Ever hear of Hippocratic Corpus? Probably not, so let us explain. Hippocratic Corpus AKA Hippocratic Collection is a collection of medical essays attributed to the great Greek physician of antiquity – Hippocrates!
Born around 460 BC on the Greek island Cos, he led medicine away into an era of observation and diagnosis and attributing people’s illnesses to be naturally occurring, and was the result of a number of external factors; such as environmental factors, diet, and lifestyle choices.
Twelfth-century Byzantine manuscript the Hippocratic Oath written in the form of a cross
His documents outline discussions within a variety of fields of medicine, including attending to numerous illnesses, as well as detailing theories of medicine via his observations. Hippocrates was also akin to helping people who are ill in an ethical manner; hence, the Hippocratic Oath was born and is the oath that physicians still take today. In a nutshell, western society’s ethical practice of medicine is greatly attributed to this Greek doctor and his writings of Hippocratic Corpus.
Before Hippocrates
Ancient medicine was prescribed to the belief that diseases were caused by superstitions and gods, and there was the Greek god of medicine – Asclepius, who was one of the sons of Apollo. The snake that is entwined along the staff remains a symbol of modern medicine. It is called The Rod of Asclepius. You may have seen an illustration of this staff in medical publications and/or hospitals.
Hippocrates, often called the “father of medicine,” took a different approach.
With that said, it is important to recognize that Hippocratic medicine and its philosophies are far removed from modern medicine and largely inaccurate. During his time, the Greek taboo forbade the dissection of humans, and as such, Greek doctors at the time knew next to nothing about human anatomy. It was difficult, if not impossible, to determine when diseases materialized and how to diagnose the symptoms of a virus.
Asclepius – Greek God of Medicine. Wikimedia
Despite the many aspects of Hippocratic medicine that did not stand the test of time, one of his greatest contributions was his dedication to observation and documentation. Not only would he and his followers take careful, regular notes, but also extended clinical observations into family history and environment. These records were recorded in a clear, objective manner so they could be passed down and used by other physicians.
Because few documents have survived, it can be difficult to pinpoint what is fact and what is reverential storytelling. For instance, while the Hippocratic Oath is attributed to Hippocrates, new information shows it may actually have been written after his death.
Unfortunately, after his death, little improvements were made to the practice of medicine as many considered his teachings too great to be altered; however, his name remains in the healthcare field and is so labeled “The Hippocratic Oath”.
“Surgical instruments of the 16th and 17th centuries.” is licensed under CC BY 4.0
You should be glad you don’t live in the days of antiquity when it comes to healthcare. One can only imagine what techniques they had to use.
Let’s just say you wouldn’t want to get a toothache or your tonsils taken out during this period. Take a look at the photo on the left and you get the idea!
So now we’ll take a look at what people utilized (and some are still used today) to help people with medical problems back in the day.
Ancient Egypt
One of the first civilizations to deviate from the ‘medicine men’ and seek actual ‘doctors’ that could help those who were ailing was the Egyptians. Although they were referred to as doctors (Egyptians who specialized in healing human illnesses), they concentrated mainly on potions to cure their illnesses.
Information related to Egyptian physicians dates back as far as 2600 BC when King Zozer had a doctor who was very well respected and Iraj, who was the physician to the court of pharaohs around 1500 BC.
Papyrus Ebers is an Egyptian medical scroll dating to circa 1550 BC
During this time period, these potion doctors gradually began to develop an understanding of the human body and began more detailed and thorough research.
Archeologists were able to assemble this information via hieroglyphics and papyrus writings, which are documents that were created from papyrus plants.
One of the most intriguing discoveries was the Papyrus Ebers. An Egyptian medical manuscript of herbal knowledge that was written entirely on papyrus paper and dates back to 1550 BC. It contains much information regarding the Egyptian interpretation of the anatomy of the human body.
Although Egyptians could be considered the original civilization to take knowledge of the human body, they still believed that many of the diseases were from spirits.
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is the period in Europe that followed the collapse of Roman civilization in the 5th century up to the period of the Renaissance, beginning around the 13th century.
Scholars have researched historical artifacts of how doctors cared for their patients during this period and the instruments they used were crude to say the least. Below are two tools that were used during this time to help the physically ill.
Bullet Extractor
This tool was used to remove bullets or other objects that were inserted into the body due to accident or intentionally from firearms. As these types of ballistic weapons were becoming more popular to fight wars, medical doctors were working feverishly to find ways to help the wounded.
The extractor was a rod with a turn screw that could be adjusted to size in order to capture and clasp the bullet and pull it out.
Arrow Remover
This was designed with a similar extraction method as the bullet extractor but used to remove arrows. There is not a lot of information from research done for this device, but no doubt it was created before the bullet extractor was.
Medical Equipment of the 18th Century
The ‘Antique Brass Nursing Breast Shield’ was a unique device used to cover the breasts of a nursing mother in order to protect her breast and nipples from inflammation and/or soreness.
When there was no other choice but to remove a limb, the ‘Amputation Knife’ was the primary tool that was used. Of course, with today’s medical technology, the whole process of amputation would probably be avoided, but not in the 1700s where many more diseases were prominent among the population.
The practice was to remove the infected limb with this knife and then leave a part of the remaining skin to cover the wound.
For operations, a slightly more sophisticated tool called ‘The Scarificator’ was used. It had 14 blades under the tool’s surface and when brought to the patient, the blades would release to open the skin and the medical procedure would begin.
Medical Equipment of the Early 20th Century
Old forceps and medical scissors in a steel tray
The 20th century witnessed a revolution of advanced medical technology, not to mention it was a time that was benefiting from the industrial revolution.
Advances not only in medicine but in math, physics, engineering, and electronics began to materialize. This took society out of the ‘dark ages’, especially in the medical field, and allowed us to live more comfortably and be able to survive through more ethical and less painful medical procedures.
But in the early years of the century, old 19th century and even 18th-century techniques and equipment were still being used. Some of these procedures and equipment are mentioned below.
For those with external hemorrhoid problems, this 1900 device called hemorrhoid forceps was the medical tool of choice. It was used to damage the hemorrhoidal tissue so that it would not return. Internal hemorrhoids required a more coarse method of hooks and scissors.
Dr. Dettweiler, a physician in the 1910 time period developed a PocketSpittoon used for patients who had coughing issues. They would spit into the jar and were used by Dr. Dettweiler to research tuberculosis with the hope of containing the spread of this contagious disease.
Large Glass Syringe
In the 1920s, we saw a device that was used to remove defective veins. It was called Allen and Hanburys Varicose Vein Strippers and consisted of a flexible wire that would be moved up the vein. Then the vein was removed by pulling on the other end of the wire. Not a very classy method of operation, indeed.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues around the world, global public health authorities are closely monitoring the coronavirus mutations.
Even though quite a few variants are circulating worldwide, there are a few variants of concern that have shown increased transmissibility and risk of more severe infections. Perhaps, the most worrisome of all variant concerns is the delta variant. This post looks at why the delta variant is one of the most worrisome coronavirus strains.
Coronavirus Mutations
Viruses are constantly changing form. They mutate to adapt and survive. As a result, variants emerge which have one or more strains that are different from others. Global health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the CDC closely monitor these variants to find out how they vary in terms of characteristics.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the coronavirus has changed several forms and has had several variants. The health authorities have classified them into three categories;
Variants of interest – Variants that may differ in characteristics but are not widely prevalent in the general population.
Variants of Concern – Variants that have higher transmissibility and risk of more severe infection.
Variants of High Consequence – variants that are resistant to vaccines and available treatment.
So far, there are no variants of high consequence, however, there is one that is concerning, and is responsible for the recent upsurges in the number of cases worldwide. This is the delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2.
The Delta Variant
Microscopic view of the COVID virus. Pixaby.
This virus mutation is one of the most worrisome strains of COVID-19 because it can spread more easily. The strain has mutations on the spike protein, which make it easier for the virus to infect human cells. So, individuals infected with this variant are more contagious.
Research suggests that this variant is around 50% more contagious than the Alpha variant, the strain that was first identified in the U.K. Note that the alpha, which was the first variant also known as B.1.1.7, was already 50% more contagious than the novel coronavirus first identified in China in December 2019.
According to statistics, a person infected with the delta variant will likely infect three to four individuals on average. The average was as low as one or two individuals with the original coronavirus strain, but the Delta variant is considered dangerous because it may be able to escape the protection of the COVID-19 vaccines. The average infection per day for this mutation is 24,000.
Recent data from the UK suggests that the Delta variant can cause headaches, sore throat, runny noses, and possibly a fever and a cough, even if you are fully vaccinated, but the possibility of having severe responses to this variant appears to be much lower than it predecessors, especially if you have been vaccinated.
According to a recent study in Israel, the chances are 64% effective at preventing infection but 93% at preventing serious illness and hospitalization after receiving both doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Delta Plus – A Sub-Variant
Another reason why the Delta variant is one of the most worrisome strains is that it also has a sub-variant known as Delta Plus, also known as B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1. This particular coronavirus strain allows it to attack the lung cells more strongly and may also escape the protection offered by the vaccine.
The sub-variant is considered to be the variant of the coronavirus strain that was responsible for the recent wave of COVID-19 in India. While the Indian health authorities have already classified it as a variant of concern, the WHO and CDC do not consider it as a variant of concern.
The Symptoms Caused by Delta Variant
Some of the symptoms caused by the Delta variant are quite similar to the symptoms caused by the original coronavirus strain which include the following:
Persistent cough
Headache
Fever
Sore throat
However, according to studies, there are a few symptoms that are different from the original coronavirus strain. Unlike the original coronavirus strain, loss of sense of taste and smell is less common among individuals infected with the Delta variant. Moreover, headaches and runny noses seem to be more common.
Current Delta Variant Situation in the U.S.
The Delta variant has been identified in 50 states in the U.S. If you look at the new cases, the Delta variant accounts for more than 50% of new infections in the U.S. on average with some states reporting as many as 80% cases due to the Delta variant. Some of the potentially high-risk states include Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Additionally, in some parts of the world, where the number of new cases is increasing, the authorities are resorting back to measures that were initially enforced to curtail the spread of COVID-19. Countries such as Australia, South Africa, and Bangladesh have already enforced lockdowns and curfew while several other countries are placing travel restrictions and quarantine measures. In all, authorities are directing efforts to curtail the spread of the virus and reduce the transmission as the virus only mutates when it spreads to a larger part of the population.
As of now, no one is exactly sure how the Delta variant will affect the U.S. population since more than 50% of Americans have already received the vaccine.
Keeping your hands clean with soap or sanitizer is one of the best protections against spreading the COVID virus
The best precautions against this variant, as well as all the others, are the same as before, although some may think this is overkill at this point in time; however, these precautions are still the best defense after the vaccines: Stay away from potentially crowded areas, wash hands frequently, wear masks, eat healthily, take vitamins that help boost your immune system, and exercise.
Depending upon the state and county/city that you are in, whether you have been vaccinated or not, these precautions may be enhanced or reduced, but in a nutshell, just be careful!
For those who are not deficient in vitamins, eating healthy foods is one of the best ways to go
If you’ve been reading ourdiet and health articles, you have seen what good nutrition can do for you, so let’s extend these benefits by discussing some healthy meals for maintaining our natural well-being.
Here are some meals that cover some of the most nutritional items on the planet.
Breakfast
. 1. Mixed Greens with Tomatoes, Whole Grains, and Turmeric with a Touch of Light Dressing
Photo: SS
Many of you are concerned about gaining weight, but this dish is a dieter’s dream. Packed with essential nutrients your body will love but low on calories.
Granola: Loaded with fiber which helps to avoid weight gain, but read the labels! Some food items that offer granola may be high in calories, such as cereal.. With that said, this is a nutrient-packed food and contains oats, whole grains, protein, iron, vitamin D, folate, and zinc.
Tomatoes: They say eating green vegetables are some of the healthiest veggies you can eat, but red ones are too! Enter Tomatoes, which contain a nice supply of antioxidants through the hydrocarbon lycopene. Hydrocarbon is a chemical element that contains carbon and hydrogen. Lycopene has been known to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. So instead of just sticking with greens, get colorful!
Turmeric – a plant that contains curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory effects and a strong supply of antioxidants. Because of its abundance of curcumin, turmeric can fight off indigestion, abdominal bloating, and loss of appetite. The end result is that if you want to keep your immune system strong, add this healthy plant to your diet. Recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, it is suggested to take 400 to 600 milligrams of turmeric three times daily to help with inflammation relief.
2. Bowl of Whole Wheat Cereal with Strawberries, Blueberries, and Garonla Chips
Photo by SS
Here we keep our granola but substituted the veggies with fruits. Berries to be exact. We discuss the benefits of berries below in our lunch menu, so we won’t repeat it here.
Just know that you are adding in some great nutrients when you have fruit, any fruit! The more colorful, the more nutritious. That goes for veggies too!
Lunch .
3. Egg Salad, Strawberries, and Blueberries
Photo by SS
Eggs: We won’t fool you. A portion of eggs are high in cholesterol, but in 2000, the American Heart Association made the determination that healthy adults can enjoy them once per day, but they still warn that it shouldn’t surpass the total daily cholesterol limit of 300 mg; however, but there are many healthy ingredients in these chicken delights that can override this negative.
Packed with protein, lutein, choline, and B vitamins, they are good for your body overall. If eating eggs concerns you or if you have cholesterol or heart issues, talk to your doctor about eggs and if you get the go-ahead, dig in!
What can we say about this tasty fruit? Known as a superfood, blueberries are loaded with antioxidants, which fight off those nasty and unhealthy free radicals.
As a matter of fact, blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity of just about every other fruit and vegetable out there. Studies have shown they may help prevent heart disease, diminish brain diseases and help with anxiety.
Strawberries: These red delights contain two grams of fiber which improves your digestive health and as with blueberries, they fight oxidative stress which reduces our risk of acquiring illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
Dinner
4. Turmeric Salmon with Beats, Sweet Potatoes, Guacamole, and Kale
Salmon is one of the healthiest foods you can eat! Photo: Graphic Stock
Salmon: This superfood is known to be one of the healthiest foods around because of its rich set of Omega-3 fatty acids. This nutritious fish also assists in maintaining eye and brain health. It defends against such illnesses as Alzheimer’s disease and helps drive back depression. Eating salmon three times a week can help you maintain your health, especially if you are in your senior years.
Beats come from the beetroot plant and contain essential nutrients such as iron and vitamin C.
Sweet potatoes are great for depression and anxiety. This vegetable also helps to regulate blood pressure and contains potassium, a needed macromineral for our body, as well as magnesium, which supports the immune system, among many other health benefits.
Guacamole: You can’t go wrong with this fruit! Yes, it’s a fruit and comes from the avocado tree. It is loaded with some essential health ingredients. Here’s the rundown of guac’s benefits: Vitamins K, C, B5, B6, and E. It also contains potassium and folate.
Kale: This hearty appetizer contains all the vitamins in guacamole as well as manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, and magnesium. All great nutritional benefits!
Add some more turmeric and you’ve got one free-radical killing machine!
Summary
The mix and match of healthy food variants are endless. It is up to your imagination how you’d like to use them. One tip is to have an assortment of different fruits and vegetables each day. The more colorful your assortments, the more the variety of nutrients that will be available, so choose our selection or change them around, but whatever food you chose, you know your body will thank you, so jump right in and enjoy!
Similar to our discussion in Medical treatments of Antiquity, proving medicine during these periods was just as crude. Let’s take a look back as to what drugs were used to “cure” people with health ailments.
Salicylic Acid
Biochemist writes Synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid concept.
Salicylic acid belongs to a class that falls into the category of drugs known as salicylates, which are natural chemicals found in plants, as well as fruits and vegetables. It is mother nature’s way of protecting plants from disease and insects.
Popular among the Native Americans, specifically the Cherokees, Salicylic acid was used to help people who had a fever, pain relievers, and related illnesses. It was not the plant itself, but the bark of the plant that was used.
Salicylic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid and is also found in plants in Europe. In the middle of the 19th century, Europeans mass-produced salicylic acid for use as a painkiller. It was considered the predecessor to modern-day aspirin and it is most popular today to decrease redness and swelling on the skin, which subsequently helps remove pimples.
Arsenic
Despite it being a powder of death, arsenic was used in the Victorian era as a beauty cream. It has also been known to be used by the Chinese for medical purposes, but arsenic is a clear white odorless powder. Not the most effective treatments for facial creams or anything else for that matter.
Quinine
Quinine has been used by the Chinese for centuries for malaria but has some side effects, such as headache, ringing in the ears, eyesight issues, and sweating. It can also cause you to get sunburnt more easily. Additional side effects may include deafness, low blood platelets, and a possible irregular heartbeat. Studies on pregnancies are so far been inconclusive.
Snake Oil became a popular remedy for sore aches and pains. Originally used by the Chinese when they immigrated to America to work on the railroad and then used by the citizens as well.
During this time, the Choctaw Native Americans were also using snake oil for medical reasons. This ‘remedy’ stayed popular all the way up to the early 20th century.
Antiseptics
The Listerine name came from Joseph Lister, a 19th-century English physician who used antiseptics during surgery.
Lister’s son marketed the product and then Jordan Lambert, the co-founder of the Warner-Lambert drug firm started selling it in the late 1800s.
Targeted as a mouthwash for sale in 1915, thousands purchased it mainly to rid themselves of bad breath.
Syringes
One of the first syringes to be used were all glass syringes and a pioneer in researching the manufacture of this device was Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), founded in 1897 by Maxwell W. Becton and Fairleigh S. Dickinson and the company is around with nearly 30,000 employees in over 50 countries. They were also a pioneer in the manufacture of hypodermic needles.
In 1924, Becton, Dickinson produced a syringe designed specifically for insulin injection. In 1924, they introduced the BD Yale Luer-Lok Syringe, (see below), designed by Fairleigh Dickinson, Sr. The Luer-Lok provided a simple method of attaching and removing the needle to and from the syringe. Now called ‘Luer Lock’ connectors, they remain the standard for syringes in the U.S.
Vapo-Cresolene Vaporizer
“Vaporizer, New York, United States, 1880-1893 (vaporizer)” is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Coal tar is a mixture used to make coal into gas. This ingredient was used extensively in the late 19th century for all kinds of products, including ointments, shampoos, and medicines. One popular product that entered the market in 1879 was “Vapo-Cresolene”, which was used as a vaporizer to cure respiratory diseases; such as pneumonia, whooping cough, and diphtheria, as well as a host of other ailments. It came with a lamp that was used to heat the liquid cresol with an open flame.
In 1908, studies from the American Medical Association disputed these claims, but nevertheless, the product continued to be sold anyway up to the 1950s.
Interesting are the instructions shown in the image above and rewritten below:
“Fill the lamp with the best Kerosene (Petroleum) Oil obtainable. Alcohol will explode the lamp if used in it. Light the lamp allowing as large a flame as possible; but care be taken for the first fifteen minutes to see that it does not smoke. Place the lamp under the Vaporizor. Place the Vaporizor in a tin or crockery dish to guard against overturning, and set the same on a table near the bed, but out of reach of small children. Lastly, fill the movable cup with Cresolene. Tarry sediment remaining in the cup may be removed with alcohol. “Cresolene should be vaporized in a bedroom of ordinary size and the doors and windows should be kept closed while the Vaporizor is in use. In oppressive weather a window may be open for ventilation. The most convenient time to use the Vaporizor is at night. The cup full of Cresolene is generally sufficient for a night’s treatment. The most delicate child or person in good health experiences no injury. Large doses of whisky, vinegar, Epsom or Glauber Salts should be given once if Cresolene is swallowed or if it falls one the skin, apply cinegar [SIC]or alcohol. The odor of Cresolene will soon pass away if the room is thoroughly aired during the day. Cresolene imparts a burning sensation to the skin and is poisonous if taken internally, it should therefore, be kept out of reach of children.”.
Free radicals are bad for the human body, right? They lead to chronic health conditions, including arthritis, cognitive decline, coronary heart diseases, cancer and can even cause death. To balance out the negative impact of free radicals on your body, you need antioxidants that you can find in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
And you may already be aware of the benefits you can get if you go for all the cranberry capsules and the effervescent vitamin C you can find on the shelves. If you are a health-conscious individual, chances are you must have heard a lot about antioxidants and might be working on adding them to your diet. But hold on!Not everything you know about antioxidants is factually correct. In this post, you will find four antioxidant myths busted.
#1. The More, The Better
Antioxidants are essential micronutrients that the human body needs to survive and function effectively. Your body needs antioxidants to counter the effects of free radicals that have a tendency to damage healthy cells in the body. Antioxidants work as donors that provide electrons to the highly reactive and unstable free radicals. These free radicals travel through the body and damage healthy cells, leading to the development of chronic diseases and premature aging.
Moreover, they also help reverse the damage caused by free radicals.While the human body generates antioxidants at the cellular level, they are often not enough, given the number of free radicals produced in the body due to environmental factors. That’s why you need to rely on external sources of antioxidants that come from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But does that mean the more antioxidants you consume, the healthier you will be?Of course not. That’s a myth!Higher consumption of antioxidants is not always better.
Antioxidants work best when consumed with other important nutrients. But what is more important is the source of antioxidants. If you are inspired by the marketing gimmicks of the food and supplement industry, you are likely to buy processed foods and packaged cereals and supplements that claim to be a great source of antioxidants.
Do you know that antioxidant supplements may be doing a great job at fighting free radicals in a test tube but when they get inside the body, things change. The human body is complex and these supplements do not cause any good to it. Instead, there are studies that support the evidence that antioxidant supplements can harm the body.
So instead of relying on more processed foods that claim to be rich in antioxidants and consuming supplements, it’s best to stick to the basics and enjoy consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables and three servings of whole grains that are the prerequisite of a balanced diet. These servings from natural sources will provide you with the right amount of antioxidants that you need to stay healthy so you don’t fall into the trap of consuming more antioxidants from processed sources. Best is to find foods and supplements that are organic!
#2. Antioxidants are Difficult to Absorb
Another common myth is that they are difficult to absorb. Again that information is incorrect. In fact, essential micronutrients that possess antioxidant properties, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium are readily absorbed and utilized by the body. However, that might not always be the case with supplements that you find on the shelves. Most of the supplements on the market may be doing great in the labs but things are complicated in the human body.
There is inconclusive evidence on how certain antioxidants may behave inside the human body. Moreover, there are studies that confirm that certain antioxidants, when consumed in the form of supplements, contribute to an increased risk of various diseases, including lung cancer.
That being said, if you are inclined towards consuming antioxidants that come from natural sources, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, it’s important that you focus on “eating the rainbow.” Make sure you add a lot of color to your food plate and not just focus on leafy greens. Let reds, yellows, and purples be a part of your diet. And to get the most benefits, don’t forget to add teas and dark chocolate.
#3. Cooking Foods Rich in Antioxidants Can Destroy Their Beneficial Properties
This is a myth to an extent but it is also partly true. There is no black and white when it comes to cooking foods rich in antioxidant properties. Certain cooking methods, such as boiling and steaming are suitable for retaining the benefits of a few fruits and vegetables. However, other methods of cooking such as stir-fry and roasting may affect the nutritional content of antioxidant-rich foods. Since there is no single rule regarding cooking foods that applies to all antioxidant-rich foods, it is best to consume fruits and vegetables in their raw form so you can get the maximum benefits out of what you eat.
#4. All Antioxidants are Vitamins
You must have heard a lot about vitamins C and E and you know they are powerful antioxidants. But do you know that not all antioxidants are vitamins? It’s a myth that most people believe to be true but only a few are vitamins. Others are minerals, enzymes, and trace elements that facilitate the chemical reactions taking place inside the human body. Minerals such as zinc and selenium are powerful free-radical killers. Similarly, enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and catalase that are produced by the human body are also antioxidants.
Final Words
While researchers are trying to find out more about antioxidants, one piece of advice that will definitely help you stay healthy is consuming a balanced diet.
By keeping refined carbs and sugar at bay and adding a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your plate, you can continue to counter the free radicals produced by your body and enjoy better health!
The human body is constantly facing threats from several external influences, such as pollution, viruses, and unhealthy diets, and free radicals are the major culprit. To fight off these cell killers, antioxidants are critical.
We discussed free radicals previously and how to fight them with antioxidants. Now, we will take a closer look at the role of radical cell fighters and how they help to maintain a healthy body. But before we get into the details, let’s review what free radicals are.
Free Radicals and the Role of Antioxidants
Chemical diagram showing antioxidants donating an electron to a free radical. Bigstock_050221_Antio-272504797
The human body constantly forms free radicals due to environmental factors, such as exposure to radiation, UV rays, tobacco smoke, and other forms of air and water pollution. However, free radicals are also a by-product of several processes that take place inside the human body. It might come as a surprise that free radicals may also be produced in the body due to exercise.
Moreover, free radicals are required for specific processes taking place in the body. For example, when the immune system gets charged up to fight any external invaders, such as a virus, it requires free radicals to damage the external intruder, such as a bacteria or virus. In all, free radicals are not always harmful.
What is the Problem With Free Radicals?
The concerning aspect of free radicals is that they do not have a complete set of electrons, so they look to steal their required electrons from other atoms, consequently damaging atoms and molecules in the process. To counter the effects of free radicals, the human body needs antioxidants.
Antioxidants work by donating their electrons to the free radical cells, so they don’t have to borrow electrons from the healthy molecules in the body. Moreover, antioxidants also facilitate the repair process of the cells that have donated their electrons to the free radicals. So antioxidants are an essential part of countering the free radicals in your body.
As the free radicals travel their path of cell destruction, they are met with antioxidant defenses to keep these free radicals in check, but then when the free radicals outnumber antioxidants we have a big problem. This can lead to a condition that is known as oxidative stress. Constant oxidative stress can damage your cells, including your DNA and other healthy molecules in your body.
As a result, prolonged oxidative stress can significantly increase the risk of several health conditions, including premature aging, cognitive decline, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Certain lifestyle and environmental factors that can increase the risk of oxidative stress include:
Exposure to radiation, cigarette smoke, and environmental pollution
Excessive intake of alcohol, sugar, and polyunsaturated fats
Excessive intake of micronutrients, including iron, magnesium, copper, or zinc
Exposure to viruses, bacteria, and fungi
Intense and constant workout sessions that can damage tissues
An unhealthy diet that lacks antioxidants.
While the human body naturally produces some antioxidants, including glutathione and lipoic acid, they are not always enough to counter the free radicals produced by environmental factors.
Exploring the Environmental Factors
Photo of smoke from East Palestine Ohio train derailment. Credit: Wikimedia CC, Thunderlips36
As mentioned, unhealthy dieting, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking can increase free radicals in the body, but it doesn’t stop there.
One example is the train derailment in New Palestine, Ohio, which had thousands of gallons of vinyl chloride stored in some of the cars on this 150-car train.
To prevent this toxic chemical from being exposed to the environment, authorities agreed to burn it, but that action has caused controversy in itself as questions arose about its chemical makeup being potentially still active.
Regardless of the manner in which the vinyl chloride was released into the air, citizens of New Palestine are concerned that this chemical will cause harm to them. Technically speaking, there could be an increase in oxidative stress for the citizens who live in the area, and in the case of vinyl chloride, it can cause drowsiness and nausea.
Similar concerns for other chemicals that were on the train are Butyl acrylate, which can cause eye irritation, and Isobutylene, which can cause dizziness and headaches.
Although the above is a unique case of potential exposure to toxic chemicals, pollution, in general, is always out there in one form or another (e.g., vehicle gas exhausts, generating electric energy), and that’s why there is an increasing emphasis on consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants.
What Foods are High in Antioxidants?
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Below are the nutrients with antioxidant activity and the foods that can provide you with significant antioxidants. With that, note that the darker the fruit or vegetable, the more antioxidants they will have!
Phenolic Compounds
These plant compounds are found in apples, red wine, onions, grapes, peanuts, tea, cocoa, and all types of berries.
Vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage are rich sources of vitamin C. Fruits, including grapefruit, honeydew, mango, kiwi, lemon, orange, and papaya, also contain a significant amount of vitamin C.
Seeds and nuts, including almonds, sunflower seeds, and peanuts, contain a sufficient amount of vitamin E. Certain vegetables such as avocado, chard, leafy greens, and red peppers are also rich in vitamin E.
Selenium
A potent antioxidant is readily found in nuts, fish, beef, poultry, and whole grains.
Carotenoids can be found in carrots, apricots, beet, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, kale, and cantaloupe. Fruits such as mangos, oranges, peaches, and grapefruits are also loaded with carotenoids.
Health Benefits of Antioxidants – What the Hype is All About?
Researchers started giving attention to antioxidants in the 1990s as they became more aware of the role of free radicals in coronary heart diseases. Around the same time, scientists also established a relationship between free radicals in the body and diseases, such as loss of vision, cancer, and several other chronic health conditions.
Given the results of several other similar studies, the media, and the food and supplement industries began to create hype about the benefits of “antioxidants.” It became a marketing buzzword for green teas, berries, and several other foods available on the store shelves. Moreover, the supplement industry also promoted the disease-fighting properties of antioxidants. The general public, unaware of the reality, got attracted to the antioxidant-rich breakfast cereals, energy drinks, and supplements.
However, that’s not how you can get the real benefits of antioxidants. So far, there is inconclusive evidence that the use of supplements and other processed food that claims to be “rich in antioxidants” provides real health benefits or not.
Indeed, antioxidants offer several health benefits, but you can only enjoy them if you consume antioxidants in their natural state. So instead of adding packaged and processed foods or supplements that claim to contain antioxidants, it is best to rely on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that are loaded with natural plant compounds.
These naturally available antioxidants serve as great warriors to fight off free radicals and facilitate the natural repair process in the human body. Moreover, to get the maximum benefits of antioxidants, it is best to use them with other nutrients, plant compounds, and even with other antioxidants that your body requires.
Final Words
Oxidative stress caused by an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants can contribute to several chronic health conditions, including arthritis, cognitive impairment, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. But then it does not always mean the use of substances with antioxidant properties can fix the problem. It is especially true if these antioxidants do not come from a natural source. The studies provide evidence that naturally occurring antioxidants found in plants and vegetables can substantially impact diseases. However, there is inconclusive research on the benefits you can enjoy using supplements and other artificial sources of antioxidants that come in the form of processed foods.
So make sure you add a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet. At the same time, you need to limit your exposure to UV rays, radiation, and environmental pollution. Together, these two factors will reduce the risk of oxidative stress, which in turn will slow down the aging process while offering protection against several chronic diseases.
We have previously learned how these vaccines work. Now let’s delve a bit deeper into each of them starting with the Moderna vaccine.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine On December 18, 2020. That made it the second vaccine after Pfizer in the U.S. to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a few differences though, so let’s take a look at how they differ and what you need to know about the Moderna vaccine.
#1. What is Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine?
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So far, the FDA has not approved any vaccine to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for general use (only for emergency use). The Moderna vaccine is authorized for use in adults aged 18 and above under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
The Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 is injected into the muscle, and two doses are administered one month apart.
#2. What Should You Tell Your Vaccination Provider Before You Get the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine?
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Your vaccination provider needs to know the details of any medical conditions and allergies that you may have. You must share the following information with your vaccination provider before you get your first shot.
Any allergies that you may have,
Any bleeding disorders (or any medications that you may be using such as blood thinners),
If you are immuno-compromised or are taking any medications that may affect your immunity,
If you have any metabolic/chronic health conditions, such as diabetes,
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding,
Have you received an initial dose of another vaccine for COVID-19?
Your vaccination provider may ask you for some more details depending upon your age and medical history.
#3. Is Moderna Vaccine Safe for Children?
So far, children have rarely developed severe forms of COVID-19, and deaths among children from the virus are even rarer. Moreover, parents are still reluctant to include their children in the clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine. However, given the emergence of new and fast-spreading variants, younger children may contribute to the spread of the virus. Thus, it is integral that young children are offered immunization.
Pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of severe COVID-19. However, there is limited data on whether the Moderna vaccine is safe for pregnant women.
Pregnant women have not been actively involved in clinical trials. Moreover, breastfeeding mothers were also not part of the trials, so there is no numerical evidence on the safety of the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 for lactating mothers (and their children).
However, since pregnancy increases the risk of severe COVID-19, the WHO recommends that it’s in your best interest to take the vaccine if you are pregnant and have other health conditions. Moreover, the WHO recommends offering the Moderna vaccine for breastfeeding women; however, the organization does not recommend quitting lactation following the vaccination.
If you are pregnant or lactating and have not yet received the vaccine, it is best to contact your healthcare provider and find out the best choice for yourself.
#5. What are the Risks of the Moderna Vaccine for COVID-19?
Similar to the Pfizer vaccine, the risks are about the same. There is little chance that the Moderna vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction, a condition that occurs within the first few minutes after getting the shot.
The condition can be treated, and that’s exactly why your medical provider may ask you to stay at the vaccination center for a while so they can monitor your condition after vaccination. Some of the signs of a severe allergic reaction include:
Difficulty in breathing,
Swelling on face and throat,
Palpitation or increased heart rate,
Rashes over the body, and
Dizziness and weakness.
Apart from these signs of a severe allergic reaction, and similar to the side effects of the Pfizer vaccine. It is possible but not guaranteed that individuals who get the Moderna vaccine will experience the following side effects.
Pain on the site of injection,
Swelling or tenderness in the arm,
Fatigue,
Muscle ache,
Joint pain,
Headache,
Nausea and vomiting, and
Chills
Some people complained about headaches and fatigue, which appeared to be the most common side effects, while others have said that they felt nothing after the shot. These cases ranged between males and females, people of ages 20 – 70, and from a variety of ethnic groups. Of these, there were seniors who didn’t feel any side effects, while some millennials claimed to have headaches and others were fatigued.
Although some think that one’s immune system was a help to inhibit the side effects, there is no guarantee that that is the case. Right now, there is no rhyme or reason why some humans are affected and others not. Additionally, for those that were affected, they tended to feel better after 24 hours.
#6. Who Should Not Get the Moderna Vaccine for COVID-19?
You should not get the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 if you;
Developed a severe allergic reaction after receiving the first dose of the vaccine,
Are allergic to any of the ingredients of the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19.
Key Takeaways
The Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 is the second vaccine that has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA. So far, there is no evidence about the safety of the drug among children under the age of 18. However, trials for children aged 12 and above have started.
While pregnant and lactating women were not actively involved in the trials, the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 does not appear to cause any serious risks for pregnant and lactating women. However, it’s best to discuss your health conditions with your primary caregiver before getting the shot.
A virus infiltrates healthy cells, then makes copies of those infected cells and distributes them throughout your body. The coronavirus is no exception, but in this case, these bad cells concentrate mostly in and around your lungs; hence, the virus is considered a respiratory illness that is spread via droplets (coughs or sneezes) from an infected person to a non-infected person.
COVID and Other Respiratory Viruses
Most people who have died from COVID experienced respiratory complications that led subsequently to lung failure or cardiac arrest.
In most respiratory infections, a person’s lungs (as well as many other parts of the body) are damaged due to free radicals (atoms with missing electrons) released into the thoracic cavity, inflaming the lungs and creating oxidative stress. And since SARS-CoV-2, SARS and the influenza viruses have a similar structure, it is reasonable to assume that the mechanism that sets them off (medically called pathogenic mechanism) may be the common denominator of them all.
This means that COVID patients who develop lung problems were found to be attacked by the free radicals, the same as those that are found in the SARs viruses. But despite the obvious link, there hasn’t been much discussion or research on the subject. Moreover, all the current preventive measures and treatment protocols circulating worldwide fail to mention or tackle the virus-induced free radicals.
Only one major study has been conducted on the issue of free radicals in COVID patients by Professor Jun Wu, in which he has examined their role such as superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide (NO), and peroxynitrite in organ failure, cell death and other complications in COVID patients. To help you understand the damage caused by these compounds and how that ties with oxidative stress, we have provided an analysis of the study mentioned above.
The Free Radical Storm in COVID
The coronavirus is mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, (small secreted proteins that have a specific effect on the communication between cells) which trigger an immune response in the body and stimulate the generation of free radicals. In simple terms, they are the proteins that make the SARS-CoV-2 release an inflammatory cytokines storm in the thoracic cavity, swelling up the lung tissues. This inflammation activates a hyperimmune response in the body, signaling immune cells to reach the site.
Stages in COVID and Relevant Treatments
Study shows that the coronavirus infection progresses in three stages. In the first one, the virus attacks the body. In the next phase, a chain reaction from the virus leads to the release of toxic free radicals such as nitric oxide. And once the destructive compounds are free in the body, they react with healthy cells, creating oxidative stress in the lungs.
What is oxidative stress?
By the time COVID patients are hospitalized, their infection has already progressed to level 2 or 3, which means they have harmful radicals running in their system. During the said stage, administering antiviral drugs isn’t going to make much difference. Instead, medical experts should tackle the real culprit responsible for the respiratory deficits; free radicals. And the way to do that is by inducing antioxidants and potent free radical scavengers to eliminate the destructive compounds.
Tackling Free Radicals and The Damage Caused
Superoxide dismutase or SOD is an antioxidant that has been reported to tackle harmful free radicals during scientific research in lab rats. But unfortunately, SOD for clinical use isn’t available currently; therefore, it cannot be administered to people facing lung damage due to free radicals. That said, other compounds can be used in place of SOD that mimic the chemical composition and pathways of Superoxide dismutase.
Giving Antioxidants
Natural antioxidants can also be administered to COVID patients suffering from complications. Vitamin C and E are known to be incredibly effective antioxidants and free radical scavengers. Those could be used to suppress the damage caused by nitric oxide and superoxide. Studies have shown that vitamin C significantly reduces symptoms of the common cold when given orally to patients.
COVID and the common cold are vastly different from one another in the severity of symptoms and the scale of free radicals produced, so naturally, the vitamin C dosage that has shown to be efficacious in the case of the common cold will not be enough for people suffering from the coronavirus. Plus, the short lifespan of vitamin C in the bloodstream means a small amount cannot be sufficient for tackling the damage caused by free radicals in the body. That said, significantly large doses of vitamin C, introduced into the body intravenously, can work as a therapy for radical damage to the lungs in COVID patients.
Natural Defense Mechanism in the Body
Nrf2 is a natural antioxidative agent in the body that can fight destructive compounds. However, since its amount decreases with age, older patients cannot use their natural mechanism to minimize and tackle the impact of free radicals in the body. For elderly patients, Nrf2 activators should be injected into the body to revive the body’s natural fighting mechanism. Aside from that, large doses of antioxidants, such as zinc, should be given. Zinc is a potent antioxidant and a cofactor in SOD; administering it into COVID patients as combination therapy with other antioxidative compounds can help with the oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals.
Final Thoughts
Although there hasn’t been enough research on antioxidants as a treatment for COVID, the little scientific evidence available suggests that it can work. Let’s see when the medical experts start to think in that direction.
Are you ready to take the COVID-19 vaccine or have you been vaccinated already? And if you are not going to get the shot, why not? And if not, maybe we can convince you otherwise!
According to a survey carried out in February 2021, 69% of Americans were either already vaccinated or were planning to get vaccinated. This percentage has increased compared to only 60% of Americans who wanted to get the vaccine late last year. Still, 30% of the respondents say that they won’t get the vaccine.
Should I or shouldn’t I?
Aside from children below 12 years of age, the other remaining holdouts are people who are just not comfortable with getting the shot. Whether it be that they have a fear of potential side effects, religious reasons or that they just don’t have trust in the pharmaceutical companies, the government or both, they refuse to take the drug.
To clear the air and any misconceptions, we’re going to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the COVID vaccines.
How Do the Vaccines Work?
Both Pfizer and the Moderna drugs refer to a new type of biotechnology known as mRNA; that is, it teaches our cells to make proteins that fight off the virus. Unlike several other types of vaccines that generate an immune system response by injecting a weakened form of a virus into the body, the mRNA vaccine teaches the cells to generate an immune response independently. It performs this function by sending instructions to part of the spike protein found on the surface of the virus (those orangy intrusions seen in the electron microscope images). Once these instructions are ‘read’ and activated, the immune system will go after them to destroy them.
Which are the Most Promising COVID Vaccines?
Here is a list of the most common COVID vaccines being used around the globe.
Pfizer-BioNTech
According to an independent analysis published in November 2020, Pfizer-BioNTech announced 95% effectiveness of their BNT162b2 vaccine.
This vaccine claims to be 90% effective in the “real-world”; that is, in those outside the clinical trial. It is a two-injection vaccine for both young and old people. While it is still unclear as to how long this vaccine will provide you immunity, research suggests that it can last for a year or longer.
Moderna
The mRNA-1273 vaccine for COVID is a result of collaboration between Moderna and the NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases). According to the phase-III trial conducted on over 30,000 volunteers, this vaccine has been deemed as 94% effective. In real-world conditions, the vaccine claims to be 90% effective.
Johnson & Johnson
The Johnson & Johnson (J&J) one-dose vaccine has an overall effectiveness of 66% when it comes to preventing moderate to severe COVID cases as shown by its phase-III clinical trials. Even though the FDA authorized the vaccine in February 2021, they had to put a pause on them in April 2020 due to blood clot development and low platelet count in some patients. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine now comes with a warning label about the isolated chance of developing blood clots and low platelet count a week or two after being vaccinated.
AstraZeneca
Like most of the other vaccines, the AZD1222 vaccine uses the coronavirus S protein gene to stimulate the immune system. The AstraZeneca vaccine is 76% effective according to its phase III clinical trial. This vaccine was authorized in the U.K. and a few other countries for emergency use. However, just like the J&J vaccine, AstraZeneca also caused blood clots within two weeks of use. There were about 222 cases reported out of 34 million people vaccinated across Europe and the U.K, some of which have proven to be fatal.
Some other COVID vaccines that are also rolling out are Sputnik V and Sinopharm. One of the much-awaited vaccines that might be launched by the end of this year is going to be a result of collaboration between two of the biggest vaccine giants, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Sanofi.
Which Vaccine is the Best?
If you ask any expert, there’s one thing they will say: the best vaccine is the one that is available to you. If you are leaning to get the vaccine and are eligible for it, then get the one that’s being given to you. All the vaccines are effective; you can’t make any discernment from one to another.
However, since more information comes to light every day, it becomes easier to make a decision. Experts also claim that it is pointless to weigh the efficacy rates of the clinical trials to decide which vaccine to get. If you’re still unsure about which vaccine to get, it’s best to choose one that hasn’t shown any severe side effects, such as blood clotting.
All the vaccines approved in the U.S. undergo stringent safety testing procedures. The CDC also continues to collect and collate any data they can find on the side effects that the vaccine may cause over time.
Almost every vaccine has minor side effects, such as fever, fatigue, sore arm, nausea, chills, and body aches. These symptoms are especially prominent after the second dose. You must remember that this is a good sign. It is an indicator that your immune system is reacting to the vaccine.
The reason that the side effects are generally stronger after the second dose is because the vaccine spikes a protein that causes the immune system to react. According to the CDC, 80% of those who reported side effects were women.
There are also some very rare cases in which patients might experience side effects, such as anaphylaxis. While this can be dangerous and life-threatening, it is definitely treatable. According to research by the CDC, 2 to 5 people per million vaccinated have experienced this reaction. Fortunately, there haven’t been any deaths reported.
Photo by Fox from Pexels
So what are you waiting for? Get the shot! You’ll feel better about it and you will be doing a favor for your community, not to mention your contribution will help all of us get back to normal living!
Ever hear of Hippocratic Corpus? Probably not, so let us explain. Hippocratic Corpus AKA Hippocratic Collection is a collection of medical essays attributed to the great Greek physician of antiquity – Hippocrates!
Another common myth is that they are difficult to absorb. Again that information is incorrect. In fact, essential micronutrients that possess antioxidant properties, such as 
According to an independent analysis published in November 2020, Pfizer-BioNTech announced 95% effectiveness of their BNT162b2 vaccine. 
