High salt diet hobbles the brain

A new study has shown that mice fed with a very high-salt diet experienced declined blood flow to their brain, the integrity of blood vessels in the brain suffered, and performance on tests of cognitive function plummeted.

Researchers found that those effects were not as long has been widely believed, a natural consequence of high blood pressure. Instead, they appeared to be the result of signals sent from the gut to the brain by the immune system.

The study, conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. The research sheds light on a subject of keen interest to scientists exploring the links between what we eat and how well we think, and the mediating role that the immune system plays in that communication.

This suggests that even before a chronic high-salt diet nudges blood pressure up and compromises the health of tiny blood vessels in the brain, the oversalted gut is independently sending messages that lay the groundwork for corrosion throughout the vital network.

In the small intestines of mice, the authors of the new research found that a very high-salt diet prompted an immune response that boosted circulating levels of an inflammatory substance called interleukin-17. These high levels of IL-17 set off a cascade of chemical responses inside the delicate inner linings of the brain's blood vessels.

The result in mice fed with the high-salt diet: blood supply to two regions crucial for learning and memory-the cortex and hippocampus slowed markedly. And mental performance slid. Compared to mice fed a diet lower in salt, the maze-running skills of the mice who consumed high-salt levels faltered, and they failed to respond normally to whisker stimulation, or a new object in their cage.

In mice, that evidence of cognitive impairment was apparent even in the absence of high blood pressure. The immune system's role in sending signals between brain and gut is also seen in diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease-all disorders that are linked to poor functioning of the brain's blood vessels.
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New therapy relieves chronic itch

Immune signaling molecules are essential for activating neurons in the skin to cause chronic itching. Chronic itch can be caused by inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also associated with kidney failure, liver disease some cancers and nerve disorders.

Researchers showed that sensory neurons in mice and people are activated by the immune signaling molecule called interleukin-4 (IL-4)

Immune molecule stimulates nerve cells to cause itching, IL-4 signaling can jump-start chronic itching in the setting of inflammation but also independently of pathways directly linked to inflammation.

Chronic idiopathic pruritus, is not associated with inflammation, that is why anti-inflammatory treatments, such as steroid creams are ineffective.
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How to remove impact of stress on your skin

 Stress can cause dry, flaky and acne on skin surface by releasing damaging free radicals and hormone like cortisol that speed up aging skin, eczema and psoriasis

Frowning and clenching of jaw when we are stressed increase wrinkles and cause premature ageing of the skin.

Prolonged stress can slow down the production of collagen and elastin, leading to sagging.

 Facial massage is one of the ways of managing skin stress, it helps in blood circulation and prevents toxins from the complexion.

Smiling or laughing can reduce effects of stress on your skin. Taking warm bath before bed can also revive your skin.

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