Wright Health Insurance Agency

As of November 2022, our President, Mr. Doug Wright, is officially ranked by a top-tier nationally recognized insurance provider as # 1 for Medicare Supplement and # 3 for production across the United States! Congratulations Doug!

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Wright Health Habits
(Episode Four)
"The Light " & "The Dark"

By
Tiar'a Literary & Illustrations
[email protected]

Wright Health Habits are the general basics for optimizing good health habits. These tidbits are not part of what we do as a company. Their intent is to share quantified information that positively affects health. Wright Health Habits are NOT intended to cure disease, infection, viruses, or prevent them.

DISCLAIMER: WRIGHT HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL, MEDICINAL OR NUTRITIONAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN REGARDING ANY MEDICAL, MEDICINAL, OR NUTRITIONAL ADVICE.

As we all know, the sun rises during the day and sheds light upon the earth. At night, the sun has set in the east and our sky becomes dark.

Since the beginning of time, all living species have instinctually either risen or slept during the day and nighttime cycles. For felines or (cats), these creatures appear more active at night. But then again, these furry little companions sleep on average eighteen out of twenty-four-hour days - They're always well-rested enough to be awake at all hours! This isn't abnormal for cats. This is merely a result of their natural Circadian Rhythm.

What is Circadian Rhythm?

Circadian Rhythm is best described by [Healthline.com] as the human "wake-sleep" cycle throughout a 24-hour time period. Unearthing further details concerning Circadian Rhythm proceeds as follows:

Circadian controls the Rhythm (or beat) of your daily sleep and wake pattern. Circadian Rhythm is influenced by... "LIGHT" and "DARK". Although, there are other variables that likewise have an effect upon its function, such as cell phone, computer, and internet use late at night.

Each day, the human brain receives signals based upon our environments. Be they "light" or "dark", which, in-turn, activate key hormones within the body that assist proper function of natural Circadian Rhythm. The primary hormone activated is Melatonin.

Melatonin helps adjust our body temperature, and regulate metabolism. If we are hot and our metabolism is active, we typically will not indulge in a good night's sleep. If we are cool and satiated, we then typically are able to experience a restful and uninterrupted night's sleep. These two factors, body temperature and metabolism, are what keep us alert, or alternatively, drawn into a sleep state.

Sleep disturbances occur mostly as we age. When we were children, most of us spent greats amount of time outdoors under the "light" of the sun's UV rays. Our bodies were able to produce healthy amounts of melatonin which was then used when we came inside at night to fall asleep with relative ease.

As we mature, many of us no longer spend as much time outside, perhaps any time at all. Therefore, our absorption of the sun's UV rays, which helps our body produce healthy levels of melatonin is minimal. Therefore, our body cannot adequately adjust our Circadian Rhythms to create a restful night's sleep.

Did you know that looking at cell phone and computer screens late at night can damage your ability to fall asleep quickly?

This is because the "blue-light" emitted by cell phones and computer screens restrain the production of melatonin - thus making it harder to fall asleep and wake up the following morning. Not to mention, if you are searching the internet late at night, expect the human brain to be under stress because the amount of information websites (pop-ups, ads, sub-ads, links, likes, shares etc.) place on one internet page is enough to drive anyone mad and keep them from sleeping!

The take away from this article is that (if you are, or have been medically allowed by your licensed physician) to go out and get a daily dose of sunshine, do so. Your Circadian Rhythm and hormones will thank you for it, and your sleep should improve. Additionally - stay off the internet, phones, and computers late at night.

Wright Health Habits
(Episode Three)

by
Tiar'a Literary & Illustrations
[email protected]

"VITAMIN B12"

Wright Health Habits are the general basics for optimizing good health habits. These tidbits are not part of what we do as a company. Their intent is to share quantified information that positively affect health. Wright Health Habits are NOT intended to cure disease, infection, viruses, or prevent them.

DISCLAIMER: WRIGHT HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL, MEDICINAL OR NUTRITIONAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN REGARDING ANY MEDICAL, MEDICINAL, OR NUTRITIONAL ADVICE.

B12 shots are becoming increasingly popular, especially with those attempting to raise natural energy levels. Whether the goal is more energy to slave out longer working hours (which is not recommended), or whether it's to feel better, B12 is a small miracle.

Did you know that B12 helps you deal with stress and feel calm? It also provides additional benefits to hair growth and quality. Some of us are legitimately diagnosed with low levels of vitamin B12, which if low, can wreak havoc on the central nervous system.

Let us take a closer look at vitamin B12, often referred to as the "B Calm" vitamin, where it is sourced, how the body stores and uses it, and more importantly, how to ensure we maintain a healthy level of it that's not too high, and not too low.

B12 is found in whole grains such as fortified cereal - Yes! Go ahead, eat the Shredded Wheat (if you are not allergic to wheat or have a gluten intolerance) B12 is also found in eggs, and meat - so bring on the bacon and eggs (unless you have a cholesterol issue).

When levels of B12 within our human body drop, side effects can include: anxiety, fatigue and general malaise, especially if the individual is already fatigued and or stressed.

B12 is stored in the liver, and is the primary vitamin our body uses during periods of high stress. Therefore, if you do not consume adequate amounts of B12 rich foods, your body is at high risk of draining its natural stores and making stress appear far worse during times of high stress. Alternatively, too much B12 can be cause for concern. If we consume too much vitamin B12 we can experience lethargy, pain, brain fog, upset stomach, and worse, a toxic liver.

B12 shots should ONLY be recommended and administered by a licensed physician after they have read your most recent blood work. Do not self-diagnose yourself regarding any medical condition.

New Alzheimer Study Reveals Potential Good News for Patients

By
Tiar'a Literary & Illustrations
[email protected]

In a recent study a potential revolutionary discovery was made that may have positive effects on those suffering from Alzheimer's disease and MS (multiple sclerosis).

Statistically, 1 in 9 American's over the age of 65 have, or will be diagnosed with a form of cognitive degeneration at some time during their lives. The reason for this, in layman terms, has to do with neurological pathways in the human brain becoming clogged by Amyloid Plaque overtime, thus impairing the electrical currents that run through the brain passing from point A to point B. Therefore, the theory posed is that if we had a way to "unclog" the Amyloid Plaque buildup from the brain's neurological pathways, that cognitive function will improve, and perhaps any form of cognitive degeneration could be reversed entirely.

According to a recent announcement published by [Medical News Today] the above theory has been proven in preliminary studies conducted on mice.

The study, which appears in the medical journal [Cell] suggests that boosting a molecule called, Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (SYK), could be an effective treatment for clearing the brain's neurological pathways (the Amyloid Plaque) which leads to the formation of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.

What is Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (SYK)

SYK is formed from a fusion gene when pieces of chromosomes 9 and 22 break off and trade places. The ABL gene from chromosome 9 joins to the BCR gene on chromosome 22, to form the BCR-ABL fusion gene. Tyrosine kinase activity is crucial for the transformation of BCR-ABL.

Did you know that the human brain has cells within it capable of cleaning itself? Well, if you didn't, you do now.

Microglia are immune cells located within our central nervous system. Although the role of Microglia is not entirely clear (at present), it has been suggested through research that, as well as coordinating the neuro-inflammatory response to tissue damage, Microglia may additionally share a role in maintaining cognitive processes in the human brain.

Past studies into the role of Microglia, and Alzheimer’s disease, have been unable to identify whether the Microglia plays a beneficial, or detrimental role. This is the conundrum that requires continual research. Some, however, have discovered that Microglia acted differently depending on the stage of the Alzheimer’s disease, stating that Microglia could “Either assist with the clearance of age-related Amyloid Plaque accumulation, or Microglia can promote extensive inflammation in reaction to Amyloid or Tau, eventually causing widespread neuro-degeneration.”

Think of the Microglia as the Betta fish that cleans your fish tank. They do a great job, right? Well, what if the Betta fish did a great job cleaning, but then spat everything it just cleaned back out? The fish tank would be no better than it was before the Betta fish cleaned it. Microglia is similar to the Betta fish, except Microglia are unpredictable. Therefore, until we are able to control the Microglia from expelling what it has cleaned, we cannot be certain that its cleaning will have a lasting or positive effect. Now, if we were able to entice the Microglia to remove the Amyloid Plaque - as in the case of Alzeimer's disease - and then remove the Microglia that removed the debris from the neurological pathways that caused the disruption to begin with, these cognitive impairments would be an issue of the past. But we're not there yet.

The new study has found that, when activated, Microglia does clear away the Amyloid Plaques that impede nerve impulses and lead to symptoms such as: memory loss, confusion, language problems, and impulsive behavior.

The study was conducted using mice that had been genetically-engineered to develop Amyloid Plaques.

Using this model of Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers identified the molecule, Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (SYK), that activated the Microglia to remove the Amyloid deposits.
In mice that lacked SYK, Amyloid Plaques built up and the mice experienced memory loss. By activating SYK, the researchers triggered the Microglia to clear the Amyloid Plaques.

Results seen in mice are not always replicated in humans, as Dr. Majewska told [Medical News Today]: “Mouse models, especially for Alzheimer’s disease, cannot be easily extrapolated to humans. The authors do some comparisons to what is found in human [Alzheimer’s disease] brains but this is probably the biggest unknown and the most important future direction [for research].”

The researchers saw similar results in a mouse model of (MS) multiple sclerosis. Human nerve cells are covered by a myelin sheath that speeds up nerve impulses. In MS, the immune system damages the myelin sheath, creating lesions or plaques that build up. The accumulation of damaged myelin slows down the transmission of nerve impulses.

The researchers found that in mice without SYK, damaged myelin built up on nerve cells. They concluded that SYK was “critically involved” in removing myelin debris.

The authors of the study suggest that targeting SYK to stimulate the brain’s immune activity might offer a way to treat not only Alzheimer’s and MS, but also other neurodegenerative diseases.

They stress that further research is needed: “although our early studies suggest the SYK is a major regulator of neuroprotective Microglial responses in models of [Alzheimer’s] and MS, future studies are needed to better characterize both the upstream and downstream players that coordinate the effects of SYK on neurodegenerative disease progression.”

Dr. Griffin agreed: “While these studies add to our understanding of how immune cells in the brain can contribute to neurodegenerative disease, more research is needed before this can be applied in people. For one, SYK is expressed in several different cells in the body so we would have to think about how we specifically target the immune cells in the brain. This research suggests an avenue to boost the beneficial functions of microglia in two different neurodegenerative diseases which could be very impactful. I suspect in the end a complex disease will need a complex treatment, but this could certainly be one of the prongs of the approach if it translated to the human condition".

In summary: We have yet to discover a way to prevent or reverse Alzheimer's or other neurological impairments. However, the above research has revealed to us a link in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. In this case, it may be the human brain’s immune system that could act as the nucleus for potential treatments. Only time and more research will tell.