In an interview with NBCs Today show Thursday, Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared to argue that Americans should be willing to follow existing locking and social distancing trends before the COVID-19 vaccine is safe.

In comparison, the good doctor characterized the ongoing deterioration of the American economy as clearly inconvenient. I know its tough, but were going to have a lot of suffering a lot of death. This is uncomfortable from an economic and a personal point of view, but we just have to do it, said Fauci to NBCs Savannah Guthrie.

The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases added that he claims that the Americans who remain at home are our biggest tool against this epidemic right now. We dont have a vaccine that can be delivered. This is difficult from an economic and a personal point of view, but we just have to do it. (National Stay-at-Home Order) is our biggest tool against this virus right now. We dont have a vaccine that can be delivered. This is the only thing weve got .- Dr. Anthony Fauci pic.twitter.com/EdUv1ucqLnTODAY (@TODAYshow) April 2, 2020 The problem with Faucis argument is that the vaccination seems to be at least a year away and with People questioning where their health may come from in the months ahead, that is much more than inconvenient. ABC News confirmed that the vaccination might not be effective until some time in 2022, for another vaccine.

Its an unnecessary amount of time to expect people to risk their jobs, their homes, their businesses and even their lives in some situations.

Do you think the White House will try to come up with a way to bring America back to work?

By what point is the new coronavirus cure of lock-up of whole populations going to affect the nation rather than the disease itself?

Are Americans going to be forced to hide from the sun forever like all theyve worked hard to get out of the window?

President Donald Trump said it was possible on March 23, when he assured reporters that there was a way to protect both life and the economy.

The solution can not be worse than the problem, he said, according to the White House transcript of his remarks.

We need to open up our society because it creates issues that, in my view, may be much more serious, Trump said.

Although the President has refused to heed the recommendations of the countrys leading health professionals as a natural leader, he is well aware of the implications of a continued economic shutdown.

At the end of March, more than 10 million people have now applied for unemployment insurance. Such figures are not supposed to fall, although some analysts forecast that the nation may lose tens of millions more jobs, Politico said.

While most Americans are trying their best to stay home and restrict their contacts with others if not totally removed from the outside world how long can this activity be practical?

Not to disprove Dr. Faucis experience on infectious diseases, but his proposed approach to the epidemic appears to be to plunge the United States into economic ruin on a par with the Great Depression.

In some way, it was encouraging to see Americans change their routines if not their whole lifestyle to pursue recommendations from health professionals on how to save as many lives as possible.

But the actual figures come in show the economic harm done by national shutdowns, and it goes way past inconvenient. At some stage, we have to wonder where the line is, and how many peoples lives will be lost until our solution ends up being worse than the epidemic.

Trump has been exasperated in the media for claiming that economic hardship would lead to high death rates from other problems, such as suicide.

People are going to have massive anxiety and stress, and youre going to get deaths over stuff like this because you have poor economies. Youve got death. Possibly and I say, definitely would be in a far bigger amount than the figures were talking about with respect to the virus, Trump said.

The Associated Press reality check quickly criticized the Presidents comments, saying, There is no indication that suicides would increase significantly if national social-distance rules have closed several businesses and are supposed to cause a spike in unemployment remains in place. But the AP is mistaken, according to several reports connecting unemployment levels to suicide.

The US suicide rate rose significantly in the first year of the Great Depression.

In addition, researchers at Oxford University found more than 10,000 personal suicides correlated with the Great Recession in the United States, Canada and Europe between 2008 and 2010, Forbes wrote.

Only the far-left Washington Post claimed in 2015 that suicide rates are rising and dropping with the economy. While the country is actually planning to commit economic suicide under intense social distancing rules, there are also mental health and drug abuse problems to address.

CNN estimated that 17 percent of unemployed Americans self-reported being addicted to illegal drugs and alcohol in 2015.

Like so many other Americans, Ive been working to be a decent person. A week before my state closed schools, I kept my children home. I stay home with them, and Ive grown very acquainted with the squirrels that live outside my house.

My only question: for how long is this sustainable? What about the people who count on their jobs and go to work to make the ends meet?

Like other Americans, the coronavirus potential fills me with confusion. It hurts my heart to see more of our beloved people succumb every day to this alien virus. But Americans are not, nor have we ever been, citizens motivated by terror.

A man in Los Angeles was arrested this week for paddleboarding on his own according to the Los Angeles Times.

A pastor in Florida was arrested on Monday for keeping church services after going the extra mile to keep his congregation safe.

Its the United States of America. We have always been able to compromise, if necessary. Yet, our patience with scientific professionals and their ever-changing data structures can not be forever.

We have to consider if we are ready to become a citizens who cause our civil liberties to be violated forever.

The solution to our dilemma should not have to be linear, however difficult it might be for Dr. Fauci.

We should give our politicians in Washington the benefit of the doubt by pursuing these prolonged lock-down steps into April, but at some stage we need to find the middle ground, and wed better find it soon.

At some point, our economies will come back to boom before we all risk being the victims of another major crisis.

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Editor's Note: This story is part of a new series on HealthCentral called "Get Your Ph.D.!", which is geared toward people who've got the basics of their condition down and want to up their expertise. Who's ready to go pro?!

Scientists have long known that obesity and psoriasis go hand-in-hand. Like chips and salsa or gin and tonic, if you have one disease, youre likely to have the other. The reason is that a high BMI can lead to inflammation in the body, which increases the risk for developing the challenging skin condition known as psoriasisor worsening existing symptoms if you already have it. Now, a new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology suggests there may be another mechanism at work: Fat cells themselves may not be the culprits, say researchers, but rather specific types of foods are to blame.

In the study, conducted at the University of California, two groups of mice were fed different diets. Once group got a typical mouse meal; the other one was given a characteristic Western diet (basically, the mouse equivalent of a moderate-to-high fat, processed-sugar diet that mimicked what humans would eat on the same meal plan). The mice kept it up for four weeks, after which scientists took stock of their skin, and found that the creatures whod been chowing on the rodent version of burgers, fries, and shakes showed visible inflammatory changes including redness, scales, and thickened skinthe same hallmark symptoms consistent with human psoriasiseven if the mice hadnt appreciably gained weight.

This is important because many people think that its obesity alone that leads to the increased risk for psoriasis, says senior study author Sam T. Hwang, M.D., Ph.D., department chair and professor of dermatology at the University of California Davis School of Medicine. What this shows is that dietary changes can have a radical impact on the skinso its not just weight that makes a difference for developing psoriasis, but the types of foods you eat.

These so-called Western foods are typically high in saturated fat (butter, red meat, cheese and other dairy products made from whole milk, for example), plant-based oils (such as palm oil, coconut oil, and canola oil) and processed ingredients, like those in many baked goods. The foods also contain high levels of simple sugars, found in fruit juices, soda, candy, and even some whole fruits like apples, bananas, and watermelon.

So, what is it about these foods, common in American diets, that causes inflammation in the first place? Researchers believe they alter the composition of the microbiome, those billions of bacteria living in your gut that help maintain general health and the health of your immune system. Changing the balance of these bacteria through diet may ultimately lead to an inflammatory response related to psoriasis.

To break it down even further (we know, its complicated), high-fat foods cause bile acids from your gall bladder and liver to go into the gut to help with digestion, says Ronald Prussick, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at George Washington University and medical director of the Washington Dermatology Center. These acids then cause bad bacteria to form, leading to inflammation inside the body.

What this all means: The study proposes that what you eat can alter the gut microbiome, causing changes in bile acid levels, which can affect inflammation.

This theory was tested in the study when the researchers administered cholestyramine, a drug used to lower cholesterol (high levels of which are found in fast foods and other western fare), to the mice and found that it helped reduce the risk of skin inflammation. Cholestyramine was shown to bind to bile acids in the intestine and release through the stool, allowing for inflammation to be lowered in the mice, Dr. Hwang says.

Doctors have long maintained that there is no single food that can treat or cure psoriasis, and thats still true. But if you have the skin condition or are at risk for the disease (which is frequently genetically determined), limiting or eliminating foods high in saturated fats and simple sugars can lessen the chances for inflammationand therefore possibly psoriasis, Dr. Hwang says.

What to eat instead? A Mediterranean-type diet, characteristically rich in healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids, is known to help fight inflammation. It includes foods such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, fish like salmon and lake trout, and some meat or dairy from grass-fed animals, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits low on the glycemic index, like berries. Switching to a healthier diet can increase the chances of treating psoriasis more effectively, says Dr. Prussick.

Additionally, Dr. Prussick suggests cooking on lower heat by stewing, poaching, boiling, and steaming foods rather than grilling, frying, or toasting them. Heat causes sugars in foods to bind to proteins, known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which causes more inflammation, he says. He also recommends cooking with acids such as vinegar or lemon juice, which can reduce AGEs by 50%.

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Psoriasis and Diet: What's the Link? - HealthCentral.com

Should you change your diet because Liam Hemsworth had a kidney stone?

About 1 in 10 people develop kidney stones, but when the one is Liam Hemsworth of Hunger Games fame, it gets attention. And when Hemsworth announced that he was rethinking his vegan diet after 4 years because of the condition, it created a lot of headlines and buzz. What do we know about his diet, kidney stones, and a plan you can follow to minimize your risk of painful kidney stones?

In an interview in Mens Health, Hemsworth reported that he required surgery earlier this year for a kidney stone composed of calcium oxalate, the most common form of stone. He indicated that his stone was from having too much oxalate in his diet. Oxalates are really high in a lot of vegetables including specifically spinach, almonds, beets, and potatoes. Every morning, I was having five handfuls of spinach and then almond milk, almond butter, and also some vegan protein in a smoothie, he said.

There is ample medical evidence to assure you, and Liam, that maintaining a vegan diet with a few modifications is actually the best plan to avoid a first, or recurrent, kidney stone of any kind.

In studies done over 20 years ago examining the rise in kidney stones requiring therapy, increasing animal protein consumption from meat, fish, and poultry coupled with a decrease in fiber intake, the hallmarks of the Western diet, were to blame. A more recent study looked at the risk of kidney stones with various kinds of animal protein. Beef, fish, and chicken were all judged to raise the risk of forming stones, and limiting these foods was advised. Finally, a study from Europen that included 50,000 subjects found that vegetarians had a lower risk of kidney stones than meat-eaters.

Other factors beyond animal protein intake have been studied and have focused on excess sodium intake and inadequate hydration as major factors in kidney stone formation. In a review of diet and stone formations, the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) program was recommended as it is low in salt, low in meats of all kinds, and high in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In a randomized diet study of 120 men with the same kind of stone that Liam had, calcium oxalate, a diet low in sodium and meat was judged to provide the most protection against recurrent stones. In a study from Harvard Medical School of nearly 200,000 subjects, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with adequate hydration could lower the risk of kidney stones by 50 percent.

What about the oxalates that Hemsworth indicated where high in plant foods? In a recent review article on the risk of kidney stones and diet as found in vegetarians and vegans, the researchers warned against high intake of animal protein and recommended balanced vegetarian diets.

In terms of oxalates, studies at Harvard Medical School have downplayed the importance of dietary oxalates in kidney stone formation. Increased dietary spinach in these studies raised the risk of kidney stones in some groups by a small amount. In fact, there are only three greens that concentrate oxalates and they are spinach, beet greens, and Swiss chard. They can have over 100 times the oxalate concentration of kale, for example. There is great variability between persons in the efficiency of GI absorption of dietary oxalates. Stone formers may absorb more dietary oxalates and that may a much more important factor in stone formation than the diet choices he was making.

What is the dietary advice I wish Hemsworth knew in order to avoid further kidney stones? They would be to:

Overall, the headlines, and any recurrent kidney stones, could have been avoided if Hemsworth would simply have switched to 5 handfuls of kale, arugula, or romaine in his smoothie in place of spinach.

Dr. Joel Kahn is Professor of Cardiology, Summa cum Laude grad, Kahn Center for Longevity and GreenSpace & Go, author, The Plant Based Solution.www.drjoelkahn.com@drjkahn.

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Vegan Diet and Kidney Stones: What You Need to Know

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Does a vegan diet increase or reduce the risk of developing kidney stones? Here's everything you need to know about this condition.

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Dr. Joel Kahn

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Vegan Diet and Kidney Stones: What You Need to Know - LIVEKINDLY

Few things can make me feellikeI am the epitome of health instantaneously, but kombucha tastesas ifit's aligning my chakras, clearing my skin and ridding my body of disease with every sip. If you're afan of the fermented tea like Iam, and drink it daily, you know there's one brand on store shelves that you reach for first-- GT'sLiving Foods' Enlightened Kombucha.I'm not alone inmypreference either,as thecompany controlsnearly 40 percent of the kombucha market in the U.S.

I can't make a trip to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or my local Shoprite without picking up a Guava Goddess, Tantric Turmeric or Gingeradeflavorof their fizzyfermented drink. And, for as excited as I get about the company'sstaple offerings, when they release a seasonal flavor I nearly lose my mind in the supermarket aisle (which anyone shopping with me can attest to) and buy two, three, or four bottles, because who knows how long it'll be around?

With this aforementioned kombucha obsession, you can imagine my excitementwhen I got tocatch up withGT Dave, founder and CEO of GT'sLiving Foods, which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, andtalk tohim abouthis plant-based diet, what he eats in a day, andthe productswe can expect nextfrom GT's Living Foods:

Q: Youre largely credited for bringing Kombucha into Western consciousnesshow did you come to learn about the Eastern traditions of Kombucha, far before the masses in the United States were singing its praises?

A: In the early '90s, my parents brought Kombucha into the household when I was 15 years old. I was initially turned off by Kombucha due to its unusual taste and smell, but I quickly changed my mind when I witnessed how much my parents loved it and how eventually it helped my mom during her battle with breast cancer.

Q: At an early age, your family took trips to India to visit a holy man, Sai Baba. Has sharing kombucha with others helped you connect with your spirituality?

Yes, it absolutely has! I was raised with the simple philosophy of "making the world a better place." Providing something as special as Kombucha with the people has been very spiritually fulfilling.

Q: Why is kombucha, said to be an Immortality Tonic in Ancient China, a good choice to help your body protect against disease and strengthen your immune system, given the current health pandemic?

Kombucha contains a variety of probiotics that are naturally created during its fermentation. These beneficial microorganisms help replenish and restore the gut flora (aka microbiome) in our digestive system. Studies have shown that our gut health has a direct link to our immune system and our body's overall performance (i.e. mood, energy, and appetite). Therefore, with a healthier gut, your body is stronger and more resilient. In the midst of COVID-19, incorporating gut healthy and functional living foods into ones diet, like Kombucha, becomes critical when trying to increase your resistance to viral activity.

Q: Every time I go to the grocery store, it seems like theres a new brand of Kombucha cropping up on the shelves what do you believe sets GTs apart that has made it the most trusted brand in the space?

What separates us from other brands is that, much like farmers, we "grow" our products rather than "manufacture" them. We stay true to the traditional recipe of raw Kombucha allowing nature to run its course. From day one, we have always chosen to make our Kombucha in small batches (less than 5 gallons) and fully ferment them for 30 days (the longest in the industry). Once the fermentation is complete, we take the batches and bottle them immediately. With the exception of adding some fresh ingredients post-fermentation, we do not process our Kombucha in any way. We promise to offer our Kombucha unpasteurized, unfiltered and in its most raw form, without any additives or fermentation "short-cuts" just like nature intended.

Q: You started making Kombucha in your parents kitchen Do you ever brew small batches at your house or do you always reach for a bottle?

I always reach for a bottle! I can't compete with the quality we achieve at the company.

Q: Youve said that youre vegetarian what do you feel that a vegetarian diet in tandem with your kombucha consumption has done for your health?

My general outlook for my diet is food as fuel. By pairing a plant-based diet with Kombucha and a lifestyle that prioritizes well-being (i.e. meditation, working out, 8 hours of sleep), I feel my best. Kombucha restores balance to the body, which replenishes the gut and cleanses the body of toxins. Once balance is restored to the body it performs better and has improved natural defenses. This is why many people who consume Kombucha, including myself, regularly report improvement with their skin, energy, weight loss and overall well-being.

Q: Here at The Beet, we want to share the benets of plant-based living because we believe that plant-based diets can have transformative effects on peoples health. It seems like GTs Living Foods also approaches food and drink as medicine what does your daily diet consist of, besides Kombucha?

My day starts with two plant-based smoothies; one before the gym and one after. Both smoothies are made with fresh-pressed juice, chia seeds, plant protein and other nutritious ingredients. For lunch I have oatmeal with dried fruit and dinner I usually have a salad that consists of some kind of dark green leaves like kale, fresh veggies such as bell peppers, baked yams, fresh avocado, almonds and lentils or a black bean patty. I also make sure to drink two gallons of spring water each day.

Q: Ive heard in past videos and interviews you say that you drink roughly 8-12 bottles of Kombucha daily after sampling new batches. What amount would you recommend customers drink per day in order to reap the health benets?

I am proof that you can drink A LOT of Kombucha but drinking as much as I do is not required to enjoy Kombucha's health benefits. Generally speaking, a 16oz bottle per day is sufficient and it can be consumed all at once or spread throughout the day.

Q: Youve expanded GTs Living Foods to Aqua Ker, Probiotic Shots, Adaptogenic Tea and even Coconut Yogurt Does GTs Living Foods have any future plans to expand further into other foods?

We definitely do! We believe living foods heal the body and we want our fans to have options for every occasion. Weve just introduced "Hard Kombucha" which is a raw Kombucha paired with fresh ingredients that create a clean alternative to the refined, pasteurized and sugary alcoholic beverages. Next year well be offering even more innovation including a line of plant-based protein drinks.

Q: What daily habits or practices do you recommend others to incorporate into their routine for being more connected with their surroundings and Mother Nature in general?

I believe real connection starts with taking time for yourself to reset and re-ground your mind and body. Mediation is an essential part of this practice as it quiets the mind and clears your thoughts.

For connecting with Nature, I like to frequently immerse myself in the outdoors whether that's a hike at Runyon Canyon here in LA or the deep jungle in Kauai where there are waterfalls and fertility all around me. I make a conscious effort to tune into the vibration of our beautiful Planet and listen to her words of wisdom.

Q: Do you have a mantra that youre guided by?

"There's no time like now."

For me, this means seizing each day and living it to the fullest.

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GT Dave on His Plant-Based Diet and Connecting with Nature - The Beet