Maintaining high levels of vitamin D this winter may enhance protection against the H1N1 flu, according to an analysis of deaths and complications from the 1918-1919 flu pandemic.
William B. Grant, PhD, of the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center in San Francisco, and Edward Giovannucci, MD, ScD, of the Harvard University School of Public Health, investigated the number of deaths and incidence of pneumonia associated with the deadly flu 90 years ago.
They found that the fewest deaths and cases of pneumonia occurred in two southern American cities included in the data analysis. Residents of those cities would have had the highest sunlight exposure and vitamin D production during the previous summer. The greatest number of deaths and pneumonia cases occurred in northern cities – those with less sun exposure.
Grant and Giovannucci noted that the fatal complications of flu result in part from a secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia.
Vitamin D is needed for the body’s production of cathelicidin, an antibacterial peptide that has been shown to fight tuberculosis and septicemia. Vitamin D also protects against endotoxins, which are released by bacteria when they are destroyed.
Reference: Grant WB, Giovannucci E. The possible roles of solar ultraviolet-B radiation and vitamin D in reducing case-fatality rates from the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic in the United States. Dermato-Endocrinology, 2009;1:1-5.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Downside of Multitasking
Multitasking – doing two or more activities at once – has become part of the way of doing things.
There’s no way to completely avoid multitasking, but I have often argued against excessive multitasking. My reason is simple: it’s difficult for a person to do two things at the same time equally well. If you doubt me, just think about all the times that slow drivers were yacking on their cell phones in front of you. Their driving suffered because their phone call dominated their attention. You’re no better if you try to multitask.
Recently, researchers at Stanford University in California compared college students who did a lot of multitasking with those who did very little. The researchers figured that students who did the most multitasking would be better at it. They were wrong. It turned out that the students who did the most multitasking weren’t very good at it. The more they multitasked, the worse they were in terms of being easily distracted and filtering out irrelevant information, according to an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Why the surge in multitasking, including texting while driving, in recent years?
I believe there are two reasons. One, many new technologies, such as email, cell phones, and texting have encouraged distracting, impulsive-addictive behavior. Two, poorer eating habits, including excessive amounts of caffeine and junk foods low in B vitamins and omega-3 fats, have altered the biochemistry of millions of brains, leaving many people more susceptible to distractions and uncomfortable simply being alone with their thoughts. The solution? Healthier foods, perhaps some supplements, and learning to be mindful and in the moment.
There’s no way to completely avoid multitasking, but I have often argued against excessive multitasking. My reason is simple: it’s difficult for a person to do two things at the same time equally well. If you doubt me, just think about all the times that slow drivers were yacking on their cell phones in front of you. Their driving suffered because their phone call dominated their attention. You’re no better if you try to multitask.
Recently, researchers at Stanford University in California compared college students who did a lot of multitasking with those who did very little. The researchers figured that students who did the most multitasking would be better at it. They were wrong. It turned out that the students who did the most multitasking weren’t very good at it. The more they multitasked, the worse they were in terms of being easily distracted and filtering out irrelevant information, according to an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Why the surge in multitasking, including texting while driving, in recent years?
I believe there are two reasons. One, many new technologies, such as email, cell phones, and texting have encouraged distracting, impulsive-addictive behavior. Two, poorer eating habits, including excessive amounts of caffeine and junk foods low in B vitamins and omega-3 fats, have altered the biochemistry of millions of brains, leaving many people more susceptible to distractions and uncomfortable simply being alone with their thoughts. The solution? Healthier foods, perhaps some supplements, and learning to be mindful and in the moment.
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