Research conducted at the Ohio State University, suggests that chronic depression may lead to build up of plaques, clogging the coronary arteries.

     “To me, this suggests a new way of thinking about how diseases develop,” said Ronald Glaser, the team’s lead researcher and professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics at Ohio State University. The research team included Janice Kiecolt Glaser, a professor of psychiatry and psychology, James Waldman, a professor of pathology and Marshall Williams, a professor of molecular viroplogy.

     Glaser has been studying for a long time, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the eight herpes- viruses that can remain dormant in the body during the entire lifetime. Increased stress and depression can trigger the latent virus to reactivate ad reproduce. Epstein-Barr virus produces a protein called dUTpase, which stimulates macrophages and increases the levels of interleukin (IL-6) in the blood. Increased IL-6 levels in the blood has been associated with cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and type-2 diabetes.   

     “People need to remember how important treating depression is and that when they are depressed, it can reactivate those viruses, starting the cascade that leads to inflammation, perhaps increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Glaser.

     Healthy sperm must satisfy three basic requirements- quantity, quality and motility, for ensuring conception. Researchers believe that a minimum of 20 million sperms per millilitre of male reproductive fluid is needed to fertilize the egg, at least one third of the sperm must be of normal shape – a long tail and an oval head and at least half of the sperm must be able to move on their own.

     Here are certain guidelines to preserve male fertility and ensure healthy sperm.

     Steer clear of growth hormones: Eliminate dairy products and meat from dairy farms and poultry farms that use growth hormones to boost their production.

     Exclude hormonal medicine: Anabolic steroids that are taken to boost muscle growth, anti-androgens that are used for treatment in prostate enlargement and testosterone supplements must be avoided as these can affect sperm production.

     Quit smoking: Tobacco affects the quality and motility of the sperm as well as damage the genetic component of the sperm. Irt can also lead to erective dysfunction. Quit smoking tobacco as well as chewing tobacco.

     Limit drinking: Alcohol reduces the quality and quantity of sperm. Limit alcohol consumption to just one or two drinks.

     Say No to Drugs: Recreational drugs such as cocaine and marijuana can reduce sperm quantity and motility and lead to erectile dysfunction. Stay away from them.

     Cut out chemicals: Chemicals found in pesticides and fertilizers can affect the quality of the sperm. Avoid agricultural products that are grown using large amounts of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.  

     Reject GM food: Latest research suggests that the toxins embedded in GM crops can destroy organisms other than those targeted. Reject genetically modified food, till its safety is conclusively proved.   

     Manage your weight: Overweight and Obesity can affect sperm production. Adopt a healthy lifestyle to maintain the right weight.     

     Avoid Hot water: Spending more than half an hour in hot water can reduce the sperm quality and quantity. Avoid hot shower, hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas.     

     Remain Cool:  High temperatures in the scrotal area affect sperm quality. Under-garments made from synthetic fibre, tight under-garments, prolonged sitting, prolonged bicycling, keeping laptop computers on the lap – all these habits raise the scrotal temperature. Change these damaging habits.

     A new study suggests that BT corn, a popular variety of genetically engineered corn may damage the ecology of streams that the Bt corn fields wash into, in ways that have not been previously considered by regulators.

     Licensed for use in 1996, BT corn is engineered to produce a toxin that protects the corn against pests, especially the pest known as European corn borer. But corn now accounts for one third of corn acreage in the US.

     As part of the licensing process for GM crops, the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) was assigned the task of testing BT corn. The EPA tested Bt corn only on small lake organisms. It did not evaluate the impact of BT corn on organisms that live in streams and concluded that “BT corn is not likely to have any measurable effects on aquatic invertebrates.”

     The latest research by Indiana University found that the BT corn plant parts such as pollen, leaves and cobs are washing into local streams, downstream lakes and rivers; Bt corn pollen is eaten by caddis flies which provides a food source for fish and amphibians; Consumption of Bt corn byproducts increased the mortality and reduced the growth of caddis flies.   

     “Our study points to the potential for unintended and unexpected consequences from the widespread planting of genetically engineered crops,” said Jennifer Tank from the University of Notre Dame, one of the researchers.

     “Previous concerns about the nutrient enrichment of streams that accompany mechanized row-crop agriculture are now compounded by the toxic corn byproducts that enter the streams and fisheries and do additional harm,” said James Rich, Programme Director, National Science Foundation.  

     Eating garlic is one of the best ways to lower high blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease, according to a new study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

     Researchers found that chemical compounds in garlic called polysulfide, triggered the release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which in turn led to the relaxation of blood vessels. The researchers used fresh garlic at a concentration equal to 2 cloves, which caused up to 72 percent relaxation in the arteries.

     “This relaxation is the first step in lowering blood pressure,” said David Kraus, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Biology and the study’s lead author.

     An earlier study by John Elrod and David Lefer of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine had already shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) protects the heart from the tissue and cell damage often seen in heart attack patients. The role of garlic compounds in preventing platelet aggregation that can trigger a heart attack or stroke, in limiting cancer growth and in arresting the progression of several diseases, is well documented.

     Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is produced naturally in the body in small amounts. But its production dwindles with ageing. Dr. David Kraus is the first to show that garlic-derived polysulfide in the diet, boost the production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the body.