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Vitamin D: Recent research uncovers new benefits

11Sep

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Blog, Health

Vitamin D: Recent research uncovers new benefits

As much of the world experiences a record-breaking heat wave, this Spotlight turns its attention to vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin. Here, we inspect the latest research. Tropical sun The “sunshine vitamin” has a range of surprising benefits. Vitamin D is a hot topic currently, with a raft of studies proclaiming its benefits for a variety of serious conditions. Conversely, other recent studies have been more cautious, questioning its perceived usefulness for treating some illnesses. Vitamin D is a nutrient that is synthesized in our skin when it is exposed to sunlight, and it is also present in some foods. Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, but in the winter months, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend topping up vitamin D levels by eating vitami...

Mass hysteria: An epidemic of the mind?

An outbreak of fatal dancing fits among members of the same community, men suddenly gripped by the sickening fear of losing their genital organs, and teenagers having mysterious symptoms after watching an episode of their favorite TV series — these are all instances of what we often refer to as “mass hysteria.” overhead shot of crowd What is mass hysteria, and how does it manifest? We investigate. “They danced together, ceaselessly, for hours or days, and in wild delirium, the dancers collapsed and fell to the ground exhausted, groaning and sighing as if in the agonies of death. When recuperated, they […] resumed their convulsive movements.” This is a description of the epidemic of “dancing plague” or “dancing mania” as given by Benjamin Lee Gordon in Medieval and Renaissance ...

What are the long-term side effects of birth control?

Hormonal methods of birth control are considered safe for most people. But is there a limit to how long you can safely use birth control? Some people take the birth control pill for much of their adult lives without a break. Others use long-term hormonal contraception devices, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), that can stay in place for several years. The safety of using long-term hormonal birth control may depend on a person’s risk factors, age, and medical history. Read on to find out the short-term and long-term effects of birth control. Short-term side effects woman holding birth control and wondering about the long term effects of birth control Short-term side effects of birth control may include headaches, nausea, weight gain, and mood swings. Hormonal methods of bi...