DCOA New Orleans

01/02/2026

New research shows sugar is a far bigger threat to heart health than cholesterol. Excess sugar drives inflammation, damages blood vessels, raises triglycerides, and triggers insulin resistance all major risk factors for heart disease. Cholesterol isn’t the main villain; our bodies need it. The real danger comes from too much added sugar. Reducing it is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your heart.

01/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D8Upx2RLr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝘁-𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰 𝗔𝘅𝗶𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻

⬛ 𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬

🔹 Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD) widely regarded as its primary driver
🔹 While mechanical stress, age, and genetics are traditional suspects, recent research has unveiled a surprising culprit: the trillions of microorganisms living in your digestive tract
🔹 This connection is now known as the gut-disc axis
🔹 The following post details how the gut microbiome influences spinal health, challenging the long-held belief that intervertebral discs are sterile environments

⬛ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙢 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘 𝙞𝙨 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙚

🧫 Historically, the medical community viewed the intervertebral disc (IVD) as a sterile organ
🧫 Recent studies using advanced sequencing have identified bacteria within these discs
🧫 There is a significant overlap in bacterial species found in the gut and those found in the IVD, suggesting that the two environments "talk" to one another

⬛ 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙖 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨

🟢 Healthy Discs ▪ Tend to contain an abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Saccharopolyspora
▪ These are associated with strong intestinal barriers and antibacterial protection
🔴 Degenerated/Herniated Discs ▪ Show higher levels of pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas veronii, Streptococcus anginosus, and notably Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)
▪ P. acnes is a bacteria strongly associated with bone and joint infections

⬛ 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙪𝙩 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘: 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙨

1. Bacterial Translocation (The "Leaky" Barrier) 🚧 When the gut microbiome is unbalanced, the intestinal epithelial barrier becomes permeable
▪ Invasion:
▫ Bacteria escape the gut, enter the bloodstream, and reach the IVD
▪ The Perfect Hiding Spot:
▫ Because the interior of a disc lacks oxygen (anaerobic) and has limited immune surveillance (it is "immune-privileged"), it becomes an ideal breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria like P. acnes
▪ Destruction:
▫ Once established, these bacteria release toxins and trigger inflammation
▫ This leads to the ingrowth of blood vessels and nerves into the disc, destroying its structure and amplifying pain signals sent to the brain

2. Immune System Regulation 🛡 The gut microbiome acts as a "training ground" for the body's immune system
▪ Systemic Inflammation:
▫ Dysbiosis weakens the gut lining, causing immune cells to release pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6 and TNF-α) into the circulation
▪ Remote Damage:
▫ These inflammatory molecules migrate to the spine
▫ They stimulate disc cells to degrade their own structural matrix (collagen and aggrecan), leading to herniation and degeneration
▪ Pain Sensitization:
▫ The influx of immune cells stimulates the production of nerve growth factor (NGF)
▫ This causes pain-sensing nerve fibers to grow into the disc, causing chronic back pain

3. Metabolite and Nutrient Regulation 🧪

Gut bacteria are responsible for metabolizing food into chemical signals, including Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) like propionate and butyrate
▪ Bone Remodeling:
▫ While SCFAs generally support bone health by regulating osteoclasts, their diffusion into the IVD can have mixed effects
▫ In degenerated discs, the presence of these metabolites and specific receptors may contribute to calcification of the disc and cartilage endplates
▪ Barrier Maintenance:
▫ A healthy mucus layer in the gut, maintained by specific bacteria and mucins (like MUC2), is essential to prevent toxic metabolites from entering the bloodstream and reaching the spine

⬛ 𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙭𝙚𝙨

🔗 Gut-Bone Marrow Axis
▪ Gut dysbiosis can damage the bone marrow niche
▪ Since the spine consists of vertebral bodies containing marrow, inflammation here can lead to aberrant immune cell formation within the spine itself, contributing to systemic inflammation and pain

🔗 Gut-Bone Axis
▪ Hormones secreted by the gut after eating (like GIP and GLP-1) regulate bone remodeling
▪ If the gut environment is compromised, it can lead to decreased bone mineral density in the vertebrae, which correlates with low back pain

⬛ 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩

🧬 Diagnostics
▪ Physicians may eventually use stool or blood samples to analyze microbiome diversity using 16S rRNA sequencing
▪ This may help detect biomarkers for disc degeneration

💊 Therapeutics

▪ Treatments could shift from purely mechanical interventions (like surgery) to biological ones
▪ Targeting the gut microbiome may inhibit the cascade of inflammation that destroys the disc

-----------------
⚠️Disclaimer: Sharing a study or a part of it is NOT an endorsement. Please read the original article and evaluate critically.⚠️

Link to Article 👇

12/31/2025

Recent studies, particularly in long-lived populations, suggest a “cholesterol paradox” where moderately higher LDL (“bad”) cholesterol might be linked to greater longevity, challenging the idea that low cholesterol always means longer life, especially for older adults, though this doesn’t negate risks in younger people or for those with very high levels or underlying metabolic issues like diabetes. Researchers found long-livers often have larger LDL particles, and some data indicates higher cholesterol doesn’t increase mortality risk in those over 60, suggesting LDL might play protective roles in aging, but context (like insulin sensitivity) is key.

🗂️Key Findings from Recent Research:

📑The “Cholesterol Paradox”: In elderly populations (like Sardinia’s “Blue Zone”), individuals with moderate hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dL) sometimes lived longer than those with lower LDL.

📑Large Particles, Long Life: Centenarians often have larger, less dense cholesterol particles, which seem to be associated with longevity, unlike the small, dense particles linked to heart issues.

📑Not a Universal Rule: The inverse link between high LDL and mortality is observed in the elderly (over 60) but not necessarily in younger adults, where high cholesterol still poses risks.

📑Metabolic Health Matters: Insulin sensitivity (often linked to HDL levels) provides crucial context; high LDL might be less risky if you’re metabolically healthy (good HDL, no diabetes).

📑LDL’s Role in Immunity: Some theories suggest LDL contributes to immune function, helping eliminate pathogens, which becomes more important as we age.

While high cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease in younger and middle-aged people, research suggests a more complex picture for the very old, where moderate hypercholesterolemia might be a sign of resilience, not a death sentence, challenging current guidelines for aggressive LDL reduction in the elderly.

PMID: 40077635

12/30/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16sDWTitme/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🚧💉💉 The Hidden Dangers of Steroid Shots”
By Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD - Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

🚫 Steroid Shots: The Quick Fix With Long-Term Damage

👉 What Steroid Shots Really Do
❌ Mask pain temporarily
❌ Kill cartilage cells
❌ Accelerate joint degeneration
❌ Damage the joint foundation
❌ Increase fracture risk
❌ Increase risk of tear or rupture

“You are born with a set number of cartilage cells for life. Once they die, they’re gone forever.”

👉 Why You Feel Worse Later
Steroid shots don’t heal the problem—
they silence the symptoms, while the joint continues to deteriorate underneath.
After the shot wears off → Pain returns worse than before.

👉 Who Is at Highest Risk?
👤 Young active adults
🏃‍♂️ Athletes masking symptoms to keep playing
🧍 Anyone relying on repeated injections
“You’re essentially destroying the joint of a 20–40-year-old and setting them up for lifelong problems.”

👉 The Long-Term Consequences
⚠️ Cartilage death
⚠️ Early arthritis
⚠️ Structural collapse of the joint
⚠️ Need for early joint replacement
⚠️ Lifelong mobility limitations

👉 The Bottom Line
Steroids create a destructive cascade that can permanently damage your joints.

Pain must be treated at the source, not masked. Its important people make informed decisions for healthier , longer lasting joints.

12/27/2025

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas!🎄🎅🤶

12/24/2025

Doctors relied on cholesterol levels to assess heart disease risk for decades. In 2025, accumulated research led to more screening for C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, as a better predictor of heart attacks and strokes, a professor of family and community medicine explains:
https://theconversation.com/how-c-reactive-protein-outpaced-bad-cholesterol-as-leading-heart-disease-risk-marker-271143

12/12/2025

🧠 Neurons and the Essential Role of the Myelin Sheath

Neurons are the fundamental communication cells of the nervous system. Their job is simple in principle but incredibly complex in ex*****on: send electrical and chemical signals throughout the body so we can move, feel, think, and react.

To accomplish this, many neurons are wrapped in a protective, insulating covering known as the myelin sheath.

⚡ What Is Myelin? Why Is It So Important?
Myelin is a fatty, multilayered coating produced by:
- Oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system
- Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system

Myelin increases the speed of electrical signals-sometimes up to 100 times faster by allowing impulses to “jump” between gaps known as nodes of Ranvier.

Without healthy myelin:
Nerve signals slow down
Communication becomes inefficient
Symptoms such as tingling, weakness, numbness, cognitive issues, or pain can arise.

This is why conditions that damage myelin, like multiple sclerosis or peripheral neuropathies, can have such dramatic effects.

🧬 Myelin Is Made Mostly of Fat-Especially Cholesterol

One of the most important components of myelin is cholesterol. In fact:
Cholesterol makes up a significant portion of the myelin sheath.
The brain contains about 20–25% of the body’s total cholesterol, despite being only ~2% of body weight.

Cholesterol stabilizes myelin’s structure and allows neurons to function properly
This means cholesterol is not a “bad” substance-it’s a required building block for healthy brain and nerve function.

12/04/2025

Depression may slow post-surgery healing and increase complications. Supporting mental health before and after surgery can make recovery smoother.

12/02/2025

11/26/2025

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UkT4v7/

11/12/2025

👀 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬?

👉 The lumbar intervertebral foramen is formed by the vertebral body, pedicles, intervertebral disc, superior and inferior articular processes, ligamentum flavum, and the zygapophyseal (facet) joint.

👉 𝑨 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒈𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒆? subcompartments and stabilized by transforaminal ligaments, through which the nerve root, dorsal root ganglion (DRG), radicular artery and veins, and lymphatics pass. Nerve roots and the DRG exit the dural sac and course through the lateral recess to the superior and anterior region of the foramen.

🔎 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 & 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

1. 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍:
• From L1 to L4, foraminal size gradually increases.
• At L5–S1, the foramen is significantly smaller—even though paradoxically, the L5 nerve root is the largest among all lumbar nerves → higher compression risk at this level.

2. 𝑵𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔:
• The L5 nerve root occupies 25–30% of the foramen’s volume, while others range from 7–22% → L5 is the most vulnerable to impingement.

3. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒅, 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍.
𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅:
• It’s a dynamic space, oval or teardrop-shaped, segmented into compartments stabilized by ligaments.
• Nerve roots and the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are not “fixed”; they can glide and “floss” within the space, adapting to postural changes and loading.
• Not all levels or sides of the spine have consistent transforaminal ligament presence.

📚 Nurmukhametov R. et al., Brain Sci. 2024

Disclaimer:
👉 Sharing a study is NOT an endorsement.
👉 You should read the original research yourself and be critical.