February 1, 2021

 

COVID-19 tests should be made available at point-of-care and in labs in all countries: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that COVID-19 tests (PCR and Antigen) should be made available at point-of-care and in laboratories in all countries. In fact, the organisation has included COVID-19 tests in its latest edition of essential diagnostics list (EDL), which was published January 29, 2021. 

 Since 2018, WHO has been publishing EDL every in its effort to address the lack of access to tests and testing services in multiple countries. It is an evidence-based guide that identifies disease prevalence globally and recommends the appropriate test for each condition to increase timely and life-saving diagnoses. Apart from tests intended for use in laboratories, the EDL includes numerous diagnostics that should be available at primary care or community level. 

In addition to including COVID-19 tests, the new annual essential diagnostics list expands the suite of tests for vaccine-preventable and infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes.  It has also added a section on endocrinology, which is important for reproductive and women’s health. 

 In the latest edition, the WHO has, for the first time, listed tests that should not be supplied in countries, either because they “are not cost-effective, are unreliable or have been surpassed by newer, easier to use technologies.”

“Access to quality tests and laboratory services is like having a good radar system that gets you where you need to go. Without it, you’re flying blind,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted as saying in a statement published in the organisation website.

“All countries should pay particular attention to the diagnostics space and use the essential list to promote better health, keep their populations safe, and serve the vulnerable,” he added.

The WHO noted that the current COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the critical role of accurate, quality diagnostics in the health system. The use of appropriate diagnostic tests is the first step in the development and implementation of strategies for treatment, control, and in many cases prevention of disease and outbreaks, it said.

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news

 

January 29, 2021

 

Schizophrenia emerges as the second highest risk factor of COVID-19 mortality

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have known that the elderly and those with underlying health conditions are at high risk of severe illness and complications if they catch the infection. Medical conditions like heart disease, hypertension and diabetes significantly ups the risks of dying from COVID-19. But the risk for patients of mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia has been left outside the purview of most studies. 

 In light of this, it comes as a surprise that a new study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, has revealed that the mental disorder, Schizophrenia, could actually be one of the highest risk factors for dying from the novel coronavirus infection, second only to age. This is the first study to establish a link between mental illness and the risk of dying from COVID-19 though a few earlier studies had said that people with this condition had a higher risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2. 

 

Mental Disorder And COVID-19

In this study, researchers from NYU School of Medicine analysed the health records from 260 outpatient clinics and four hospitals across New York City, based on data published by the New York University electronic health record. Of the 26,540 patients tested, 7,348 were positive for COVID-19 between March 3 and May 31. The researchers formed three cohorts of patients with a reported psychiatric disorder — schizophrenia spectrum, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder. They then compared them with COVID-19 patients who weren’t diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder after adjusting for sex, age, race, and known risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, smoking and cancer. 

Schizophrenia Ups Your Risk Of Death By About 2.7 Times

Researchers saw that out of more than 7,000 adults who tested positive for the coronavirus during that time, 75 had a history of schizophrenia, 564 of mood disorder, and 360 of an anxiety disorder. In total, 864 of the COVID-19 patients died or were discharged to a hospice within 45 days of their diagnosis. But there was no association between anxiety or mood disorders and death from COVID-19. People with schizophrenia were about 2.7 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than people without that mental disorder making this the second-highest risk factor after age.

Age Remains The Highest Risk Factor

Researchers saw that patients between the age of 45 and 54 years were around 3.9 times more likely to die than their younger counterparts and this risk doubled every 10 years of age after 54. This is regardless of whether they had a mental disorder. Patients with heart failure or diabetes had 1.65 times and 1.28 times higher risk of dying, respectively.

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news

 

January 27, 2021

 

Pregnancy: Placental function can help diagnose diabetes and heart diseases

The placenta plays a crucial role during pregnancy, and it is the major organ that connects the mother and the baby. Quite magically, it is an organ that develops inside your uterus during pregnancy. It provides oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby and removes waste products from your baby’s blood. But it turns out that placental function can illuminate future diseases in the baby. 

A new study published in the journal Diabetes found that there is a direct association between placental function in pregnant women and future metabolic disorders in children and adults. According to the study, it could lead to earlier intervention and diagnosis of disease. 

 

Placenta’s Role In The Future Health Of The Child

Researchers Thomas Jansson, Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus said, “We’ve known for some time that many major diseases in adults like diabetes and cardiovascular disease are at least partly caused by problems during foetal life.”  She further elaborated that half of all Type-2 diabetes in young adults is caused by “exposure to the intrauterine (inside the uterus) environment in pregnant women with obesity and/or gestational diabetes.”

Preliminary studies have also shown that hypertension during pregnancy can lead to a decreased blood flow to the placenta. This disrupts the normal flow of nutrients and oxygen to the baby. This may lead to problems such as low birth weight, premature birth and slow growth.

Healthy Intrauterine Environment Is Required

For the study, the team analyzed data of 1,410 healthy pregnant women between 2010 and 2014. The children are now 4-6 years old. The researchers concluded that a healthy intrauterine environment is largely determined by the placenta. After all, the organ nourishes the fetus and protects it against the immune system of the mother. Certain changes like inflammation and insulin signalling in the placenta can set the stage for later disease.

The study revealed that the placental IGF-1 receptor protein is associated with serum triglycerides in children. This could lead to obesity or diabetes later in children as well as adults. Other proteins in the placenta were linked to augmented fat tissue on the arms and thighs of the children.

What Affects Placental Health?

There are several factors that can affect the health of the placenta during pregnancy, including:

·         Studies suggest that older women are at a higher risk of placental problems

·         Your baby is surrounded by an amniotic sac (fluid-filled membrane). If that sac breaks before labour, the risk of some placental problems rise

·         High blood pressure is a probable cause

·         Being pregnant with more than one baby at once

·         If the pregnant woman suffers from the blood-clotting disorder, then it could be a problem

·         Someone who has had placental problems during a previous pregnancy

·         Substance use can contribute to the problem

·         Trauma to your abdomen can increase the risk of placenta detaching itself from the uterus

 

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news

January 25, 2021

 

‘Enhanced immunity, no serious adverse events’: Lancet releases Covaxin’s Phase 1 trial data

At a time when coronavirus vaccines are being administered in various parts of the country, there is also a steep rise in concerns regarding the side effects of the vax shot. But, there is a good news. Phase 1 trial report of India’s first indigenous vaccine against COVID-19, Covaxin, showed enhanced immune response without any serious side effects in the participants.

 

Covaxin Was Given The Emergency Authorisation By The Indian Government

The Indian government had given Covaxin emergency use authorisation in clinical trial mode. The vaccine was developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

 

 

Covaxin, which is currently undergoing phase-3 trials, had raised concerns among experts over its emergency approval earlier this month by India’s drug regulator.

The vaccine, codenamed BBV152, was well tolerated in all dose groups with no vaccine-related serious adverse events, noted the authors of the study funded by Bharat Biotech.

Reported Adverse Events Are Mild And Moderate

According to the authors all adverse events were mild and moderate, and were more frequent after the first dose, adding that one adverse event was reported but was unrelated to the vaccine.

The randomised phase 1 trial to assess the safety and immunogenicity of BBV152 was carried at 11 hospitals across India.

Adults aged 18-55 years who were deemed healthy by the investigator were eligible. Between July 13 and 30, last year, 827 participants were screened, of whom 375 were enrolled.

Among the enrolled participants, 100 each were randomly assigned to the three vaccine groups, and 75 were randomly assigned to the control group.

The Doses Of Covaxin And The Mild Adverse Events You Can Expect

Two intramuscular doses of vaccines were administered 14 days apart. “BBV152 led to tolerable safety outcomes and enhanced immune responses. The vaccine was well tolerated in all dose groups with no vaccine-related serious adverse events,” the authors of the study said.

So there will be mild adverse events… what are those? According to the experts, the most common adverse event was pain at the injection site, followed by headache, fatigue, and fever.

Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine developed by chemically treating novel coronavirus samples to make them incapable of reproduction.

This process leaves the viral proteins, including the spike protein of the coronavirus which it uses to enter the human cells, intact.

Given as two doses, three weeks apart, the viral proteins in the vaccine activate the immune system and prepare people for future infections with the actual infectious virus.

According to Bharat Biotech, the therapeutic can be stored at room temperature for at least a week.

 

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news

 

January 23, 2021

 

Know the side effects of eating too many onions

The ever-rife onion is a staple in Indian households. It is often the ingredient that lays the foundation for a lip-smacking dish. You probably can’t imagine your food without onion? Can you imagine eating your favourite sabzi or pav bhaji without it? 

It is clear that it is a humble ingredient that is loved by many around the country. The year-round hero, onion is known for its nutritional value, but can it affect your system negatively? Are there any side effects of eating onions regularly? Well, let’s find out if onions make you cry for a reason or not. 

Nutritional Value Of Onions

Onions are members of the Allium genus of flowering plants that also includes garlic, leeks and more. This vegetable contain several nutrients that make it a healthy food. It is a rich source of vitamin C, Sulphur compound, phytochemicals and flavonoids. They are also low in calories. This vegetable is believed to regulate immune health, collagen production, and tissue repair. The chemicals in it help reduce inflammation, decrease tightness on people with asthma, reduce levels of cholesterol, and sugar in the blood. 

Are you wondering if there are so many benefits of onions, there are probably no side effects? Well, hop on to the next section to know that.

Side Effects Of Eating Onions

While onions offer a multitude of benefits, there are some effects of eating this vegetable that you need to know. Eating onions can cause problems for some people.

·         The vegetable are high in carbohydrates, which can cause bloating, fatigue, abdominal cramps, poor digestion and heartburn in some people

·         Some people may experience skin irritation or eczema following skin contact with the vegetable

·         Eating a large number of it can also interfere with blood-thinning drugs used to treat some type of heart diseases

·         According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, people allergic to onions may experience itchiness and redness in their eyes

·         Some studies suggest that people with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should avoid this vegetable as it can increase incidences of heartburn

But Are They Dangerous?

While onions can lead to some side effects, no evidence suggests that they are dangerous to your health. A claim afloat for several years is that leaving chopped onions make them toxic. Experts suggest that you should be cut it fresh and cooked immediately. But they don’t turn toxic as their acidic pH inhibits microbes and bacterial growth. Studies suggest that the only problem is that storing cut onions can kill their freshness, which is good for your health.
Remember all foods should be consumed in moderation to avoid health complications. Your diet should be balanced with all essential nutrients that will help you keep your overall health in check.

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/

 

21 January, 2021

 

Replace sugar with jaggery to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and age spots

You are what you eat, and this applies to your skin as well. Most of us turn to those chemical-laden products and expensive treatments to treat signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. But the one thing that plays a huge role in our skin health is often ignored – the diet.  Aging can’t be avoided but eating the right foods can help you age better, keep you looking younger for longer. There are many foods that have anti-ageing properties. Jaggery, popularly known as gud in India, is a superfood when it comes to good skin and healthy hair. Also Read - Castor oil for dark circles: Here's how to use it

Jaggery is a natural sweetening agent made from fresh sugarcane, date or palm juice. It is also known as unrefined sugar, as it is prepared without separating the molasses. Jaggery is less sweet and has more nutritional value than white or brown sugar, and this makes it the ideal sweetener. This unrefined sugar is also gaining popularity among health enthusiasts because of its enormous health benefits, including improved digestive health, liver detoxification and improved immune function. Jaggery is an excellent natural cleansing agent that helps flush out toxins from your body. Thanks to its anti-allergic properties, it is also used as a natural remedy for asthma and other respiratory diseases. But not many people are you aware of the skin benefits of jaggery. Also Read - Salicylic to retinol: Face acids you must include in your skin care routine for glowing skin

 

Gud is packed with antioxidants and minerals like zinc and selenium that can fight free radicals, which can damage cells and result in premature skin aging. Plus, jaggery can help improve your immunity and boost resistance against infections, including acne and pimples. The glycolic acid in jaggery can help exfoliate your skin and heal acne as well as soften your skin. So, remove sugar from your diet, and add jaggery instead. Also Read - 5 must-have winter superfoods for glowing skin

Ways To Use Jaggery For Skincare

Ayurveda experts recommend eating Jaggery daily after meals to improve digestion, body metabolism and remove toxins from the body. All these can benefit your skin too. Consuming a small piece of jaggery regularly can help reduce or delay appearance of fine lines, wrinkles or age spots on your skin. You can also reap the skin benefits of jaggery by applying it topically.

Take 2 teaspoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of crushed jaggery. Mix them to make a smooth paste. Apply the paste on your face and massage gently for 10 minutes. Then wash it off with cold water for glowing skin.

Alternatively, mix with 1 tablespoon each of jaggery powder and tomato juice, with a few drops of lemon juice and turmeric powder. Apply this mixture on the face and wash it off with normal water after 15 minutes. This will help remove pigmentation and lighten your skin.

If you have acne, mix jaggery powder, lemon juice and water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area every day and you will see the changes soon.

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/

 

20th January, 2021

 

Obesity, alcohol consumption can lower effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines

If you’re obese, getting Covid-19 shots might not provide you full protection from the disease. According to a report on Nature, obesity may reduce the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines. Vaccines often don’t work well in obese people, noted the authors, suggesting that a Covid-19 shot might not provide the expected protection in these people. Also Read - Almost 30% of recovered COVID-19 patients develop complications within 5 months, over 12% die

Several studies have identified obesity as a prominent risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection. In fact, a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine in August 2020 suggested extreme obesity as an independent risk factor for dying among COVID-19 patients, particularly among younger and middle-aged men. Also Read - COVID-19 vaccine side effects: Loss of sensation in arms and more reported by Pune health workers

Besides obesity, there are several other factors that may lower the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines. A study, which was recently published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, suggested that depression, stress, loneliness and poor health behaviours can weaken the body’s immunity and reduce Covid-19 vaccine’s efficacy. Also Read - Catastrophic moral failure: WHO warns against unequal COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Covid-19 vaccines may also not be fully effective in people with severe health conditions like liver disease, kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes or with immunosuppressed conditions like cancer as well as people on steroids. The conditions can influence the immune system’s response to the vaccine, Jyoti Mutta, Senior Consultant, Microbiology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, New Delhi, told IANS.

Mutta also recommended avoiding alcohol consumption during Covid-19 vaccination as it may lower the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Alexander Gintsburg, the developer of Sputnik V vaccine, suggests refraining from alcohol for three days after getting each shot of the vaccine. Most Covid-19 vaccines require two doses. Both Serum Institute’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin – the vaccines approved for emergency use in India – require two doses, given 28 days apart.

Experts also suggest avoiding other unhealthy activities like smoking and sleepless nights  to get maximum benefit of any vaccine.

India began the nationwide the Covid-19 vaccination drive on January 16. As of Tuesday (Day 4 of the vaccination drive), a total of 4,54,049 first beneficiaries have been inoculated across the country, according to the Union Health Ministry. So far, 580 adverse events have been reported so far, out of which seven required hospitalisation, the Ministry said on Tuesday.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has also clarified that deaths of two men in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka following vaccination were not related to the Covdi-19 vaccine.

The adverse events following immunisation reported in India are the lowest in the world, Bhushan added in a bid to allay fears and vaccine hesitancy.

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news

 

 

18th January, 2021

 

50-yr-old bacteria may help your body’s own immune system to kill cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Unfortunately, currently, there’s no true cure for it. Cancer is a group of large number of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Scientists have been trying to use our body’s own immune system to kill cancer cells. Also Read - Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of prostate cancer progression: Study

Normally, our body’s immune system identifies and destroys foreign entities in the body. But cancer cells have the ability to evade detection and form tumours. The good news is – a University of Missouri researcher has found a new way to help the body’s immune system get past that deception and destroy cancer. Also Read - Less sex, poor sleep and other factors that can suppress your immune system

“Normal cells put up a ‘don’t-eat-me’ molecular flag that is recognized by immune cells, thereby preventing the destruction of normal tissues. But some cancers have also developed the ability to mimic normal cells and produce this ‘don’t eat me’ signal. As a consequence, the immune system fails to recognise cancer as a defective tissue and leaves it alone,” explained Yves Chabu, assistant professor in the Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, as reported by ANI. Also Read - Cellular 'death by iron' could be a new promising avenue of cancer treatment

Immunotherapy drugs essentially block the “don’t-eat-me” signal and allow the immune-system to kill cancer cells.

Using Old Bacteria Strain To Fight Prostate Cancer

Immunotherapies may not, however, work on some forms of cancer, like prostate cancer which are highly immunosuppressive, meaning that they can overpower the body’s immune system.

Chabu have apparently unlocked a solution to this problem with the help of a more than 50-year-old strain of bacteria.

According to Chabu, the bacteria is genetically pliable, and can be genetically modified to overcome patient-specific therapeutic limits.

“One can envision genetically modifying the bacteria such that it can unload therapeutics that specifically exploit that cancer’s unique vulnerabilities and kill it,” the researcher was quoted as saying.

In fact, scientists at the Cancer Research Centre and the University of Missouri had already developed a genetically distinct and non-toxic strain of salmonella, called CRC2631, to select and kill cancer cells. It was derived from a strain of salmonella that had been stored at room temperature for over half a century.

Now, Chabu and other scientists are demonstrating the potential use of CRC2631 to unleash the body’s immune system against prostate cancer.

As CRC2631 preferentially colonises tumour cells, the effect is mainly localized to the tumour, Chabu said while suggesting that it can be used to design and deliver patient-tailored therapeutics.

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/

 

 

15th January, 2021

 

A low carb diet can induce remission of type-2 diabetes and lead to weight loss too

Diabetes is a disease that has today assumed epidemic proportions across the world. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes worldwide and diet is recognised as an essential part of treatment. But uncertainty remains about which diet to choose and many studies have reported mixed results. But now, a new study from Texas A&M University says that patients with type-2 diabetes who follow a strict low carbohydrate diet for six months may experience greater rates of remission compared with other recommended diets without adverse effects, a new study suggests. Also Read - Type 2 diabetes: This cooking oil may alleviate your blood sugar levels

Though most of the benefits diminished at 12 months, researchers say that doctors may consider putting patients on short-term strict low carbohydrate diets for managing type 2 diabetes, while actively monitoring and adjusting diabetes medication as needed. According to researchers, future long term, well designed, calorie controlled randomised trials are needed to determine the effects of low-carb diet on sustained weight loss and remission of diabetes, as well as cardiovascular mortality and major morbidity. Also Read - Diabetics beware: These 5 foods can cause an instant sugar spike

What Is Better? Low Carb Or Very Low Carb Diet

For the study, published in The BMJ journal, the team assessed the effectiveness and safety of low carbohydrate diets (LCDs) and very low carbohydrate diets (VLCDs) for people with type-2 diabetes, compared with (mostly low fat) control diets based on analysis from 23 randomised trials involving 1,357 participants. Low-carb diet was defined as less than 26 per cent daily calories from carbohydrates and very low-carb diet was defined as less than 10 per cent daily calories from carbohydrates for at least 12 weeks in adults (average age 47 to 67 years) with type-2 diabetes. Based on low to moderate certainty evidence, the researchers found that patients on low-carb diet achieved higher diabetes remission rates at six months compared with patients on control diets, without adverse events. Also Read - Taking whey protein at night may lead to diabetes, heart disease

Other Benefits Of Low-Carb Diet

A low-carb diet comes with immense health benefits. Other than helping in the remission of type 2 diabetes, it also induced weight loss, reduced medication use, and improved body fat (triglyceride) concentrations at six months. However, most of these benefits diminished at 12 months, a finding consistent with previous reviews, and some evidence showed worsening of quality of life and cholesterol levels at 12 months, researchers said.

What Is A Low Carb Diet?

A low-carb diet is one that restricts the intake of carbohydrates. If you go on this diet, you have to avoid foods like rice, pasta, sugary foods and bread. But you can have your fill of protein, healthy fat and vegetables.

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/

 

12th January, 2021

 

Centre will bear the cost of the first round of Covid vaccines: Modi

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a virtual meeting with the Chief Ministers of all states and Union territories to review the pandemic situation in the country and discuss the Covid vaccine rollout. During the meet, he informed the state governments that they will not have to pay for the first round of Covid vaccines as the Centre will bear the cost. Also Read - COVID-19 Live Updates: Cases in India surge to 10,466,595 while death toll reaches 1,51,160

The Prime Minister also said that the first round of vaccines will be administered to the frontline and healthcare workers, and public representatives are not in the priority list. In the second phase, people above 50 years of age will be vaccinated, he added. Also Read - Holding breath to avoid Covid-19 infection? It may actually increase the risk, say Indian researchers

Modi also emphasized that the state governments should continue creating public awareness, adding that maximum awareness is required after the second and third round when three crore vaccinations are completed. Also Read - Sedative drugs, curb on family visits may increase risk of acute brain dysfunction in Covid-19 ICU patients

“India is entering into a decisive battle against Covid-19 and we should not let our guard down now. We are going to start the vaccination drive from January 16. It is a matter of pride for us that the two approved vaccines for Covid-19 are both Made in India,” IANS quoted Modi as saying.

Indian Vaccines Most Cost Effective In The World

The Prime Minister said that both the Made in India vaccines are more cost effective than any other vaccine in the world. Notably, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had approved two vaccines for emergency use in the country: Covishield  – developed by Serum Institute of India in partnership with the Oxford University and AstraZeneca, and Covaxin – developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).  

Earlier this month, Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla had announced that his company has fixed two different prices for Covishield. The vaccine will be given at Rs 250 to the government while it will be available in the private market for Rs 1,000, he said. This is cheaper than the Pfizer vaccine, which is priced at USD 19.50 (Rs 1,440) per dose in the US.

While Bharat Biotech has not yet revealed the price of Covaxin, the company’s MD Dr Krishna Ella had earlier hinted that the vaccine will be cheaper than a water bottle.

According to Modi, four other vaccines are in the pipeline. All these vaccines are made keeping in mind the situation of the country, he said.

The mass Covid-19 vaccination drive will be carried out in 5,000 sites across India. The state governments are finalizing the vaccination sites in their respective regions.

Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/