Author Archives: Francisco Fernandez, MD

Multiple PRP Injections More Effective According to Study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of pain and disability and is detrimental to the quality of life. Many non-invasive treatment options have been recommended to relieve symptoms and extend the quality of life and years of athletic activity for those with OA. Commonly used treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), topical agents, and some […]

Fiber as a Way to Decrease Inflammation Levels

Low-grade systemic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Modifiable factors can reduce inflammation and potentially modulate disease risk.  One of these factors is dietary fiber intake, in which higher intakes have been associated with lower systemic inflammation in various studies, in both healthy adults and […]

New Study Findings: Common Viruses May Trigger Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and vaccination against shingles, caused by VZV, has been shown to decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. The virus might reside latently in the brain, and reactivation might cause direct damage leading to AD, as proposed for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), […]

Fiber Present in Banana May Help Reduce Risk of Some Hereditary Cancers

Resistant starch is a type of carbohydrate that doesn’t get digested in the small intestine. Instead, it ferments in your large intestine and feeds beneficial gut bacteria. This type of starch provides numerous health benefits and has fewer calories than regular starch, having only 2 calories per gram, while regular starches contain 4 per gram.  […]

Is it Possible to Achieve Remission in Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a major global health concern, affecting mortality rates and the quality of life of those with the condition and their families.  There were an estimated 463 million people with diabetes in the world in 2019, of whom 90% to 95% have type 2 diabetes. By 2045, it is estimated that there will be […]

Flavonols Present in Cocoa May Reduce Blood Pressure

Nearly half of adults in the United States (47%, or 116 million) have hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg or are taking medication for hypertension. In 2020, more than 670k deaths in the United States had hypertension as a primary or […]

Health Benefits of Mushroom Consumption

Mushrooms are regarded as a vegetable but they are actually fungi. They have been consumed as a functional food by many cultures for centuries because of their unique taste, subtle flavor, and role in a healthful diet, being low in calories, carbohydrates, sodium, and fats and cholesterol-free. Edible mushrooms are rich in compounds such as […]

Green Tea May Help Reduce Gut Inflammation and Blood Sugar Levels

In a new study recently published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition, researchers evaluated whether health risks associated with metabolic syndrome may be diminished by consuming green tea extract.  Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Its dried leaves and leaf buds are used to make several different teas, including black and […]

Stickers that Can do Ultrasounds

Ultrasound imaging (sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to view inside the body. Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can also show the movement of the body’s internal organs as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels. Unlike X-ray imaging, there is no ionizing radiation exposure associated with ultrasound imaging. Current ultrasound imaging […]

The Use of Time-Restricted Eating in Type 2 Diabetes

There are many factors that can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Some of them include ubiquitous food availability, irregular sleep-activity patterns, and frequent exposure to artificial light sources that can lead to a disrupted day-night rhythm. In Western societies, most people spread their daily food intake over a minimum of 14 hours, […]