Search Results for: blog a link between obesity and your immune system

Obese Moms Increase Their Children’s Risk of Asthma

A study done in Sweden reveals that mothers who were obese actually increased their children’s risk of developing asthma. The obesity of the mother influences her developing baby’s immune system. The immune system plays a role in the development of allergies, (which can lead to asthma). A study was done in Stockholm, Sweden, that included more than 129,000 mothers. It also included their 189,000 children. The researchers were from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne. The researchers found that there was a connection between the mothers who were obese, and the children who developed asthma. Mothers … Continue reading →

Obesity Affecting Our Police Force

Obesity has become such a problem in America that it’s even affecting our police force. I recently read a story about police officers who are failing their physicals, having to retake them. To be honest, considering what we expect from police officers I was very surprised. Their physical is not that difficult, in light of what we expect them to do for our cities and towns, in protecting us. These fitness exams consisted of push-ups, one and a half mile run, obstacle course and a flexibility test. For someone who is going out to serve and protect, this really doesn’t … Continue reading →

Study Links Obesity and Brain Chemistry

A study from the University of California in San Francisco took a look at the relationship between the nervous system and weight. The researchers from the University of California looked at the nervous system in worms. Serotonin levels in the nervous systems had an influence on how much worms ate and what the body did with the calories. (You may already be familiar with serotonin — a neurotransmitter that also affects mood.) Fat regulation is the balance between what you take in and the energy you use. In worms, serotonin levels activated nerve receptors not normally used for fat regulation. … Continue reading →

Zinc and Other Health Issues

When you think about zinc, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A vitamin slogan? A cold remedy? For a lot of people, zinc is one of the first things they turn to when a cold is brewing. However, different studies on zinc and the common cold have had different outcomes. One study from the Cleveland Clinic found that zinc didn’t make a difference for muscle aches and fever, but did cut the duration of a cold by half. Another study looked at different types of zinc lozenges used for treating colds — zinc gluconate vs. zinc acetate. In … Continue reading →

A Link Between Obesity and Your Immune System?

Scientists from the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Boston Medical Center are looking at a possible link between obesity and immune system function. Previous research has found that obese people are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease than lean people. This new study looked at why. Researchers worked with laboratory mice — some who were obese and some who were lean and healthy. The mice were infected with a bacterium that causes periodontal disease (porphyromonas gingivalis). The obese mice were more susceptible to gum disease and had a blunted immune system reaction to the infection. Ten … Continue reading →