Antibiotics Can Cause Severe Allergic Reactions In Surgery
Antibiotics are the main cause of life-threatening allergic reactions during surgery, states a new study. Researchers found that more patients are claiming to be allergic to penicillin, leading to other riskier antibiotics being used. Anaphylaxis in the operating theatre is a life-threatening reaction to a drug that happens without warning; in extreme cases, it rapidly progresses to cardiac arrest or even death. Previously it was thought that muscle relaxant was the main culprit, but the new report has found that nearly half of all anaphylaxis cases were caused by antibiotics administered to prevent surgical infections. Teicoplanin was found to be the antibiotic with the highest risk of anaphylaxis; it is regularly used for patients who say they are allergic to penicillin.
Eat Dark Chocolates To Reduce Stress
Consumption of dark chocolates might just provide a required health boost, says a new study. It found that eating dark chocolate, which has a high concentration of cacao, has positive effects on stress levels, inflammation, mood, memory and immunity. While it is well known that cacao is a major source of flavonoids (a group of plant chemicals), this is the first time its effect has been studied to determine how it can support cognitive, endocrine and cardiovascular health in humans. The flavonoids found in cacao are extremely potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, with known mechanisms beneficial for brain and cardiovascular health. The study showed that this super food of 70 percent cacao enhances neuroplasticity (brain plasticity) for behavioral and brain health benefits.
Fasting Boosts Stem Cells’ Regenerative Capacity
Age-related loss of stem cell function can be reversed by a 24-hour fast, according to a new study from biologists. It is common for intestinal stem cells to lose their ability to regenerate as people age. These stem cells are the source for all new intestinal cells, which means this decline can make it more difficult to recover from gastrointestinal infections or other conditions that affect the intestine. Researchers found that fasting dramatically improves stem cells’ ability to regenerate, in both aged and young mice. In fasting mice, cells begin breaking down fatty acids instead of glucose, a change that stimulates the stem cells to become more regenerative. The researchers found that they could also boost regeneration with a molecule that activates the same metabolic switch.
Exercise Can Keep The Heart Young?
There is a strong link between exercise and the heart’s ability to regenerate new muscle cells under normal conditions and after a heart attack, states a new study. Researchers used two groups of healthy mice to test the effects of exercise on the heart. One group of mice had voluntary access to a treadmill, while the other group did not and remained sedentary. The mice with access to the treadmill ran around 5kms each day. The scientists were able to measure heart regeneration in the mice by tracking the newly made DNA as the cells divided. The team reported that the mice that used the treadmill produced more than four and half times the amount of new heart muscle cells than those without access to a treadmill.
