If you are a medical student or IMG, learn more from Dr. Hans Wolf about why “Red Dye No. 3 Banned After 45 Years” is linked to your medical studies. Although discovered in 1876 and initially used to dye cloth made from wool or silk, Red Dye No. 3 (erythrosine) was legalized for use as …
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Sugar Pathways Linked to Cancer
Recent research studies have focused on understanding how sugar pathways linked to cancer risks are more direct than was thought. According to Harvard Health, this important macronutrient supplies two subtypes (natural or added) as a source of energy in the form of calories from what we eat and drink. As they pertain to health, it …
Immune System Elimination of Melanoma
The relationships are complex for the immune system elimination of cancer tumors. When tumors are diagnosed as malignant in an early stage, the body’s immune system is often able to recognize the cancer, target the tumor, and eliminate cancerous cells. In fact, modern immunotherapy protocols can use checkpoint inhibitors to harness this newfound ability. But, …
What Causes Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency is primarily caused by malfunctioning vein valves that can cause swelling or edema in the legs. This unwanted buildup of pressure can be related to prolonged periods of sitting or standing, development of varicose veins, or more serious factors like deep vein thrombosis, a type of blood clot. Incompetent or damaged vein …
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COMLEX USMLE TEST PREP: Should You Take Both?
Many competitive residency programs, especially those in highly-rewarding career fields, may prefer or even require to see USMLE scores in addition to those for an osteopathic applicant’s COMLEX-USA. This means COMLEX USMLE test prep has become more common. In fact, taking both medical board exams generally optimizes the student’s options for residency selection to competitive …
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Why a Body Is Sensitive to Drugs
More people than you might think are highly sensitive to certain ingredients commonly found in commercially mass-produced medications. In fact, recent studies suggest that a significant percentage of the general population experience drug-related hypersensitivity with some reactions being more commonly seen by healthcare professionals than others. “Drug hypersensitivity introduces medical students to one of the …
How to Avoid USMLE Step 1 “Mind Blank”
Experiencing USMLE Step 1 “mind blank” during this important exam may stem from obvious psychological factors like anxiety or pressure. After all, high levels of mental, emotional or physical stress can trigger the body’s “fight-or-flight” response that purposefully diverts resources away from other cognitive functions. This natural alerting mechanism can lead to a blanking of …
USMLE Prep Courses for Med Students
Medical licensure in the United States grants physicians the authority to legally practice medicine and is issued by a state medical board. This rigorous process ensures that a doctor possesses the necessary education, training, and skills to deliver safe and effective patient care. In fact, a medical license is the formal documentation that allows an …
Metformin, Berberine, or Both?
Due to numerous factors, humans today may have lost certain metabolic efficiencies that safeguarded early existence. Depending upon a hunter-gatherer’s foraging success, daily survival for homo sapiens was most often shaped by the biodiversity of available food sources, foraging behaviors that provided an abundance of daily exercise, and distinct periods of intermittent fasting. This was …
Med Student Winter Holidays…“FA-LA-LA”
Medical students often find themselves navigating the end-of-year holidays with a mix of anticipation and obligation. While most medical schools close for major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, students, especially in their third-year (M3) and fourth-year (M4), may still find themselves in hospitals or clinics as part of their clerkships. “Medical students frequently study and …
