healthy living – Page 4

Sometimes Getting A Tattoo Can Result in Eye Problems

SimaMarch 20, 2026March 20, 2026Leave a comment

Tattoos are incredibly popular throughout the world. One rare, but very concerning result from getting a tattoo is tattoo-associated uveitis. This is an inflammation of the eye, which can even cause permanent vision loss.

The most common health complications of tattoos are local inflammations, infections, allergic reactions at the site of the tattoo, and other inflammatory immune responses. Uveitis is a rare inflammatory response, which is consistently associated with long-term inflammation at the tattoo site (meaning that the inflammation has spread to the eye).

A recent review of studies found that tattoo-associated uveitis was associated with black ink and larger tattoos. Uveitis treatments included: 70.5% of individuals were treated with corticosteroids (with 50% needing long-term treatment), immunosuppressants (38.6%), and 16% had removal of the tattoo by excision. 16% also needed intraocular pressure management.

Different countries have different regulations regarding tattoo inks, with the European Union having stricter regulations than other countries. While the following article discusses tattoo-associated uveitis cases in Australia, it also occurs in the United States.

Bottom line: Monitor tattoos to see if there is long-term inflammation (swelling, redness).

Excerpts from The Conversation: What’s the link between tattoos and vision loss? 2 optometrists explain

Getting a tattoo can be a thrilling, albeit painful, experience.

About one-third of Australians have a tattoo, with many getting inked as a rite of passage. However, a small but increasing number of Australians are being diagnosed with a rare tattoo-related eye condition. It’s known as tattoo-associated uveitis and can cause permanent vision loss. ...continue reading "Sometimes Getting A Tattoo Can Result in Eye Problems"

Fixing Indoor Mold Problems Results In Fewer Asthma ER Visits

SimaMarch 18, 2026March 20, 2026Leave a comment

Mold exposure can be a trigger for respiratory ailments, including sinusitis and asthma. A recent study conducted in New York City's public housing found that fixing mold problems in apartments led to a big decrease in emergency visits for severe asthma attacks. Duh!...of course...

They found an average of nine fewer asthma-related emergency department visits per 1000 residents per year, or nearly 2800 fewer emergency department visits per year overall. Residents in nearby housing (apartments) not part of NY City's Housing Authority was the comparison group.

It makes sense that when the trigger for an asthma attack is removed, that there are fewer asthma attacks resulting in emergency room visits. But at least now the results have been quantified in a study. (NOTE: the study did not look at incidence of sinusitis, but one would expect the same type of results - if prolonged mold exposure triggers sinusitis, then cleaning it up prevents sinusitis).

From Medscape: Fix Mold, Reduce Asthma ED Visits?

An effort to remediate mold in public housing in New York City (NYC) was associated with thousands fewer emergency department visits for asthma per year, according to research presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)2026 Annual Meeting. ...continue reading "Fixing Indoor Mold Problems Results In Fewer Asthma ER Visits"

Microplastics Found In Higher Levels In Prostate Cancer Tumors

SimaMarch 5, 2026March 6, 2026Leave a comment

Microplastics are turning up everywhere in our environment, including us. A recent small study found microplastics in 90% of human prostate cancer tumors, and at much higher levels than in nearby healthy tissue.

The tumor samples contained about 2.5 times more plastic than nearby healthy prostate tissue. This led the researchers to suggest that microplastic exposure may be a risk factor for prostate cancer. This is because chronic inflammation is considered a risk factor for the development of cancer.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles (smaller than 5 millimeters) that occur as plastics get worn down, degrade, or get heated. They get into the air, water, soil, and throughout the environment. The particles are so small that after they are inhaled or ingested (in our food and water), they travel to the lungs, blood, and organs. The health effects of plastic particles in our bodies are still mainly unknown, but so far studies are finding oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

From Science Daily: Microplastics found in 90% of prostate cancer tumors, study reveals

A new study has found tiny plastic particles in nine out of 10 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Researchers also discovered that these microplastics were present at higher concentrations in cancerous tumors than in nearby noncancerous prostate tissue. ...continue reading "Microplastics Found In Higher Levels In Prostate Cancer Tumors"

Tires Are A Source Of Microplastics In Urban Air

SimaMarch 5, 2026March 6, 2026Leave a comment

There is much concern over the amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment, especially since they are turning up wherever we look. Including inside human bodies (e.g., the brain, blood, lungs, our bones), with mainly unknown health effects. A recent study found that an important source of microplastics and nanoplastics in urban air (in heavy traffic areas) comes from vehicle tires.

This occurs from tire abrasion - tires get worn down when vehicles are driven and also when braking occurs, and the tire abrasion particles get released into the air. In this study, they accounted for about 65% of the total plastic particles in the air in a heavy traffic area in Leipzig, Germany. Microplastics are smaller than 5 mm, and nanoparticles are even smaller (smaller than 1 micrometer).

According to the researchers, residents spending 24 hours a day in the high traffic area would inhale approximately 2.1 micrograms of plastic particulates per day, which is about 0.7 milligrams per year. So far it other studies find that this can result in oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory reactions in the lungs.

From Phys.org: Microplastics and nanoplastics in urban air originate mainly from tire abrasion, research reveals

Although plastic particles in the air are increasingly coming into focus, knowledge about their distribution and effects is still limited. Chemical analyses from Leipzig now provide details from Germany for the first time: Around 4% of the particulate matter consists of plastic. Around two-thirds of this comes from tire abrasion. ...continue reading "Tires Are A Source Of Microplastics In Urban Air"

Consuming Coffee Or Tea Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia

SimaFebruary 23, 2026Leave a comment

Cup of coffee Credit: Wikipedia

Once again, a recent study found that daily consumption of coffee has health benefits.

Recent research found that drinking a moderate amount of coffee (2 to 3 cups of daily) or 1 to 2 cups of tea daily was associated with a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive function. Decaf coffee appeared to have no effect on risk of dementia or cognitive functioning.

Persons with the highest intake (2 to 3 cups or more daily) of caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared with those who drank little or no caffeinated coffee. The large study followed people for as long as 43 years.

From Medical Xpress: Consuming 2–3 cups of coffee daily associated with lower dementia risk, better cognitive function

A new prospective cohort study by investigators from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard analyzed 131,821 participants from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), finding that moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee (two to three cups a day) or tea (one to two cups a day) reduced dementia risk, slowed cognitive decline, and preserved cognitive function. ...continue reading "Consuming Coffee Or Tea Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia"

Elderberries Have Health Benefits

SimaFebruary 23, 2026February 23, 2026Leave a comment

People are always looking for foods that seem especially beneficial for health. Colorful vegetables and fruits fall into this category, especially berries, because of the polyphenols they contain. Recent research found that elderberries may help with insulin control, reduce fat production, and improve metabolic health - at least in this study using mice.

Interestingly, the researchers found that the microbes in the gut break down the polyphenols in foods. The researchers pointed out that other fruits and berries have similar effects to elderberries. But be careful - don't eat large amounts of raw elderberries by the fistful, because unripe elderberries also contain cyanide, which can cause nausea and vomiting.

Excerpts from Food and Wine: This Antioxidant-Rich Berry Could Be a Big Deal for Blood Sugar Control, Researchers Say

- Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that a compound in elderberries, cinnamic acid, may help improve insulin control and reduce fat production in mice with a healthy gut microbiome.
- The study shows that gut bacteria can transform elderberry compounds into metabolites that support improved metabolic health, potentially informing treatments for insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.
- While promising, scientists caution that more research is needed before recommending elderberry supplements — and remind readers that raw elderberries can be toxic if eaten unripe.

...continue reading "Elderberries Have Health Benefits"

Physical Activity Slows Down Kidney Function Decline That Occurs With Aging

SimaFebruary 21, 2026February 23, 2026Leave a comment

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing problem globally, especially in aging populations. As people age, their kidney function declines - and this is a normal part of aging. A recent study found that physical activity slows this kidney function decline.

The study followed healthy individuals (aged 50 to 64 years at the start), who had varying physical activity levels, over an 11 year period. The researchers found that there is a dose response effect from physical activity - more active persons had a slower annual kidney function decline, as well as a much lower risk of accelerated kidney function decline.

The slowest level of kidney decline was in persons who were physically active almost every day (at least 5 days a week) and who engaged in more intense exercise. Note that physical activity is not just doing exercises - it's physical activity of all sorts. Yes, walking counts.

The researchers viewed physical activity as having reno-protective effects - in both the general population and in persons with CKD. This is because it lowers the risk of developing CKD, but it also slows kidney function decline. By the way, other studies have also found physical activity or exercise beneficial in slowing down the kidney function decline that occurs with aging.

From Medscape: Physical Activity May Slow Kidney Function Decline

Increased physical activity was associated with a substantially lower risk for kidney function decline, with the strongest effects seen with higher frequencies and intensities of activity, according to a new longitudinal study. ...continue reading "Physical Activity Slows Down Kidney Function Decline That Occurs With Aging"

Bacteria Found In Kidney Stones

SimaFebruary 5, 2026February 5, 2026Leave a comment

The incidence of kidney stones is on the rise worldwide, with 1 in 11 people expected to develop a stone at some point. There are several subtypes of kidney stones, with calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones occurring in more than 70% of cases. Recent research found live bacteria in calcium oxalate stones, along with biofilms.

Biofilms are communities of bacteria sticking to one another and coated with a protective slime. In these kidney stones, the biofilms were in-between mineral layers. Several bacterial species were most common in the kidney stones: E. faecalis, P. mirabilis, and E. coli.

Prior to this study, calcium oxalate kidney stones were not considered bacterial. The researchers thought that the bacteria might explain why people tend to have recurrent kidney stones.

Kidney stones begin as tiny crystals that can accumulate and clump together in urine. One easy way to decrease risk of developing kidney stones is do drink plenty of water (want to dilute your urine). Low fluid intake and dehydration is associated with increased kidney stone formation, due to concentrated urine.

An interesting earlier study looked at the microbiome of the kidneys and found that the beneficial bacteria L. crispatus is found in the absence of kidney stones, while the presence of E.coli was associated with the development of kidney stones. The researchers found that the L. crispatus somehow blocked E.coli's ability to form kidney stones.

From Medical Xpress: Previously unknown bacterial component in kidney stone formation discovered

In an unexpected finding, a UCLA-led team has discovered that bacteria are present inside the most common type of kidney stone, revealing a previously unrecognized component involved in their formation. ...continue reading "Bacteria Found In Kidney Stones"

Only 32 Fossil Fuel Companies Are Responsible For Half of Carbon Dioxide Emissions

SimaFebruary 4, 2026February 5, 2026Leave a comment

The world is getting hotter, the storms stronger, climate change is here, and there is no end in sight. A recent report by Carbon Majors found that half of the world's CO2 emissions (a driver of climate change) is from only 32 fossil fuel companies.

The biggest state-owned polluter was Saudi Aramco (1.7bn tons of CO2 emissions in 2024), and the biggest private investor polluter was Exxon Mobil (57.458million tons of CO2 in 2024). Seventeen of the top 20 polluters were state controlled companies. Of course, all top polluters oppose any phase out of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) - this could hurt their profits!

Carbon Majors is a database of production data from 178 of the world's largest oil, gas, coal, and cement producers. They discuss one thing that could be done: a surcharge on fossil industry profits. Their reasoning: Make polluters pay.

Excerpts from The Guardian: Half of world’s CO2 emissions come from just 32 fossil fuel firms, study shows

Just 32 fossil fuel companies were responsible for half the global carbon dioxide emissions driving the climate crisis in 2024, down from 36 a year earlier, a report has revealed. ...continue reading "Only 32 Fossil Fuel Companies Are Responsible For Half of Carbon Dioxide Emissions"

Weakening Formaldehyde Regulations Will Harm Us

SimaJanuary 30, 2026January 30, 2026Leave a comment

Satellite image of U.S. Credit: Wikipedia

Many environmental protections are now in the process of being rolled back in the United States, including those for formaldehyde. This is a huge win for the chemical industry (more profits!), and a loss for us. For our health and for the environment.

Formaldehyde is used in many consumer products, such as personal care products, paints, crafting products, particle board, composite wood (e.g., furniture, cabinets), textiles, plastics, furniture foam. The problem is that it out-gasses and we inhale it, which can lead to health harms, such as effects on the skin and respiratory system and several types of cancers. Formaldehyde causes more cancer than any other chemical in the air.

The EPA is now proposing raising levels of formaldehyde that are "safe" for us to be exposed to. It wants to double the allowable threshold levels! The EPA sets standards for chemicals that say that any level of exposure below that threshold is considered safe. Therefore, levels of exposure to formaldehyde that are now considered a cancer risk will not be if the changes are approved.

Why these rollbacks? Chemical industry friendly people are now in charge of the EPA (top staffers are from the chemical industry) and the new focus is on economic development, prioritizing business interests, and not protecting human health and the environment. Of course research scientists and research are being thrown out.

Excerpts from The Guardian: Trump’s EPA wants to weaken formaldehyde protections – this is what it could mean

Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to increase the levels of exposure to highly carcinogenic formaldehyde it considers safe. If successful, people would continue to be exposed to concerning amounts of the toxin in thousands of everyday products used across the economy, experts and advocates say. ...continue reading "Weakening Formaldehyde Regulations Will Harm Us"