American adults struggling with mental illness, a good night’s rest is often elusive. For patients with psychiatric conditions from addiction to mood disorders such as depression, disrupted sleep can often exacerbate symptoms… Read
Nutrition advice is rife with misinformation
The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated a vast landscape of misinformation about many topics, science and health chief among them. Since then, information overload continues unabated, and many people are rightfully confused by an onslaught of conflicting health information. Even expert advice is often contradictory. On top of that, people sometimes deliberately distort research findings to promote… Read
