Can Vitamin D Prevent Seasonal Illness?
During winter, we often worry about catching seasonal illnesses like the flu or COVID-19. Scrolling social media, you will likely have seen articles pop-up making claims that different supplements can boost the immune system. One common claim is that taking vitamin D supplements can help. But what is vitamin D, and can it really prevent […]
How Research Changed Our Approach to Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergy is one of the most common allergies in the United States, affecting 2.5% of children. In 2015, results from a groundbreaking study called the Learning Early About Peanuts (LEAP) study, showed that giving peanuts to infants earlier than previously thought can reduce the development of peanut allergy later in life. Before the results […]
Here’s Why You Should Trust What your Doctor Says About Immunization
Researchers and scientists conduct extensive research and testing on vaccines before recommending them for your child’s immunization schedule. Scientists spend years testing a vaccine in the lab to see if it protects against a disease. If the vaccine shows promising results, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gives approval to test the vaccine in people […]
How Does Your Baby’s Immune System Develop? Dr Aimee Bernard Explains
For 9 months, your baby was safe in the sterile environment of the womb. As the fetus was developing, it was building the cells necessary to later become a fully functioning immune system. However, growing in a sterile environment and protected by the placenta, the fetal immune system was turned off while in the womb. […]
WATCH: Dr Aimee Pugh-Bernard explains why you have an allergic reaction
How do allergies develop? When and if allergies develop is different for each person. Many different factors contribute to whether someone develops an allergy or has allergic reactions, such as their genetics, environment, and exposure to allergens. An allergic response occurs when your immune system makes antibodies to something that is otherwise harmless. Antibodies are […]
WATCH: Dr Aimee Pugh-Bernard explains how your immune system acts like dialing 911
Immunology is the study of your body’s built-in defenses: the immune system. Your immune systems impacts so many different aspects of your health, from fighting off disease and preventing cancer, to sleep, skin health, and more. Understanding the immune system helps to understand how other things in the body work. The immune system is a […]