Author Archives: Francisco Fernandez, MD

Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition. The major blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) struggle to send enough blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart muscle. Cholesterol deposits (plaques) in the heart arteries and inflammation are usually the cause of coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease often develops over decades. Symptoms […]

The communication between the gut bacteria and the neurologic function, referred to as the gut-brain axis is a novel area of research that has shown us it can regulate different aspects of our health, including brain health through immunologic, metabolic, and endocrine pathways.  Different studies have shown associations between gut microbial measures and neurological outcomes, […]

Despite the prevalence of breast cancer, many cases are unrelated to known risk factors. Furthermore, not all individuals with genetic predisposition or exposure to documented environmental factors develop the disease. Multiple recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in immunity and other essential host processes and that microbial dysbiosis contributes to […]

Being obese and overweight can increase the risk of developing multiple health conditions including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. According to studies, excess weight can also cause a chronic inflammatory state in the body.  Obesity is associated with this increased inflammatory state in which there is an increase in markers of inflammation and […]

Heart failure’s underlying cause is the loss of cardiomyocytes, which is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the elderly. In addition, aging is associated with loss of sarcomeres and cardiac myocyte dysfunction. Normal repair processes are inadequate to deal with extensive myocardial damage. Heart transplantation is the standard for treatment, but the limited […]

Exercise confers protection against obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that mediate the metabolic benefits of physical activity remain unclear. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine and collaborating institutions have found a molecule in the blood that is produced during exercise that can effectively […]