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mRNA technology is new on the scene, but not anonymous. It has been examined for more than a decade. However, it has ushered in a new approach to vaccines. So, what is mRNA technology? Let’s take a look.

What is mRNA?

Let’s start with RNA. RNA is an acronym for RiboNucleic Acid, which is a polymeric molecule that is vital in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. RNA and DNA are nucleic acids. Together with lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, nucleic acids constitute one of the four major macromolecules essential for all known forms of life.

RNA is substantially different from DNA: DNA contains two intercoiled strands, but RNA only contains one single strand.

RNA additionally contains ribose as opposed to deoxyribose
found in DNA. The consequence of these differences is RNA being chemically more reactive than DNA. This causes it to be the more suitable molecule to take part in cell reactions. It is also the carrier of genetic information in certain viruses, in particular the retroviruses such as the HIV virus. This is the only exclusion to the general rule that DNA is the hereditary substance of the two.

mRNA is an acronym for Messenger RiboNucleic Acid and is a single-stranded RNA molecule that is complementary to one of the DNA strands of a gene. The mRNA is an RNA version of the gene that departs from the cell nucleus and travels
to the cytoplasm where proteins are produced. This is why it is called messenger RNA.

During protein synthesis (the process in which cells make proteins), an organelle (a subcellular structure that has one or more specific jobs to perform in the cell, much like an organ does in the body) called a ribosome travels along the mRNA, reads its base sequence, and uses the genetic code to translate each three-base triplet, or codon, into its corresponding amino acid.

mRNA is just one of the kinds of RNA that are found in the cell. This particular one, the mRNA, like most RNAs, is made in the nucleus and then exported to the cytoplasm where the translation machinery, the machinery that essentially produces proteins, attaches to these mRNA molecules and reads the code on the mRNA to make a particular protein. So in broad terms, one gene, the DNA for one gene, can be transcribed into an mRNA molecule that will end up making one specific protein.

What does mRNA do?

So, what does mRNA do? In a nutshell, mRNA generates instructions to make proteins that may treat and or prevent disease.

mRNA medicines aren’t small molecules, like conventional pharmaceuticals. Neither are they conventional biologics (recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies) – which were the origins of the biotech industry. mRNA medicines on the other hand are sets of instructions. Also, these instructions direct cells in the body to make proteins to prevent and or fight disease.

It is essentially simple human biology. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a double-stranded molecule that stores the genetic code (instructions) the body’s cells require to produce proteins. Proteins, conversely, are the ‘workhorses’ of the body. Nearly every task in the body – including normal and disease-related – is accomplished by one or many proteins.

However, mRNA is just as critical as DNA. Without mRNA, the genetic code would never get used by the body. Proteins would never be made. In addition, the body could not perform its functions. Messenger mRNA, plays a vital role in human biology.
mRNA and Medicine
Drug companies are using mRNA to produce a new class of medicines. They are making use of the fundamental role that mRNA plays in protein synthesis and have developed exclusive technologies and methods to produce mRNA sequences that cells recognize as if they were produced in the body. They focus on diseases that as critical as DNA. Without mRNA, the genetic code would never get used by the body. Proteins would never be made. In addition, the body could not perform its functions. Messenger mRNA, plays a vital role in human biology.

mRNA and Medicine

Drug companies are using mRNA to produce a new class of medicines. They are making use of the fundamental role that mRNA plays in protein synthesis and have developed exclusive technologies and methods to produce mRNA sequences that cells recognize as if they were produced in the body. They focus on diseases that were enabling targeted cells to produce – or turn ‘on’ – one or more given proteins that will enable the body to fight or prevent a given disease.

Here is how this works.

• It begins with the desired sequence for a protein.
• The corresponding mRNA sequence is designed and synthesized. This is the code that will create the protein.
• Before synthesis is commenced, the mRNA sequence to optimize the mRNA’s physical properties is also engineered, as well as those of the encoded protein.
• The mRNA sequence is delivered to the cells responsible for making that protein by way of one of several potential groups of mRNA medicines. Achieving success with different types of cells necessitates different delivery methods.
• Lastly, once the mRNA instructions are in the cell, human biology takes over. Ribosomes examine the code and construct the protein, and the cells express the protein throughout the body.

  

Using mRNA as a drug opens up an advent of opportunities to treat and prevent disease. mRNA medicines have the ability to go inside cells to direct protein production, something that is not probable with other drug approaches giving science the potential to treat or prevent diseases that today are not addressable. Thus potentially improving human health and impacting lives around the world.

Vaccines

How they work

The main goal of a vaccine for a specific infectious agent, such as the virus that causes COVID-19, is to educate the immune system on what that particular virus looks like. Once this is accomplished, the immune system will vehemently attack the real virus, if it ever enters the body.

Viruses comprise a nucleus of genes made of DNA or RNA enclosed in a cover of proteins. To make the cover of protein, the DNA or RNA genes of the virus make messenger RNA (mRNA); the mRNA then makes the proteins. An mRNA of a particular structure makes a protein of a particular structure.

Some traditional vaccines use a weakened virus, while others, like the mRNA vaccine, use just a critical piece of the virus’s protein coat.

Conventional vaccines do work: for instance, polio and measles are just two (2) examples of severe illnesses brought under control by vaccines. As a group, vaccines may have done more good for humanity than any other medical advance in history. However, growing great amounts of a virus, and then weakening the virus or extracting the critical piece, is very time-consuming.

When an individual is contaminated with a germ, whether it is a virus or bacteria, the immune system creates unique proteins, known as antibodies that assist in protecting against future infections from that particular germ by remembering it. The next time the immune system spots that germ, it “remembers” and uses the antibodies to fight off the infection. Some antibodies only last a few months, while others can protect an individual for a lifetime.

So in essence, vaccines create antibodies that allow the body to protect itself from future infections without essentially getting sick.

Previously developed vaccines contained very small amounts of viruses or bacteria that were dead or significantly weakened. They tricked the immune system into thinking that the body was being infected.

How mRNA Vaccines Work

mRNA is a slice of genetic material that cells use as “directions” to create selected proteins in the body. It is like a small piece of computer code. In the case of COVID-19, a piece called the spike protein is the critical piece.

When it is not within a cell, mRNA requires protection to keep it from disintegrating. That is why the vaccines need cold temperature storage. In order to keep the mRNA from disintegrating when it enters the body, the COVID-19 vaccines utilize fat bubbles to shuttle the mRNA to certain cells.

mRNA Vaccines and COVID19

The mRNA directs these cells to produce “spike proteins.” These proteins replicate part of the SARS-CoV-2 (novel coronavirus) cell structure and trick the body into believing it is infected with the virus.

In the case of the mRNA vaccines, the body is never exposed to the germ however; it is still able to produce an effective immune response.

So in essence, mRNA vaccines create antibodies exclusively from the protein coating of the virus instead of using the virus, allowing the body to protect itself from future infections without essentially getting sick.

What is contained in the COVID Vaccines? Like all additional vaccines approved by the FDA, COVID vaccines do not include noxious or dangerous ingredients. This is a common vaccine myth.

The ingredients of the vaccine include safe and harmless pieces (proteins) of the virus that cause COVID-19 and not of the entire germ. When vaccinated, the immune system identifies that the proteins do not belong in the body and begins producing T-lymphocytes and antibodies. If infection occurs in the future, memory cells will recognize and fight the virus.

One of the advantages of using the present COVID vaccines is that they avoid some of the issues some individuals may have with some vaccines. For example, the vaccines are not produced by using egg proteins, so unlike some forms of the flu vaccine, individuals who have an egg allergy can obtain the vaccine.

In addition, human fetal cells are not used during the vaccine development process. This makes the COVID vaccines a suitable alternative for individuals who object to this practice.

Scientists are still carefully examining exactly how long the vaccine’s protection will last. The participants who were part of the COVID-19 vaccine studies have agreed to be monitored for two (2) years to enable researchers to establish exactly how long immunity will last.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two (2) doses to realize immunity. This will ensure that the immune system will create enough antibodies to remember and protect against future COVID infections. Learn more important facts about the COVID vaccine.

It is important to note that since mRNA “instructs” cells to perform certain actions, a number of individuals have expressed apprehension about the vaccine affecting their DNA. This is not the case. mRNA vaccines will by no means interact with the body’s DNA. As a matter of fact, once the cell has finished using the mRNA, the cells break it down and remove it from the body.

mRna technology is truly an advancement in fighting disease and illness. Below is a video further illustrating how these vaccines work.

Questions, comments and concerns are welcomed below.

Good health!!

Regarding our health, we often hear about our heart health and the importance of our cardiovascular systems, our lungs and the importance of the respiratory systems, our pancreas and the endocrine system, kidneys and the urinary system, the colon and digestive systems. But, what about our teeth? For some reason, we don’t hear as much about these organs or how to care for them. This article is all about dental care.

Are teeth bone or an organ? To dispel a popular myth, the teeth are not bone. They have their own specialized type of connective tissue. The teeth are made up of three types of tissue: enamel, dentin, and cementum (a specialized type of bone). The common definition of an organ is a collection of tissues that act together to execute a purpose or purposes. By that definition, teeth are organs.

But for the record, bones, additionally, are organs of the skeletal system. They are made up of calcified osseous tissue, connective tissues of various sorts, and cartilage.

The Importance of Good Dental Care

The importance of good dental care and overall oral health is crucial for the overall health of the entire body. In fact, the mouth is said to be the gateway to general good health. Not taking care of our teeth and gums properly may well lead to a variety of health problems. This can range from gum disease and the loss of teeth to heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, oral health is crucial.

For example, recent research is linking associations between chronic oral infections and heart and lung diseases, stroke, and low-birth-weight, premature births. Associations connecting periodontal disease and diabetes have long been noted.

Consequently, oral health is essential to general health. We cannot be healthy without oral good health. Oral and general health should not be interpreted as separate entities. Oral health is a vital component of health and must be integrated with the provision of health care and the design of community programs.

What is Oral Health?

Oral references the mouth which not only includes the teeth and the gums (gingiva) and their supporting tissues, but also the hard and soft palate, the mucosal lining (mucous membrane) of the mouth and throat, the tongue, the lips, the salivary glands, the chewing muscles, and the upper and lower jaws. Similarly important are the branches of the nervous, immune, and vascular systems that stimulate, safeguard, and nurture the oral tissues, as well as provide connections to the brain and the rest of the body.

The genetic patterning of development in the uterus further reveals the intimate relationship of the oral tissues to the developing brain and to the tissues of the face and head that surround the mouth, structures whose location is captured in the word craniofacial which is specialized dentistry.

Therefore, good oral health means so much more than healthy teeth. It means the absence of chronic oral-facial pain situations, oral and pharyngeal (throat) cancers, oral soft tissue lesions, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, and other numerous diseases and disorders that influence the oral, dental, and craniofacial tissues, collectively known as the craniofacial complex. These are tissues whose functions are often taken for granted, yet they represent the very fundamental nature of our humanity. They permit us to speak and smile; sigh and kiss; smell, taste, touch, chew, and swallow; cry out in pain; and convey a world of feelings and emotions through facial expressions. They also protect against microbial infections and environmental assault.

Poor oral health can lead to conditions that can lead to serious consequences.

Conditions of the Mouth

Tooth Decay – Also known as Dental Decay. Dental decay occurs when the enamel and dentine of a tooth become softened by an acid attack after eating or drinking anything containing sugars. Enamel is the solid, protective outer coating of the tooth and is the hardest part of the body. It does not contain any nerves or blood vessels and is not sensitive to pain. Dentine lays under the enamel, developing most of the tooth, and it can be extremely sensitive to pain. Dentine envelops the central ‘pulp’ of the tooth. The pulp is a soft tissue that contains blood vessels and nerves and is in the middle of the tooth.

Dental decay is initially caused by plaque acids that gradually dissolve away

the enamel and dentine of the tooth.  Plaque is a thin, sticky film that keeps forming on your teeth. It contains many types of bacteria.

Every time anything containing sugars either by food or drink is consumed, these acids attack the teeth and start to soften and dissolve the enamel. These attacks can occur for up to an hour after eating or drinking before the natural salts in the saliva cause the enamel to ‘remineralize’ and harden again.

Over time, the acid makes a cavity (hole) in the tooth. This condition is also known as ‘dental caries’. This Decay damages the teeth and may lead to the tooth requiring a filling or even extraction.

Keep in mind that it’s not only sugars that are harmful, but other types of carbohydrate foods and drinks react with the plaque and form these acids. (This includes the ‘fermentable’ carbohydrates: for example ‘concealed sugars’ in processed food, organic sugars like those in fruit and cooked starches).

It’s wise to always check the ingredients. Generally, anything with the suffix ‘ose’ in the name is sugar, for example, sucrose, maltose, and so on.

We must watch those in-between-meal treats.  Consuming sugary or acidic snacks and drinks between meals can increase the risk of decay because the teeth then come under constant attack and do not have time to recover. Therefore it is important not to continually have sugary snacks or sip sugary drinks during the day.

Gum Disease – Gum disease is identified as swelling, soreness, or infection of the tissues sustaining the teeth. There are two principal forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.

*Gingivitis means ‘inflammation of the gums’. This is apparent when the gums around the teeth grow to be very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed during brushing.

Periodontal disease
is the result of long-standing gingivitis. There are several types of periodontal disease and they all have an effect on the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease progresses the bone securing the teeth in the jaw is lost, causing the teeth to become loose. Without treatment, the teeth may ultimately fall out.

Sensitive Teeth – Having sensitive teeth can range from getting a gentle twinge to experiencing serious discomfort that can last for several hours. It can additionally be an early warning sign of more acute dental problems.

Individuals are more likely to feel the sensitivity when drinking or eating cold items, from cold air catching your teeth, and sometimes with hot foods or drinks. Some individuals experience sensitivity when they have sweet or acidic food and drinks. The pain and discomfort can be intermittent, with sometimes being more apparent than others.

Sensitive teeth can start at any time. However, it is more common in individuals aged between 20 and 40, although it can affect individuals in their early teens as well as when they are over 70. Women are more probable to be affected than men.

Sensitive teeth occur when the outer part of the tooth that we can see has a layer of enamel that protects the softer dentine underneath. When the dentine becomes exposed, a tooth can become sensitive. This generally occurs where the tooth and the gum meet where the enamel layer is much thinner. Below are some of the causes of sensitivity:

• Brushing too hard (‘toothbrush abrasion’), and brushing from side to side, can result in the enamel being worn away – especially where the teeth and the gums meet. The newly exposed dentine may then become sensitive.

• Dental erosion: this is the loss of tooth enamel caused by attacks of acid from acidic food and drinks as mentioned above. If the enamel is worn down, the dentine underneath becomes exposed and lead to sensitivity. Gums then may naturally recede (shrink back), and the roots of the teeth will become exposed causing them to be more sensitive. Unfortunately, root surfaces do not have an enamel layer to protect them.

• Gums may naturally recede (shrink back ), and the roots of the teeth will become exposed and can be more sensitive. Root surfaces do not have an enamel layer to protect them.

• Gum disease: a build-up of plaque or tartar can result in the gum receding down the tooth and even destroy the bone support of the tooth. Pockets can develop in the gums around the tooth, making the area challenging to keep clean and the issue worse.

• Tooth grinding: this is a habit that involves clenching and grinding the teeth together. This can cause the enamel of the teeth to be worn away, causing them to become sensitive.

• A cracked tooth or filling: a cracked tooth is one that has been broken.

• Tooth bleaching: some patients have sensitivity for a short time during or after bleaching. It is best to talk to your dental professional about this before having treatment.

Other conditions include: knocked out teeth, lichen planus (white patches in the lining of the mouth), geographic tongue, dry mouth, mouth ulcers, mouth cancer, jaw problems, and headaches.

Any of these conditions can be treated with the aid of a dental professional. When a problem with any area of the mouth, it is best to consult such an individual.

The importance of Good Oral Health

For starters, good dental hygiene keeps the teeth and gums healthy. Although genetics can play a large role in the acquiring of cavities, regular brushing and preventative dental care help keep the teeth and gums healthy. Brushing removes the plaque that causes tooth decay and stimulates the gums to help prevent gum disease.

Additionally, recurring visits to the dentist lead to early disease detection. A key component of proper oral hygiene is regular visits to a dentist. Every six months is a good place to be! A dental professional can detect a whole lot more than cavities from looking in your mouth. Among the problems and diseases dentists can discover with a thorough examination are:

• Acid reflux
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Heart problems
• Mental health issues
• Oral cancers
• Osteoporosis
• Tooth grinding
• Vitamin deficiencies

Good dental hygiene prevents certain diseases. Infections that commence in the mouth can lead to even worse health concerns if not treated. For example, gingivitis is a typical inflammation of the gums. But it can develop into periodontitis, which is a much more serious infection that can cause tooth loss. Infections that commence in the mouth have also been linked to such difficulties and disease as:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Coronary artery disease
• Low birth babies
• Premature births
• Respiratory problems
• Stroke

Believe it or not, if left untreated, tooth and gum disease can even lead to death! After all, it is a form of inflammation and can certainly lead to unwanted consequences. Therefore it behooves us to implement good oral hygiene. For more information on inflammation, see the article, “The Dangers of Inflammation,” on this website.

What is Good Oral Hygiene?

So what precisely is good dental hygiene and how do you make sure you’re doing all that you can? Follow a few basic rules of hygiene:

• 

  Brush at least twice a day

• Don’t use tobacco products
• Eat healthily and avoid sugary snacks
• Get regular dental exams
• Have your dentist apply a sealant to your children’s teeth
• Shield the teeth with a mouth guard during athletics
• Rinse out after meals or chew sugarless gum

Good oral hygiene is paramount in maintaining optimal health. It is one of the best preventative tools in our arsenal. Therefore it must be a part of our daily lives.

Questions, comments, and concerns are welcomed below.

Good health!!

Sleep apnea has become a serious problem these days.  It’s what causes an individual to not benefit from proper rest no matter how much sleep they may get. Because of this, many don’t know why they are not benefiting from their sleep.  Hopefully, this article, Sleep Apnea: the Facts will shed light on this important issue.

What is Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea (also known as obstructive sleep apnea) is a serious sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing during sleep. The airway repeatedly becomes blocked, limiting the amount of air that reaches our lungs. When this happens, we may snore loudly and make choking noises as we try to breathe. As a result, our brain and body becomes oxygen deprived and we may wake up as a result. This may happen anywhere from a few times to several hundred times a night in more severe cases.

What Causes Sleep Apnea

Now for the causes of sleep apnea.  In most cases, sleep apnea is caused by the tissue in the back of the throat collapsing. This is the result of the relaxing of the muscles of the upper airway when we fall asleep. For those who sleep on their backs, gravity can cause the tongue to fall back. This narrows the airway, which reduces the amount of air that can reach the lungs. This narrowed airway causes snoring by making the tissue in back of the throat vibrate as we breathe.

What Are the Symptoms

Snoring is the most common and obvious symptom of sleep apnea although, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Snoring is likely to be a sign of sleep apnea when it is followed by silent pauses in breathing and choking or gasping sounds. People with this sleep disorder typically have daytime drowsiness or fatigue.

Other symptoms include:

• Morning headaches
• Non-refreshing sleep
• Insomnia
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss
• Decreased sexual desire
• Irritability
• Nocturia (frequent waking during the night to go to the bathroom)

Sleep apnea can make you wake up in the morning feeling tired or unrefreshed even though you’ve had a full night of sleep. It can cause you during the day to feel fatigued, have difficulty concentrating or you may even unintentionally fall asleep. This is because your body is waking up numerous times throughout the night, even though you might not be cognizant of each awakening.

The lack of oxygen your body receives can have negative long-standing consequences to your health  This includes:

• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Heart disease
• Pre-diabetes and diabetes

Who’s at Risk

An individual is much more likely to have sleep apnea if they are overweight or obese. The major risk issue for sleep disorder is excess weight. Their risk for sleep apnea is higher if you they are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of twenty five or more or heavier with a BMI of thirty or higher. However, sleep apnea can occur in slim people as well. Common risk factors for sleep apnea include:

Large neck size – An oversized neck has a lot of soft tissue that may block an airway throughout sleep. The risk for apnea is higher if an individual has a neck size of 17 inches or more for men, or 16 inches or more for women.

Middle age –Apnea is possible at any age. However, it is more common between young adulthood and middle age.

Male gender –Apnea is more common in men than in women. For women the danger of apnea will increase with change of life (menopause).

Hypertension – High blood pressure level is extraordinarily common in people who have apnea.

Family history –You have a higher risk of sleep apnea if a family member also has it. Inherited traits that increase the risk include obesity and physical features such as a recessed jaw. Other common family factors – such as physical activity and eating habits – play a role as well.

Treatment

As for sleep apnea treatment, there are many people with sleep apnea who have not been diagnosed or received treatment. A sleep management doctor can diagnose obstructive apnea using an in-lab sleep study or a home apnea analysis. Sleep apnea is manageable through continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) medical care, the front-line treatment for apnea, oral appliance treatment or surgery.  For an effective, inexpensive and easy treatment, click this link for more information.

Feel free to leave any question, comment, or concern below

HAPPY HEALTH!!