Why aren't we educated about our health?

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

You can cite... me.

So, just unsupported personal opinion... but at least you were honest enough to admit it.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

So, just unsupported personal opinion... but at least you were honest enough to admit it.

Most of what I opine about is supported. You just have to know where to look.

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

Most of what I opine about is supported. You just have to know where to look.

The 'burden of proof' is on the claimant. In the Physical & Life Sciences forums, you're expected to support the claims you make.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The 'burden of proof' is on the claimant. In the Physical & Life Sciences forums, you're expected to support the claims you make.

Regarding the general health of Americans just google,

"Why are Americans so unhealthy."

"How to improve your health."

"How to improve your immune system."

"We don't get enough sleep."

"Dental health in America."

"Mental health in America."

"Infant mortality in America."

"Suicide in America."

"America's drug and alcohol problem."

Lots of info from credible sources.

 

[GospelS]

Ok, here are some health tips:

Supercharge Your Immune System And Fight Off Illness

 

[Kylie]

Why, if the evolution of the immune system is completed.

Why do you think evolution is working towards some predetermined end goal? It is not.

Best to just tell them how to improve it's function.

Having an immune system that performs TOO well can cause problems.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Why do you think evolution is working towards some predetermined end goal? It is not.

Since it seems to have stopped I assume it's reached it's goal.

Having an immune system that performs TOO well can cause problems.

Actually if it's causing problems something is malfunctioning.

 

[Kylie]

Since it seems to have stopped I assume it's reached it's goal.

How have you determined evolution has stopped?

Actually if it's causing problems something is malfunctioning.

And that malfunction could be that it is too active.

So tell me, what exactly did you mean by improving the function of the immune system?

 

[pitabread]

Since it seems to have stopped I assume it's reached it's goal.

Evolution hasn't stopped. Change in populations over time is always ongoing.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

How have you determined evolution has stopped?

If it hasn't wouldn't we know about it?

So tell me, what exactly did you mean by improving the function of the immune system?

Improving general health will improve the function (ing) of all systems.

 

[Kylie]

If it hasn't wouldn't we know about it?

Why do you think that?

Improving general health will improve the function (ing) of all systems.

Please answer the question I asked.

What changes would you expect to see in the immune system if you improved its function?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Please answer the question I asked.

What changes would you expect to see in the immune system if you improved its function?

I don't know if you can actually 'see' the immune system without a scanning electron microscope. You can however determine if it's healthy.

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

If it hasn't wouldn't we know about it?

We do know - human evolution continues apace.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

We do know - human evolution continues apace.

Can I get an update on the changes.

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

Can I get an update on the changes.

Sure, Google can help, for example: Human evolution is still happening:

"Our DNA shows evidence for recent selection for resistance of killer diseases like Lassa fever and malaria. Selection in response to malaria is still ongoing in regions where the disease remains common.

Humans are also adapting to their environment. Mutations allowing humans to live at high altitudes have become more common in populations in Tibet, Ethiopia, and the Andes. The spread of genetic mutations in Tibet is possibly the fastest evolutionary change in humans, occurring over the last 3,000 years. This rapid surge in frequency of a mutated gene that increases blood oxygen content gives locals a survival advantage in higher altitudes, resulting in more surviving children.

Diet is another source for adaptations. Evidence from Inuit DNA shows a recent adaptation that allows them to thrive on their fat-rich diet of Arctic mammals. Studies also show that natural selection favouring a mutation allowing adults to produce lactase – the enzyme that breaks down milk sugars – is why some groups of people can digest milk after weaning. Over 80% of north-west Europeans can, but in parts of East Asia, where milk is much less commonly drunk, an inability to digest lactose is the norm. Like high altitude adaptation, selection to digest milk has evolved more than once in humans and may be the strongest kind of recent selection.

We may well be adapting to unhealthy diets too. One study of family genetic changes in the US during the 20th century found selection for reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which can be lethally raised by modern diets." phys.org/news​

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Sure, Google can help, for example: Human evolution is still happening:

"Our DNA shows evidence for recent selection for resistance of killer diseases like Lassa fever and malaria. Selection in response to malaria is still ongoing in regions where the disease remains common.

Humans are also adapting to their environment. Mutations allowing humans to live at high altitudes have become more common in populations in Tibet, Ethiopia, and the Andes. The spread of genetic mutations in Tibet is possibly the fastest evolutionary change in humans, occurring over the last 3,000 years. This rapid surge in frequency of a mutated gene that increases blood oxygen content gives locals a survival advantage in higher altitudes, resulting in more surviving children.

Diet is another source for adaptations. Evidence from Inuit DNA shows a recent adaptation that allows them to thrive on their fat-rich diet of Arctic mammals. Studies also show that natural selection favouring a mutation allowing adults to produce lactase – the enzyme that breaks down milk sugars – is why some groups of people can digest milk after weaning. Over 80% of north-west Europeans can, but in parts of East Asia, where milk is much less commonly drunk, an inability to digest lactose is the norm. Like high altitude adaptation, selection to digest milk has evolved more than once in humans and may be the strongest kind of recent selection.

We may well be adapting to unhealthy diets too. One study of family genetic changes in the US during the 20th century found selection for reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which can be lethally raised by modern diets." phys.org/news​

Are adaptation, and mutation, now considered evolution.

 

[Kylie]

I don't know if you can actually 'see' the immune system without a scanning electron microscope. You can however determine if it's healthy.

Would you just answer the question? What changes in the immune system can we expect to find if we improve it.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Would you just answer the question? What changes in the immune system can we expect to find if we improve it.

The only changes I can think of are the number and variety of microbes. Otherwise the basic function doesn't change, it just becomes more efficient and thus more effective.

 

[Kylie]

The only changes I can think of are the number and variety of microbes. Otherwise the basic function doesn't change, it just becomes more efficient and thus more effective.

The number and viarities of microbes that... what? Do they comprise the immune system? Are they detected by the immune system?

And what does it mean for the immune system to be more efficient? Does that mean it produces more antibodies? Better antibodies? It reacts more quickly?

Why are you so vague?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The number and viarities of microbes that... what? Do they comprise the immune system? Are they detected by the immune system?

And what does it mean for the immune system to be more efficient? Does that mean it produces more antibodies? Better antibodies? It reacts more quickly?

Why are you so vague?

Google "the immune system". Lots of info.