Show 1170: What Makes Your Immune System an Elegant Defense? (Archive)

FromThe People's Pharmacy

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Show 1170: What Makes Your Immune System an Elegant Defense? (Archive)

FromThe People's Pharmacy

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Length:

60 minutes

Released:

Jun 20, 2019

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Have you ever wondered how your immune system manages to ward off infections? This “elegant defense” is sometimes described as though it were an army fending off all invaders, but that metaphor can be misleading. Perhaps we’d do better to think of immune system cells as a peacekeeping force. Maybe they act as bouncers for […]

Released:

Jun 20, 2019

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options. 921997

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Show 1076: Finding New Ways to Ease Joint Pain: Stiff painful joints can interfere with activities like gardening, cooking, playing tennis, climbing stairs or walking the dog. While we think of osteoarthritis as a condition that primarily affects older people, by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1096: What You Need to Know About Treating Thyroid Disease: An estimated 20 million Americans have trouble with their thyroid glands. Doctors have become accustomed to making the diagnosis of hypothyroidism based on a single blood test. Often they prescribe just one medication for treating thyroid disease. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1080: What Works for Pain Relief and Why: Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. But physicians often face a dilemma when they treat joint pain, back pain or muscle spasms with prescription pills. Drugs that relieve pain effectively frequently carry frightening side e... by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1077: Dr. Andrew Weil on Drug-free Alternatives to the Meds You Take: Americans are taking more pills than ever before. Last year we shelled out more than $400 billion for prescription drugs alone. Over-the-counter medicines are also extremely popular. But all those drugs also carry some risks. by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1090: How Intense Exercise Benefits Parkinson Patients: Parkinson’s disease makes it difficult for people to move. In addition to tremors or twitches, people with Parkinson’s often feel stiff and find it difficult to walk easily. Their handwriting shrinks, and their voice may become hoarse or soft. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1088: How Good Communication Makes Health Care Better: When your doctor speaks, do you understand what you are hearing? Do you know how to describe your health problem so your doctor will “get it”? Why Communication Is Critical: Communication between doctors and patients is at the heart of health care. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1083: Should You Be Worried About Salt or Sat Fat for Your Heart?: You’ve probably heard that lifestyle is the most important factor in keeping your heart healthy. Don’t smoke, exercise, and eat right seem simple. But what does it really mean to eat right? Should you be avoiding sat fat? How Big a Problem Is Sat Fat? by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1033: How to Stay Healthy with Principles of Ayurvedic Medicine (Archive): Most Americans are not familiar with the principles of Ayurvedic medicine. Despite its thousands of years of tradition, it seems exotic and possibly irrelevant for today. How Ayurvedic Medicine Principles Can Be Integrated into Neurology: Learn how a n... by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1091: Unexpected Remedies to Soothe Your Summertime Woes: Summer is a great time to enjoy being outdoors. But vacation travel and playing in the back yard both offer potential hazards, such as sunburn, bug bites, poison ivy or blisters. How do you handle such everyday problems? by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1086: Why Dogs Are Good for Babies’ Health: Dogs and Babies’ Health: Most young kids love their dogs. New research shows that even babies too young to play with the pet benefit from a dog in the house. What is the story on pets as probiotics? How do dogs affect the microbiome of a household, by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1085: The Statin Standoff and New Drugs for the Heart: Cardiologists agree that we should all be getting regular exercise and eating a healthful diet with lots of vegetables and fruits. But they don’t agree on which of us should be taking statins to protect our hearts. by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1081: What Do You Need to Know About Lyme Disease?: There’s been a big increase in mouse populations in many places over the past year. As a result, the number of ticks is booming, and you have a greater chance of being bitten when you go outside. Could a bite put you in danger from Lyme disease? by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1084: Psilocybin, Cancer & Spiritual Awakening: People facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis may struggle with more than the medical treatment. They sometimes experience an existential crisis, in which life loses its meaning. In such situations, anxiety and depression may overwhelm and paralyze... by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1079: What Is the Science Behind Fabulous Foods for Health?: Which fabulous foods can make a difference for our health? There might be too many to count. For this show, we are focusing on the science supporting the health benefits of just three power-packed foods: olive oil, curcumin and cherries. by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1054: The Scientific Explanation for a Weird Remedy (Archive): For years, we’ve been hearing from listeners who swallow a shotglass of pickle juice or a spoonful of yellow mustard to make a muscle cramp disappear. They often report relief within a few minutes. How could such a weird remedy work so quickly to allev... by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1040: How to Make Your Brain Healthy for a Happy Life (Archive): At midcareer, neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki had numerous scientific awards and accomplishments. She was studying what makes a brain healthy. But she didn’t have much of a life outside of the lab, and she wasn’t happy. She decided to make some changes, by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1097: What Can Be Done to Help When the Prognosis Is Poor: Although lifespans have been increasing, so has the burden of chronic disease. When a person is diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, cirrhosis, kidney disease, heart failure or Parkinson’s, medical science may not have a cure. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1082: How Does Being in Nature Make You Healthier?: When you listen to bird song, smell pine needles or watch tree branches swaying in the wind, what is happening in your brain? For that matter, what is happening in your body? Does your level of stress drop when you are out in nature? by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1047: How to Sync Your Body Clock to Get the Sleep You Need (Archive): Our daytime functioning depends in large measure on the sleep we get at night. No doubt that helps explain why we spend approximately 36 percent of our lifetimes sleeping. How can we embrace bedtime instead of resenting it? by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1092: How Can You Overcome Alzheimer Disease?: More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer disease and are gradually losing their abilities to think and remember. Most of the medications that are available to treat this degenerative condition are unimpressive at best. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1102: How Do Endocrine Disruptors Affect Your Health?: Sperm counts have been falling around the world for the last several decades. In some regions, such as Europe and North America, the counts are down as much as 60 percent. What could account for this dramatic drop? Are Endocrine Disruptors to Blame? by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1093: How to Keep Your Bones Strong: Osteoporosis, weakened bones, affects about 10 million Americans. But low bone density is even more common. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about half of adults over 50 are at risk for a fracture. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
$Show 1093: How to Keep Your Bones Strong: Osteoporosis, weakened bones, affects about 10 million Americans. But low bone density is even more common. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about half of adults over 50 are at risk for a fracture.$
Show 1087: Change Your Perspective from Half-Empty to Half-Full: If you’ve ever found yourself ruminating over mistakes you made during the day and wishing for a do-over, you might want to change your perspective. In traditional psychiatry, you might focus on problems in your relationship and learn how to fight fair... by The People's Pharmacy
20 min listen
Show 1098: Are You Taking Too Many Prescriptions?: Consumer Reports recently had a cover story on “Too Many Meds? America’s Love Affair with Prescription Medication.” It turns out that half of American adults take at least one prescription drug. Actually, the average number of prescriptions is four. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1111: What Should You Know About Controversies in Cardiology?: How should you be keeping your heart healthy? Recent headlines have brought some controversies in cardiology to public attention. Defining High Blood Pressure: The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association issued guidelines on b... by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1095: How Do You Cope with Changing Recommendations?: Heart Disease and Inflammation: Is cholesterol the main problem leading to clogged arteries and heart attacks? It certainly is important, but a brand-new study suggests that inflammation may also be critical. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1062: Lead with Your Heart in the Horse Pen and in Your Life (Archive): Dr. Allan Hamilton is a neurosurgeon, a teacher and a horse trainer. Those activities may not seem to have much to do with each other, but Dr. Hamilton has found that horses have a lot to teach us about life and health. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 961: Botanical Treatments in Dermatology (Archive): Do home remedies have a role in skin care? Dan Siegel, MD, says that dermatologists can find a lot of medicinal uses for botanical products, and that helpful home remedies are great. Hemp Oil for the Skin: Find out about the benefits of hemp oil. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1094: Does It Matter When You Eat?: For decades, epidemiologists have noted that people who eat breakfast seem to weigh less and live longer. But it hasn’t been clear if eating breakfast helps people stay healthy, or if healthy people tend to eat breakfast. by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen
Show 1124: Should You Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?: What is the value of vitamin supplements? There is no consensus on whether most people would benefit. Much of the research on multivitamins does not show a strong effect in preventing cardiovascular disease or cancer. Consequently, by The People's Pharmacy
58 min listen

More Episodes from The People's Pharmacy

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Show 1359: Is the Food on Your Plate Real or Fake?: This week’s radio show features two of the country’s leading nutritional epidemiologists, Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard and Dr. Barry Popkin of the University of North Carolina. They discuss some of the challenges with the food on our grocery shelves a... by The People's Pharmacy
79 min listen
Show 1358: Upsides and Downsides of Immune-Modifying Drugs: This week’s radio show features one of our favorite guests, Dr. Robynne Chutkan. She is a gastroenterologist in Washington, DC and is a brilliant communicator. You may want to listen to it through your local public radio station or get the live stream ... by The People's Pharmacy
63 min listen
Show 1357: Revisiting Ventilation to Avoid Airborne Germs: According to the CDC, cases of COVID-19 have been rising in several parts of the country. Cases of hospitalization for COVID are also up. One way to protect ourselves from airborne germs like the SARS-CoV-2 virus is through better ventilation and air f... by The People's Pharmacy
63 min listen
Show 1356: Looking Through the Windows to the Brain: Since at least the 16th century, people have suggested that the eyes are the windows to the soul. In the 21st century, ophthalmologists have developed technology that allows them to assess our health beyond our eyes. by The People's Pharmacy
60 min listen
Show 1355: Uncovering the Shocking Dangers of Misdiagnosis: When you develop a health problem with symptoms that trouble you, the first step is to find out what it is. Diagnosis may be the most basic task a doctor or other healthcare provider undertakes. That doesn’t mean it is easy, though. by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1354: How Hypnosis Can Help Your Health: Would you be surprised to learn that hypnosis is a powerful tool for healing? If your primary exposure to this practice has been in books and movies, you may have a few misconceptions about how it works and what it can do. by The People's Pharmacy
60 min listen
Show 1353: Cutting Edge Cardiology from a Top Heart Doctor: When you think of preventing heart disease, what comes to mind? We hope you envision regular exercise and a healthful diet (whatever that means to you). Perhaps you also plan for regular checkups and know what your cholesterol levels are. by The People's Pharmacy
60 min listen
Show 1352: Home Tests, Tech and Tools to Improve Your Health: Only a few decades ago, most households had very limited ways of measuring their members’ health. There were thermometers to tell if someone had a fever. A bathroom scale could tell if you were losing or gaining weight. For quite a while, by The People's Pharmacy
66 min listen
Show 1351: Are You Risking Your Life Trusting Mail Order Medicines?: Have you ever taken a package out of your mailbox on a hot day and noticed that it was warm to the touch? If the pouch contained a tee shirt or a pair of sneakers, you probably didn’t think much more of it. by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1350: Why Psychotherapy Matters: Lessons from a Harvard Zen Master and Psychiatrist: If you tell your healthcare provider that you’re feeling anxious or depressed, chances are they will prescribe you a medication. Millions of people take anti-anxiety pills or antidepressants, and many find that the medicine makes life more bearable. by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1349: Solutions to Summer Skin Problems: No question about it, sunshine and heat can be stressful for your skin. This episode is all about solutions to summer skin problems. Sunscreens offer the promise of protection from sunburn, but are they as good as we think they are? by The People's Pharmacy
60 min listen
Show 1348: How Heat Challenges Human Health: It’s way too hot, not just in the United States, but in other parts of the world as well. The temperature in Rome this week was 107 degrees Fahrenheit. It is anticipated that the islands of Sicily and Sardinia could reach as high as 118. by The People's Pharmacy
60 min listen
Show 1347: How to Combat Adrenal Fatigue: You are probably familiar with adrenaline, the hormone that jolts through your body in an emergency. As a result, your heart beats faster and harder, your hands shake, your pupils dilate and your muscles are mobilized for fast action. by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1295: How Delicious Flavors Shape Human Behavior: This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, our topic is evolution and the role of delicious flavors. We talk with Dr. Rob Dunn, ecologist and evolutionary biologist, about how the search for food with delicious flavors as well as high nutrient ... by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1346: The Roots of the Herbal Industry: Until 1994, when Congress passed legislation on dietary supplements, most people using herbal medicine made it themselves or got it from a friend or family member with a green thumb. Before that time, most stores selling herbs in tinctures, by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1345: Secrets to Living a Long Healthy Life: Too many of us assume that aging automatically brings debility and cognitive decline. So it is a pleasure to talk with a centenarian who is ready to share the secrets to living a long healthy life. Secrets to Living a Long Healthy Life: Dr. by The People's Pharmacy
63 min listen
Show 1344: Managing Meat Allergy and Other Tick-Borne Diseases: If you are like us, you welcome the first warm days of the season with joy. And then you start to fret. How can you keep the ticks from biting? Many people recognize Lyme disease as a serious health threat from deer tick bites. by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1343: Hidden Harms of Herb and Drug Interactions: Millions of Americans take dietary supplements, and most of us assume that they are safe. While that is probably a reasonable rule of thumb, there are some situations that require more vigilance. In particular, by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1342: Balancing Your Movement Diet for Good Health: Physical activity is a key pillar of good health. Fewer than a fourth of American adults move their bodies enough to keep them healthy. The rest of us may spend too much time sitting in front of a computer or television screen. by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1326: Think Different About Alzheimer Disease: This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we consider the causes of Alzheimer disease. For decades, one theory has dominated. It suggests that the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques found in the brains of people with dementia cause the probl... by The People's Pharmacy
60 min listen
Show 1341: Lessons Learned from Long Illness: You may not have thought much about long illness, but chances are you know someone who is suffering with one. The CDC estimates that some chronic condition afflicts as many as one in six American adults. That could be more than 130 million people. by The People's Pharmacy
68 min listen
Show 1340: Were the Old Wives Right? by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1339: Harnessing the Power of the Vagus Nerve: We have multiple nervous systems. You are probably aware of the nerves that help move your arms to throw a ball or move your legs to jump. No doubt you also know about the fight-or-flight response triggered by a fright. by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1181: How to Keep Your Hair from Falling Out: Do you love your hair the way it is? Many of us wish our hair were different–curlier, straighter, darker or lighter. But what people worry about most with their hair is when they lose it. Can you keep your hair from falling out? by The People's Pharmacy
61 min listen
Show 1338: What 80+ Years of Research Tell Us About Happiness: Have you ever wondered what makes for a meaningful life? Philosophers have debated this for centuries, but now science has something to add. The current director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development shares the findings from this long-running, by The People's Pharmacy
67 min listen
Show 1337: Pros and Cons of LASIK Eye Surgery: In this episode, four guests share their diverse perspectives on LASIK eye surgery. This procedure surgically changes the shape of the cornea with the goal of helping people see better, ideally without eyeglasses or contact lenses. by The People's Pharmacy
64 min listen
Show 1307: Cocoa Compounds and the COSMOS Trial: This week on our nationally syndicated radio show, we explore the power of cocoa compounds to help heart health. Our first guest is Harvard’s Dr. JoAnn Manson, lead investigator of the COSMOS trial. That stands for Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Out... by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1336: How the Antiviral Gut Tackles Pathogens from the Inside Out: This week our guest is gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan. She explains how keeping our digestive microbiota in good health can help our immune systems fight off pathogens from the inside out. This show will air Saturday morning April 1, by The People's Pharmacy
59 min listen
Show 1335: Visual Thinking and the Value of Neurodiversity: This week, we talk with renowned author Temple Grandin. She reveals why she thinks visual thinking is underappreciated. Most importantly, she describes how we could change our educational system to better utilize a wide range of mental skills. by The People's Pharmacy
64 min listen
Show 1334: Healthy Eating for Two: In this week’s episode, learn about healthy eating for two. Most people realize that diet is especially important during pregnancy, but they may not know which foods are most nutritious. Researchers report that following a Mediterranean diet and practi... by The People's Pharmacy
60 min listen

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Show 1170: What Makes Your Immune System an Elegant Defense? (Archive)

Show 1170: What Makes Your Immune System an Elegant Defense? (Archive)

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from The People's Pharmacy

Related podcast episodes