Probiotics constitute a significant component of a healthy nutritional regime. Hundreds of brands sell probiotics in the market, and several blogs and websites exist exclusively to count probiotics’ never-ending benefits. But do we understand the actual mechanism through which probiotics work? For that, we need to be clear about the definition of probiotics. We need to know what and how they function. Read this article to learn the definition and some key benefits of probiotics: What are probiotics? Your body contains within itself both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are the good bacteria. When an infection affects your body, the number of harmful bacteria exceeds the number of beneficial bacteria in your body. To destroy these harmful bacteria and restore the balance in your body, you need to get good bacteria from external sources. These external sources include probiotic supplements or fermented foods. Some typical probiotic foods are probiotic yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, and many more, while supplements include refrigerated capsules, shelf-stable capsules, liquid beverages, and powders. Key benefits of probiotics Probiotics are good bacteria and have several benefits, and several scientific studies back these benefits. Here is a list of the 6 most popular probiotics benefits you should know of:

Several scientific studies have demonstrated how excess sugar damages the human body over time. Diseases like diabetes are one of the many dangerous side effects. As a result, you must monitor your daily sugar intake rigorously. We can do so by having a healthy and balanced meal plan and indulging in an active lifestyle. Here are specific symptoms you must watch out for to know if your sugar intake has increased.  Signs that you’re consuming excess sugar: Constant craving for sugary things The reward center in your brain activates when you ingest some food or drink containing sugar. When sugar enters your body, your brain responds to dopamine, also known as feel-good chemicals. To put it simply, the brain informs your body that it feels good and wants more of that sweet-tasting thing. The issue with such a feeling is that your brain gets addicted to it over time and starts craving more. This is similar to how you develop an alcohol tolerance and need more of it to feel the buzz. Feeling lethargic throughout the day The pleasure of the sweet taste spikes your insulin, which makes the brain happy. But after this initial high, it is inevitable for your brain to come down and feel low.

There can be several reasons for constant back pain; surgery, injury, or an uncomfortable sleeping position. Whatever the source, it can keep you awake all night. Luckily, the solution is pretty simple if it is the third problem. All you have to do is change your mattress! A good mattress will ensure you are supported throughout the night, ensuring good quality sleep. However, before choosing the right mattress, note salient points such as: How to select a good mattress for back pain? Firstly, and most importantly, one must take into account that all the best mattresses take the proverb “Comfort is the key” seriously, and ensure that specific points like the back, shoulders, and buttocks are not strained due to lack of support. Besides this, a so-called rule of thumb espouses that however good your mattress may be, you must get rid of it every ten years. But before you run to the market for mattress shopping, a consultation with your health professional is highly recommended. Once you are sure of the structural requirements of your back, mattress shopping will no longer be a confusing affair for you. Also, the results will be far more fruitful than if you rushed to the market uninformed about the guidelines for mattress shopping.

Sleep is crucial for good health. It refreshes the body and mind and provides energy to carry out daily tasks. But unfortunately, many people find it hard to get quality sleep, which affects their overall health. Several factors, such as ongoing treatment or underlying health conditions, can affect a person’s sleep. But for some people, an unhealthy pre-sleep routine is the cause. Here are five things to avoid doing before bedtime for sound sleep: Staring at a screen If you stare at your mobile, TV, or laptop screens before bedtime, you might struggle to sleep well. LED screens of digital devices emit blue and white light that lower a particular hormone released by the brain called melatonin. This hormone is required to feel drowsy and fall asleep. When the release of melatonin is reduced, sleep quality is hampered, and you cannot fall asleep quickly. Research says that exposure to any light before bedtime is unhealthy, but blue light has the most harmful effects on sleep. So, avoid it as much as possible before bedtime. Exercising Heavy exercises just before bedtime can harm your sleep quality. When our body prepares for bedtime, the temperature starts to fall, heart rate reduces, and the brain slows down.

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the lungs. All of us have two spongy chest organs via which we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Lung cancer is one of the world’s top causes of cancer deaths. Some lung cancer symptoms include trouble breathing, chest discomfort or pain, wheezing, a cough that does not go away, and hoarseness. Read the article to know more about lung cancer, and its management options: Treating Lung Cancer Here are some tips for managing lung cancer: Treatment Options Here are the three most common prescription treatments to manage lung cancer: Gavreto: It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment option for treating cancers caused by specific gene changes. It comes as capsules and is orally consumed. It is available in a single strength of 100 mg. Gavreto contains pralsetinib and is a RET inhibitor. Doctors prescribe Gavreto for metastatic NSCLC (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) that has rearranged RET genes or mutated. Doctors recommend a dosage of 400 mg once daily. It implies you will take four tablets at a time. Pralsetinib: It is another prescription remedy for treating metastatic NSCLC. Even patients with RET fusion-positive gene tumors also opt for Pralsetinib. Before prescribing Pralsetinib, the medical professional conducts a test to assess the RET gene fusion.

Hemophilia is a health condition in which the patient’s blood fails to clot normally due to the absence of clotting factors like Factor VIII and Factor IX. In most cases, this disease is genetically passed through generations, mainly affecting males. In patients with low clotting factors, spontaneous and injury-related bleeding can have fatal results. According to CDC, 12 people per 100,000 males in the country have hemophilia A. Here are four ways to manage the disease:   Effective trea tment options Even though this condition is non-curable, there are ways to minimize symptoms and keep it under control. The treatment varies as per the type of disease detected in the patient. It is important to remember that the main purpose of the treatment is to reduce bleeding and promote blood clotting.    Hemlibra, Recombinant Factor Concentrates, and Kovaltry  are three different types of treatment advised for patients suffering from this kind of blood disorder.    Hemlibra This is prophylaxis that needs to be prescribed by a practicing health professional. It is given to patients suffering from Hemophilia A, and its main objective is to reduce bleeding in the patient. It is prescribed for newborns, kids of all ages, and adults alike. Recombinant Factor Concentrates These are derived from animal cells that use the human gene to make the factor protein.

It is widely known that old age and menopause tend to increase the risks of osteoporosis or bone loss. However, very few people know that some specific disorders can also increase the chances of bone loss. While some of these conditions are the root cause of bone loss, others indirectly enhance the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis. Thus, here are five health conditions you must know and adequately manage to prevent bone loss: Diabetes For reasons still unexplained, scientists have observed that patients with Type 1 diabetes frequently suffer from bone loss. According to studies, the bones of patients with Type 1 diabetes tend to have delayed bone recovery and regeneration. Besides, their bone formation also is lower than normal. Type 1 diabetes typically begins in childhood, a period when your bones are still in the developing stage. In this condition, your pancreas releases little or no insulin, a protein hormone that maintains your blood sugar by carrying them to different parts of the body to be used as energy. It has been observed that without a sufficient amount of insulin, your bones may not reach their peak potential density. Furthermore, even if their bone density is not too lower than normal, patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are more susceptible to bone fracture than others.

Leukemia, or blood cancer, originates in the bone marrow. It is a condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of white blood cells. It differs from other types of cancer that are marked by the presence of a tumor. There are four types of the condition – acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The condition is incurable, but following these tips can help manage the disease better:   Getting Treated The patient must be put on the right treatment immediately after diagnosing the condition. TASIGNA® (nilotinib) and BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) are two prescribed treatments for leukemia.    TASIGNA ® (nilotinib) This is advised for newly diagnosed adults with Philadelphia chromosome Chronic Myeloid Leukemia or Ph+ CML-CP. It is also recommended for adults who cannot tolerate or are not benefiting from other treatments. Children above 1 year who are newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia or those who are not benefiting from other therapies are also advised to try this treatment. It was approved in 2007 and has helped treat about 28,000 people in the US with the condition Ph+ CML-CP.   BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) This is advised for adults and kids with B-cell precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Crohn’s disease is a type of IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease, that causes digestive tract inflammation. The inflammation may involve various areas of the digestive tract in people and progresses to deeper bowel layers. It can be debilitating and painful and might result in life-threatening complications. Even though there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, the knowledge of earning warning signs can help with better management. Here are the most prevalent Crohn’s signs: Rectal bleeding Since you have inflamed bowels, it might result in ulcer development. These ulcers may be large enough to bleed when you have a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids are also associated with IBD and are a top source of rectal bleeding. Anytime you experience blood in the stool, you must get it evaluated at the earliest and not ignore it. Anal fissure A tear in the anal canal or the anus lining is known as the anal fissure. It is usually painful and may also bleed. Unfortunately, it may develop at any age, but the risk of developing anal fissures lowers as you grow older. Moreover, people who have experienced anal fissures in the past are more susceptible to experiencing them again. Diarrhea It is another one of the top signs associated with Crohn’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is a neurologic disorder that progressively causes the brain cells to deteriorate. This condition’s repercussions are dementia, which makes functioning independently quite cumbersome. One’s behavioral, social, and thinking skills are affected, and the country has about 5.8 million people over 65 suffering from the disease. Alzheimer’s worsens with age, as more than 80% of patients are aged 75 and above. Here are three tips caregivers should follow to slow the progression of this condition: Ensuring a balanced meal plan Caregivers need to remember that there is no special nutritional regime for patients in such cases. Healthy foods and a balanced meal plan are enough to keep them strong. The presence of certain nutrients that have neuroprotective effects. And leafy green vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, and kale can help against age-related cognitive decline. Vegetables like Brussels sprouts and cauliflower contain nutrients that act against Alzheimer’s symptoms, like vitamin B and carotenoids. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries are rich in anthocyanin, which helps protect the brain cells and reduce cognitive decline. These berries are also rich in anti-inflammatory agents like antioxidants and vitamins. Whole grains are rich in vitamin E, which lowers the risk of dementia. Antioxidant elements in this food reduce the buildup of beta-amyloid proteins, one of the factors responsible for the disease. Beans are a recommended part of nutrition because they are rich in protein and fiber and low in fat and calories.