Approved Science Answers
Our experts answer your questions about health and well-being, including vitamin deficiency, brain-boosting supplements, and more.
Recent Answers
High White Blood Cell Count: Dangers, Causes, & Management
White blood cells form part of your body's immune system and help to fight infections, illnesses, and diseases. A high white blood cell count, also known as leukocytosis, is important to know as it can indicate that something is amiss in your body. Typically, adults should have a white blood cell (WBC) count of between 4,500 and 11,000 WBCs per microliter of blood. Anything higher than 11,000 WBCs per microliter of blood is considered too high and is a sign that something's wrong. White blood counts of 50,000 to 100,000 can indicate that you have a solid tumor, severe infection, or even organ rejection. What Causes a High White Blood Cell Count? A high white blood cell count occurs when the immune system is triggered to defend the body against immune system disorders, inflammation, viruses, injury, and infections. There could also be other reasons, such as allergies, obesity, smoking, burns, excessive emotional or physical stress, thyroid problems, and cavities. Tuberculosis and whooping cough can also contribute to a high WBC count. Less common causes include lymphoma, bone marrow disorders, and leukemia. How to Lower Your Elevated White Blood Cell Count To lower your high white blood cell count, you can take hydroxyurea, which is a capsule taken orally. It can help decrease an elevated WBC count, but it requires a doctor's prescription. You can also eat immune-boosting foods and add vitamin C to your daily diet to lower your white blood cell count. For immune support, consider supplementing your diet with berries, pineapples, papayas, guavas, and elderberry syrup. High White Blood Cell Count: Management Is Key Maintaining your white blood cell count is easier when you live a healthy lifestyle and follow a balanced diet. You can also opt for immune-boosting supplements to prevent infections and illness. These strategies can usually reduce the likelihood that you'll need to take prescription drugs.
Asked 11 days ago
How Piperine Increases Bioavailability—And Why It Matters
Piperine, the alkaloid responsible for the pungency of black pepper, has a long history of being used in traditional medicine. Today, it is commercially used in modern herbal medicines and supplement formulas. The main reason for its popularity is that it increases the bioavailability of drugs and nutrients. What Is Drug Bioavailability? Bioavailability refers to the rate at which a drug enters the systemic circulation and the extent to which it enters. That is, how much of a drug or nutrient is absorbed and how quickly it reaches the area in the body where it is needed. The higher the bioavailability, the more effective the drug will be, as more of it can be used by the body, and it can start working faster. The bioavailability of a drug is mainly determined by its dosage form, but piperine can help increase its bioavailability. How Piperine Enhances Bioavailability There are two reasons why piperine acts as a bioenhancer. Firstly, it can increase the absorption of the drug by enhancing its solubility, modulating membrane dynamics, and improving blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract (1). Additionally, piperine can delay the metabolism of the drug, and its molecular structure is suitable for enzyme inhibition, which can be beneficial for the body. In some cases, piperine can achieve a combination of both processes. According to studies, piperine can increase the bioavailability of drugs by between 30% and 200% (2). Improve Your Health With Piperine Taking care of yourself is about more than exercising and eating right. You should also help out your body by taking supplements that assist in keeping you healthy. An excellent supplement is BioPerine, a concentrated form of piperine. The main benefit of BioPerine is that it increases the bioavailability of drugs. Several drugs and supplements contain piperine for this reason, for example, CoQ10 and keto pills. Boosting bioavailability can therefore improve metabolism, aid nutrient absorption, raise dopamine and serotonin levels, improve memory, and build a better immune system.
Asked 12 days ago
Can Taking Coenzyme Q10 Cause Blood Clots?
Coenzyme Q10, also commonly referred to as CoQ10, is often recommended for its ability to improve heart health. It’s also used to help prevent and treat cancer and lessen muscle fatigue, lung diseases, and skin damage by reducing oxidative damage. However, Coenzyme Q10 increases the risk of developing blood clots due to its interactions with certain medications. How Does Coenzyme Q10 Interact With Other Medications? CoQ10 can interact with medication prescribed for blood thinning and make them less effective, according to research (1). These medications include warfarin and clopidogrel, which prevent blot clots from forming. There are several other drugs that CoQ10 may interact with, such as chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin and daunorubicin. CoQ10 may also affect blood pressure medication. Patients who take medications such as metoprolol and diltiazem can potentially take lower dosages when supplemented with CoQ10. However, this should be done under careful monitoring by a medical practitioner, as there is a risk of developing low blood pressure. Can Coenzyme Q10 Cause Blood Clots? Yes, there is an increased risk of developing blood clots. It is generally believed that CoQ10 can make blood-thinning drugs less effective. This is because Coenzyme Q10 is chemically similar to vitamin K, which can ultimately lead to blood clots forming (2)(3). In contrast, a small study found that CoQ10 helped prevent blood clot formation by improving energy production in the body’s cells. Another study showed that Coenzyme Q10 had no effect on blood thinners. These mixed findings indicate that much more research is required to make any definitive conclusions. Coenzyme Q10 Offers Benefits—But Use With Caution Ubiquinol and ubiquinone, two forms of CoQ10, offer many benefits, especially in promoting good heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the chances of repeat heart attacks. However, making blood-thinning drugs less effective can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. As such, you should always consult your doctor before taking a CoQ10 supplement.
Asked 12 days ago
Will Coenzyme Q10 Help or Harm Your Heart?
Recent developments and research in the health sector have indicated that the supplement Coenzyme Q10 supports the heart and blood vessels. Although the findings on Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) are not yet conclusive, it is believed to improve the symptoms of congestive heart failure, reduce blood pressure, and help patients recover better from heart surgeries. There is also a general consensus that taking a CoQ10 supplement involves very few risks and only minor side effects. What Does the Research Say? A lot of research is being done to determine how beneficial CoQ10 is and if there are any risks involved. It has largely been found that CoQ10: Possibly Lowers Systolic Blood Pressure Some clinical studies have shown that CoQ10 can help lower systolic blood pressure without causing serious side effects. One study found that the supplement lowered diastolic pressure by up to 10 mm Hg and systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg. Other studies, however, have found that CoQ10 hasn't had a clinically significant effect on blood pressure (1). Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Several studies have determined that CoQ10 supplements can increase ApoA1 (Apolipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The supplement also lowers the levels of inflammatory biomarkers that can be risk factors for cardiovascular disease (2). Possibly Lowers the Risk of Fatal Heart Failure CoQ10 has been praised for its role in helping to lower heart failure mortality in the past decade. Evidence has shown that it can play a role in keeping patients with weak hearts healthier for longer (3). However, other researchers believe that further studies are required to make definitive conclusions (4). Should I Take a Coenzyme Q10 Supplement? While research into the effects and benefits of CoQ10 is ongoing, most evidence suggests that CoQ10 is a good supplement for patients with poor heart health. But before adding this supplement to your daily diet, consult your doctor first as there is a possibility of experiencing mild side effects and drug interactions.
Asked 15 days ago
Reduce Hair Loss With Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B complex is believed to be a healthy and natural combination of vitamins to benefit hair loss and improve the health of your hair. There are several types of vitamin B that all play an important role in keeping your body and hair healthy, including the following: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)Vitamin B3 (Niacin)Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)Vitamin B7 (Biotin B complex)Vitamin B9Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Read on to learn about how these vitamins benefit hair loss and the potential side effects How Vitamin B Complex Helps With Hair Loss B vitamins assist the body with hair growth as they are important for producing red blood cells that can improve circulation to your scalp, which is what helps the hair follicles make new hair. Biotin is considered one of the most important B vitamins and is well-known and admired for helping to treat hair loss. B vitamins also promote healthy hair growth because they help with healthy cell rejuvenation. As a result, your hair follicles are supported, and good hair growth is encouraged. Sometimes, B vitamins can even help your hair grow faster. Side Effects of Vitamin B Complex Although Vitamin B complex is good for you, there are a few side effects you should be aware of when taking it to promote hair growth. Despite being water-soluble and it being quite difficult to consume an excessive amount, it’s still possible to suffer from side effects. These side effects won’t occur when you’re getting your vitamin B complex from food, but they can happen if you take too many supplements. Consuming high doses of niacin (Vitamin B3) can lead to high blood sugar levels, liver damage, vomiting, and skin flushing. High doses of vitamin B6 can cause light sensitivity, nerve damage, and painful skin lesions. Vitamin B complex can also turn your urine bright yellow, though this isn’t dangerous or something to be concerned about
Asked 20 days ago
Recent Posts
Can't find what you're looking for?