Tag: Mind & Body

The Roots of Resilience

Many years ago, I took a class from a woman who was doing her doctoral thesis on the topic of psychological hardiness. She was a nun, but not the black-and-white kind of nun I remember from growing up. This particular nun wore flannel shirts and swore from time to time, but that’s not what I…


New Study Links Phthalates to Cardiovascular Disease

Phthalates are chemical compounds primarily used in plastics. Past research has identified a link between phthalates and cardiovascular disease,1 and a recent study2 has helped to identify at least one mechanism linking phthalate exposure to cardiovascular disease. A review published in 20163 showed that there was a significantly increased risk to cardiovascular disease and infertility…


CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel to Meet on Severe Condition Linked to J&J’s COVID-19 Vaccine

A panel of experts who advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccines is meeting Thursday to discuss updates to a severe condition linked to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. The panel will listen to presentations by CDC officials on thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which U.S. drug regulators say has a “causal…


The Most Important Solar Term of the Year

A solar term is a period of about two weeks and is based on the sun’s position in the zodiac. Solar terms form the traditional Chinese calendar system. The calendar follows the ancient Chinese belief that living in accordance with nature will enable one to live a harmonious life. This article series explores each of…


Bristol Myers Drug Wins First US Approval for Graft Versus Host Disease Prevention

Bristol Myers Squibb Co.’s Orencia on Wednesday became the first drug to win U.S. approval for the prevention of acute Graft versus Host Disease (aGvHD), a potentially fatal complication that could occur after a stem cell transplant. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the drug in combination with certain immunosuppressants for use in…


Ambulance Ramping Times Continue Upward Climb in Australian State

A new audit has revealed that Queensland’s ambulance ramping—the time it takes to transfer patients from an ambulance to the emergency department—has continued climbing “significantly” over the past five years. The audit is the latest report to highlight ongoing problems with the state’s health system, including delays for patients, and mismanagement. “In 2020–21, ambulance lost…


What Is Persimmon Fruit Good For?

It’s too bad Americans aren’t more familiar with persimmons, since its botanical name means “food of the gods.”1 Highly adaptable to various climate conditions,2 those found in larger grocery stores are most likely Japanese persimmons. Persimmon is Japan’s national fruit,3 although it’s said to be native to China4 (American persimmons are mostly ornamental). Persimmon seeds…


FDA Strengthens Warning Over Severe Condition Linked to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine

U.S. drug regulators this week formally strengthened a warning to Americans regarding a severe condition linked to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. Blood clots and low blood platelet levels, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), are now listed as a contradiction, or a medical reason for somebody not to get the shot. “Do not administer” the…


Must We Segregate the Unvaccinated From the Vaccinated?

Governments around the world have encouraged and enforced a new form of segregation based on vaccine status. This is not only dangerously inhumane; there is no scientific basis for this. There seems to be an underlying presumption here that the unvaccinated are unclean (regardless of natural immunity) and their presence will spread disease. What if, however, existing…


3 Menopause Skincare Dos and Don’ts

By 2025, there will be over 1 billion women experiencing menopause in the world, which will be 12% of the entire world population. Most women hit menopause by their 50s. However, changes in the body start to appear earlier than you might think, often many years before a woman officially hits menopause. This time in…