Dr. Hellen Greenblatt

Exercise and Inflammation

The function of hundreds of genes and numerous biological pathways are affected by being physically active. Too many individuals, especially health practitioners, fail to appreciate the dominant role exercise plays in maintaining the body’s immune homeostasis, its balance. Being physically active decreases the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions such as diabetes, depression, atherosclerosis, and certain …
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anti-inflammatory, brain function, brain immune gut axis, cytokine, exercise, immune homeostasis, immune system, inflammation, joints, muscle, physical activity

Lyme Disease and Inflammation

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne, infectious disease in the United States with a 25 fold increase in the number of cases since surveillance of the disease began in 1982. World-wide, there are over 300 strains of these bacteria, many of which tolerate antibiotics and are …
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anti-inflammatory, arthritis, autoimmune, autoinflammatory, fatigue, immune homeostasis, immune system, infection, joint pain, joints, Lyme, nervous system, Tick-borne, Ticks

Lupus and the Inflammatory Process

What is the Role of Inflammation? When the body is injured or recognizes the presence of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, molds, parasites or cancerous cells, its immune system is triggered to respond with inflammation to “burn” the threat out of the body. Balance is Essential Once the challenge has been met, a person in …
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anti-inflammatory, autoimmune, autoinflammatory, balance, chronic disease, cytokines, depression, exercise, immune homeostasis, immune system, inflammation, inflammatory responses, lupus, SLE

Suicides and Imbalances of the Immune System

| Posted by in Boosting Immune Responses (Pro-Inflammatory) | Depression | Immune Homeostasis (Immune Balance) | Inflammation - (0 Comments)

The second leading cause of death for people under the age of 44 years is suicide. Overall, it is the the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, with veterans comprising 22.2% of this statistic. Women are three times more likely to attempt suicide, but for every woman who takes her own life, …
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anti-inflammatory, autoinflammatory, balance, C-reactive protein, cytokines, depression, exercise, fatigue, immune homeostasis, inflammation, inflammatory responses, pro-inflammatory, suicide

Inflammation and Stress

Given all the current social, political and economic uncertainties, this year may be even more anxiety-producing and stressful than in the past. Past surveys have shown that 30-50% of people (and because of all of their responsibilities, especially women) experience heightened stresses. STRESS AND INFLAMMATION Stress alters immune responses affecting our ability to fight infection …
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anti-inflammatory, autoimmune, chronic disease, depression, fatigue, immune homeostasis, immune system, inflammation, inflammatory responses, pro-inflammatory

Depression, Anhedonia and Run-Away Inflammation

Without the ability to produce inflammation we die. The inflammatory response is the main weapon that the immune system uses to protect us from infection, keep cancer cells from growing out of control, and help tissues heal when they are damaged. However, one has to have the right balance of inflammation to be healthy. We need enough …
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autoimmune, autoinflammatory, balance, chronic disease, cytokines, depression, exercise, fatigue, immune homeostasis, pro-inflammatory

Imbalances of Inflammatory Responses May Lead to Parkinson’s Disease.

Parkinson’s is a disease of the nervous system that affects mobility, memory, and cognition. Individuals may eventually experience rigid muscles, tremors of the limbs and head, loss of muscle control, monotonous speech levels, and a slow, shuffling gait. Individuals tend to develop the disease as they age. Having a close relative with Parkinson’s disease (PD) …
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autoimmune, autoinflammatory, balance, chronic disease, cytokines, depression, dopamine, fatigue, immune homeostasis, immune system, inflammation, inflammatory responses, microglia, neurodegenerative, neurological, neurons, Parkinson's, pro-inflammatory

9/11 WTC Responders Still Being Ignored

This month was the 13th anniversary of the haunting September 11 event that has changed us, our Nation, and the world we thought we knew. It seems like yesterday that these events happened. Three years ago, I posted my frustration of my inability to get First Responders, and/or their health practitioners, to consider addressing the issue …
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9/11, balance, C-reactive protein, cancer, chronic disease, depression, fatigue, immune homeostasis, inflammation, inflammatory responses, pro-inflammatory, PTSD, pulmonary, respiratory, World Trade Center, WTC

The Role of Inflammation in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in some individuals that are exposed to emotionally disturbing events such as combat, rocket, and terrorist attacks. Individuals that have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) or experienced natural disasters and sexual assault are also at higher risk of having this disorder. Symptoms may include quality of life issues such as …
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Afghanistan, aggression, anger, anti-inflammatory, autoimmune, balance, C-reactive protein, chronic disease, combat, cytokines, depression, fat cells, Gulf War, healing, IL-6, immune homeostasis, immune system, infection, inflammation, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, inflammatory responses, injuries, Iraq, metabolic syndrome, military, Obesity, post-traumatic stress disorder, pro-inflammatory, PTSD, QOL, terrorist, veterans, visceral fat

Alcohol Abuse, Immune Balance, and Inflammation

Alcoholism is a condition in which individuals drink alcohol in excess despite the fact that their habit causes physical and mental health problems, and social, family, and/or job-related issues. Heavy alcohol consumption results in damage to many parts of the body including the brain, liver, digestive system, and joints. Alcoholics also suffer with dementia, memory …
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alcoholism, anti-inflammatory, autoimmune, balance, cancer, chronic disease, cytokines, depression, exercise, gut, healing, immune homeostasis, immune system, infection, inflammation, inflammatory responses, injuries, joint pain, microbes, pro-inflammatory

THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION: INFLAMMATION AND DEPRESSION

Exposure to chronic constant emotional or physical stress triggers a vicious cycle of inflammation. The stress increases the amount of inflammation that the body generates, and the additional inflammation “feeds” more stress. Depressed individuals report that they experience high levels of tension and anxiety, fatigue, muscle discomfort, and/or gastrointestinal problems. Often they have a feeling …
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anti-inflammatory, balance, C-reactive protein, chronic disease, cytokines, depression, exercise, fat cells, fatigue, gut, healing, hyperimmune egg, immune homeostasis, immune system, inflammation, inflammatory responses, pro-inflammatory