Podcasts about molecular biosciences

Today we explore the history of the field of endocrine disruption with Patricia Hunt. Pat is a Regents Professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University. She is a distinguished researcher and the recipient of many awards; additionally, she works at the forefront of initiatives to communicate complex scientific findings to the public. 

Despite not having a known function, cellular “vaults” are on the verge of being harnessed for all kinds of applications, and looking at the evolution of brown fat into a heat-generating organ   First on this week's show, Managing News Editor John Travis joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss mysterious cellular complexes called “vaults.” First discovered in the 1980s, scientists have yet to uncover the function of these large, common, hollow structures. But now some researchers are looking to use vaults to deliver cancer drugs and viruses for gene therapy.   Next, what can we learn about the evolution of brown fat from opossums? Unlike white fat, which stores energy in many mammals, brown fat cells use ATP to generate heat, helping babies maintain their body temperature and hibernators kick-start their summers. Susanne Keipert, a researcher in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at Stockholm University's Wenner-Gren Institute, talks about when in evolutionary history brown fat took on this job of burning energy.   Finally, this week we are launching our music refresh! If you are interested in what happened to our music—where it came from and how it's different (and the same)—stay tuned for a chat with artist Nguyên Khôi Nguyễn.   This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy.   About the Science Podcast   Authors: Sarah Crespi; John Travis  Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.zpoy92t Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite not having a known function, cellular “vaults” are on the verge of being harnessed for all kinds of applications, and looking at the evolution of brown fat into a heat-generating organ   First on this week's show, Managing News Editor John Travis joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss mysterious cellular complexes called “vaults.” First discovered in the 1980s, scientists have yet to uncover the function of these large, common, hollow structures. But now some researchers are looking to use vaults to deliver cancer drugs and viruses for gene therapy.   Next, what can we learn about the evolution of brown fat from opossums? Unlike white fat, which stores energy in many mammals, brown fat cells use ATP to generate heat, helping babies maintain their body temperature and hibernators kick-start their summers. Susanne Keipert, a researcher in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at Stockholm University's Wenner-Gren Institute, talks about when in evolutionary history brown fat took on this job of burning energy.   Finally, this week we are launching our music refresh! If you are interested in what happened to our music—where it came from and how it's different (and the same)—stay tuned for a chat with artist Nguyên Khôi Nguyễn.   This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy.   About the Science Podcast   Authors: Sarah Crespi; John Travis  Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.zpoy92t Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello and welcome to the NanoLSI podcast. Thank you for joining us today. In this episode we feature the latest research by Romain Amyot, Noriyuki Kodera, and Holger Flechsig at the Kanazawa University NanoLSI.The research described in this podcast was published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences  in November 2023Kanazawa University NanoLSI websitehttps://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/Researchers predict protein placement on AFM substratesResearchers at Kanazawa University report in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences a computational method to predict the placement of proteins on AFM substrates based on electrostatic interactions.The observation of biomolecular structures using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the direct visualization of functional conformational dynamics in high-speed AFM (HS-AFM) experiments have significantly advanced the understanding of biological processes at the nanoscale. In experiments, a biological sample is deposited on a supporting surface (AFM substrate) and is scanned by a probing tip to detect the molecular shape and its dynamical changes. The observation of protein dynamics under HS-AFM is a delicate balance between immobilizing the structure on the supporting surface while at the same time preventing too strong perturbations by immobilization.The process of placing a biomolecular sample on the supporting surface and controlling its proper attachment is a challenge at the very start of every AFM observation. By the chemical composition of the buffer, interactions between the sample and substrate can be modified. Such surface modifications are often critical for successful AFM observations of protein structures and their functional motions. However, the molecular orientation of the sample is a priori unknown, and due to limitations in the spatial resolution of images, difficult to infer from a posteriori analysis.Romain Amyot, Noriyuki Kodera, and Holger Flechsig from Kanazawa University have now developed a physical model to predict the placement of biomolecular structures on AFM substrates based on electrostatic interactions. The method considers the substrates commonly used in AFM experiments (mica, APTES-mica, lipid bilayers) and takes into account buffer conditions. In computer simulations, a large number of possible molecular arrangements on the AFM substrate are sampled, and from evaluating the corresponding interaction energies, the most favorable placement is determined. Furthermore, the analysis allows predictions of the imaging stability under tip scanning.The authors provide several applications of the new method and obtain remarkable agreement of model predictions with previous experimental HS-AFM imaging of proteins. The findings can explain, for example, why HS-AFM observations of the Cas9 endonuclease, a protein playing a key role in genetic engineering applications, can reliably visualize functional relative motions of target DNA and Cas9 and capture DNA cleavage events at the single molecule level (see Fig. 1). Furthermore, as demonstrated for the ATP-powered chaperone machine ClpB, the model can explain how buffer conditions affect the stability of the sample-substrate complex and validate observations of previous HS-AFM experiments.In summary, the new method allows to employ the enormous amount of available structural data for biomolecules to make predictions of the sample placement on AFM substrates even prior to an actual experiment, and it can also be applied for post-experimental analysis of AFM imaging data. The developed method is implemented within the freely available BioAFMviewer software package, providing a convenient platform for applications by the broad BioAFM community.  Reference R. Amyot, K. Nakamoto, N. Kodera, H. FlechsiNanoLSI Podcast website

How should we study complex biological networks? How do cells keep time and stay in sync? What does it mean for a network to be resilient? In this episode, we talk with Rosemary Braun, Associate Professor at Northwestern University in the Department of Molecular Biosciences and a member of the NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology. Rosemary is broadly interested in learning whether “more is different” when it comes to complex molecular networks operating across different temporal and spatial scales. We talk with her about systems approaches to uncovering the “Rules of Life” and about circadian (daily) rhythms. She and her team use machine learning to understand emergent phenomena in networks, with the goal of helping medical professionals target treatments based on an individual patient's circadian rhythm. Cover art: Keating Shahmehri. Find a transcript of this episode on our website. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigbiology/support

Dr. Stan Roux, Professor of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Texas – Austin, has had a long and successful career based on his fascination with plants and his desire to understand plant biology. He's spent his career exploring the effect of apyrase on root systems, crop yields, and plant nutrient uptake. We get into Stan's unlikely career path and how a chance conversation with a colleague at a conference led to his 25 years of collaboration with NASA and experiments on space missions to help understand the effect of gravity on plant development that could inform how plants are cultivated on the moon or Mars. Join us for this fascinating discussion on the impact of transcriptomics and proteomics in research and the mysteries of plants that are yet to be solved. Tune in today. Subscribe to get future episodes. Share with a friend or colleague that might enjoy too! Visit https://thermofisher.com/ISMB to access molecular biology resources and educational content. Experience the Speaking of Mol Bio podcast in its extended video format for a more immersive journey, while also ensuring accessibility with downloadable transcripts for each episode. Watch now at thermofisher.com/podcast-video

A case of lupus in her childhood was the catalyst of Professor Joanne Blanchfield's career in science. It was Joanne's doctors who guided her away from a career in medicine, and towards one in research. Through her career, Joanne has worked with Indigenous Australian communities on investigating the chemistry of natural medicines, taken on a number of post-doctoral positions, including Johns Hopkins University in the United States, the Australian National University in Canberra, and now works as a Deputy Head of School in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at UQ. It was after a life-threatening medical incident, Joanne realised the critical importance of building a strong, trusted network. It was a lesson in perspective, and acknowledging that even with setbacks, your career will still be there when you get back. In this conversation, Joanne talks about taking on leadership roles as early as possible in your academic journey, the importance of travel for career development, and making yourself competitive as – through your research and good academic citizenship. Donate now to support future episodes of Women in Science: www.justgiving.com/campaign/women-in-science-podcast Read more about Joanne's research: https://scmb.uq.edu.au/profile/33/joanne-blanchfield Season 3 of Women in Science has been made possible with the generous support of Professor Aideen McInerney-Leo.

Researchers at Washington State University have made history with a German-style sausage. It's the first university to receive authorization from the Food and Drug Administration to have gene-edited pigs enter the food chain for human consumption. A company called Acceligen had previously received such an authorization for cattle, according to the university. We'll learn more about what this means for food production from Jon Oatley, a professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences at WSU.

The Smart 7 Ireland Edition is the daily news podcast that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7am, 7 days a week… Consistently appearing in Ireland's Daily News charts, we're a trusted source for people every day. If you're enjoying it, please follow, share or even post a review, it all helps… Today's episode includes references to the following guests: Dr Deborah Robson - Senior Lecturer in Tobacco Harm Reduction at King's College LondonJyotika Viramni - Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean InstituteAlex Rogers - Scientific Director of the Ocean CensusDr. Vivek Murthy - U.S. Surgeon GeneralProfessor Amy Rosenzweig - Professor of Life Sciences in the Departments of Molecular Biosciences and of Chemistry at Northwestern UniversityGeoffrey Hinton - Former Google engineering fellowDr Chris Thomas - Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff UniversityDr Oliver Castell - Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff UniversityDr Sion Coulman - Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff UniversityMackenzie Mathis - Neuroscientist as Assistant Professor at EPFLContact us over at Twitter or visit www.thesmart7.comPresented by Ciara Revins, written by Oliva Davies and Liam Thompson and produced by Daft Doris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Smart 7 is a daily podcast that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7 am, 7 days a week... With over 12 million downloads and consistently charting, including as No. 1 News Podcast on Spotify, we're a trusted source for people every day. If you're enjoying it, please follow, share, or even post a review, it all helps...Today's episode includes the following guests:Dr Deborah Robson - Senior Lecturer in Tobacco Harm Reduction at King's College LondonJyotika Viramni - Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean InstituteAlex Rogers - Scientific Director of the Ocean CensusDr. Vivek Murthy - U.S. Surgeon GeneralProfessor Amy Rosenzweig - Professor of Life Sciences in the Departments of Molecular Biosciences and of Chemistry at Northwestern UniversityGeoffrey Hinton - Former Google engineering fellowDr Chris Thomas - Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff UniversityDr Oliver Castell - Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff UniversityDr Sion Coulman - Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff UniversityMackenzie Mathis - Neuroscientist as Assistant Professor at EPFLIn Ireland? Why not try our Ireland Edition?Contact us over at Twitter or visit www.thesmart7.comPresented by Jamie East, written by Olivia Davies and produced by Daft Doris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in for a very special episode as our hosts welcome Dr. Arturo De Lozanne as a guest. Dr. De Lozanne is a professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences and has played an integral role in the Polymathic Scholars program. Join the hosts as they honor him, his stories, and his achievements in his last year as a professor at UT.

Welcome back to In the Spotlight! For our season 4 premiere, we'll be talking all about the struggle between humans and pathogens -- one we're, unfortunately, all too familiar with. Here to talk us through one of the many ways bacteria outsmart our immune system is Northwestern PhD student Alexandra Karagiaridi, from the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Alexandra gives us a fascinating insight into her graduate school, the significance of her work, and how she goes about solving the problem.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:A nice summary by the American Society for MicrobiologyA report on NTHI infection by Nationwide Children's HospitalIf you're feeling up for it, a scientific review on ABC transporters and how they help pathogens infect usDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438

Dr. Neil Kelleher is the Walter and Mary Elizabeth Glass Professor of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, and Medicine at Northwestern University. Neil is a protein biochemist. He weighs and analyzes proteins found in the human body, and he develops technology that allows scientists to measure new things. When he's not doing science, Neil likes to play basketball, and he has also been an avid golfer since he was young. He received his B.A. in chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Cornell University. He conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School before joining the faculty at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. In 2010, he joined the faculty at Northwestern University. Neil has received numerous awards and honors over the course of his career, including the Biemann Medal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering, the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, the Cottrell Scholars Award, the Burroughs Wellcome Award in the Pharmacological Sciences, a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation, and others. In addition, he has received the Pittsburgh Conference Achievement Award, the Pfizer Award in Enzyme Chemistry, and the A.F. Findeis Award in Measurement Science from the American Chemical Society, Division of Analytical Chemistry. Neil was also a Becman Fellow, a Sloan Fellow, a Packard Fellow, a Searle Scholar, and a Fulbright Scholar. In our interview, Neil shares more about his life and science.

Transcript of this podcastHello and welcome to the NanoLSI podcast. Thank you for joining us today. In this episode we feature the latest research by Rikinari Hanayama from the Kanazawa University NanoLSI and colleagues. The research described in this podcast was published in the Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences in March 2022.Learn more about their research here: WPI Kanazawa Nano Life Science Institutehttps://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/research/researchers/ReferenceHiroki Yamaguchi, Hironori Kawahara, Noriyuki Kodera, Ayanori Kumaki, Yasutake Tada, Zixin Tang, Kenji Sakai, Kenjiro Ono, Masahito Yamada, and Rikinari Hanayama.Extracellular Vesicles Contribute to the Metabolism of Transthyretin Amyloid in Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis, Front. Mol. Biosci. 9, 839917 (2022).DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.839917URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2022.839917 Biomolecular insights into protein-insolubility-related diseaseResearchers at Kanazawa University elucidate how small bio-containers enclosed by membranes are involved in a disease called ATTRv amyloidosis.  Amyloidosis is the collective name for a group of diseases characterized by the deposition of amyloids — insoluble proteins that form due to the misfolding and aggregation of soluble proteins — outside of cells.  Such depositions lead to cellular dysfunctions, and take place in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and dementia.  In the disease called hereditary (variant) transthyretin amyloidosis (abbreviated ATTRv amyloidosis), variants of the transthyretin (TTR) gene lead to TTR amyloid deposits in several organs, with symptoms including muscle weakness and cardiac failure.  It is known that the removal of amyloid proteins is promoted by so-called extracellular vesicles (EVs) — small ‘biocontainers' enclosed by a membrane — but what is unclear is whether EVs are involved in the formation and subsequent deposition of TTR amyloids in the context of ATTRv amyloidosis.  Rikinari Hanayama and colleagues from Kanazawa University have now studied the relationship between ATTRv amyloidosis and EVs, and confirm that the latter play an important role in the aggregation and deposition of TTR amyloids.The researchers first analyzed the serum of ATTRv amyloidosis patients for traces of TTR amyloid.  (Serum is blood without the clotting factors.)  They found that TTR is present in EVs derived from serum, and that the so-called V30M mutation variant of TTR aggregates at the membranes of serum-derived EVs.Hanayama and colleagues then looked at what happened when V30M-TTR amyloids were added to cell cultures, with and without serum-derived EVs.  They found that V30M-TTR amyloid aggregates are deposited on cells in a much more pronounced way when serum-derived EVs are present, indicating that serum-derived EVs promote the aggregation of V30M-TTR and their deposition on cells.From a comparison between ATTRv amyloidosis patients and healthy individuals, the scientists found that ATTRv amyloidosis is associated with a lower amount of TTR aggregates in serum-derived EVs.  The hypothesis that emerges from the experiments is that in ATTRv amyloidosis patients, the presence of V30M-TTR and EVs leads to a self-enhancing uptake of EVs; this then leads to an enhanced deposition of TTR aggregates in tissue, resulting in a decrease of TTR aggregates in serum.The findings of Hanayama and colleagues suggest that TTR in serum-derived EVs is a potential target for both ATTRv amyloidosis diagnosis and therapy.  The researchers also point to the relevance of their results on our understanding of Alzheimer's disease because TTR inhibits the nucleation of amyloid-β aggregation and its aggregation is

Why are people with diabetes more at risk from flu? What are the options for reducing the risk? What are the challenges and solutions to increase awareness across health care professionals, researchers and patients themselves? How did COVID-19 change the attention to viral infections in risk groups? Listen to the insightful conversation among the experts and members of the Influenza Diabetes Community (IDC), Dr Marco Goeijenbier, Chair IDC, ESWI Board Member and medical doctor intensive care and medicine, together with Dr Kirsty Short, research fellow and head of the viral pathogenesis lab at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, and Dan Howard, diabetes specialist nurse and Head of Care for Diabetes UK

Today's guest is Rosemary Braun, an associate professor at the Department of Molecular Biosciences at Northwestern University.Rosemary works at the interface between mathematics, statistics, physics, and biology, where she develops and applies powerful computational methods to investigate living systems at multiple scales — from the atomic level, to the gene level, to the systems level, to the tissue/organismal level, and finally to the population level.  We talk abou her 2018 paper "Universal method for robust detection of circadian state from gene expression" (1).---References(1) Rosemary Braun, William L. Kath, Marta Iwanaszko, Elzbieta Kula-Eversole, Sabra M. Abbott, Kathryn J. Reid, Phyllis C. Zee, and Ravi Allada.  Universal method for robust detection of circadian state from gene expression. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1800314115

The Smart 7 Ireland Edition is the daily news podcast that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7am, 7 days a week…Consistently appearing in Ireland's Daily News charts, we're a trusted source for people every day.If you're enjoying it, please follow, share or even post a review, it all helps…Today's episode includes references to the following guests:Aditya Ramesh - AI researcher at OpenAIMario Klingemen - Artist and Google Arts and Culture residentTed Underwood - Associate professor of English at the University of IllinoisKul Bahador Gurung - Former General Secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering AssociationDr Alejandra Perotti - Associate Professor of Invertebrate Biology at the University of ReadingChristian Rinke - Senior lecturer of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at the University of Queensland, AustraliaAbraham Noe-Hays - Co-founder of Rich Earth InstituteRebecca Lahr - Assistant Professor in Engineering at Michigan State UniversityCraig Carnaroli - Executive Vice President of the University of PennsylvaniaZeb Hogan - Research biologist at the University of Nevada and the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species Scientific Council for FishContact us over at Twitter or visit www.thesmart7.comPresented by Ciara Revins, written by Liam Thompson and produced by Daft Doris. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Smart 7 is a daily podcast that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7 am, 7 days a week...With over 9 million downloads and consistently charting, including as No. 1 News Podcast on Spotify, we're a trusted source for people every day.If you're enjoying it, please follow, share, or even post a review, it all helps...Today's episode includes the following guests:Aditya Ramesh - AI researcher at OpenAIMario Klingemen - Artist and Google Arts and Culture residentTed Underwood - Associate professor of English at the University of IllinoisKul Bahador Gurung - Former General Secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering AssociationDr Alejandra Perotti - Associate Professor of Invertebrate Biology at the University of ReadingChristian Rinke - Senior lecturer of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at the University of Queensland, AustraliaAbraham Noe-Hays - Co-founder of Rich Earth InstituteRebecca Lahr - Assistant Professor in Engineering at Michigan State UniversityCraig Carnaroli - Executive Vice President of the University of PennsylvaniaZeb Hogan - Research biologist at the University of Nevada and the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species Scientific Council for FishIn Ireland? Why not try our Ireland Edition?Contact us over at Twitter or visit www.thesmart7.comPresented by Jamie East, written by Olivia Davies and produced by Daft Doris. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A ascídia, um molusco tubular muito usado no Japão e Coreia, reverteu envelhecimento em ratos. O estudo foi feito por investigadores americanos e chineses, publicado no Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

Researchers have discovered a species of worm with an appetite for polystyrene that could be the key to plastic recycling on a mass scale. Dr Chris Rinke from the University of Queensland told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast his team from UQ's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences fed superworms different diets over a three-week period, with some given polystyrene foam, some bran and others put on a fasting diet. "The superworms shred the polystyrene and then the microbes actually break it down further and that kind of nourishes the worm at the end... but it's not a very healthy diet I have to say," Dr Rinke said. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2:08 | Ryan clocks the troubling circumstances around Alberta's Justice Minister Kaycee Madu calling the Edmonton Police Service's Chief after the UCP MLA received a ticket for distracted driving in a school zone, and what the Premier says he's going to do about it.   13:40 | Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy Timothy Caulfield and Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences president Dr. Imogen Coe share why they've joined 270+ signatories on a open letter to Spotify. The medical professionals, public health experts, and science educators are demanding the company take action against “mass-misinformation events which continue to occur on its platform,” specifically The Joe Rogan Experience as the prominent source of misinformation. 41:04 | Agri-Food Analytics Lab's Dr. Sylvain Charlebois explains what the new 2022 Canada's Food Price Report forecasts for Canadians groceries, with supply chain issues, extreme weather, and the pandemic at play.

After both of her children were diagnosed with autism and she saw the need to provide parents with emotional, physical, and educational support, Michele Knowlton-Thorne founded DAMES LLC, which became Care for the Caregivers. As President of Care for the Caregivers, Michele plans to continue creating programs, apps, events, and support groups to help parents who are raising children with different health care needs. Before founding D.A.M.E.S and Care 4 the Caregivers Michele worked as a geneticist at TGen and has an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology and a Master of Science Degree from Arizona State University. She also worked as an adjunct professor, re-wrote biological manuals for ASU, published in peer-reviewed journal articles, and is the author of a STEM picture book series. She is a Certified Autism Specialist and a graduate of the Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona Partners in the Leadership program. She has been trained as a Flourishing Families Practitioner, a Protective Factors Trainer, and a Triple P Stepping Stones Practitioner. Michele also sits on the ALTCS Advisory Council as a parent representative and the ICC Financial Committee. To stay connected with Jess, head to www.jessplusthemess.com.  If you are interested in being a guest please contact me at jess@thelucasproject.org. I'd love to hear what you think, so please rate and review! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jess-ronne/support

We'd love to hear from you (feedback@breakingbadscience.com)Look us up on social media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/385282925919540Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbadsciencepodcast/Website: http://www.breakingbadscience.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingbadscienceFor the last year plus we've been living in a world in which COVID seems like something we discuss every day. We've even done several episodes on it. I guess I've just sort of adjusted to the idea that everyone truly understands what a virus is, what they're made of, how they differ from one another, and why we deal with some much more regularly than others. That is not a real reasonable thought. Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we take a step back and discuss viruses themselves and highlight a few others relevant here in the US and the rest of the world. ReferencesInstitute for Molecular Biosciences; What's the Difference Between Bacteria and Viruses. The University of Queensland. 20-Apr-2020. https://imb.uq.edu.au/article/2020/04/difference-between-bacteria-and-virusesBerthold, E.; What are Archaea?. Australian Academy of Science. 27-Jul-2018. https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/what-are-archaeaCarroll, L.; Deaths due to West Nile Virus are on the Rise - How to Stay Safe. Today. 27-Sep-2021. https://www.today.com/health/west-nile-virus-2021-how-safe-deaths-rise-some-spots-t232267Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Dengue. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/index.htmlCenter for Disease Control and Prevention; Genital Herpes Basic Fact Sheet. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htmCenter for Disease Control and Prevention; Plague Ecology and Transmission. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/plague/transmission/index.htmlSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/breakingbadscience?fan_landing=true)

Have you met Michele Knowlton-Thorne? Today on the podcast, Jessica Patay and Michele talk about the power of care for the care-givers. We cannot wait to share her Trailblazing work with you! After both of her children were diagnosed with autism and she saw the need to provide parents with emotional, physical and educational support, Michele Knowlton-Thorne founded D.A.M.E.S LLC. Before founding D.A.M.E.S Michele worked as a geneticist at TGen and has an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology and a Master of Science Degree from Arizona State University. She also worked as an adjunct professor, re-wrote biological manuals for ASU, published in peer-reviewed journal articles and is the author of a STEM picture book series. After the diagnosis of her children she founded D.A.M.E.S, became a Certified Autism Specialist and founded the Care for the Giver Conference. Michele also sits on the ALTCS Advisory Council as a parent representative and the ICC Financial Committee.Brave Together Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp, an organization working to make professional counseling accessible, affordable, convenient - so anyone can get help, anytime, anywhere from the world's largest network of licensed, accredited, and experienced counselors. For a 10% discount off of your first month, visit www.betterhelp.comwearebrave together.

Korea24 – 2021.06.16. (Wednesday) - News Briefing: President Moon Jae-in arrived in Madrid on Tuesday and began his state visit to Spain with a meeting with King Felipe the Sixth. During his three-day stay, the president will also meet with the Spanish prime minister and visit the Senate of Spain before attending a business leaders’ forum. (Eunice Kim) - In-Depth News Analysis Part 1: Dr. Kirsty Short from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences of the University of Queensland delves into the new COVID-19 ‘Delta Variant’ that has been classified by both the World Health Organization(WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) as a ‘variant of concern.’ Dr. Short also shares her assessment on the G7 leaders’ pledge to donate COVID-19 vaccines. - In-Depth News Analysis Part 2: Jeffrey Halley, the Asia Pacific senior market analyst for OANDA, discusses where Korea’s stock market is headed as South Korea’s benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index(KOSPI) hit an all-time high for the third day in a row on Wednesday, just ahead of the US Federal Open Market Committee rate decision. He also gives his thoughts on what to expect from the U.S. Federal Reserve. - Korea Trending with Bruce Harrison: Details surface about young a man found dead in Seoul(오피스텔서 나체로 숨진 20대男…두 달 전 실종 신고), South Korean diplomatic missions are swamped with calls over quarantine exemptions(격리 면제에 한국 방문 문의 폭주..미주 공관 비상), and Park Hang-seo helps Vietnam advance to the final round of the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers for the first time ever(박항서 감독 베트남, 동남아 유일 월드컵 최종 예선행). - Korea Book Club: Barry Welsh shares Lee Min-jin’s(이민진) debut novel, “Free Food for Millionaires(백만장자를 위한 공짜 음식).” He talks about how the 2007 piece, set in a 90s New York, tackles the misrepresentation of Asian Americans in both the media and arts. - Morning Edition Preview: Mark shares a piece from the Korea Herald on Seoulite subway passengers raising questions on the effectiveness of Seoul’s program of the pink seats designated for pregnant passengers. He also shares a Korea Times piece that covers the commemorative event that celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement(FTA).

Joining us today is distinguished molecular virologist Professor Paul Young who heads the University of Queensland's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, including the team working on a potential vaccine for COVID-19. Having gained his Bachelor of Science with honours at UQ and his PhD at the University of London, Professor Young has since built a career as a successful researcher, educator and administrator. He is also involved in research that concentrates on several infectious viruses including ·         the dengue virus – a serious mosquito-borne disease that is endemic in many tropical countries ·         and West Nile virus 

What Ever Happened to Student Media? is a podcast series host by KTUH DJ, Program Mentor, and former General Manager Smee Wong. What Ever Happened to Student Media? will explore the University of Hawaii's Student Media programs and their interactions with the Student Media Board, the governing organization for the media programs. In this episode, Bjarne Bartlett, KTUH General Manager, introduces the transparency complaint against the Student Media Board issued by three media program heads. Bjarne Bartlett is a graduate student in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Bjarne's research interests are focused on data science and include: plant genetics, novel sequencing technologies, and artificial intelligence. He also manages KTUH, a college radio station, where he hosts Breakfast with Bjarne and Island Science. Please visit ktuh.org to connect with KTUH management and listen online. Bjarne Bartlett's website: www.bjarnebartlett.com Cassie Ordonio, Ka Leo's Senior Staff Writer's article regarding the transparency complaint: www.manoanow.org/kaleo/news/stude…73a46f62071.html

What Ever Happened to Student Media? is a podcast series host by KTUH DJ, Program Mentor, and former General Manager Smee Wong. What Ever Happened to Student Media? will explore the University of Hawaii's Student Media programs and their interactions with the Student Media Board, the governing organization for the media programs. In this episode, Bjarne Bartlett, KTUH General Manager, and Smee Wong discuss their observations of the Student Media Board's personnel structures. Bjarne Bartlett is a graduate student in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Bjarne's research interests are focused on data science and include: plant genetics, novel sequencing technologies, and artificial intelligence. He also manages KTUH, a college radio station, where he hosts Breakfast with Bjarne and Island Science. Please visit ktuh.org to connect with KTUH management and listen online. Bjarne Bartlett's website: www.bjarnebartlett.com

What Ever Happened to Student Media? is a podcast series host by KTUH DJ, Program Mentor, and former General Manager Smee Wong. What Ever Happened to Student Media? will explore the University of Hawaii’s Student Media programs and their interactions with the Student Media Board, the governing organization for the media programs. In this episode, Bjarne Bartlett, KTUH General Manager, and Smee Wong share insights on the selection of the student media board chairperson in 2019. Bjarne Bartlett is a graduate student in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Bjarne's research interests are focused on data science and include: plant genetics, novel sequencing technologies, and artificial intelligence. He also manages KTUH, a college radio station, where he hosts Breakfast with Bjarne and Island Science. Please visit ktuh.org to connect with KTUH management and listen online. Bjarne Bartlett’s website: www.bjarnebartlett.com

What Ever Happened to Student Media? is a podcast series host by KTUH DJ, Program Mentor, and former General Manager Smee Wong. What Ever Happened to Student Media? will explore the University of Hawaii’s Student Media programs and their interactions with the Student Media Board, the governing organization for the media programs. In this episode, Bjarne Bartlett, KTUH General Manager, and Smee Wong discuss their concerns regarding the Student Media Board Fee Increase Proposal. Bjarne Bartlett is a graduate student in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Bjarne's research interests are focused on data science and include: plant genetics, novel sequencing technologies, and artificial intelligence. He also manages KTUH, a college radio station, where he hosts Breakfast with Bjarne and Island Science. Please visit ktuh.org to connect with KTUH management and listen online. Bjarne Bartlett’s website: www.bjarnebartlett.com SMB Fee Increase Proposal: www.manoanow.org/smb/smb-fee-incr…bf5ad84db80.html

What Ever Happened to Student Media? is a podcast series host by KTUH DJ, Program Mentor, and former General Manager Smee Wong. What Ever Happened to Student Media? will explore the University of Hawaii’s Student Media programs and their interactions with the Student Media Board, the governing organization for the media programs. In this episode, Bjarne Bartlett, KTUH General Manager, shares his involvement in revising the Student Media Board Fee Increase Proposal submitted by the Student Media Board. Bjarne Bartlett is a graduate student in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Bjarne's research interests are focused on data science and include: plant genetics, novel sequencing technologies, and artificial intelligence. He also manages KTUH, a college radio station, where he hosts Breakfast with Bjarne and Island Science. Please visit ktuh.org to connect with KTUH management and listen online. Bjarne Bartlett’s website: www.bjarnebartlett.com SMB Fee Increase Proposal: http://www.manoanow.org/smb/smb-fee-increase-proposal-february/pdf_cbd6e970-5a8a-11ea-b13b-cbf5ad84db80.html

What Ever Happened to Student Media? is a podcast series host by KTUH DJ, Program Mentor, and former General Manager Smee Wong. What Ever Happened to Student Media? will explore the University of Hawaii’s Student Media programs and their interactions with the Student Media Board, the governing organization for the media programs. In this episode, Bjarne Bartlett, KTUH General Manager, introduces his studies and research at Gettysburg, Johns Hopkins, University of Hawaii’s medical school and plants department. He shares his visions as the station manager, the technical aspects in the development of the radio industry, and his active response to Covid lockdown’s impact on College Radio. Bjarne Bartlett is a graduate student in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Bjarne's research interests are focused on data science and include: plant genetics, novel sequencing technologies, and artificial intelligence. He also manages KTUH, a college radio station, where he hosts Breakfast with Bjarne and Island Science. Please visit ktuh.org to connect with KTUH management and listen online. Bjarne Bartlett’s website: www.bjarnebartlett.com

Coronavirus is still with us this Fall and Winter. Tune in to find out from Jonathan and TeriAnn why BOOSTING your immune system right now may not be the way to go. We help you understand your immune system; innate and adaptive, cytokine storms, and the role of beta-glucans, or a β-glucans for short, play in SUPPORTING your immunity. Which leads you into the magic of mushrooms. Here’s a hint…they aren’t just for anti-aging! “Boosting” your Immune System may be the worst thing you can do during a pandemic… The single best thing you can do for your health and the health of your loved ones is to take steps towards supporting the health of your immune system. And I chose the word “support” carefully because new research is now showing that... Immune SUPPORT is better than an immune BOOST during a pandemic! Let’s Look at The Immune System The immune system protects the body from possibly harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Antigens are substances (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Nonliving substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can also be antigens. The immune system recognizes and destroys, or tries to destroy, substances that contain antigens. Your body's cells have proteins that are antigens. These include a group of antigens called HLA antigens. Your immune system learns to see these antigens as normal and usually does not react against them. Important Distinctions of Your Immune System Innate Immune System The innate immune system is made of defenses against infection that can be activated immediately once a pathogen attacks. The innate immune system is essentially made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign particles out of your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body. The innate immune system includes: Physical Barriers such as skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the nasopharynx, cilia, eyelashes and other body hair. Defense Mechanisms such as secretions, mucous, bile, gastric acid, saliva, tears, and sweat. General Immune Responses such as inflammation, complement, and non-specific cellular responses. The inflammatory response actively brings immune cells to the site of an infection by increasing blood flow to the area. Complement is an immune response that marks pathogens for destruction and makes holes in the cell membrane of the pathogen. The innate immune system is always general, or nonspecific, meaning anything that is identified as foreign or non-self is a target for the innate immune response. The innate immune system is activated by the presence of antigens and their chemical properties.   The Adaptive Immune System: Precision and a long memory If the body’s first line of defense – the innate immune system – is unsuccessful in destroying the pathogens, after about four to seven days the specific adaptive immune response sets in. This means that the adaptive defense takes longer, but it targets the pathogen more accurately. Another advantage: It can remember the aggressor and acts specifically against certain antigens. If there is new contact with an antigen that is already known, the defense response can then be quicker. This way the defense responses of the adaptive immune system are more efficient and faster than those of the innate defense, if the antigen is already known. The adaptive immune system can remember the antigens because it produces memory cells. This is also the reason why there are some illnesses you can only get once in your life, because afterwards your body becomes “immune.” While after first contact with the pathogen it takes several days for the immune system to respond, a second infection often has no consequences, or at least the symptoms are weaker. The adaptive immune system has several parts that react in different ways, depending on the place in the body where the pathogen is. Antibodies are made available for germs outside the cells (in the blood and in body fluids). To eliminate pathogens that are inside the tissue, a cell-mediated immune response is necessary. These parts of the adaptive defense include: T lymphocytes B lymphocytes antibodies as soluble proteins in the blood cytokines in the blood and tissue as hormone-like messenger substance Cytokines Cytokines form a group of proteins that participate in cell signaling, intercellular communication and in many cellular and immunological functions. They are prominently involved in inflammatory responses and defense against viral infections. If the other parts act like soldiers protecting you, then cytokines are like Navy Seals, sent in for only the toughest missions.  These cytokines are small molecules in the body that are released by certain cells to help coordinate the battle against infection. So, you might be thinking “Great! How do I get more of these hard-working cytokines into my system?” And that makes sense. If they’re the best of the best for fighting illness, then you’d want more of them, right? Well, it’s not so simple and now some doctors have recently made a startling discovery… As it turns out, “boosting” cytokines during a pandemic like this might cause what some doctors call a “cytokine storm.” And this cytokine storm might be the explanation of why some people rapidly decline in a pandemic, while others are able to stay healthy. Scientifically speaking, a “cytokine storm” is when, in some cases, the body's own immune system actually overreacts to an infection.  And that’s when problems can start. While cytokines are generally a good thing for your immune system… Too many of them at once might actually cause an overreaction.  This “overreaction” could cause more damage to the body’s own cells than to the invading disease cells it's trying to fight off. Your Cellular Immunity Defense System There is one thing that almost every single medical doctor does agree on when it comes to diseases… A compromised immune system is the single biggest risk factor anyone can have. You might be wondering… How do I build the foundation of my immune system without overloading it? Fortunately, there is something you can do, and it has to do with what doctors and medical researchers call... your Cellular Immunity Defense System Cellular immunity protects the body through: T-cell mediated immunity or T-cell immunity: activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells that are able to induce apoptosis in body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface, such as virus-infected cells, cells with intracellular bacteria, and cancer cells displaying tumor antigens; Macrophage and natural killer cell action: enabling the destruction of pathogens via recognition and secretion of cytotoxic granules (for natural killer cells and phagocytosis (for macrophages); and Stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines that influence the function of other cells involved in adaptive immune responses and innate immune responses. Cell-mediated immunity is directed primarily at microbes that survive in phagocytes and microbes that infect non-phagocytic cells. It is most effective in removing virus-infected cells, but also participates in defending against fungi, protozoans, cancers, and intracellular bacteria. It also plays a major role in transplant rejection THIS LITTLE-KNOWN NUTRIENT - Activates Your Cellular Immunity Defense System It’s called a beta-glucan, or a β-glucan for short. Outside of freshman chemistry class, you may never have heard of a beta-glucan.  But these β-glucans attach themselves to white blood cells and stimulate them to seek and destroy bacteria and viruses.   Your body already has natural bacteria killing cells called B cells and T cells, and dozens of research studies show that once β-glucans are in your system, they activate and strengthen these killer cells.   It’s like sending every little immunity soldier into battle with a rocket launcher packed with an unlimited supply of bacteria-seeking missiles.  And that’s not all they do…  Remember those little immunity defenders called cytokines?  We know that overloading the system with them can cause a “cytokine storm,” but striking the right balance of them can really fortify your immune system.  Well, that’s part of the magic of β-glucans...  β-glucans are what trigger natural and healthy cytokine production and those little cytokines are what spring to action in an immune response.    So, the more β-glucan you have in your body, the stronger your immune system.  AND what’s more, β-glucans naturally regulate your cytokine production, so they won’t “overload” and cause a dangerous cytokine storm.  So, you might be asking, how do I make sure my β-glucans are strong and that my system has enough of them to fight off infectious bacteria?  Well, there is one superfood that contains extremely high amounts of β-glucan.    The #1 Superfood That Fortifies Your Cellular Immunity Defense System: NUTRITIONAL MUSHROOMS - The Cutting Edge of Natural Immune System Research Just by using nutritional mushrooms regularly, researchers say you can increase your levels of β-glucans more than any other nutrient on earth. It’s like having a never-ending supply of reinforcements to send into the war against infectious diseases. Researchers have found that nutritional mushrooms contain 0.53 grams of β-glucans per 100 grams of mushrooms, which makes them far and away the most β-glucan-rich food you can find on the planet.   3 Mushrooms That Act Like “Turbo Shots” To Your Immune System  SHITAKE In a 2011 study, 52 healthy adults, aged 21 to 41, took home a 4-week supply of shiitake mushrooms. They were told to eat one 4-ounce serving of the mushroom every day.  Then after the 4 weeks were completed, they returned for some simple blood work.  Their results showed a decrease in inflammatory proteins which the researchers thought was a pretty good benefit in itself…  But then they looked a little harder at the data and saw that each patient's B cells, T cells, and natural bacteria-killing cells had all increased.  When they finally figured out what triggered this response, it was no surprise that it was all connected back to the β-glucans that came from the shiitake mushrooms they had been eating.  "If you eat a shiitake mushroom every day, you could see changes in their immune system that are beneficial," said Food Science and Human Nutrition Professor Sue Percival, who was the leader of the study.    She also said that those β-glucans were not only able to "Enhance the immune system,”  ... but “also reduce the inflammation that the immune system produces." And the benefits of shiitake don’t just stop there, because these mushrooms flood your system with other nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, niacin, and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.   Plus, the enzymes packed into shiitake also make it easier for your body to absorb almost any nutrient.   Which means if you’re already taking a vitamin C or D supplement for your immune system, shiitake will actually make those supplements work better!  REISHI Known as the Mushrooms of Immortality, reishi mushrooms are packed with polysaccharides, antioxidant properties, and those crucial β-glucans that can help with immune function. As early as 206 BC there are writings about reishi mushrooms being used to help people live longer. Today’s researchers now know that they were living longer simply because their bodies were better equipped to fight off disease. Simply put, they had super strong Cellular Immunity Defense Systems.Again, it’s thanks to the high content of those powerful β-glucans! In fact, reishi mushrooms have been shown to have as much as 5.8% levels of β-glucans, higher than any other mushroom strain on earth.   MAITAKE Remember those important cytokines?  Well, we know it’s important to strike the right balance of them in your system…  So that you have enough of them to help your immune system fight off bacteria...  But not too many to cause a dangerous “cytokine storm”.  It turns out that maitake mushrooms may just be the secret to striking this delicate balance.  A 3-week study of a group of healthy young women taking Maitake mushrooms resulted in the benefits you might expect.  Similar to reishi and shiitake, they all saw improvements in their immune systems thanks to the increase in β-glucans…  But the study with maitake gave researchers some really exciting results with those cytokines  It turns out that maitake was able to trigger both stimulatory (IL-2) and suppressive (IL-10) cytokines.   That means they were able to increase the cytokines, but not past a certain level so they got out of control. But here’s where things really start to get interesting…  Maitake is not the only mushroom researchers have studied for the immune response…  While it was by far the strongest in supporting the immune defense reaction…  There was one way they were able to trigger an even bigger response…  They combined it with shiitake!  And it was that combination that was stronger than any other. MUSHROOM POTENCY CAN BE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY WHEN THEY ARE USED TOGETHER!  Just look what happened when the research team from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine, the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Integria Healthcare started mixing mushrooms together…  They started with nine varieties of whole mushroom extracts.  They tried them each individually with some pretty good results…  But then they tried mixing a few of them together, and as you’d expect, the results dramatically increased.  And when their work was done do you know which 3 of the 9 mushrooms worked best for the immune system?  You guess it - the magical trio of reishi, shiitake, and maitake.  When these 3 were combined, the lead researcher told the media that they came together to create and immune system “super-force.”  “What we found that was surprising was that the (combination) gave three to four times the impact that what we would expect,” Associate Professor Joe Tiralongo said. 7M+ by Organixx  7M+ is a breakthrough proprietary formula that ensures you’re getting the most powerful combination of those 3 crucial mushrooms packed with those β-glucans at a level no other mushroom supplement can offer. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 7M+ give you what you need to help support your immune system like nothing else on the market.  And… It turns out there’s so much more that mushrooms can do for our bodies than just immune support.   That’s why Organixx added 4 other nutritional mushrooms into this formula…. CHAGA Chaga has been used for centuries primarily in the East. It's known for its immune support and soothing properties. Many traditional healers have used it as a soothing tea for a powerful and natural digestive support. It's also shown the potential to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. Chaga also has very powerful antioxidant properties that make it a powerhouse on its own. CORDYCEPS Cordyceps mushrooms have been shown to help regulate a healthy immune system. Cordyceps were at one time so highly valued that they were only allowed to be consumed by the Emperor of China (who lived to 100+ years old and still fathered children into his 100s). Also known for the ability to support sexual health and athletic ability, cordyceps have been the most sought after nutritional mushroom in the Orient. LION'S MANE One of the more interesting mushrooms coming from the ancient east. Lion's mane is known to support brain health, support cognitive function, and aid against age-related memory loss. It also helps maintain mental focus and function, as well as promoting healthy digestive function through its powerful regulation of bacteria. TURKEY TAIL Turkey tail is considered one of the best-researched mushrooms on earth. Its benefits are just as strong as other nutritional mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps and maitake. It contains powerful antioxidant nutrients and high levels of selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B3, which are crucial for boosting and maintaining immunity. Fermentation INCREASES the Power of Nutritional Mushrooms Most other mushroom supplements don’t take this into consideration. They simply get a basic mushroom formula and bottle it up. That strategy does work a little better than just eating whole mushrooms… But fermentation takes it to a whole other level of potency and that’s exactly what the team at Organixx has done with 7M+ and their proprietary fermentation process. Fermentation is simply the process of breaking something down so that the highest amount of nutrients can be extracted. Research found that fermented mushrooms are, indeed, the best way to increase the levels of those powerful β-glucans. Fermentation also extracts all the healthy and beneficial other nutrients that are packed into mushrooms. This means that those nutrients can get into your system better because they’re more bioavailable. The Ingredients in 7M+ Are Certified Organic – Why That Matters to YOU! Once a nutrient like mushrooms are harvested, they are then dried and concentrated down to a very potent dose. This sounds like a good thing because you’ll get a higher dose of the nutrients, as we discussed already… But if those mushrooms were not grown organically, that means pesticides and poisons were used on them. And when they are concentrated down, you’re not only getting high amounts of nutrients…. but HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF POISONS too! Why 7M+ for You and Your Family 7M+ is specifically formulated to give you everything you need to help support immunity and feel younger and healthier. This year, with the entire globe dealing with a health epidemic, maintaining your immune system might be something that makes all the difference. With 7M+, you get seven of the world’s finest beneficial mushrooms, jam-packed with β-glucans – nature’s powerful sickness-fighting ingredient. With the immune-supporting power of 7M+ working throughout your entire body, you can help increase your and your family’s odds of staying well even during times like this. Only two capsules a day provide you with a completely safe, 100% natural, and amazingly effective formula to support immunity… and help you live a longer and healthier life! RESOURCES 7M+ by Organixx https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/PS9gd0VOOLThuCn8OMXV?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec0f02e26b5443380841 Empowering You Organically Episode 47: The Magic of Mushrooms https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/the-magic-of-mushrooms-episode-47/ Cytokines https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cytokines Cytokine storm: An overreaction of the body's immune system https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/#ixzz6KBGrH9ZF Cytokine Storms May Be Fueling Some COVID Deaths https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200417/cytokine-storms-may-be-fueling-some-covid-deaths NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/797584 Into the Eye of the Cytokine Storm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294426/ COVID-19: consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30628-0/fulltext The innate and adaptive immune systems https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/ Cellular Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cellular-immunity The immune system review https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/a/hs-the-immune-system-review Cell-Mediated Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cell-mediated-immunity Cell-mediated immunity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell-mediated_immunity Types of immune responses: Innate and adaptive, humoral vs. cell-mediated https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/v/types-of-immune-responses-innate-and-adaptive-humoral-vs-cell-mediated Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320875/ Determination of Glucan Contents in the Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia of Lentinula edodes Cultivars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206800/ Beta-glucans in edible mushrooms https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263256678_Beta-glucans_in_edible_mushrooms Shaping the Innate Immune Response by Dietary Glucans: Any Role in the Control of Cancer? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7016572/ Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25866155 Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/ Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/ Immune-modulating Effects of Maitake Mushroom Extract https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2009-12/immune-modulating-effects-maitake-mushroom-extract Synergistic immuno-modulatory activity in human macrophages of a medicinal mushroom formulation consisting of Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/authors?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224740 Researchers prove mushrooms are magic for your immune system https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2019/11/08/mushroom-medicines-health-benefits/  

Coronavirus is still with us this Fall and Winter. Tune in to find out from Jonathan and TeriAnn why BOOSTING your immune system right now may not be the way to go. We help you understand your immune system; innate and adaptive, cytokine storms, and the role of beta-glucans, or a β-glucans for short, play in SUPPORTING your immunity. Which leads you into the magic of mushrooms. Here’s a hint…they aren’t just for anti-aging! “Boosting” your Immune System may be the worst thing you can do during a pandemic… The single best thing you can do for your health and the health of your loved ones is to take steps towards supporting the health of your immune system. And I chose the word “support” carefully because new research is now showing that... Immune SUPPORT is better than an immune BOOST during a pandemic! Let’s Look at The Immune System The immune system protects the body from possibly harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Antigens are substances (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Nonliving substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can also be antigens. The immune system recognizes and destroys, or tries to destroy, substances that contain antigens. Your body's cells have proteins that are antigens. These include a group of antigens called HLA antigens. Your immune system learns to see these antigens as normal and usually does not react against them. Important Distinctions of Your Immune System Innate Immune System The innate immune system is made of defenses against infection that can be activated immediately once a pathogen attacks. The innate immune system is essentially made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign particles out of your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body. The innate immune system includes: Physical Barriers such as skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the nasopharynx, cilia, eyelashes and other body hair. Defense Mechanisms such as secretions, mucous, bile, gastric acid, saliva, tears, and sweat. General Immune Responses such as inflammation, complement, and non-specific cellular responses. The inflammatory response actively brings immune cells to the site of an infection by increasing blood flow to the area. Complement is an immune response that marks pathogens for destruction and makes holes in the cell membrane of the pathogen. The innate immune system is always general, or nonspecific, meaning anything that is identified as foreign or non-self is a target for the innate immune response. The innate immune system is activated by the presence of antigens and their chemical properties.   The Adaptive Immune System: Precision and a long memory If the body’s first line of defense – the innate immune system – is unsuccessful in destroying the pathogens, after about four to seven days the specific adaptive immune response sets in. This means that the adaptive defense takes longer, but it targets the pathogen more accurately. Another advantage: It can remember the aggressor and acts specifically against certain antigens. If there is new contact with an antigen that is already known, the defense response can then be quicker. This way the defense responses of the adaptive immune system are more efficient and faster than those of the innate defense, if the antigen is already known. The adaptive immune system can remember the antigens because it produces memory cells. This is also the reason why there are some illnesses you can only get once in your life, because afterwards your body becomes “immune.” While after first contact with the pathogen it takes several days for the immune system to respond, a second infection often has no consequences, or at least the symptoms are weaker. The adaptive immune system has several parts that react in different ways, depending on the place in the body where the pathogen is. Antibodies are made available for germs outside the cells (in the blood and in body fluids). To eliminate pathogens that are inside the tissue, a cell-mediated immune response is necessary. These parts of the adaptive defense include: T lymphocytes B lymphocytes antibodies as soluble proteins in the blood cytokines in the blood and tissue as hormone-like messenger substance Cytokines Cytokines form a group of proteins that participate in cell signaling, intercellular communication and in many cellular and immunological functions. They are prominently involved in inflammatory responses and defense against viral infections. If the other parts act like soldiers protecting you, then cytokines are like Navy Seals, sent in for only the toughest missions.  These cytokines are small molecules in the body that are released by certain cells to help coordinate the battle against infection. So, you might be thinking “Great! How do I get more of these hard-working cytokines into my system?” And that makes sense. If they’re the best of the best for fighting illness, then you’d want more of them, right? Well, it’s not so simple and now some doctors have recently made a startling discovery… As it turns out, “boosting” cytokines during a pandemic like this might cause what some doctors call a “cytokine storm.” And this cytokine storm might be the explanation of why some people rapidly decline in a pandemic, while others are able to stay healthy. Scientifically speaking, a “cytokine storm” is when, in some cases, the body's own immune system actually overreacts to an infection.  And that’s when problems can start. While cytokines are generally a good thing for your immune system… Too many of them at once might actually cause an overreaction.  This “overreaction” could cause more damage to the body’s own cells than to the invading disease cells it's trying to fight off. Your Cellular Immunity Defense System There is one thing that almost every single medical doctor does agree on when it comes to diseases… A compromised immune system is the single biggest risk factor anyone can have. You might be wondering… How do I build the foundation of my immune system without overloading it? Fortunately, there is something you can do, and it has to do with what doctors and medical researchers call... your Cellular Immunity Defense System Cellular immunity protects the body through: T-cell mediated immunity or T-cell immunity: activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells that are able to induce apoptosis in body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface, such as virus-infected cells, cells with intracellular bacteria, and cancer cells displaying tumor antigens; Macrophage and natural killer cell action: enabling the destruction of pathogens via recognition and secretion of cytotoxic granules (for natural killer cells and phagocytosis (for macrophages); and Stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines that influence the function of other cells involved in adaptive immune responses and innate immune responses. Cell-mediated immunity is directed primarily at microbes that survive in phagocytes and microbes that infect non-phagocytic cells. It is most effective in removing virus-infected cells, but also participates in defending against fungi, protozoans, cancers, and intracellular bacteria. It also plays a major role in transplant rejection THIS LITTLE-KNOWN NUTRIENT - Activates Your Cellular Immunity Defense System It’s called a beta-glucan, or a β-glucan for short. Outside of freshman chemistry class, you may never have heard of a beta-glucan.  But these β-glucans attach themselves to white blood cells and stimulate them to seek and destroy bacteria and viruses.   Your body already has natural bacteria killing cells called B cells and T cells, and dozens of research studies show that once β-glucans are in your system, they activate and strengthen these killer cells.   It’s like sending every little immunity soldier into battle with a rocket launcher packed with an unlimited supply of bacteria-seeking missiles.  And that’s not all they do…  Remember those little immunity defenders called cytokines?  We know that overloading the system with them can cause a “cytokine storm,” but striking the right balance of them can really fortify your immune system.  Well, that’s part of the magic of β-glucans...  β-glucans are what trigger natural and healthy cytokine production and those little cytokines are what spring to action in an immune response.    So, the more β-glucan you have in your body, the stronger your immune system.  AND what’s more, β-glucans naturally regulate your cytokine production, so they won’t “overload” and cause a dangerous cytokine storm.  So, you might be asking, how do I make sure my β-glucans are strong and that my system has enough of them to fight off infectious bacteria?  Well, there is one superfood that contains extremely high amounts of β-glucan.    The #1 Superfood That Fortifies Your Cellular Immunity Defense System: NUTRITIONAL MUSHROOMS - The Cutting Edge of Natural Immune System Research Just by using nutritional mushrooms regularly, researchers say you can increase your levels of β-glucans more than any other nutrient on earth. It’s like having a never-ending supply of reinforcements to send into the war against infectious diseases. Researchers have found that nutritional mushrooms contain 0.53 grams of β-glucans per 100 grams of mushrooms, which makes them far and away the most β-glucan-rich food you can find on the planet.   3 Mushrooms That Act Like “Turbo Shots” To Your Immune System  SHITAKE In a 2011 study, 52 healthy adults, aged 21 to 41, took home a 4-week supply of shiitake mushrooms. They were told to eat one 4-ounce serving of the mushroom every day.  Then after the 4 weeks were completed, they returned for some simple blood work.  Their results showed a decrease in inflammatory proteins which the researchers thought was a pretty good benefit in itself…  But then they looked a little harder at the data and saw that each patient's B cells, T cells, and natural bacteria-killing cells had all increased.  When they finally figured out what triggered this response, it was no surprise that it was all connected back to the β-glucans that came from the shiitake mushrooms they had been eating.  "If you eat a shiitake mushroom every day, you could see changes in their immune system that are beneficial," said Food Science and Human Nutrition Professor Sue Percival, who was the leader of the study.    She also said that those β-glucans were not only able to "Enhance the immune system,”  ... but “also reduce the inflammation that the immune system produces." And the benefits of shiitake don’t just stop there, because these mushrooms flood your system with other nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, niacin, and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.   Plus, the enzymes packed into shiitake also make it easier for your body to absorb almost any nutrient.   Which means if you’re already taking a vitamin C or D supplement for your immune system, shiitake will actually make those supplements work better!  REISHI Known as the Mushrooms of Immortality, reishi mushrooms are packed with polysaccharides, antioxidant properties, and those crucial β-glucans that can help with immune function. As early as 206 BC there are writings about reishi mushrooms being used to help people live longer. Today’s researchers now know that they were living longer simply because their bodies were better equipped to fight off disease. Simply put, they had super strong Cellular Immunity Defense Systems.Again, it’s thanks to the high content of those powerful β-glucans! In fact, reishi mushrooms have been shown to have as much as 5.8% levels of β-glucans, higher than any other mushroom strain on earth.   MAITAKE Remember those important cytokines?  Well, we know it’s important to strike the right balance of them in your system…  So that you have enough of them to help your immune system fight off bacteria...  But not too many to cause a dangerous “cytokine storm”.  It turns out that maitake mushrooms may just be the secret to striking this delicate balance.  A 3-week study of a group of healthy young women taking Maitake mushrooms resulted in the benefits you might expect.  Similar to reishi and shiitake, they all saw improvements in their immune systems thanks to the increase in β-glucans…  But the study with maitake gave researchers some really exciting results with those cytokines  It turns out that maitake was able to trigger both stimulatory (IL-2) and suppressive (IL-10) cytokines.   That means they were able to increase the cytokines, but not past a certain level so they got out of control. But here’s where things really start to get interesting…  Maitake is not the only mushroom researchers have studied for the immune response…  While it was by far the strongest in supporting the immune defense reaction…  There was one way they were able to trigger an even bigger response…  They combined it with shiitake!  And it was that combination that was stronger than any other. MUSHROOM POTENCY CAN BE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY WHEN THEY ARE USED TOGETHER!  Just look what happened when the research team from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine, the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Integria Healthcare started mixing mushrooms together…  They started with nine varieties of whole mushroom extracts.  They tried them each individually with some pretty good results…  But then they tried mixing a few of them together, and as you’d expect, the results dramatically increased.  And when their work was done do you know which 3 of the 9 mushrooms worked best for the immune system?  You guess it - the magical trio of reishi, shiitake, and maitake.  When these 3 were combined, the lead researcher told the media that they came together to create and immune system “super-force.”  “What we found that was surprising was that the (combination) gave three to four times the impact that what we would expect,” Associate Professor Joe Tiralongo said. 7M+ by Organixx  7M+ is a breakthrough proprietary formula that ensures you’re getting the most powerful combination of those 3 crucial mushrooms packed with those β-glucans at a level no other mushroom supplement can offer. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 7M+ give you what you need to help support your immune system like nothing else on the market.  And… It turns out there’s so much more that mushrooms can do for our bodies than just immune support.   That’s why Organixx added 4 other nutritional mushrooms into this formula…. CHAGA Chaga has been used for centuries primarily in the East. It's known for its immune support and soothing properties. Many traditional healers have used it as a soothing tea for a powerful and natural digestive support. It's also shown the potential to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. Chaga also has very powerful antioxidant properties that make it a powerhouse on its own. CORDYCEPS Cordyceps mushrooms have been shown to help regulate a healthy immune system. Cordyceps were at one time so highly valued that they were only allowed to be consumed by the Emperor of China (who lived to 100+ years old and still fathered children into his 100s). Also known for the ability to support sexual health and athletic ability, cordyceps have been the most sought after nutritional mushroom in the Orient. LION'S MANE One of the more interesting mushrooms coming from the ancient east. Lion's mane is known to support brain health, support cognitive function, and aid against age-related memory loss. It also helps maintain mental focus and function, as well as promoting healthy digestive function through its powerful regulation of bacteria. TURKEY TAIL Turkey tail is considered one of the best-researched mushrooms on earth. Its benefits are just as strong as other nutritional mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps and maitake. It contains powerful antioxidant nutrients and high levels of selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B3, which are crucial for boosting and maintaining immunity. Fermentation INCREASES the Power of Nutritional Mushrooms Most other mushroom supplements don’t take this into consideration. They simply get a basic mushroom formula and bottle it up. That strategy does work a little better than just eating whole mushrooms… But fermentation takes it to a whole other level of potency and that’s exactly what the team at Organixx has done with 7M+ and their proprietary fermentation process. Fermentation is simply the process of breaking something down so that the highest amount of nutrients can be extracted. Research found that fermented mushrooms are, indeed, the best way to increase the levels of those powerful β-glucans. Fermentation also extracts all the healthy and beneficial other nutrients that are packed into mushrooms. This means that those nutrients can get into your system better because they’re more bioavailable. The Ingredients in 7M+ Are Certified Organic – Why That Matters to YOU! Once a nutrient like mushrooms are harvested, they are then dried and concentrated down to a very potent dose. This sounds like a good thing because you’ll get a higher dose of the nutrients, as we discussed already… But if those mushrooms were not grown organically, that means pesticides and poisons were used on them. And when they are concentrated down, you’re not only getting high amounts of nutrients…. but HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF POISONS too! Why 7M+ for You and Your Family 7M+ is specifically formulated to give you everything you need to help support immunity and feel younger and healthier. This year, with the entire globe dealing with a health epidemic, maintaining your immune system might be something that makes all the difference. With 7M+, you get seven of the world’s finest beneficial mushrooms, jam-packed with β-glucans – nature’s powerful sickness-fighting ingredient. With the immune-supporting power of 7M+ working throughout your entire body, you can help increase your and your family’s odds of staying well even during times like this. Only two capsules a day provide you with a completely safe, 100% natural, and amazingly effective formula to support immunity… and help you live a longer and healthier life! RESOURCES 7M+ by Organixx https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/PS9gd0VOOLThuCn8OMXV?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec0f02e26b5443380841 Empowering You Organically Episode 47: The Magic of Mushrooms https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/the-magic-of-mushrooms-episode-47/ Cytokines https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cytokines Cytokine storm: An overreaction of the body's immune system https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/#ixzz6KBGrH9ZF Cytokine Storms May Be Fueling Some COVID Deaths https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200417/cytokine-storms-may-be-fueling-some-covid-deaths NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/797584 Into the Eye of the Cytokine Storm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294426/ COVID-19: consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30628-0/fulltext The innate and adaptive immune systems https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/ Cellular Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cellular-immunity The immune system review https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/a/hs-the-immune-system-review Cell-Mediated Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cell-mediated-immunity Cell-mediated immunity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell-mediated_immunity Types of immune responses: Innate and adaptive, humoral vs. cell-mediated https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/v/types-of-immune-responses-innate-and-adaptive-humoral-vs-cell-mediated Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320875/ Determination of Glucan Contents in the Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia of Lentinula edodes Cultivars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206800/ Beta-glucans in edible mushrooms https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263256678_Beta-glucans_in_edible_mushrooms Shaping the Innate Immune Response by Dietary Glucans: Any Role in the Control of Cancer? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7016572/ Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25866155 Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/ Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/ Immune-modulating Effects of Maitake Mushroom Extract https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2009-12/immune-modulating-effects-maitake-mushroom-extract Synergistic immuno-modulatory activity in human macrophages of a medicinal mushroom formulation consisting of Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/authors?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224740 Researchers prove mushrooms are magic for your immune system https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2019/11/08/mushroom-medicines-health-benefits/  

In this episode, Dr Kirsty Short talks to Professor Avril Robertson. Prof Robertson is a Professor in Biotechnology in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at The University of Queensland. She completed a commercially focused degree and PhD in bio-organic chemistry at the University of St Andrews, Scotland in 2000. She also has qualifications in both secondary and tertiary teaching. Avril had a successful 10 years in the UK biotechnology and drug discovery industry before moving to The University of Queensland as Head of Medicinal Chemistry in the Center for Drug Design and Discovery in 2011. In 2017, she progressed to full Professor and Director of Biotechnology and also sits on the Board of Directors of the National Professional Science Masters Association in the USA.

Professor Liz Harry is Professor of Biology and previously the Director of the ithree institute (infection, immunology and innovation) at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS).Liz obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Sydney. She then went to Harvard University as a National Institutes of Health (NIH, USA) Postdoctoral Fellow. There she pioneered the development of fluorescence microscopy techniques for bacteria that enabled visualization of the subcellular proteins inside bacterial cells. These techniques have revolutionized our view of the internal organization of bacterial cells. They revealed that bacterial cells are highly organized, with proteins having specific cellular addresses that are exquisitely controlled in time and space.Liz then returned to Australia to be an Australian Research Council (ARC) Postdoctoral Fellow and then an ARC QEII Fellow in the School of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Sydney.  She was then head-hunted to take up a position as Associate Professor at the ithree institute (then known as the Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases) with the aim of building a team of bacterial biologists. She was promoted to Professor of Biology in 2010, and has played a leading role in the recruitment of several eminent Australian and international researchers to the institute.Professor Harry's research on bacterial cell division has had a significant impact on our understanding of how bacterial cells multiply, and how they control this process to ensure equal partitioning of chromosomes vital for survival. Her research has often changed the direction of thinking in the field, and has afforded excellent opportunities in antibacterial discovery. Her cutting-edge cell biology techniques including super resolution microscopy have provided unique insights in the mechanism and spatiotemporal control of the division process in bacteria. She made the surprising discovery that the cytokinetic ring, which is a polymer of the tubulin-like protein, FtsZ, forms at the division site at midcell as a result of the remodeling of a cytoskeletal helical assembly of polymers. Her research has shown that this Z ring is linked to the progress of the initiation phase of DNA replication, and gave rise to a new definition for the role of long-known sptatial regulators of bacterial division.With the move to the ithree institute, CI Harry shifted some of her fundamental research focus on bacterial cell division toward bacteria that cause infectious disease, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii, and antibacterial discovery. Professor Harry has worked with industry in antibacterial discovery research for the development of novel antibiotics that target this process in pathogens, and to examine how natural products function as effective therapeutics for infectious disease.Liz was awarded the 2002 Australian Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, and recently won the 2008 ASM Frank Fenner Award, awarded by the Australian Society for Microbiology in recognition of her distinguished contributions to Australian research in microbiology. She has had several Plenary invitations to international conferences and served on the Executive of the Australian Society for Microbiology for several years. She is currently a member of the Australian Academy of Science, National Committee for Biomedical Sciences.

“Boosting” your Immune System may be the worst thing you can do during a pandemic… The single best thing you can do for your health and the health of your loved ones is to take steps towards supporting the health of your immune system. And I chose the word “support” carefully because new research is now showing that... Immune SUPPORT is better than an immune BOOST during a pandemic! Let’s Look at The Immune System The immune system protects the body from possibly harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Antigens are substances (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Nonliving substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can also be antigens. The immune system recognizes and destroys, or tries to destroy, substances that contain antigens. Your body's cells have proteins that are antigens. These include a group of antigens called HLA antigens. Your immune system learns to see these antigens as normal and usually does not react against them.   Important Distinctions of Your Immune System  Innate Immune System The innate immune system is made of defenses against infection that can be activated immediately once a pathogen attacks. The innate immune system is essentially made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign particles out of your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body. The innate immune system includes: Physical Barriers such as skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the nasopharynx, cilia, eyelashes and other body hair. Defense Mechanisms such as secretions, mucous, bile, gastric acid, saliva, tears, and sweat. General Immune Responses such as inflammation, complement, and non-specific cellular responses. The inflammatory response actively brings immune cells to the site of an infection by increasing blood flow to the area. Complement is an immune response that marks pathogens for destruction and makes holes in the cell membrane of the pathogen. The innate immune system is always general, or nonspecific, meaning anything that is identified as foreign or non-self is a target for the innate immune response. The innate immune system is activated by the presence of antigens and their chemical properties.   The Adaptive Immune System: Precision and a long memory If the body’s first line of defense – the innate immune system – is unsuccessful in destroying the pathogens, after about four to seven days the specific adaptive immune response sets in. This means that the adaptive defense takes longer, but it targets the pathogen more accurately. Another advantage: It can remember the aggressor and acts specifically against certain antigens. If there is new contact with an antigen that is already known, the defense response can then be quicker. This way the defense responses of the adaptive immune system are more efficient and faster than those of the innate defense, if the antigen is already known. The adaptive immune system can remember the antigens because it produces memory cells. This is also the reason why there are some illnesses you can only get once in your life, because afterwards your body becomes “immune.” While after first contact with the pathogen it takes several days for the immune system to respond, a second infection often has no consequences, or at least the symptoms are weaker. The adaptive immune system has several parts that react in different ways, depending on the place in the body where the pathogen is. Antibodies are made available for germs outside the cells (in the blood and in body fluids). To eliminate pathogens that are inside the tissue, a cell-mediated immune response is necessary. These parts of the adaptive defense include: T lymphocytes B lymphocytes antibodies as soluble proteins in the blood cytokines in the blood and tissue as hormone-like messenger substances Cytokines Cytokines form a group of proteins that participate in cell signaling, intercellular communication and in many cellular and immunological functions. They are prominently involved in inflammatory responses and defense against viral infections. If the other parts act like soldiers protecting you, then cytokines are like Navy Seals, sent in for only the toughest missions. These cytokines are small molecules in the body that are released by certain cells to help coordinate the battle against infection. So, you might be thinking “Great! How do I get more of these hard-working cytokines into my system?” And that makes sense. If they’re the best of the best for fighting illness, then you’d want more of them, right? Well, it’s not so simple and now some doctors have recently made a startling discovery… As it turns out, “boosting” cytokines during a pandemic like this might cause what some doctors call a “cytokine storm.” And this cytokine storm might be the explanation of why some people rapidly decline in a pandemic, while others are able to stay healthy. Scientifically speaking, a “cytokine storm” is when, in some cases, the body's own immune system actually overreacts to an infection.  And that’s when problems can start. While cytokines are generally a good thing for your immune system… Too many of them at once might actually cause an overreaction.  This “overreaction” could cause more damage to the body’s own cells than to the invading disease cells it's trying to fight off.   Your Cellular Immunity Defense System There is one thing that almost every single medical doctor does agree on when it comes to diseases… A compromised immune system is the single biggest risk factor anyone can have. You might be wondering… How do I build the foundation of my immune system without overloading it? Fortunately, there is something you can do, and it has to do with what doctors and medical researchers call... your Cellular Immunity Defense System Cellular immunity protects the body through: T-cell mediated immunity or T-cell immunity: activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells that are able to induce apoptosis in body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface, such as virus-infected cells, cells with intracellular bacteria, and cancer cells displaying tumor antigens; Macrophage and natural killer cell action: enabling the destruction of pathogens via recognition and secretion of cytotoxic granules (for natural killer cells and phagocytosis (for macrophages); and Stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines that influence the function of other cells involved in adaptive immune responses and innate immune responses. Cell-mediated immunity is directed primarily at microbes that survive in phagocytes and microbes that infect non-phagocytic cells. It is most effective in removing virus-infected cells, but also participates in defending against fungi, protozoans, cancers, and intracellular bacteria. It also plays a major role in transplant rejection.   THIS LITTLE-KNOWN NUTRIENT - Activates Your Cellular Immunity Defense System It’s called a beta-glucan, or a β-glucan for short. Outside of freshman chemistry class, you may never have heard of a beta-glucan.  But these β-glucans attach themselves to white blood cells and stimulate them to seek and destroy bacteria and viruses.   Your body already has natural bacteria killing cells called B cells and T cells, and dozens of research studies show that once β-glucans are in your system, they activate and strengthen these killer cells.   It’s like sending every little immunity soldier into battle with a rocket launcher packed with an unlimited supply of bacteria-seeking missiles.  And that’s not all they do…  Remember those little immunity defenders called cytokines?  We know that overloading the system with them can cause a “cytokine storm,” but striking the right balance of them can really fortify your immune system.  Well, that’s part of the magic of β-glucans...  β-glucans are what trigger natural and healthy cytokine production and those little cytokines are what spring to action in an immune response.  So, the more β-glucan you have in your body, the stronger your immune system.  AND what’s more, β-glucans naturally regulate your cytokine production, so they won’t “overload” and cause a dangerous cytokine storm.  So, you might be asking, how do I make sure my β-glucans are strong and that my system has enough of them to fight off infectious bacteria?  Well, there is one superfood that contains extremely high amounts of β-glucan.    The #1 Superfood That Fortifies Your Cellular Immunity Defense System:   NUTRITIONAL MUSHROOMS - The Cutting Edge of Natural Immune System Research Just by using nutritional mushrooms regularly, researchers say you can increase your levels of β-glucans more than any other nutrient on earth. It’s like having a never-ending supply of reinforcements to send into the war against infectious diseases. Researchers have found that nutritional mushrooms contain 0.53 grams of β-glucans per 100 grams of mushrooms, which makes them far and away the most β-glucan-rich food you can find on the planet.   3 Mushrooms That Act Like “Turbo Shots” To Your Immune System  SHITAKE In a 2011 study, 52 healthy adults, aged 21 to 41, took home a 4-week supply of shiitake mushrooms. They were told to eat one 4-ounce serving of the mushroom every day.  Then after the 4 weeks were completed, they returned for some simple blood work.  Their results showed a decrease in inflammatory proteins which the researchers thought was a pretty good benefit in itself…  But then they looked a little harder at the data and saw that each patient's B cells, T cells, and natural bacteria-killing cells had all increased.  When they finally figured out what triggered this response, it was no surprise that it was all connected back to the β-glucans that came from the shiitake mushrooms they had been eating.  "If you eat a shiitake mushroom every day, you could see changes in their immune system that are beneficial," said Food Science and Human Nutrition Professor Sue Percival, who was the leader of the study.    She also said that those β-glucans were not only able to "Enhance the immune system,”  ... but “also reduce the inflammation that the immune system produces." And the benefits of shiitake don’t just stop there, because these mushrooms flood your system with other nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, niacin, and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.   Plus, the enzymes packed into shiitake also make it easier for your body to absorb almost any nutrient.   This means if you’re already taking a vitamin C or D supplement for your immune system, shiitake will actually make those supplements work better!   REISHI Known as the Mushrooms of Immortality, reishi mushrooms are packed with polysaccharides, antioxidant properties, and those crucial β-glucans that can help with immune function. As early as 206 BC there are writings about reishi mushrooms being used to help people live longer. Today’s researchers now know that they were living longer simply because their bodies were better equipped to fight off disease. Simply put, they had super strong Cellular Immunity Defense Systems. Again, it’s thanks to the high content of those powerful β-glucans! In fact, reishi mushrooms have been shown to have as much as 5.8% levels of β-glucans, higher than any other mushroom strain on earth.   MAITAKE Remember those important cytokines?  Well, we know it’s important to strike the right balance of them in your system…  So that you have enough of them to help your immune system fight off bacteria...  But not too many to cause a dangerous “cytokine storm”.  It turns out that maitake mushrooms may just be the secret to striking this delicate balance.  A 3-week study of a group of healthy young women taking Maitake mushrooms resulted in the benefits you might expect.  Similar to reishi and shiitake, they all saw improvements in their immune systems thanks to the increase in β-glucans…  But the study with maitake gave researchers some really exciting results with those cytokines  It turns out that maitake was able to trigger both stimulatory (IL-2) and suppressive (IL-10) cytokines.   That means they were able to increase the cytokines, but not past a certain level so they got out of control. But here’s where things really start to get interesting…  Maitake is not the only mushroom researchers have studied for the immune response…  While it was by far the strongest in supporting the immune defense reaction…  There was one way they were able to trigger an even bigger response…  They combined it with shiitake!  And it was that combination that was stronger than any other.   MUSHROOM POTENCY CAN BE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY WHEN THEY ARE USED TOGETHER! Just look what happened when the research team from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine, the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Integria Healthcare started mixing mushrooms together…  They started with nine varieties of whole mushroom extracts.  They tried them each individually with some pretty good results…  But then they tried mixing a few of them together, and as you’d expect, the results dramatically increased.  And when their work was done do you know which 3 of the 9 mushrooms worked best for the immune system?  You guess it - the magical trio of reishi, shiitake, and maitake.  When these 3 were combined, the lead researcher told the media that they came together to create and immune system “super-force.”  “What we found that was surprising was that the (combination) gave three to four times the impact that what we would expect,” Associate Professor Joe Tiralongo said.   7M+ by Organixx 7M+ is a breakthrough proprietary formula that ensures you’re getting the most powerful combination of those 3 crucial mushrooms packed with those β-glucans at a level no other mushroom supplement can offer. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 7M+ give you what you need to help support your immune system like nothing else on the market.   And… It turns out there’s so much more that mushrooms can do for our bodies than just immune support. That’s why Organixx added 4 other nutritional mushrooms into this formula…. CHAGA Chaga has been used for centuries primarily in the East. It's known for its immune support and soothing properties. Many traditional healers have used it as a soothing tea for a powerful and natural digestive support. It's also shown the potential to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. Chaga also has very powerful antioxidant properties that make it a powerhouse on its own. CORDYCEPS Cordyceps mushrooms have been shown to help regulate a healthy immune system. Cordyceps were at one time so highly valued that they were only allowed to be consumed by the Emperor of China (who lived to 100+ years old and still fathered children into his 100s). Also known for the ability to support sexual health and athletic ability, cordyceps have been the most sought after nutritional mushroom in the Orient. LION'S MANE One of the more interesting mushrooms coming from the ancient east. Lion's mane is known to support brain health, support cognitive function, and aid against age-related memory loss. It also helps maintain mental focus and function, as well as promoting healthy digestive function through its powerful regulation of bacteria. TURKEY TAIL Turkey tail is considered one of the best-researched mushrooms on earth. Its benefits are just as strong as other nutritional mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps and maitake. It contains powerful antioxidant nutrients and high levels of selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B3, which are crucial for boosting and maintaining immunity.   Fermentation INCREASES the Power of Nutritional Mushrooms Most other mushroom supplements don’t take this into consideration. They simply get a basic mushroom formula and bottle it up. That strategy does work a little better than just eating whole mushrooms… But fermentation takes it to a whole other level of potency and that’s exactly what the team at Organixx has done with 7M+ and their proprietary fermentation process. Fermentation is simply the process of breaking something down so that the highest amount of nutrients can be extracted. Research found that fermented mushrooms are, indeed, the best way to increase the levels of those powerful β-glucans. Fermentation also extracts all the healthy and beneficial other nutrients that are packed into mushrooms. This means that those nutrients can get into your system better because they’re more bioavailable. The Ingredients in 7M+ Are Certified Organic – Why That Matters to YOU! Once a nutrient like mushrooms are harvested, they are then dried and concentrated down to a very potent dose. This sounds like a good thing because you’ll get a higher dose of the nutrients, as we discussed already… But if those mushrooms were not grown organically, that means pesticides and poisons were used on them. And when they are concentrated down, you’re not only getting high amounts of nutrients…. but HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF POISONS too!  Why 7M+ for You and Your Family 7M+ is specifically formulated to give you everything you need to help support immunity and feel younger and healthier. This year, with the entire globe dealing with a health epidemic, maintaining your immune system might be something that makes all the difference. With 7M+, you get seven of the world’s finest beneficial mushrooms, jam-packed with β-glucans – nature’s powerful sickness-fighting ingredient. With the immune-supporting power of 7M+ working throughout your entire body, you can help increase your and your family’s odds of staying well even during times like this. Only two capsules a day provide you with a completely safe, 100% natural, and amazingly effective formula to support immunity… and help you live a longer and healthier life!   RESOURCES 7M+ by Organixx https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/PS9gd0VOOLThuCn8OMXV?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec0f02e26b5443380841   Empowering You Organically Episode 47: The Magic of Mushrooms https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/the-magic-of-mushrooms-episode-47/   Cytokines https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cytokines   Cytokine storm: An overreaction of the body's immune system https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/#ixzz6KBGrH9ZF   Cytokine Storms May Be Fueling Some COVID Deaths https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200417/cytokine-storms-may-be-fueling-some-covid-deaths   NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/797584   Into the Eye of the Cytokine Storm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294426/   COVID-19: consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30628-0/fulltext   The innate and adaptive immune systems https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/   Cellular Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cellular-immunity   The immune system review https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/a/hs-the-immune-system-review   Cell-Mediated Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cell-mediated-immunity   Cell-mediated immunity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell-mediated_immunity   Types of immune responses: Innate and adaptive, humoral vs. cell-mediated https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/v/types-of-immune-responses-innate-and-adaptive-humoral-vs-cell-mediated   Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320875/   Determination of Glucan Contents in the Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia of Lentinula edodes Cultivars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206800/   Beta-glucans in edible mushrooms https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263256678_Beta-glucans_in_edible_mushrooms   Shaping the Innate Immune Response by Dietary Glucans: Any Role in the Control of Cancer? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7016572/   Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25866155   Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/   Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/   Immune-modulating Effects of Maitake Mushroom Extract https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2009-12/immune-modulating-effects-maitake-mushroom-extract   Synergistic immuno-modulatory activity in human macrophages of a medicinal mushroom formulation consisting of Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/authors?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224740   Researchers prove mushrooms are magic for your immune system https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2019/11/08/mushroom-medicines-health-benefits/     Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS  

“Boosting” your Immune System may be the worst thing you can do during a pandemic…   The single best thing you can do for your health and the health of your loved ones is to take steps towards supporting the health of your immune system.   And I chose the word “support” carefully because new research is now showing that...   Immune SUPPORT is better than an immune BOOST during a pandemic!   Let’s Look at The Immune System The immune system protects the body from possibly harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Antigens are substances (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Nonliving substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can also be antigens. The immune system recognizes and destroys, or tries to destroy, substances that contain antigens.   Your body's cells have proteins that are antigens. These include a group of antigens called HLA antigens. Your immune system learns to see these antigens as normal and usually does not react against them.     Important Distinctions of Your Immune System   Innate Immune System The innate immune system is made of defenses against infection that can be activated immediately once a pathogen attacks. The innate immune system is essentially made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign particles out of your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body. The innate immune system includes:   Physical Barriers such as skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the nasopharynx, cilia, eyelashes and other body hair. Defense Mechanisms such as secretions, mucous, bile, gastric acid, saliva, tears, and sweat. General Immune Responses such as inflammation, complement, and non-specific cellular responses. The inflammatory response actively brings immune cells to the site of an infection by increasing blood flow to the area. Complement is an immune response that marks pathogens for destruction and makes holes in the cell membrane of the pathogen.   The innate immune system is always general, or nonspecific, meaning anything that is identified as foreign or non-self is a target for the innate immune response. The innate immune system is activated by the presence of antigens and their chemical properties.   The Adaptive Immune System: Precision and a long memory If the body’s first line of defense – the innate immune system – is unsuccessful in destroying the pathogens, after about four to seven days the specific adaptive immune response sets in. This means that the adaptive defense takes longer, but it targets the pathogen more accurately.   Another advantage: It can remember the aggressor and acts specifically against certain antigens. If there is new contact with an antigen that is already known, the defense response can then be quicker. This way the defense responses of the adaptive immune system are more efficient and faster than those of the innate defense, if the antigen is already known.   The adaptive immune system can remember the antigens because it produces memory cells. This is also the reason why there are some illnesses you can only get once in your life, because afterwards your body becomes “immune.” While after first contact with the pathogen it takes several days for the immune system to respond, a second infection often has no consequences, or at least the symptoms are weaker.   The adaptive immune system has several parts that react in different ways, depending on the place in the body where the pathogen is. Antibodies are made available for germs outside the cells (in the blood and in body fluids). To eliminate pathogens that are inside the tissue, a cell-mediated immune response is necessary.   These parts of the adaptive defense include:   T lymphocytes B lymphocytes antibodies as soluble proteins in the blood cytokines in the blood and tissue as hormone-like messenger substances   Cytokines Cytokines form a group of proteins that participate in cell signaling, intercellular communication and in many cellular and immunological functions. They are prominently involved in inflammatory responses and defense against viral infections.   If the other parts act like soldiers protecting you, then cytokines are like Navy Seals, sent in for only the toughest missions.    These cytokines are small molecules in the body that are released by certain cells to help coordinate the battle against infection. So, you might be thinking “Great! How do I get more of these hard-working cytokines into my system?”   And that makes sense. If they’re the best of the best for fighting illness, then you’d want more of them, right?   Well, it’s not so simple and now some doctors have recently made a startling discovery…   As it turns out, “boosting” cytokines during a pandemic like this might cause what some doctors call a “cytokine storm.”   And this cytokine storm might be the explanation of why some people rapidly decline in a pandemic, while others are able to stay healthy.   Scientifically speaking, a “cytokine storm” is when, in some cases, the body's own immune system actually overreacts to an infection.    And that’s when problems can start.   While cytokines are generally a good thing for your immune system…   Too many of them at once might actually cause an overreaction.    This “overreaction” could cause more damage to the body’s own cells than to the invading disease cells it's trying to fight off.     Your Cellular Immunity Defense System There is one thing that almost every single medical doctor does agree on when it comes to diseases… A compromised immune system is the single biggest risk factor anyone can have.   You might be wondering… How do I build the foundation of my immune system without overloading it?   Fortunately, there is something you can do, and it has to do with what doctors and medical researchers call... your Cellular Immunity Defense System   Cellular immunity protects the body through:   T-cell mediated immunity or T-cell immunity: activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells that are able to induce apoptosis in body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface, such as virus-infected cells, cells with intracellular bacteria, and cancer cells displaying tumor antigens; Macrophage and natural killer cell action: enabling the destruction of pathogens via recognition and secretion of cytotoxic granules (for natural killer cells and phagocytosis (for macrophages); and Stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines that influence the function of other cells involved in adaptive immune responses and innate immune responses.   Cell-mediated immunity is directed primarily at microbes that survive in phagocytes and microbes that infect non-phagocytic cells. It is most effective in removing virus-infected cells, but also participates in defending against fungi, protozoans, cancers, and intracellular bacteria. It also plays a major role in transplant rejection.     THIS LITTLE-KNOWN NUTRIENT - Activates Your Cellular Immunity Defense System   It’s called a beta-glucan, or a β-glucan for short.   Outside of freshman chemistry class, you may never have heard of a beta-glucan.    But these β-glucans attach themselves to white blood cells and stimulate them to seek and destroy bacteria and viruses.     Your body already has natural bacteria killing cells called B cells and T cells, and dozens of research studies show that once β-glucans are in your system, they activate and strengthen these killer cells.     It’s like sending every little immunity soldier into battle with a rocket launcher packed with an unlimited supply of bacteria-seeking missiles.    And that’s not all they do…    Remember those little immunity defenders called cytokines?    We know that overloading the system with them can cause a “cytokine storm,” but striking the right balance of them can really fortify your immune system.    Well, that’s part of the magic of β-glucans...    β-glucans are what trigger natural and healthy cytokine production and those little cytokines are what spring to action in an immune response.    So, the more β-glucan you have in your body, the stronger your immune system.    AND what’s more, β-glucans naturally regulate your cytokine production, so they won’t “overload” and cause a dangerous cytokine storm.    So, you might be asking, how do I make sure my β-glucans are strong and that my system has enough of them to fight off infectious bacteria?    Well, there is one superfood that contains extremely high amounts of β-glucan.    The #1 Superfood That Fortifies Your Cellular Immunity Defense System:   NUTRITIONAL MUSHROOMS - The Cutting Edge of Natural Immune System Research   Just by using nutritional mushrooms regularly, researchers say you can increase your levels of β-glucans more than any other nutrient on earth.   It’s like having a never-ending supply of reinforcements to send into the war against infectious diseases.   Researchers have found that nutritional mushrooms contain 0.53 grams of β-glucans per 100 grams of mushrooms, which makes them far and away the most β-glucan-rich food you can find on the planet.   3 Mushrooms That Act Like “Turbo Shots” To Your Immune System    SHITAKE In a 2011 study, 52 healthy adults, aged 21 to 41, took home a 4-week supply of shiitake mushrooms. They were told to eat one 4-ounce serving of the mushroom every day.    Then after the 4 weeks were completed, they returned for some simple blood work.    Their results showed a decrease in inflammatory proteins which the researchers thought was a pretty good benefit in itself…    But then they looked a little harder at the data and saw that each patient's B cells, T cells, and natural bacteria-killing cells had all increased.    When they finally figured out what triggered this response, it was no surprise that it was all connected back to the β-glucans that came from the shiitake mushrooms they had been eating.    "If you eat a shiitake mushroom every day, you could see changes in their immune system that are beneficial," said Food Science and Human Nutrition Professor Sue Percival, who was the leader of the study.      She also said that those β-glucans were not only able to "Enhance the immune system,”    ... but “also reduce the inflammation that the immune system produces."   And the benefits of shiitake don’t just stop there, because these mushrooms flood your system with other nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, niacin, and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.     Plus, the enzymes packed into shiitake also make it easier for your body to absorb almost any nutrient.     Which means if you’re already taking a vitamin C or D supplement for your immune system, shiitake will actually make those supplements work better!    REISHI Known as the Mushrooms of Immortality, reishi mushrooms are packed with polysaccharides, antioxidant properties, and those crucial β-glucans that can help with immune function.   As early as 206 BC there are writings about reishi mushrooms being used to help people live longer.   Today’s researchers now know that they were living longer simply because their bodies were better equipped to fight off disease.   Simply put, they had super strong Cellular Immunity Defense Systems.   Again, it’s thanks to the high content of those powerful β-glucans!   In fact, reishi mushrooms have been shown to have as much as 5.8% levels of β-glucans, higher than any other mushroom strain on earth.   MAITAKE   Remember those important cytokines?    Well, we know it’s important to strike the right balance of them in your system…    So that you have enough of them to help your immune system fight off bacteria...    But not too many to cause a dangerous “cytokine storm”.    It turns out that maitake mushrooms may just be the secret to striking this delicate balance.    A 3-week study of a group of healthy young women taking Maitake mushrooms resulted in the benefits you might expect.    Similar to reishi and shiitake, they all saw improvements in their immune systems thanks to the increase in β-glucans…    But the study with maitake gave researchers some really exciting results with those cytokines    It turns out that maitake was able to trigger both stimulatory (IL-2) and suppressive (IL-10) cytokines.     That means they were able to increase the cytokines, but not past a certain level so they got out of control.   But here’s where things really start to get interesting…    Maitake is not the only mushroom researchers have studied for the immune response…    While it was by far the strongest in supporting the immune defense reaction…    There was one way they were able to trigger an even bigger response…    They combined it with shiitake!    And it was that combination that was stronger than any other.   MUSHROOM POTENCY CAN BE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY WHEN THEY ARE USED TOGETHER!   Just look what happened when the research team from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine, the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Integria Healthcare started mixing mushrooms together…    They started with nine varieties of whole mushroom extracts.    They tried them each individually with some pretty good results…    But then they tried mixing a few of them together, and as you’d expect, the results dramatically increased.    And when their work was done do you know which 3 of the 9 mushrooms worked best for the immune system?    You guess it - the magical trio of reishi, shiitake, and maitake.    When these 3 were combined, the lead researcher told the media that they came together to create and immune system “super-force.”    “What we found that was surprising was that the (combination) gave three to four times the impact that what we would expect,” Associate Professor Joe Tiralongo said.   7M+ by Organixx   7M+ is a breakthrough proprietary formula that ensures you’re getting the most powerful combination of those 3 crucial mushrooms packed with those β-glucans at a level no other mushroom supplement can offer.   The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 7M+ give you what you need to help support your immune system like nothing else on the market.   And… It turns out there’s so much more that mushrooms can do for our bodies than just immune support.   That’s why Organixx added 4 other nutritional mushrooms into this formula…. CHAGA Chaga has been used for centuries primarily in the East. It's known for its immune support and soothing properties. Many traditional healers have used it as a soothing tea for a powerful and natural digestive support. It's also shown the potential to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. Chaga also has very powerful antioxidant properties that make it a powerhouse on its own.   CORDYCEPS Cordyceps mushrooms have been shown to help regulate a healthy immune system. Cordyceps were at one time so highly valued that they were only allowed to be consumed by the Emperor of China (who lived to 100+ years old and still fathered children into his 100s). Also known for the ability to support sexual health and athletic ability, cordyceps have been the most sought after nutritional mushroom in the Orient.   LION'S MANE One of the more interesting mushrooms coming from the ancient east. Lion's mane is known to support brain health, support cognitive function, and aid against age-related memory loss. It also helps maintain mental focus and function, as well as promoting healthy digestive function through its powerful regulation of bacteria.   TURKEY TAIL Turkey tail is considered one of the best-researched mushrooms on earth. Its benefits are just as strong as other nutritional mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps and maitake. It contains powerful antioxidant nutrients and high levels of selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B3, which are crucial for boosting and maintaining immunity.     Fermentation INCREASES the Power of Nutritional Mushrooms Most other mushroom supplements don’t take this into consideration. They simply get a basic mushroom formula and bottle it up.   That strategy does work a little better than just eating whole mushrooms…   But fermentation takes it to a whole other level of potency and that’s exactly what the team at Organixx has done with 7M+ and their proprietary fermentation process.   Fermentation is simply the process of breaking something down so that the highest amount of nutrients can be extracted.   Research found that fermented mushrooms are, indeed, the best way to increase the levels of those powerful β-glucans.   Fermentation also extracts all the healthy and beneficial other nutrients that are packed into mushrooms. This means that those nutrients can get into your system better because they’re more bioavailable.     The Ingredients in 7M+ Are Certified Organic – Why That Matters to YOU! Once a nutrient like mushrooms are harvested, they are then dried and concentrated down to a very potent dose.   This sounds like a good thing because you’ll get a higher dose of the nutrients, as we discussed already…   But if those mushrooms were not grown organically, that means pesticides and poisons were used on them.   And when they are concentrated down, you’re not only getting high amounts of nutrients…. but HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF POISONS too!     Why 7M+ for You and Your Family   7M+ is specifically formulated to give you everything you need to help support immunity and feel younger and healthier.   This year, with the entire globe dealing with a health epidemic, maintaining your immune system might be something that makes all the difference.   With 7M+, you get seven of the world’s finest beneficial mushrooms, jam-packed with β-glucans – nature’s powerful sickness-fighting ingredient.   With the immune-supporting power of 7M+ working throughout your entire body, you can help increase your and your family’s odds of staying well even during times like this.   Only two capsules a day provide you with a completely safe, 100% natural, and amazingly effective formula to support immunity… and help you live a longer and healthier life!         RESOURCES 7M+ by Organixx https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/PS9gd0VOOLThuCn8OMXV?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec0f02e26b5443380841   Empowering You Organically Episode 47: The Magic of Mushrooms https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/the-magic-of-mushrooms-episode-47/   Cytokines https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cytokines   Cytokine storm: An overreaction of the body's immune system https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/#ixzz6KBGrH9ZF   Cytokine Storms May Be Fueling Some COVID Deaths https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200417/cytokine-storms-may-be-fueling-some-covid-deaths   NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/797584   Into the Eye of the Cytokine Storm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294426/   COVID-19: consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30628-0/fulltext   The innate and adaptive immune systems https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/   Cellular Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cellular-immunity   The immune system review https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/a/hs-the-immune-system-review   Cell-Mediated Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cell-mediated-immunity   Cell-mediated immunity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell-mediated_immunity   Types of immune responses: Innate and adaptive, humoral vs. cell-mediated https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/v/types-of-immune-responses-innate-and-adaptive-humoral-vs-cell-mediated   Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320875/   Determination of Glucan Contents in the Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia of Lentinula edodes Cultivars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206800/   Beta-glucans in edible mushrooms https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263256678_Beta-glucans_in_edible_mushrooms   Shaping the Innate Immune Response by Dietary Glucans: Any Role in the Control of Cancer? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7016572/   Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25866155   Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/   Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/   Immune-modulating Effects of Maitake Mushroom Extract https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2009-12/immune-modulating-effects-maitake-mushroom-extract   Synergistic immuno-modulatory activity in human macrophages of a medicinal mushroom formulation consisting of Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/authors?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224740   Researchers prove mushrooms are magic for your immune system https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2019/11/08/mushroom-medicines-health-benefits/     Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS  

To wrap up this year's podcast, I brought it back to our main theme of this year, women of color in STEM, and a little closer to home. I talked to Dr. Heather Pinkett a professor and researcher in Northwestern's Department of Molecular Biosciences. In the first half of the episode, we discuss her background that shaped her research of proteins in her lab at Northwestern today. In the second half, we discuss what STEM research fields look like today for women and other underrepresented groups and how the field can continue to improve.

Coronavirus is forefront in all our minds right now. Tune in to find out from Jonathan and TeriAnn why BOOSTING your immune system right now may not be the way to go. We help you understand your immune system; innate and adaptive, cytokine storms, and the role of beta-glucans, or a β-glucans for short, play in SUPPORTING your immunity. Which leads you into the magic of mushrooms. Here’s a hint…they aren’t just for anti-aging! “Boosting” your Immune System may be the worst thing you can do during a pandemic…   The single best thing you can do for your health and the health of your loved ones is to take steps towards supporting the health of your immune system.   And I chose the word “support” carefully because new research is now showing that...   Immune SUPPORT is better than an immune BOOST during a pandemic!   Let’s Look at The Immune System The immune system protects the body from possibly harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Antigens are substances (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Nonliving substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can also be antigens. The immune system recognizes and destroys, or tries to destroy, substances that contain antigens.   Your body's cells have proteins that are antigens. These include a group of antigens called HLA antigens. Your immune system learns to see these antigens as normal and usually does not react against them.     Important Distinctions of Your Immune System   Innate Immune System The innate immune system is made of defenses against infection that can be activated immediately once a pathogen attacks. The innate immune system is essentially made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign particles out of your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body. The innate immune system includes:   Physical Barriers such as skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the nasopharynx, cilia, eyelashes and other body hair. Defense Mechanisms such as secretions, mucous, bile, gastric acid, saliva, tears, and sweat. General Immune Responses such as inflammation, complement, and non-specific cellular responses. The inflammatory response actively brings immune cells to the site of an infection by increasing blood flow to the area. Complement is an immune response that marks pathogens for destruction and makes holes in the cell membrane of the pathogen.   The innate immune system is always general, or nonspecific, meaning anything that is identified as foreign or non-self is a target for the innate immune response. The innate immune system is activated by the presence of antigens and their chemical properties.   The Adaptive Immune System: Precision and a long memory If the body’s first line of defense – the innate immune system – is unsuccessful in destroying the pathogens, after about four to seven days the specific adaptive immune response sets in. This means that the adaptive defense takes longer, but it targets the pathogen more accurately.   Another advantage: It can remember the aggressor and acts specifically against certain antigens. If there is new contact with an antigen that is already known, the defense response can then be quicker. This way the defense responses of the adaptive immune system are more efficient and faster than those of the innate defense, if the antigen is already known.   The adaptive immune system can remember the antigens because it produces memory cells. This is also the reason why there are some illnesses you can only get once in your life, because afterwards your body becomes “immune.” While after first contact with the pathogen it takes several days for the immune system to respond, a second infection often has no consequences, or at least the symptoms are weaker.   The adaptive immune system has several parts that react in different ways, depending on the place in the body where the pathogen is. Antibodies are made available for germs outside the cells (in the blood and in body fluids). To eliminate pathogens that are inside the tissue, a cell-mediated immune response is necessary.   These parts of the adaptive defense include:   T lymphocytes B lymphocytes antibodies as soluble proteins in the blood cytokines in the blood and tissue as hormone-like messenger substances   Cytokines Cytokines form a group of proteins that participate in cell signaling, intercellular communication and in many cellular and immunological functions. They are prominently involved in inflammatory responses and defense against viral infections.   If the other parts act like soldiers protecting you, then cytokines are like Navy Seals, sent in for only the toughest missions.    These cytokines are small molecules in the body that are released by certain cells to help coordinate the battle against infection. So, you might be thinking “Great! How do I get more of these hard-working cytokines into my system?”   And that makes sense. If they’re the best of the best for fighting illness, then you’d want more of them, right?   Well, it’s not so simple and now some doctors have recently made a startling discovery…   As it turns out, “boosting” cytokines during a pandemic like this might cause what some doctors call a “cytokine storm.”   And this cytokine storm might be the explanation of why some people rapidly decline in a pandemic, while others are able to stay healthy.   Scientifically speaking, a “cytokine storm” is when, in some cases, the body's own immune system actually overreacts to an infection.    And that’s when problems can start.   While cytokines are generally a good thing for your immune system…   Too many of them at once might actually cause an overreaction.    This “overreaction” could cause more damage to the body’s own cells than to the invading disease cells it's trying to fight off.     Your Cellular Immunity Defense System There is one thing that almost every single medical doctor does agree on when it comes to diseases… A compromised immune system is the single biggest risk factor anyone can have.   You might be wondering… How do I build the foundation of my immune system without overloading it?   Fortunately, there is something you can do, and it has to do with what doctors and medical researchers call... your Cellular Immunity Defense System   Cellular immunity protects the body through:   T-cell mediated immunity or T-cell immunity: activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells that are able to induce apoptosis in body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface, such as virus-infected cells, cells with intracellular bacteria, and cancer cells displaying tumor antigens; Macrophage and natural killer cell action: enabling the destruction of pathogens via recognition and secretion of cytotoxic granules (for natural killer cells and phagocytosis (for macrophages); and Stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines that influence the function of other cells involved in adaptive immune responses and innate immune responses.   Cell-mediated immunity is directed primarily at microbes that survive in phagocytes and microbes that infect non-phagocytic cells. It is most effective in removing virus-infected cells, but also participates in defending against fungi, protozoans, cancers, and intracellular bacteria. It also plays a major role in transplant rejection.     THIS LITTLE-KNOWN NUTRIENT - Activates Your Cellular Immunity Defense System   It’s called a beta-glucan, or a β-glucan for short.   Outside of freshman chemistry class, you may never have heard of a beta-glucan.    But these β-glucans attach themselves to white blood cells and stimulate them to seek and destroy bacteria and viruses.     Your body already has natural bacteria killing cells called B cells and T cells, and dozens of research studies show that once β-glucans are in your system, they activate and strengthen these killer cells.     It’s like sending every little immunity soldier into battle with a rocket launcher packed with an unlimited supply of bacteria-seeking missiles.    And that’s not all they do…    Remember those little immunity defenders called cytokines?    We know that overloading the system with them can cause a “cytokine storm,” but striking the right balance of them can really fortify your immune system.    Well, that’s part of the magic of β-glucans...    β-glucans are what trigger natural and healthy cytokine production and those little cytokines are what spring to action in an immune response.    So, the more β-glucan you have in your body, the stronger your immune system.    AND what’s more, β-glucans naturally regulate your cytokine production, so they won’t “overload” and cause a dangerous cytokine storm.    So, you might be asking, how do I make sure my β-glucans are strong and that my system has enough of them to fight off infectious bacteria?    Well, there is one superfood that contains extremely high amounts of β-glucan.    The #1 Superfood That Fortifies Your Cellular Immunity Defense System:   NUTRITIONAL MUSHROOMS - The Cutting Edge of Natural Immune System Research   Just by using nutritional mushrooms regularly, researchers say you can increase your levels of β-glucans more than any other nutrient on earth.   It’s like having a never-ending supply of reinforcements to send into the war against infectious diseases.   Researchers have found that nutritional mushrooms contain 0.53 grams of β-glucans per 100 grams of mushrooms, which makes them far and away the most β-glucan-rich food you can find on the planet.   3 Mushrooms That Act Like “Turbo Shots” To Your Immune System    SHITAKE In a 2011 study, 52 healthy adults, aged 21 to 41, took home a 4-week supply of shiitake mushrooms. They were told to eat one 4-ounce serving of the mushroom every day.    Then after the 4 weeks were completed, they returned for some simple blood work.    Their results showed a decrease in inflammatory proteins which the researchers thought was a pretty good benefit in itself…    But then they looked a little harder at the data and saw that each patient's B cells, T cells, and natural bacteria-killing cells had all increased.    When they finally figured out what triggered this response, it was no surprise that it was all connected back to the β-glucans that came from the shiitake mushrooms they had been eating.    "If you eat a shiitake mushroom every day, you could see changes in their immune system that are beneficial," said Food Science and Human Nutrition Professor Sue Percival, who was the leader of the study.      She also said that those β-glucans were not only able to "Enhance the immune system,”    ... but “also reduce the inflammation that the immune system produces."   And the benefits of shiitake don’t just stop there, because these mushrooms flood your system with other nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, niacin, and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.     Plus, the enzymes packed into shiitake also make it easier for your body to absorb almost any nutrient.     Which means if you’re already taking a vitamin C or D supplement for your immune system, shiitake will actually make those supplements work better!    REISHI Known as the Mushrooms of Immortality, reishi mushrooms are packed with polysaccharides, antioxidant properties, and those crucial β-glucans that can help with immune function.   As early as 206 BC there are writings about reishi mushrooms being used to help people live longer.   Today’s researchers now know that they were living longer simply because their bodies were better equipped to fight off disease.   Simply put, they had super strong Cellular Immunity Defense Systems.   Again, it’s thanks to the high content of those powerful β-glucans!   In fact, reishi mushrooms have been shown to have as much as 5.8% levels of β-glucans, higher than any other mushroom strain on earth.   MAITAKE   Remember those important cytokines?    Well, we know it’s important to strike the right balance of them in your system…    So that you have enough of them to help your immune system fight off bacteria...    But not too many to cause a dangerous “cytokine storm”.    It turns out that maitake mushrooms may just be the secret to striking this delicate balance.    A 3-week study of a group of healthy young women taking Maitake mushrooms resulted in the benefits you might expect.    Similar to reishi and shiitake, they all saw improvements in their immune systems thanks to the increase in β-glucans…    But the study with maitake gave researchers some really exciting results with those cytokines    It turns out that maitake was able to trigger both stimulatory (IL-2) and suppressive (IL-10) cytokines.     That means they were able to increase the cytokines, but not past a certain level so they got out of control.   But here’s where things really start to get interesting…    Maitake is not the only mushroom researchers have studied for the immune response…    While it was by far the strongest in supporting the immune defense reaction…    There was one way they were able to trigger an even bigger response…    They combined it with shiitake!    And it was that combination that was stronger than any other.   MUSHROOM POTENCY CAN BE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY WHEN THEY ARE USED TOGETHER!   Just look what happened when the research team from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine, the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Integria Healthcare started mixing mushrooms together…    They started with nine varieties of whole mushroom extracts.    They tried them each individually with some pretty good results…    But then they tried mixing a few of them together, and as you’d expect, the results dramatically increased.    And when their work was done do you know which 3 of the 9 mushrooms worked best for the immune system?    You guess it - the magical trio of reishi, shiitake, and maitake.    When these 3 were combined, the lead researcher told the media that they came together to create and immune system “super-force.”    “What we found that was surprising was that the (combination) gave three to four times the impact that what we would expect,” Associate Professor Joe Tiralongo said.   7M+ by Organixx   7M+ is a breakthrough proprietary formula that ensures you’re getting the most powerful combination of those 3 crucial mushrooms packed with those β-glucans at a level no other mushroom supplement can offer.   The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 7M+ give you what you need to help support your immune system like nothing else on the market.   And… It turns out there’s so much more that mushrooms can do for our bodies than just immune support.   That’s why Organixx added 4 other nutritional mushrooms into this formula…. CHAGA Chaga has been used for centuries primarily in the East. It's known for its immune support and soothing properties. Many traditional healers have used it as a soothing tea for a powerful and natural digestive support. It's also shown the potential to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. Chaga also has very powerful antioxidant properties that make it a powerhouse on its own.   CORDYCEPS Cordyceps mushrooms have been shown to help regulate a healthy immune system. Cordyceps were at one time so highly valued that they were only allowed to be consumed by the Emperor of China (who lived to 100+ years old and still fathered children into his 100s). Also known for the ability to support sexual health and athletic ability, cordyceps have been the most sought after nutritional mushroom in the Orient.   LION'S MANE One of the more interesting mushrooms coming from the ancient east. Lion's mane is known to support brain health, support cognitive function, and aid against age-related memory loss. It also helps maintain mental focus and function, as well as promoting healthy digestive function through its powerful regulation of bacteria.   TURKEY TAIL Turkey tail is considered one of the best-researched mushrooms on earth. Its benefits are just as strong as other nutritional mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps and maitake. It contains powerful antioxidant nutrients and high levels of selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B3, which are crucial for boosting and maintaining immunity.     Fermentation INCREASES the Power of Nutritional Mushrooms Most other mushroom supplements don’t take this into consideration. They simply get a basic mushroom formula and bottle it up.   That strategy does work a little better than just eating whole mushrooms…   But fermentation takes it to a whole other level of potency and that’s exactly what the team at Organixx has done with 7M+ and their proprietary fermentation process.   Fermentation is simply the process of breaking something down so that the highest amount of nutrients can be extracted.   Research found that fermented mushrooms are, indeed, the best way to increase the levels of those powerful β-glucans.   Fermentation also extracts all the healthy and beneficial other nutrients that are packed into mushrooms. This means that those nutrients can get into your system better because they’re more bioavailable.     The Ingredients in 7M+ Are Certified Organic – Why That Matters to YOU! Once a nutrient like mushrooms are harvested, they are then dried and concentrated down to a very potent dose.   This sounds like a good thing because you’ll get a higher dose of the nutrients, as we discussed already…   But if those mushrooms were not grown organically, that means pesticides and poisons were used on them.   And when they are concentrated down, you’re not only getting high amounts of nutrients…. but HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF POISONS too!     Why 7M+ for You and Your Family   7M+ is specifically formulated to give you everything you need to help support immunity and feel younger and healthier.   This year, with the entire globe dealing with a health epidemic, maintaining your immune system might be something that makes all the difference.   With 7M+, you get seven of the world’s finest beneficial mushrooms, jam-packed with β-glucans – nature’s powerful sickness-fighting ingredient.   With the immune-supporting power of 7M+ working throughout your entire body, you can help increase your and your family’s odds of staying well even during times like this.   Only two capsules a day provide you with a completely safe, 100% natural, and amazingly effective formula to support immunity… and help you live a longer and healthier life!         RESOURCES 7M+ by Organixx https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/PS9gd0VOOLThuCn8OMXV?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec0f02e26b5443380841   Empowering You Organically Episode 47: The Magic of Mushrooms https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/the-magic-of-mushrooms-episode-47/   Cytokines https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cytokines   Cytokine storm: An overreaction of the body's immune system https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/#ixzz6KBGrH9ZF   Cytokine Storms May Be Fueling Some COVID Deaths https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200417/cytokine-storms-may-be-fueling-some-covid-deaths   NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/797584   Into the Eye of the Cytokine Storm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294426/   COVID-19: consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30628-0/fulltext   The innate and adaptive immune systems https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/   Cellular Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cellular-immunity   The immune system review https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/a/hs-the-immune-system-review   Cell-Mediated Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cell-mediated-immunity   Cell-mediated immunity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell-mediated_immunity   Types of immune responses: Innate and adaptive, humoral vs. cell-mediated https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/v/types-of-immune-responses-innate-and-adaptive-humoral-vs-cell-mediated   Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320875/   Determination of Glucan Contents in the Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia of Lentinula edodes Cultivars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206800/   Beta-glucans in edible mushrooms https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263256678_Beta-glucans_in_edible_mushrooms   Shaping the Innate Immune Response by Dietary Glucans: Any Role in the Control of Cancer? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7016572/   Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25866155   Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/   Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/   Immune-modulating Effects of Maitake Mushroom Extract https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2009-12/immune-modulating-effects-maitake-mushroom-extract   Synergistic immuno-modulatory activity in human macrophages of a medicinal mushroom formulation consisting of Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/authors?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224740   Researchers prove mushrooms are magic for your immune system https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2019/11/08/mushroom-medicines-health-benefits/     Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS  

Coronavirus is forefront in all our minds right now. Tune in to find out from Jonathan and TeriAnn why BOOSTING your immune system right now may not be the way to go. We help you understand your immune system; innate and adaptive, cytokine storms, and the role of beta-glucans, or a β-glucans for short, play in SUPPORTING your immunity. Which leads you into the magic of mushrooms. Here’s a hint…they aren’t just for anti-aging! “Boosting” your Immune System may be the worst thing you can do during a pandemic…   The single best thing you can do for your health and the health of your loved ones is to take steps towards supporting the health of your immune system.   And I chose the word “support” carefully because new research is now showing that...   Immune SUPPORT is better than an immune BOOST during a pandemic!   Let’s Look at The Immune System The immune system protects the body from possibly harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Antigens are substances (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Nonliving substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can also be antigens. The immune system recognizes and destroys, or tries to destroy, substances that contain antigens.   Your body's cells have proteins that are antigens. These include a group of antigens called HLA antigens. Your immune system learns to see these antigens as normal and usually does not react against them.     Important Distinctions of Your Immune System   Innate Immune System The innate immune system is made of defenses against infection that can be activated immediately once a pathogen attacks. The innate immune system is essentially made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign particles out of your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body. The innate immune system includes:   Physical Barriers such as skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the nasopharynx, cilia, eyelashes and other body hair. Defense Mechanisms such as secretions, mucous, bile, gastric acid, saliva, tears, and sweat. General Immune Responses such as inflammation, complement, and non-specific cellular responses. The inflammatory response actively brings immune cells to the site of an infection by increasing blood flow to the area. Complement is an immune response that marks pathogens for destruction and makes holes in the cell membrane of the pathogen.   The innate immune system is always general, or nonspecific, meaning anything that is identified as foreign or non-self is a target for the innate immune response. The innate immune system is activated by the presence of antigens and their chemical properties.   The Adaptive Immune System: Precision and a long memory If the body’s first line of defense – the innate immune system – is unsuccessful in destroying the pathogens, after about four to seven days the specific adaptive immune response sets in. This means that the adaptive defense takes longer, but it targets the pathogen more accurately.   Another advantage: It can remember the aggressor and acts specifically against certain antigens. If there is new contact with an antigen that is already known, the defense response can then be quicker. This way the defense responses of the adaptive immune system are more efficient and faster than those of the innate defense, if the antigen is already known.   The adaptive immune system can remember the antigens because it produces memory cells. This is also the reason why there are some illnesses you can only get once in your life, because afterwards your body becomes “immune.” While after first contact with the pathogen it takes several days for the immune system to respond, a second infection often has no consequences, or at least the symptoms are weaker.   The adaptive immune system has several parts that react in different ways, depending on the place in the body where the pathogen is. Antibodies are made available for germs outside the cells (in the blood and in body fluids). To eliminate pathogens that are inside the tissue, a cell-mediated immune response is necessary.   These parts of the adaptive defense include:   T lymphocytes B lymphocytes antibodies as soluble proteins in the blood cytokines in the blood and tissue as hormone-like messenger substances   Cytokines Cytokines form a group of proteins that participate in cell signaling, intercellular communication and in many cellular and immunological functions. They are prominently involved in inflammatory responses and defense against viral infections.   If the other parts act like soldiers protecting you, then cytokines are like Navy Seals, sent in for only the toughest missions.    These cytokines are small molecules in the body that are released by certain cells to help coordinate the battle against infection. So, you might be thinking “Great! How do I get more of these hard-working cytokines into my system?”   And that makes sense. If they’re the best of the best for fighting illness, then you’d want more of them, right?   Well, it’s not so simple and now some doctors have recently made a startling discovery…   As it turns out, “boosting” cytokines during a pandemic like this might cause what some doctors call a “cytokine storm.”   And this cytokine storm might be the explanation of why some people rapidly decline in a pandemic, while others are able to stay healthy.   Scientifically speaking, a “cytokine storm” is when, in some cases, the body's own immune system actually overreacts to an infection.    And that’s when problems can start.   While cytokines are generally a good thing for your immune system…   Too many of them at once might actually cause an overreaction.    This “overreaction” could cause more damage to the body’s own cells than to the invading disease cells it's trying to fight off.     Your Cellular Immunity Defense System There is one thing that almost every single medical doctor does agree on when it comes to diseases… A compromised immune system is the single biggest risk factor anyone can have.   You might be wondering… How do I build the foundation of my immune system without overloading it?   Fortunately, there is something you can do, and it has to do with what doctors and medical researchers call... your Cellular Immunity Defense System   Cellular immunity protects the body through:   T-cell mediated immunity or T-cell immunity: activating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells that are able to induce apoptosis in body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface, such as virus-infected cells, cells with intracellular bacteria, and cancer cells displaying tumor antigens; Macrophage and natural killer cell action: enabling the destruction of pathogens via recognition and secretion of cytotoxic granules (for natural killer cells and phagocytosis (for macrophages); and Stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines that influence the function of other cells involved in adaptive immune responses and innate immune responses.   Cell-mediated immunity is directed primarily at microbes that survive in phagocytes and microbes that infect non-phagocytic cells. It is most effective in removing virus-infected cells, but also participates in defending against fungi, protozoans, cancers, and intracellular bacteria. It also plays a major role in transplant rejection.     THIS LITTLE-KNOWN NUTRIENT - Activates Your Cellular Immunity Defense System   It’s called a beta-glucan, or a β-glucan for short.   Outside of freshman chemistry class, you may never have heard of a beta-glucan.    But these β-glucans attach themselves to white blood cells and stimulate them to seek and destroy bacteria and viruses.     Your body already has natural bacteria killing cells called B cells and T cells, and dozens of research studies show that once β-glucans are in your system, they activate and strengthen these killer cells.     It’s like sending every little immunity soldier into battle with a rocket launcher packed with an unlimited supply of bacteria-seeking missiles.    And that’s not all they do…    Remember those little immunity defenders called cytokines?    We know that overloading the system with them can cause a “cytokine storm,” but striking the right balance of them can really fortify your immune system.    Well, that’s part of the magic of β-glucans...    β-glucans are what trigger natural and healthy cytokine production and those little cytokines are what spring to action in an immune response.    So, the more β-glucan you have in your body, the stronger your immune system.    AND what’s more, β-glucans naturally regulate your cytokine production, so they won’t “overload” and cause a dangerous cytokine storm.    So, you might be asking, how do I make sure my β-glucans are strong and that my system has enough of them to fight off infectious bacteria?    Well, there is one superfood that contains extremely high amounts of β-glucan.    The #1 Superfood That Fortifies Your Cellular Immunity Defense System:   NUTRITIONAL MUSHROOMS - The Cutting Edge of Natural Immune System Research   Just by using nutritional mushrooms regularly, researchers say you can increase your levels of β-glucans more than any other nutrient on earth.   It’s like having a never-ending supply of reinforcements to send into the war against infectious diseases.   Researchers have found that nutritional mushrooms contain 0.53 grams of β-glucans per 100 grams of mushrooms, which makes them far and away the most β-glucan-rich food you can find on the planet.   3 Mushrooms That Act Like “Turbo Shots” To Your Immune System    SHITAKE In a 2011 study, 52 healthy adults, aged 21 to 41, took home a 4-week supply of shiitake mushrooms. They were told to eat one 4-ounce serving of the mushroom every day.    Then after the 4 weeks were completed, they returned for some simple blood work.    Their results showed a decrease in inflammatory proteins which the researchers thought was a pretty good benefit in itself…    But then they looked a little harder at the data and saw that each patient's B cells, T cells, and natural bacteria-killing cells had all increased.    When they finally figured out what triggered this response, it was no surprise that it was all connected back to the β-glucans that came from the shiitake mushrooms they had been eating.    "If you eat a shiitake mushroom every day, you could see changes in their immune system that are beneficial," said Food Science and Human Nutrition Professor Sue Percival, who was the leader of the study.      She also said that those β-glucans were not only able to "Enhance the immune system,”    ... but “also reduce the inflammation that the immune system produces."   And the benefits of shiitake don’t just stop there, because these mushrooms flood your system with other nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, niacin, and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids.     Plus, the enzymes packed into shiitake also make it easier for your body to absorb almost any nutrient.     Which means if you’re already taking a vitamin C or D supplement for your immune system, shiitake will actually make those supplements work better!    REISHI Known as the Mushrooms of Immortality, reishi mushrooms are packed with polysaccharides, antioxidant properties, and those crucial β-glucans that can help with immune function.   As early as 206 BC there are writings about reishi mushrooms being used to help people live longer.   Today’s researchers now know that they were living longer simply because their bodies were better equipped to fight off disease.   Simply put, they had super strong Cellular Immunity Defense Systems.   Again, it’s thanks to the high content of those powerful β-glucans!   In fact, reishi mushrooms have been shown to have as much as 5.8% levels of β-glucans, higher than any other mushroom strain on earth.   MAITAKE   Remember those important cytokines?    Well, we know it’s important to strike the right balance of them in your system…    So that you have enough of them to help your immune system fight off bacteria...    But not too many to cause a dangerous “cytokine storm”.    It turns out that maitake mushrooms may just be the secret to striking this delicate balance.    A 3-week study of a group of healthy young women taking Maitake mushrooms resulted in the benefits you might expect.    Similar to reishi and shiitake, they all saw improvements in their immune systems thanks to the increase in β-glucans…    But the study with maitake gave researchers some really exciting results with those cytokines    It turns out that maitake was able to trigger both stimulatory (IL-2) and suppressive (IL-10) cytokines.     That means they were able to increase the cytokines, but not past a certain level so they got out of control.   But here’s where things really start to get interesting…    Maitake is not the only mushroom researchers have studied for the immune response…    While it was by far the strongest in supporting the immune defense reaction…    There was one way they were able to trigger an even bigger response…    They combined it with shiitake!    And it was that combination that was stronger than any other.   MUSHROOM POTENCY CAN BE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY WHEN THEY ARE USED TOGETHER!   Just look what happened when the research team from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine, the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Integria Healthcare started mixing mushrooms together…    They started with nine varieties of whole mushroom extracts.    They tried them each individually with some pretty good results…    But then they tried mixing a few of them together, and as you’d expect, the results dramatically increased.    And when their work was done do you know which 3 of the 9 mushrooms worked best for the immune system?    You guess it - the magical trio of reishi, shiitake, and maitake.    When these 3 were combined, the lead researcher told the media that they came together to create and immune system “super-force.”    “What we found that was surprising was that the (combination) gave three to four times the impact that what we would expect,” Associate Professor Joe Tiralongo said.   7M+ by Organixx   7M+ is a breakthrough proprietary formula that ensures you’re getting the most powerful combination of those 3 crucial mushrooms packed with those β-glucans at a level no other mushroom supplement can offer.   The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of 7M+ give you what you need to help support your immune system like nothing else on the market.   And… It turns out there’s so much more that mushrooms can do for our bodies than just immune support.   That’s why Organixx added 4 other nutritional mushrooms into this formula…. CHAGA Chaga has been used for centuries primarily in the East. It's known for its immune support and soothing properties. Many traditional healers have used it as a soothing tea for a powerful and natural digestive support. It's also shown the potential to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. Chaga also has very powerful antioxidant properties that make it a powerhouse on its own.   CORDYCEPS Cordyceps mushrooms have been shown to help regulate a healthy immune system. Cordyceps were at one time so highly valued that they were only allowed to be consumed by the Emperor of China (who lived to 100+ years old and still fathered children into his 100s). Also known for the ability to support sexual health and athletic ability, cordyceps have been the most sought after nutritional mushroom in the Orient.   LION'S MANE One of the more interesting mushrooms coming from the ancient east. Lion's mane is known to support brain health, support cognitive function, and aid against age-related memory loss. It also helps maintain mental focus and function, as well as promoting healthy digestive function through its powerful regulation of bacteria.   TURKEY TAIL Turkey tail is considered one of the best-researched mushrooms on earth. Its benefits are just as strong as other nutritional mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps and maitake. It contains powerful antioxidant nutrients and high levels of selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B3, which are crucial for boosting and maintaining immunity.     Fermentation INCREASES the Power of Nutritional Mushrooms Most other mushroom supplements don’t take this into consideration. They simply get a basic mushroom formula and bottle it up.   That strategy does work a little better than just eating whole mushrooms…   But fermentation takes it to a whole other level of potency and that’s exactly what the team at Organixx has done with 7M+ and their proprietary fermentation process.   Fermentation is simply the process of breaking something down so that the highest amount of nutrients can be extracted.   Research found that fermented mushrooms are, indeed, the best way to increase the levels of those powerful β-glucans.   Fermentation also extracts all the healthy and beneficial other nutrients that are packed into mushrooms. This means that those nutrients can get into your system better because they’re more bioavailable.     The Ingredients in 7M+ Are Certified Organic – Why That Matters to YOU! Once a nutrient like mushrooms are harvested, they are then dried and concentrated down to a very potent dose.   This sounds like a good thing because you’ll get a higher dose of the nutrients, as we discussed already…   But if those mushrooms were not grown organically, that means pesticides and poisons were used on them.   And when they are concentrated down, you’re not only getting high amounts of nutrients…. but HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF POISONS too!     Why 7M+ for You and Your Family   7M+ is specifically formulated to give you everything you need to help support immunity and feel younger and healthier.   This year, with the entire globe dealing with a health epidemic, maintaining your immune system might be something that makes all the difference.   With 7M+, you get seven of the world’s finest beneficial mushrooms, jam-packed with β-glucans – nature’s powerful sickness-fighting ingredient.   With the immune-supporting power of 7M+ working throughout your entire body, you can help increase your and your family’s odds of staying well even during times like this.   Only two capsules a day provide you with a completely safe, 100% natural, and amazingly effective formula to support immunity… and help you live a longer and healthier life!         RESOURCES 7M+ by Organixx https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/PS9gd0VOOLThuCn8OMXV?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec0f02e26b5443380841   Empowering You Organically Episode 47: The Magic of Mushrooms https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/the-magic-of-mushrooms-episode-47/   Cytokines https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cytokines   Cytokine storm: An overreaction of the body's immune system https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/#ixzz6KBGrH9ZF   Cytokine Storms May Be Fueling Some COVID Deaths https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200417/cytokine-storms-may-be-fueling-some-covid-deaths   NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/797584   Into the Eye of the Cytokine Storm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294426/   COVID-19: consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30628-0/fulltext   The innate and adaptive immune systems https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/   Cellular Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cellular-immunity   The immune system review https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/a/hs-the-immune-system-review   Cell-Mediated Immunity https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cell-mediated-immunity   Cell-mediated immunity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell-mediated_immunity   Types of immune responses: Innate and adaptive, humoral vs. cell-mediated https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-human-body-systems/hs-the-immune-system/v/types-of-immune-responses-innate-and-adaptive-humoral-vs-cell-mediated   Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320875/   Determination of Glucan Contents in the Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia of Lentinula edodes Cultivars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206800/   Beta-glucans in edible mushrooms https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263256678_Beta-glucans_in_edible_mushrooms   Shaping the Innate Immune Response by Dietary Glucans: Any Role in the Control of Cancer? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7016572/   Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25866155   Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/   Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/   Immune-modulating Effects of Maitake Mushroom Extract https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2009-12/immune-modulating-effects-maitake-mushroom-extract   Synergistic immuno-modulatory activity in human macrophages of a medicinal mushroom formulation consisting of Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/authors?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224740   Researchers prove mushrooms are magic for your immune system https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbeing/2019/11/08/mushroom-medicines-health-benefits/  

Join board certified dermatologists Dr. Raja and Dr. Hadar for an in-depth conversation about the benefits and pitfalls of high carbohydrate vs high fat diets in the second half of a two part-series with Kimber Stanhope, RD, PhD, a research nutritional biologist and trained registered dietitian from the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of California, Davis. Looking to take part in the larger conversation about Integrative Dermatology? Register today for the 2019 Integrative Dermatology Symposium taking place October 3-5, at the Marriott Coronado Island in beautiful San Diego, California. https://integrativedermatologysymposium.com/ Dr. Kimber Stanhope is Research Nutritional Biologist in the Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California Davis, and a nationally/internationally recognized expert on the health effects of added sugar consumption. She is currently conducting her 5th NIH-awarded clinical study, which includes a recently funded investigation comparing the consumption of sucrose-sweetened beverages and naturally-sweetened orange juice on metabolic processes involved in the development of cardiometabolic disease. She has authored/coauthored over 40 research reports and reviews on the topic of sugar consumption. She has made over 50 presentations at state/national/international conferences and summits and has participated in more than 100 interviews, which included appearances on CBS 60 Minutes and CBC 5th Estate.

This week, board certified dermatologists Dr. Raja and Dr. Hadar delve into the science behind sugars and the glycemic index with Kimber Stanhope, RD, PhD, a research nutritional biologist and trained registered dietitian from the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of California, Davis.   Dr. Kimber Stanhope is Research Nutritional Biologist in the Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California Davis, and a nationally/internationally recognized expert on the health effects of added sugar consumption. She is currently conducting her 5th NIH-awarded clinical study, which includes a recently funded investigation comparing the consumption of sucrose-sweetened beverages and naturally-sweetened orange juice on metabolic processes involved in the development of cardiometabolic disease. She has authored/coauthored over 40 research reports and reviews on the topic of sugar consumption. She has made over 50 presentations at state/national/international conferences and summits and has participated in more than 100 interviews, which included appearances on CBS 60 Minutes and CBC 5th Estate.

Preston J. MacDougall, Ph.D., author, and Professor of Chemistry at Middle Tennessee State University, delivers an overview of how atoms bond and the importance of quantum mechanical methods in modern scientific research. As the former doctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, MacDougall studied the computational modeling of materials. At Middle Tennessee State University, MacDougall is an integral part of the Molecular Biosciences and the Computational Sciences Ph.D. programs. MacDougall specializes in theoretical chemistry and the innovative development of quantum chemistry-based design tools specifically for pharmacology and molecular electronics applications. MacDougall talks about quantum mechanical methods utilized to model the behavior of macroscopic systems such as plastics or enzymes, etc., systems that are too large to be treated by quantum mechanical theories that were developed for individual atoms. He discusses the modeling of bonds and when Newtonian mechanics can work versus when quantum mechanical methods become necessary.  The Ph.D. discusses bonding and electrons, and modeling methods in detail, and how quantum mechanics find ‘lumps' in valence shells. A valence shell is the outer shell of an atom in its natural, uncombined state, and as such contains the electrons that are most likely to account for the nature of any possible reactions that involve the atom and also of any bonding interactions it may have with other atoms as well. MacDougall explains that chemists are interested in atoms and ions as they exist in actual compounds. MacDougall talks about colliders, particle accelerators, and how they are used to fire electrons at targets, at nearly the speed of light. By studying how electrons scatter off after penetrating a nucleus, researchers can get a better idea of what the nuclear structure is like.  MacDougall continues his discussion of bonds, which are mutual attractions between two atoms. He explains how atoms are attracted, and how some may come close together as they are attracted, but they won't change or disturb the shape of either. But some other bonds, in which two atoms come close together, may cause them to deform and form a new bond or wedding. And by understanding the structure of electron clouds, scientific researchers can better understand why bonds are as they are, and how they function.

In this episode I have the good fortune to spend some time with Chimène Bonhomme - A Data Scientist and Technical Solutions Professional at Microsoft New Zealand. Chimène lists a Masters of Information Technology, Business Intelligence and Data Science, as well as a Bachelor of Health Science, Medical and Molecular Biosciences as two of her many amazing achievements. In this episode I ask Chimène for her perspective on Data Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, asking the question: How much data science is "enough to be dangerous"? Show links: Microsoft Azure Machine Learning Studio Microsoft AI School Data Science Virtual Machines on Microsoft Azure Deep Learning with Python by François Chollet (O'Reilly) AI for Good with Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Seeing AI - Talking camera app for those with visual impairment Microsoft Soundscape - A map delivered in 3D sound Turing test (Wikipedia) With great power comes great responsibility (Wikipedia) Microsoft Fast Track for Azure From Microsoft New Zealand, this is Azure Lunch. A podcast about Microsoft Azure in short digestible chunks, where we discuss cloud computing from a Kiwi perspective with Architects, Engineers and Technical specialists from around the world. Azure Lunch is sponsored by Microsoft Fast Track for Azure - a team of Engineers and Program Managers dedicated to helping you to be successful in Azure. Learn more at Azure.com/FastTrack. Thanks to SilverWHK for the use of his music in our podcast: https://silverwhk.bandcamp.com Daniel Larsen and guests are employees of Microsoft. The opinions expressed in this podcast are their own and not an official company statement.

Dr. Andreas Werner of the Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences at Newcastle University delivers a detailed overview of current research pertaining to the human genome. Dr. Werner is skilled in many areas; he is a biochemist, molecular biologist, journalist, and teacher, currently working as an associate professor at Newcastle University specializing in RNA biology. Dr. Werner is widely known for his innovative work in the field of non-protein coding RNAs, specifically natural antisense transcripts. Dr. Werner received a PhD in Physiology at the University of Zurich. Dr. Werner discusses his current work studying the human genome. Our genomes show small variations that make each person unique. With modern genome sequencing, the detection of mutations is now not only fast and efficient, but it is finally affordable. Dr. Werner talks about their specific work in this space. They are leading the way, investigating how mutations affect function, of various membrane proteins, in order to better grasp the underlying mechanisms of specific diseases. Dr. Werner explains transcription. Transcription is the initial step of gene expression, when a specific segment of DNA is copied into RNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase. DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids that use base pairs of nucleotides as a compatible, harmonious language. Dr. Werner and his team are particularly interested in the function of noncoding RNAs in the organization of the genome as well as the regulation of single genes. The genome expert discusses some of the hypotheses that they are currently working on, and why. He explains cell structure and viral structure, and talks about the balance within cells. As Dr. Werner explains, double stranded RNA could possibly be a sign of low-level stress that occurs with aging, or other issue, and his team is looking for answers to multiple questions regarding links to degenerative disease. He talks about the importance of finding these double stranded RNAs to distinguish whether they are confined within the mitochondria and the nucleus or if they perhaps are leaking out and are interfering with protective mechanisms. Going further, Dr. Werner talks about specific inflammatory responses and some of the known and unknown factors regarding double stranded RNA. Dr. Werner is a sought-after speaker at various world conferences on the subject of regulatory RNAs, epigentics and evolution. And he continues to work diligently toward the goal of deciphering a biological role for natural antisense transcripts.

Researcher Jon Ramsey, PhD is Professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences within the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. His study of animals focuses on nutrition as it relates to obesity and aging. The goal of his research is to understand the biological mechanisms that contribute to the aging process and to develop dietary interventions that promote healthy aging and weight loss. In this podcast, NBT Scientific Director Megan Roberts interviews Dr. Ramsey about his research in the area of calorie restriction and its beneficial effects on longevity and healthspan. They examine the scientific literature on energy and macronutrient restriction, including some of the possible biological mechanisms driving the anti-aging effects of these interventions. They also discuss what this all means in practical terms for those seeking optimal health as they age. Here’s the outline of this interview with Jon Ramsey: [00:01:35] Calorie restriction for increasing lifespan. [00:02:01] Theories of aging. [00:04:40] Osborne and Mendel; Study: Osborne, Thomas B., Lafayette B. Mendel, and Edna L. Ferry. "The effect of retardation of growth upon the breeding period and duration of life of rats." Science 45.1160 (1917): 294-295. [00:04:58] Clive McCay; Studies: McCay, Clive Maine, and Mary F. Crowell. "Prolonging the life span." The Scientific Monthly 39.5 (1934): 405-414 and McCay, Carl M., Mary F. Crowell, and Lewis A. Maynard. "The effect of retarded growth upon the length of life span and upon the ultimate body size: one figure." The journal of Nutrition 10.1 (1935): 63-79. [00:06:25] Calorie restriction literature in animals. [00:07:39] Types of rodents studied. [00:08:09] Comparing effect of caloric restriction (CR) on different strains of mice; Study: Liao, Chen‐Yu, et al. "Genetic variation in the murine lifespan response to dietary restriction: from life extension to life shortening." Aging cell 9.1 (2010): 92-95. [00:09:08] Time restricted feeding in animal models. [00:11:51] Calorie restriction vs. malnutrition. [00:12:00] Different levels of calorie restriction. Study: Weindruch, Richard, et al. "The retardation of aging in mice by dietary restriction: longevity, cancer, immunity and lifetime energy intake." The Journal of nutrition 116.4 (1986): 641-654. [00:13:36] Effects of 10% dietary restriction: Richardson, Arlan, et al. "Significant life extension by ten percent dietary restriction." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1363.1 (2016): 11-17. [00:15:09] CALERIE study and resulting Publications. [00:17:56] Analyses of CALERIE data. Studies: Belsky, Daniel W., et al. "Change in the rate of biological aging in response to caloric restriction: CALERIE Biobank Analysis." The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 73.1 (2017): 4-10. and Redman, Leanne M., et al. "Metabolic slowing and reduced oxidative damage with sustained caloric restriction support the rate of living and oxidative damage theories of aging." Cell metabolism 27.4 (2018): 805-815. [00:19:21] Dietary restriction and oxidative stress; Study: Walsh, Michael E., Yun Shi, and Holly Van Remmen. "The effects of dietary restriction on oxidative stress in rodents." Free Radical Biology and Medicine 66 (2014): 88-99. [00:20:29] Podcast: How Oxidative Stress Impacts Performance and Healthspan, with Megan Roberts. [00:20:40] Effects of CR on reactive oxidative species production; Study: Ramsey, Jon J., Mary-Ellen Harper, and Richard Weindruch. "Restriction of energy intake, energy expenditure, and aging." Free Radical Biology and Medicine 29.10 (2000): 946-968. [00:20:59] Effects of fasting on the liver; Study: Salin, Karine, et al. "Decreased mitochondrial metabolic requirements in fasting animals carry an oxidative cost." Functional Ecology (2018). [00:21:56] Control of food intake: Do animal models accurately reflect human behavior? [00:25:06] Enriched environment; Study: McMurphy, Travis, et al. "Implementation of environmental enrichment after middle age promotes healthy aging." Aging (Albany NY) 10.7 (2018): 1698. [00:26:16] Monkey studies; Study: Ramsey, J. J., et al. "Dietary restriction and aging in rhesus monkeys: the University of Wisconsin study." Experimental gerontology 35.9-10 (2000): 1131-1149. [00:26:35] University of Wisconsin study: Colman, Ricki J., et al. "Caloric restriction delays disease onset and mortality in rhesus monkeys." Science 325.5937 (2009): 201-204. [00:26:35] National Institute on Aging study: Mattison, Julie A., et al. "Impact of caloric restriction on health and survival in rhesus monkeys from the NIA study." Nature 489.7415 (2012): 318. [00:31:34] Biological mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of CR. [00:33:09] Central metabolism sensors. [00:35:28] Mitochondrial proton leak. [00:37:41] Study: Bevilacqua, Lisa, et al. "Effects of short-and medium-term calorie restriction on muscle mitochondrial proton leak and reactive oxygen species production." American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism 286.5 (2004): E852-E861. [00:40:59] The influence of dietary fat source; Study: Villalba, José Manuel, et al. "The influence of dietary fat source on liver and skeletal muscle mitochondrial modifications and lifespan changes in calorie-restricted mice." Biogerontology 16.5 (2015): 655-670. [00:42:16] Effects of protein restriction on longevity; Studies: 1. Davis, Teresa A., Connie W. Bales, and Roy E. Beauchene. "Differential effects of dietary caloric and protein restriction in the aging rat." Experimental gerontology 18.6 (1983): 427-435; 2. Pugh, Thomas D., Roger G. Klopp, and Richard Weindruch. "Controlling caloric consumption: protocols for rodents and rhesus monkeys☆." Neurobiology of aging 20.2 (1999): 157-165. [00:42:23] More recent studies on protein restriction: 1. Pamplona, Reinald, and Gustavo Barja. "Mitochondrial oxidative stress, aging and caloric restriction: the protein and methionine connection." Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Bioenergetics 1757.5-6 (2006): 496-508; 2. Caro, Pilar, et al. "Effect of 40% restriction of dietary amino acids (except methionine) on mitochondrial oxidative stress and biogenesis, AIF and SIRT1 in rat liver." Biogerontology 10.5 (2009): 579-592. [00:43:42] Morris Ross study: Ross, Morris H. "Length of life and nutrition in the rat." The Journal of nutrition 75.2 (1961): 197-210. [00:44:03] Effects of dietary lipid composition on lifespan; Study: López-Domínguez, José A., et al. "The influence of dietary fat source on life span in calorie restricted mice." Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences 70.10 (2014): 1181-1188. [00:45:07] Anthony J. Hulbert. [00:48:46] Omega-3 study: Aung, Theingi, et al. "Associations of omega-3 fatty acid supplement use with cardiovascular disease risks: meta-analysis of 10 trials involving 77 917 individuals." JAMA cardiology 3.3 (2018): 225-234. [00:50:02] Ketogenic Diets. [00:50:05] Study: Roberts, Megan N., et al. "A Ketogenic Diet Extends Longevity and Healthspan in Adult Mice." Cell Metabolism 26.3 (2017): 539-546. Podcast: A Ketogenic Diet Extends Longevity and Healthspan in Adult Mice, with Megan (Hall) Roberts. [00:53:47] Intermittent fasting study: Mitchell, Sarah J., et al. "Daily fasting improves health and survival in male mice independent of diet composition and calories." Cell metabolism(2018). [00:54:19] Valter Longo, PhD. [00:54:49] Weight cycling; Study: Smith Jr, Daniel L., et al. "Weight cycling increases longevity compared with sustained obesity in mice." Obesity 26.11 (2018): 1733-1739. [00:55:22] Exercise in the context of carb restriction and longevity. [00:56:08] Study: Holloszy, John O., et al. "Effect of voluntary exercise on longevity of rats." Journal of applied physiology 59.3 (1985): 826-831. [00:58:41] Take home points. [01:01:08] With unlimited resources, what would you study? [01:02:08] Jon Ramsey, PhD at UC Davis.

David Taylor is Assistant Professor in Molecular Biosciences at the University of Texas here in Austin. David was kind enough to join me for a high level conversation on CRISPR, a form of gene editing. https://cns.utexas.edu/directory/item/16-molecular-biosciences/2817-tylor-david?Itemid=349 http://cryoem.cns.utexas.edu/ https://youtu.be/AJm8PeWkiEU

Kelee Pacion (@saguaromelee) works as a librarian in the Albert R. Mann Library at Cornell University. Her background is in STEM instruction, information literacy, and instructional design. She is the library liaison to Molecular Biology and Genetics, Neurobiology and Behavior, Microbiology, and the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. Her primary focus as the instruction coordinator is on curriculum mapping, instruction planning, and working with Wikipedia as a means of teaching applied communication skills.Kelee did her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biosciences at Arizona State University.  Her first master's in Curriculum and Instruction at Arizona State University, her second master's in Information Resources and Library Science at the University of Arizona, and is currently working on a third master degree in public administration with a focus on science communication and policy. She is a self-proclaimed “life-long learner” who loves to collect masters degrees and be engaged in the education process. Here is more about her MPA degree program at Cornell University. Connect with her and learn more about her work here: Twitter: @saguaromelee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keleepacion/  LibGuides @ Cornell: http://guides.library.cornell.edu/prf.php?account_id=219  WikiEducator http://wikieducator.org/ WikiEdu https://wikiedu.org/ ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework “Authority is constructed and contextual.” Investigative Biology Teaching Laboratories (BIOG 1500 course @ Cornell) https://investigativebiology.cornell.edu/  SciComm: In this communication course, scientists are the storytellers https://investigativebiology.cornell.edu/scicomm/  How many women edit Wikipedia? https://blog.wikimedia.org/2015/04/30/how-many-women-edit-wikipedia/  Why do so Few Women Edit Wikipedia? https://hbr.org/2016/06/why-do-so-few-women-edit-wikipedia  Gender bias on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_bias_on_Wikipedia  Wikipedia editing marathons add women's voices to online resource https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/Adding-women-s-voices-to-Wikipedia-12344424.php  “The fact that I'm writing for Wikipedia has more meaning for me. The fact that I'm going to get out there and communicate with more people, than if I wrote an academic paper.” ~Student Using Wikipedia for EducationWikiProject: Women Scientists: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Women_scientists Wikipedia: Meetup https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Meetup Edit-a-thon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edit-a-thon Wikipedia: How to run an edit-a-thon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_run_an_edit-a-thon Wikipedia: WikiProject https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject Want to get involved in Wikipedia even if you're outside higher ed?Wikipedia: Community Portal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Community_portal Create a username and get involved!Check out the Training/For students for the “how to” edit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Training/For_students Ways to HELP: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents Cite sources/Appropriate sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Cite_sources/Appropriate_sources Editorial oversight and control https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Editorial_oversight_and_control “So why say don't use it? Just teach people how to use it correctly, and then they can use it as a launch point.”  ~Kelee's advice for Wikipedia as a starting point for research for higher ed learners.About Wikipedia in the news:The Decline of Wikipedia https://www.technologyreview.com/s/520446/the-decline-of-wikipedia/ Wikipedia at 15: in decline but condition isn't terminal – so what may the future hold? https://theconversation.com/wikipedia-at-15-in-decline-but-condition-isnt-terminal-so-what-may-the-future-hold-53185Nearly All of Wikipedia is Written by Just 1% of Its Editors https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/7x47bb/wikipedia-editors-elite-diversity-foundation BONUS Listen: How I Built This Podcast episode with Wikipedia founder, Jimmy Wales https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/national-public-radio/how-i-built-this/e/53468668 Favorite drink = beer! Belgium style, pilsners, lagers, IPAs, pale ales, & session ales!As more of a craft beer drinker, so her go-to breweries nearby are:Ithaca Beer Co. https://www.ithacabeer.com/Lucky Hare Brewing https://www.luckyharebrewing.com/ Brewery Ommegang http://www.ommegang.com/ Hard cider class @ Cornell U http://hardcider.cals.cornell.edu/undergraduate-education/ Notable story and reads:GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/  (yay!)Fan of science fiction! The Southern Reach Series (trilogy): Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance:  http://joinsr.azurewebsites.net/ Recent article read: Textbook Racism: How Scholars Sustained White Supremacy https://www.chronicle.com/article/How-Scholars-Sustained-White/243053 How do we select and use text for education and learning? Who decides about the knowledge that is shared?Do you have someone we should interview? Do YOU want to be interviewed for the pod? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you about whose story we should share on a future #InVinoFab episode. Send us love, suggestions, and comments to: invinofabulum@gmail.com Stay tuned and connect to the #InVinoFab Podcast: Hosts: Patrice (@profpatrice) & Laura (@laurapasquini); pronouns: she/her Twitter: https://twitter.com/invinofab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invinofab/

We head up to Brisbane's northside to chat with Professor Rob Capon from the University of Queensland's Institute of Molecular Biosciences and the Cane Toad Challenge. By studying the chemical ecology of these invasive, toxic toads, Prof. Capon and his team have developed a toad-specific bait for luring tadpoles into DIY traps. We take a few minutes before his talk at the QLD Wildlife Preservation Society to discuss this fantastic new tool in the fight against invasive cane toads.

Dr. Teresa Woodruff is the Thomas J. Watkins Memorial Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vice Chair of Research in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Chief of the Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is also Professor of Molecular Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. In addition, Teresa is Director of the Center for Reproductive Science, Founder and Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute, and Director of the Oncofertility Consortium.  Her passions outside the lab include cooking and Chicago Cubs baseball. Teresa is also a former cellist, and she loves listening to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She started playing the cello when she was seven years old, and the last time she ever played a cello was about fifteen years ago. Yo-Yo Ma was visiting Northwestern, and his niece worked in Teresa’s lab, so Teresa had the opportunity to meet him. She was given the opportunity to play Yo-Yo Ma’s Stradivarius Cello, and after that amazing experience, she never played the cello again. Research in Teresa’s lab focuses on understanding how the ovary and the female reproductive cycle work. The ovary contains all of the eggs that women will have for their entire reproductive lifespan. Teresa is interested in understanding how follicles are selected to be part of a particular reproductive cycle throughout a woman’s reproductive life. She completed her undergraduate studies at Olivet Nazarene University and received her PhD in Biochemistry From Northwestern University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Genentech, Inc. Teresa has received many awards and honors in her career. She has been awarded the Society for Endocrinology Transatlantic Medal, the Journal of Women’s Health Award for Outstanding Achievement in Women’s Health Research, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the American Women in Science Innovator Award, the American Medical Women Association Gender Equity Award, the Speaking of Women’s Health Distinguished Service Award, the Endocrine Society Outstanding Leadership in Endocrinology Award, the Endocrine Society’s Richard E. Weitzman Memorial Award, the Women in Science Award from the Weitzman Institute, the Beacon Award from Frontiers in Reproduction, the U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring, and in 2013, she was named in Time Magazine’s Most Influential Persons list. In addition, Teresa has received the Distinguished Teaching, Faculty Mentor of the Year, Distinguished Woman in Medicine and Science, Alumni Association Merit, and Distinguished Alumnae Awards from Northwestern University. She is an elected member of The Economic Club of Chicago and an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Teresa was also recently elected to the College of Fellows at the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Teresa is with us today to tell us about her life and science.

You are listening to the twenty-first episode of Voc/zes: el podcast de la U de M. This week is the first week of a three-week series dedicated to the sciences here at the University of Minnesota. Our special guest for this episode is Elisbet Ampudia Mesia! Originally from Colombia, Elisbet is now a doctoral student of Comparative and Molecular Biosciences, as well as an assistant cancer researcher at the U. Follow along to learn more about Elisabet’s experience as a doctoral student and cancer researcher. We hope you enjoy!

Episode 155: Researcher Dr. Kimber Stanhope of UC Davis discusses the scientific research that exists on sugar consumption and it's effect on health and body composition. Kimber Stanhope, PhD, RD, is an associate research nutritional biologist in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at UC Davis. Her work focuses on investigating the effects of sugar consumption on the development of metabolic disease, utilizing well-controlled diet intervention studies in human subjects. She has more than 20 years of nutrition research experience, focused on contributing significantly to the clinical research that will define the optimally healthy diet and delineate the mechanisms involved. She also has a decade of experience as a public health educator, working as a registered dietitian with health clubs and health management organizations, and is the author of a children’s book on nutrition. In this episode we discuss: The differing metabolic effects of consuming different types of sugars (e.g. fructose, glucose, sucrose) The dosages that negative consequences start appearing at Misplaced concerns about fructose content in fruit Do negative effects still occur in the absence of a calorie surplus and excessive body fat gain? Fat accumulation at the liver How do artificial sweeteners compare? Effects of sugar consumption on hormones like leptin and adiponectin