Gallo’s team has now discovered that injury stimulates skin cells called keratinocytes, which surround the wound, to increase the production of vitamin D3 and that this in turn increases the expression of genes (CD14 and TLR2) that detect microbes. These genes, together with active vitamin D3, called 1,25D3, then lead to more cathelicidin. In both mice and humans, a deficiency in cathelicidin allows infections to develop more readily.

Thus, a deficiency in active D3 may compromise the body’s innate immune system, thus making one more vulnerable to microbial infection. The researchers are beginning clinical trials at UCSD Medical Center with both oral and topical vitamin D3 to determine if vitamin D3 can improve natural immune defenses in healthy volunteers as well as in patients with disorders in antimicrobial peptide production.

Post from: Blisstree

Vitamin D3 Protects Skin Wounds from Infection

Where to go if…

… you have the flu? Grace at FluPatrol itemizes which helps and which don’t, and tells us that chicken soup does work wonders when you have flu or colds.

… you’re ready to shift your baby to solids? Angela at Breastfeeding123 discusses all you have to know when starting your baby on solid foods.

… you’re craving for something vegetarian? Julie at VeggieChic gives us a quick recipe (and a link to a more complicated one) for a vegetarian “chicken soup”.

… you’re in London looking for someone you can discuss science with? Hsien at Genetics and Health found a gem of a waiter, and a satisfying conversation over poached eggs.

… you’re a teetotaler? Can you eat dishes and desserts cooked with sherry or brandy? Mark at A Dozen Steps says that in a lot of cases, quite a bit of alcohol is retained even after heating or flaming.

… you want to prepare something good for the heart? Hsien at A Hearty Life lists 5 resources where you can find heart-healthy recipes for inspiration.

… you’re taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s disease? Mary Emma at Alzheimer Notes tells us what it’s like eating and having tea-parties with an AD patient.

… you’re curious about diets that can treat autism? Kristina at AutismVox discusses and issues a caveat pertaining to claims that low oxalate diets can help treat autism.

… want to keep healthy despite the December rush? Heather at Lively Women urges you not to skip meals and eat nutrient dense/high energy foods. Afterall it’s not fun welcoming the coming year while on the sickbed.

… you want to know a scientific method of making pizza. Tris at the Homely Scientist, gives you a blow by blow account of the microbiological and chemical reactions when you bake a pizza crust.

… coping with chronic fatigue? Laura at CFS Squared recommends the BRAT diet for those who have food intolerances.

Post from: Blisstree

The Buffet Is Open: b5media’s Science and Health Channel Theme Day Focuses on Food

Our digestive tracts (or other parts of our body, for that matter) are full of microorganisms. Not all of them are bad and cause disease. In fact, some of them are beneficial. In contrast to antibiotics which we take to kill the disease-causing bugs, probiotics are composed of microorganisms that help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. By competing for space and nutrients, these “good” bacteria can inhibit the growth and/or activity of the “bad” bugs. For probiotics to be able to weild their power, though, they must reach the destination (usually, the gut) alive, and in significant numbers.

Most probiotic bacteria are sold as components of dairy products (Danone, Nestle and Yakult are some of the most popular brands), although capsules and tablets containing freeze-dried probiotic bacteria are also available in the market. And though there are many microorganisms involved in the production of probiotic dairy products, those which have probiotic activity belong to the Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium genera.

There have been many health benefits attributed to probiotics, some with more scientific backing than others. Do you need to consume probiotic products? Are probiotics safe? The US Probiotics FAQ webpage has a good primer about probiotics and will answer most of these questions. For specific health benefits, we’ll tackle them one by one in the succeeding posts.

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What are Probiotics?