QUESTION: Hey Dr Zac, over winter I was cranking up the heater, but someone at work mentioned these reverse cycle heaters/air conditioners, especially older ones, can spread bacteria like legionella. We also have a gas heater in the kitchen, and he said that can emit carbon monoxide. Is that true? With summer coming up – should … Read more
Your gut microbiome is begging for more dirt, more hugs — and a whole lot less disinfectant. That’s according to Dr. Wendy Johnson, a family physician, writer and public health professor, who warns that if you’re not nurturing the bacteria in your belly like a garden, you could be setting yourself up for serious trouble. … Read more
Watch your mouth! Imbalances in our oral microbiome — the millions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in our mouth — have been linked to many systemic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes and certain cancers. New research out of NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center ties over two dozen of these microbes to a … Read more
It’s flossophy 101 — healthy gums for a healthier you. Most people focus on their teeth when brushing, but strong gums are essential for overall well-being. Dr. Jason Auerbach, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in New Jersey, is sharing a secret weapon for preventing gum infections caused by a buildup of bacteria. Courtesy of Dr. … Read more
You could be flushing money down the toilet. The GoodNature Program offers donors the chance to help others and cash in on their crap, literally. Through the company’s stool donation program, poop is collected from healthy people who are compensated up to $1,500 per month — and the samples are then used to further research … Read more
Good gut health? Bottle it up. In the pursuit of a better gut microbiome, social media users are turning to a tasty new trend: diversity jars. The concept is simple: stack and shake plant ingredients — including nuts, seeds, herbs, adaptogens and spices — into a mix that feeds your gut an array of fibers … Read more
Welcome to Club Meds. More than 4 out of 10 senior citizens take five or more prescription medications — a phenomenon known as polypharmacy, research shows. This practice increases the risk of addiction and medication errors, like taking the wrong dosage or skipping doses altogether. Potential consequences include hospitalization, mental impairment and painful falls. Many … Read more
It’s not pretty in pink. A UK man was filled with “sadness” after stumbling across a neon pink lake, which he believed might’ve been caused by industrial pollution — but the causes are au natural. “I was taken aback by it as I haven’t seen anything like it before,” Barry Knight, 61, told South West … Read more
At least three babies have died of presumed congenital syphilis in New York state this year, prompting health officials to warn about the risks of the preventable infection. A pregnant woman can pass syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, to her fetus. Left untreated, congenital syphilis can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, skeletal abnormalities, neurological problems, … Read more
You’ve been itching to avoid this antibiotic — maybe for no reason. Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by a Scottish bacteriologist. The medication has since become a common treatment for a range of bacterial infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections and certain urinary tract infections. But not everyone can tolerate penicillin. People allergic to … Read more
Mint to be? Fluoride in toothpaste has been shown to strengthen tooth enamel, making our chompers more resistant to acids from plaque and bacteria that cause tooth decay. Researchers from King’s College London say they have identified a substance that can protect against decay and repair early-stage damage better than fluoride. Brace yourself — it’s … Read more
There’s something fishy going on — and finally, a way to reel in one of the leading culprits. A female-founded health startup just unveiled a game-changing treatment for the most common vaginal issue women face during their reproductive years. But here’s the twist: it targets their male partners. “With this launch, we are empowering couples … Read more
City health officials are sounding the alarm as a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak spreads through Harlem, killing two New Yorkers and sickening at least 58 others. The pneumonia-like illness, first detected on July 25, has been reported in zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039, as well as and neighboring communities. “The risk to most … Read more
Let this sink in — a dangerous, salt-obsessed bacterium is wreaking havoc along the Gulf Coast. Several dozen cases of Vibrio vulnificus and nine deaths have been reported so far this year across Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi. The rod-shaped bacterium lurks in warm, brackish waters — it can enter your body when … Read more
Forget the monster in your closet — the real nightmare in your bedroom is lurking in plain sight. A Harvard-trained doctor is sounding the alarm, warning that everyday items in your sleeping quarters may be teeming with chemicals, critters and other hidden hazards. In a recent Instagram video, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist, revealed … Read more
It’s not just love in the air. In a shocking new study out of Japan, scientists had men smell women’s armpits — and discovered that their body odor could subtly sway male behavior, even helping them relax. But the effect only kicked in at certain times of the month, when the men found the scent … Read more
Diving into a public pool this summer? You might be plunging into a petri dish. While chlorine is the go-to germ killer, it doesn’t work instantly. Some nasty germs can survive in treated water for minutes or even days, turning a refreshing swim into a risky dip. And the threat is growing. Outbreaks of waterborne … Read more
As if growing up in one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods wasn’t hard enough, Darryl Hall was born with a rare condition that caused a foul odor to ooze from his pores as a teenager. “I was already getting bullied a lot in school just based off of how I looked and how my condition … Read more
Talk about a “gut feeling.” New research from Duke University highlights the role of neuropods, specialized sensory cells in the colon that act like taste buds for the gut. Neuropods “sample” nutrients like sugars and bacterial byproducts and quickly send signals to the brain, guiding food choices and even influencing when it’s time to stop … Read more
Urine for a rough ride with this infection. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, cigarette use, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity are among the risk factors for heart attack and stroke. A family history of these episodes, age and sex play a role, too. Several factors increase your risk of heart attack and stroke — a … Read more