You may need a shower after hearing the results of this eye-opening study. Northwestern University researchers identified more than 600 different viruses on 92 showerhead and 34 toothbrush samples — and no two samples were alike. “The number of viruses that we found is absolutely wild,” said indoor microbiologist Erica M. Hartmann, who led the study. “We … Read more
You’ve heard of Lyme disease — now, infectious disease experts are warning of another serious tick-borne illness that’s on the rise: babesiosis. “If you live in areas where babesiosis is endemic, mostly states in the Northeast and the Midwest, take precautions, especially during the summer months,” said lead study author Paddy Ssentongo, an infectious disease fellow … Read more
Don’t fall for this common autumn mistake. Local health authorities are highlighting the dangers of consuming unpasteurized apple cider, with the Ogle County Health Department in Illinois warning that it may contain harmful bacteria that can severely sicken people, especially vulnerable populations. Unpasteurized apple cider may contain harmful bacteria that can make people, especially vulnerable … Read more
Here’s a gut check — new research reports that Parkinson’s disease may begin in the gut. A study led by Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that damage to the lining of the upper GI tract from stomach ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as acid reflux, may increase Parkinson’s risk by 76%. … Read more
Goo for your gut? UK surgeon, author and TikTok favorite Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Raj, has taken to the platform to weigh in on an unappetizing new wellness trend: okra slime water. Known as “nature’s lube,” this dense, two-ingredient tonic of okra and water may be hard to swallow but could … Read more
Boar’s Head, the deli meat company at the center of a deadly listeria food poisoning outbreak, is being scrutinized by law enforcement officials, the US Agriculture Department disclosed in response to government records requests. Officials with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service refused to share documents regarding the agency’s inspections and enforcement at the Boar’s Head … Read more
What a kick in the guts! Probiotics are live microorganisms that aid in digestive processes, while prebiotics — from sources like prebiotic sodas — act as fuel for this healthy gut bacteria. “Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that serve as food for probiotics, helping them thrive, and the two work together to regulate bowel movements, aid … Read more
He wants you to take this advice to heart. Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon in Savannah, Georgia, is revealing the four bad habits that he avoids to maintain good health. He said that being a cardiothoracic surgeon for 25 years has taught him not to smoke or vape, use alcohol-based mouthwash, consume processed foods … Read more
A 10th person has died in the listeria outbreak that shuttered a Boar’s Head deli meat plant, federal health officials said Wednesday. At least 59 people in 19 states have been sickened by the bacteria first detected in liverwurst made at the Jarratt, Virginia, plant. Illnesses were reported between late May and late August, the US Centers … Read more
She’s sharing her morning drill. UK dental surgeon Shaadi Manouchehri has revealed her three-step routine for good oral hygiene — brushing her teeth before breakfast, scraping her tongue twice a day and using mouthwash before brushing. “I’m a dentist of almost 10 years, and it’s taken me that long to perfect this, and I feel like I … Read more
The plot thickens — as colon cancer rates continue to rise in young adults, a Florida gastroenterologist is pointing the finger at emulsifiers in processed foods. “Ultra-processed foods create a lot of noise in the microbial system,” Dr. Maria Abreu, a professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology at the University of Miami, told Miami news station … Read more
Do you have the guts to follow this routine? Florida gastroenterologist Joseph Salhab is revealing his daily diet of fruit, fish, coffee and nuts, hoping it inspires his 1.7 million TikTok followers to adopt gut- and liver-friendly eating habits. “I try to stay away from fast food that’s greasy and fried,” Salhab explained Sunday on TikTok. … Read more
He’s a fountain of wisdom. Dr. Scott Walter, a board-certified dermatologist in the Denver area, claims that a bidet should be a fixture in your bathroom for hygiene reasons. “To put it simply, would you ever consider cleaning your dirty hands with a dry paper towel?” Walter mused on Friday to his 1.2 million TikTok followers. … Read more
He paid the ultimate p-rice. Doctors in Lebanon say they treated a 38-year-old man who got an unusual bacterial infection in his penis after eating rice and having “vigorous intercourse” with his wife. The incident — “the first case in literature describing such an entity” — was detailed this month in the Annals of Medicine … Read more
Folks are feeling the burn as urinary tract infection (UTI) rates surge. UTIs are among the most common infections worldwide, affecting 50% to 60% of women at some point in their lives, and they seem to be becoming more prevalent. The disease burden rose by more than 68% between 1990 and 2019, recent research found. Even more … Read more
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday that a Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats has resulted in 14 new illnesses and five additional deaths. This brings the total to 57 cases, all of which required hospitalization, with eight fatalities overall. The outbreak is now the largest listeriosis incident since the 2011 cantaloupe-associated outbreak. A Listeria outbreak linked … Read more
Talk about a splash landing. A Kentucky water park’s pool became the unfortunate breeding ground for a mighty infection that gives painful symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, fevers, and painful cramping. The Silver Lake water park and adventure center in Erlanger, a Cincinnati suburb, was host to the chlorine-resistant Cryptosporidiosis, abbreviated to crypto. Silver Lake’s pool … Read more
Keep it clean! Dr. Jason Singh, a primary care doctor based in Virginia, is revealing the three body parts you’re probably overlooking in the shower — your belly button, feet and ears. “Let’s get real — when’s the last time you gave your belly button some TLC?” Singh asked his 96,300 TikTok followers in a clip last … Read more
She’s sharing the dirty truth about her cleanser. Diana Hasler, a mother-of-one from Camden, Australia, was disgusted when she realized she had been using a moldy skincare product. “Friendly reminder that if you keep face wash in the shower, things go moldy. I just didn’t think it would happen so quickly,” Halser said online. Diana … Read more
Everyone who has owned an Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette since high school can thank this scientist for answering if it’s too old to still use. TikTok user @the_lab_life1 posted a video testing her Naked Basics eyeshadow palette that she got in 2017 for bacteria. “I know it’s from 2017 ’cause I got it for … Read more