Health through Science

The gut microbiome consists of multiple microorganisms, like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that live in the human gastrointestinal tract, mostly in your large intestine. They are important to us due to their role in digestion, metabolism, our immune systems, etc. The microbiome is responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates, producing different kinds of vitamins that our body cannot synthesize, helping us absorb different nutrients and protecting us against harmful pathogens. Based on how well our body performs in these functions, we can be less likely to develop diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and prevent illnesses like depression and anxiety. New emerging research in animals and humans shows there may be a ‘gut-brain axis’ in our body that functions like a bidirectional communication network between your brain and your intestinal microbiome. Simplified, it means that if you eat well, you’ll feel well and if you feel well, you’ll eat well. The gut microbi...

Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat, which has extremely negative impacts on one’s health. Obesity is characterized by a high body mass index (Above 30 units (calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters)). It is caused by an imbalance between the number of calories one consumes and the number of calories their body needs to burn through metabolism and physical activities. A high calorie diet, especially one with unhealthy and processed foods, paired with a lack of physical activity and genetic factors can lead to obesity. But how does obesity, relate to cancer? Cancer, is a group of diseases involving the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal, malfunctioning cells of the body. These abnormal cells tend to form a mass called a tumor. It is typically caused by genetic factors, environmental factors (exposure to UV light) and mainly due to lifestyle factors (poor dietary choices, lack of physical activity, and lack of sleep). The...

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that significantly increases the risk of heart disease. Diabetes and heart disease involves lots of mechanisms that are usually attributed to the chronic elevated sugar levels in your bloodstream. Diabetes increases blood sugar levels in the blood, typically attributed to insulin resistance or lack of insulin production.  High blood glucose levels damage the lining of your blood vessels (endothelium) through a chemical process called glycation. This process causes a lack of nitric oxide production (a crucial compound for ideal heart health) and reduced vasodilation (causing high blood pressure and development of blood vessel tears which lead to clots). This causes atherosclerosis (forming of plaque in your arteries) sometimes called atherogenesis.  Diabetes is also a cause of chronic inflammation, which translates to high levels of inflammatory molecules like cytokines (agents of cells which activate your body's immune system) and C-re...