Who knew experiecing yearly colds could be a good thing?

A new study published in the microbiology journal mBio found that memory B cells immune cells that fight common colds also react to the coronavirus. These memory B cells are responsible for secondary immune responses and can survive in the body for decades. This could give people whose memory B cells are frequently exposed to seasonal colds an advantage in dealing with coronavirus.

Related: COVID Second Wave Is Happening All Over Europe, Except in Sweden

When we looked at blood samples from people who were recovering from COVID-19, it looked like many of them had a pre-existing pool of memory B cells that could recognize SARS-CoV-2 and rapidly produce antibodies that could attack it…”

Dr. Mark Sangster, lead author and research professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Rochester Medical Center

The study had a small sample size, comparing the blood samples of 26 people recovering from mild to moderate COVID-19 to 21 blood samples from healthy donors collected six to ten years ago. One of the components of a key protein in coronaviruses, the Spike protein, remains the same across all coronaviruses, including those that cause the common cold.

Related: Coronavirus Supplement Review

The United States’ response to the coronavirus has mentioned little about the immune system or immune response, choosing instead to focus on external strategies like masks. The CDC page on how to protect yourself and others mentions absolutely nothing about diet or lifestyle changes that could benefit your immune response. In the eyes of the United States government, the only keeping you from contracting coronavirus is your mask – which is patently false and an incredibly limited way of looking at health. You can boost your immune system and improve your body’s natural response to COVID-19 and other viruses. Check out this article.

New research published inJAMA Network Open examined the RAND American Life survey from May and June of 2020 and found that the frequency of alcohol consumption increased from an average of 5.48 drinking days a month to 6.22 days.

We’ve had anecdotal information about people buying and consuming more alcohol, but this is some of the first survey-based information that shows how much alcohol consumption has increased during the pandemic…”

Michael Pollard, lead author of the study and a sociologist at RAND

Related: COVID Second Wave Is Happening All Over Europe, Except in Sweden

Alcohol sales increased dramatically at the beginning of COVID shutdowns in the United States. By the end of April 2020, Nielsen reported that online alcohol sales had increased by 477% from 2019. It’s easy to joke about COVID driving people to drink, but there are real health consequences of increasing alcohol consumption. Women who reported an increase in alcohol consumption also reported a 39% increase in risky behavior and damaged relationships while drunk. The study notes,

These data provide evidence of changes in alcohol use and associated consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to a range of negative physical health associations, excessive alcohol use may lead to or worsen existing mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, which may themselves be increasing during COVID-19.”

Changes in Adult Alcohol Use and Consequences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US

Related: Coronavirus Supplement Review

A new study finds that fructose, a commonly used sweetener, causes intestinal inflammation to worsen. Inflammation in the intestine can lead to Intestinal Bowel Disease (IBD) like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. The study comes from Stony Brook University and tested three different mouse models of IBD.

Our findings provide evidence of a direct link between dietary fructose and IBD and support the concept that high consumption of fructose could worsen disease in people with IBD. This is important because it has the potential to provide guidance on diet choices for IBD patients, something that is currently lacking.”

David Montrose, PhD, of the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

Related: How to Eliminate IBS, IBD, Leaky Gut

The most famous form of fructose in the modern Western diet is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The corn-based sweetener was introduced to the public in the 1970s, and since then it has become a rather controversial ingredient. HFCS provides no nutritional value and has been linked to multiple inflammatory conditions like diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart disease, and others.

This study is part of the growing research into the importance of the gut microbiota and the negative impact of the modern Western diet on that. Many scientists are analyzing the guts of hunter-gathers in comparison to ours and finding our gut microbes have been permanently weakened and altered. Many types of bacteria present in the hunter-gatherer’s gut were completely gone from ours.

The United States is nowhere near herd immunity from COVID-19, according to a new study that analyzed antibody data from more than 28,000 dialysis patients across the United States.

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer than 10% of the US adult population formed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and fewer than 10% of those with antibodies were diagnosed. Public health efforts to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread need to especially target racial and ethnic minority and densely populated communities.”

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a large nationwide sample of patients on dialysis in the USA

Related: COVID Second Wave Is Happening All Over Europe, Except in Sweden

Herd immunity has been put forth as a potential coronavirus management option for the U.S. If that strategy worked, it would be a boon for business, but this study indicates that that level of exposure isn’t happening. Even if it was, scientists are still not sure long antibodies last.

In October, the Mexican government will require warning labels on the front of sugary, processed junk food describing the health risks of choosing these products. The regulation as passed in October of 2019, and now the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Switzerland are asking the country to delay implementing those labels. The U.S. and the E.U. are asking for 2 years, Canada is asking for a year, and Switzerland has not specified a date for the postponement to end. COVID-19 is cited as a reason for the delay. Additionally, the United States delegation questioned Mexico’s new initiative at a World Trade Organization meeting in May, including statements that the new regulations…

…may be more trade restrictive than necessary…” and “may not be based on robust scientific evidence…” and “does not appear to consider relevant international standards…” and “may contribute to consumer confusion….”

U.S. delegation to the WTO, May 2020

Related: Sugar Leads to Depression – World’s First Trial Proves Gut and Brain are Linked (Protocol Included)

Mexico has been dealing with a severe obesity epidemic for over twenty years, a problem that was exacerbated when NAFTA allowed an increased amount of processed junk food to flood the country. Mexico is the most overweight nation in Latin America, where 64% of people have a body mass index of more than 25%, and as of 2016, 10% of the population has diabetes. In 2017, diabetes claimed the lives of twice of 80,000 Mexicans, twice the number of those killed in homicides. Front of package nutritional labels have been endorsed by the World Health Organization, and Mexico plans to also ban cartoon characters targeted at children from junk food.

This is not the first time the United States has aligned itself with the junk food industry in opposition to public health initiatives. The much-criticized NAFTA, which bears responsibility for the increased access to junk food in Mexico, was renegotiated in 2018. In those negotiations, the Office of the United States Trade Representative pushed to keep Mexico and Canada from being able to add labels denoting there was a hazard in consuming a product.

Mexican regulations requiring mandatory labels that describe the health risks of processed foods on the front of processed products are due to be implemented in October, and major governments like the U.S., Canada, and the European Union are now asking Mexico to delay the implementation of the rule.

Reuters obtained information from a Mexican government official who wished to remain anonymous. According to them, the Mexican government intends to continue with its plans.

“We told them there would be no additional time.”

Reuters

The government official also indicated that major food companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Nestle were also asking for the regulations to be delayed.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated guidelines for dental amalgams:

Dental amalgam fillings may release small amounts of mercury in the form of a vapor (gas), depending on the number and age of existing fillings, and actions such as tooth grinding and gum chewing. When a new amalgam filling is placed or an old filling is removed, patients and healthcare providers may experience a temporary increase in exposure to mercury vapor. While there are no known health risks associated with ingestion (swallowing) of small particles of dental amalgam, inhaling (breathing in) mercury vapors may be harmful in certain patients.

In general, people with multiple dental amalgam fillings may have slightly higher mercury levels in their blood or urine, however, they usually remain at a level considered safe. Studies on people with dental amalgam do not show conclusive evidence that dental amalgam causes harmful health effects in the general population.

FDA

The FDA goes on to state that certain people, “including women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant, nursing mothers, children (especially those under the age of six), people with a known allergy to mercury, and people with a neurological impairment or kidney dysfunction,” could be more susceptible to damage caused by dental amalgam. They recommend that anyone who is of the “high-risk populations identified” should avoid dental amalgam “if possible and appropriate.”

Related: Heal Cavities, Gum Disease, Naturally with Organic Oral Care – Toothpaste recipes included

The FDA says that groups with greater risk for potential harmful health effects of mercury vapor include:

• People with known heightened sensitivity (allergies) to mercury or other components of dental amalgams
• People with pre-existing neurological conditions
• Pregnant women and developing fetuses
• Nursing women and their babies
• Children, especially younger than six years
• People with poor kidney health

Sources:

1. Information for Patients About Dental Amalgam Fillings – FDA
2. Breaking: FDA Acknowledges Amalgam Fillings Potential Harm for Pregnant Women & Children – Health Nut News

The secretary of California Health and Human Services, Dr. Mark Ghaly, announced on Friday that the state of California will be forming an independent review board to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine data.

We think it is an appropriate approach to take, especially because things are moving so quickly. We want to make sure — despite the urge and interest in having a useful vaccine — that we do it with the utmost safety of Californians in mind.”

Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of CA Health and Human Services

Related: Natural Coronavirus Prevention

California is not the only state or jurisdiction saying they will independently analyze coronavirus vaccines. Others include Colorado, the District of Columbia, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and West Virginia. Montana and Wyoming have said they would only administer vaccines if they had completed clinical trials and had been reviewed by an outside committee.

Confidence in the coronavirus vaccine has been steadily waning as government timelines continue to waver. President Trump has consistently promised that the vaccine will be ready before the election and all Americans will be vaccinated by April, while the director of the CDC, Dr. Robert Redfield, maintains that widespread vaccination will not be achieved until the third quarter of 2021. According to a new survey from the Pew Research Center, only 51% of Americans would probably get the vaccine as opposed to the 72% that would give the same answer in May.