Newsletter #27: Flu, Chocolate, Gray Hair, and more...
- Admin
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Jan 2026
Is it really a 'Super Flu'? Nope.
Many are wondering: Is the current flu season worse than normal? Reports indicate that flu activity has been high, with millions of cases nationally and hospitalizations peaking in early 2026. CDC data shows at least 15 million illnesses and over 180,000 hospitalizations across the U.S., with Northern Michigan and other regions seeing activity above typical baselines. Some media outlets have dubbed this year’s virus the “superflu.” This is not a scientific term and may be misleading. While flu cases are peaking earlier than usual, there is no evidence suggesting this year’s flu season is more severe than previous years. The World Health Organization reported that this strain is not causing more severe disease than previous strains.
Vaccination, especially in high-risk groups remains the best defense and can reduce severity even if it doesn’t entirely prevent infection. Remember, preventive measures like hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and protecting vulnerable populations (children, elderly, immunocompromised) are critical.
How do you slow prostate cancer? Eat your veggies and take a probiotic.
A recent study suggests that combining probiotic supplementation with a vegetable-rich diet may help slow the progression of low-risk prostate cancer. Men with early-stage disease who followed this lifestyle pattern showed slower cancer cell growth rates compared with those who did not adopt the regimen.
These findings align with growing evidence that diet and gut health play a meaningful role in cancer biology. High vegetable intake provides antioxidants and fiber that influence inflammation, while certain probiotics may support immune function and metabolic balance.
Dr Paz Comments: Remember, these dietary approaches are adjunctive and not replacements for conventional monitoring or treatment, but they could help delay progression and reduce the need for aggressive therapy. If you want more information on probiotics, read my prior Newsletter #10 on the subject.
Looking for non-drug treatment for depression? You might want to try this.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Flow Neuroscience transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) headset. This is the first non-drug, at-home device for treating depression. This headset delivers mild electrical stimulation to mood-regulating brain regions and is indicated for adults with moderate to severe major depressive disorder. Prior trials reported that individuals experienced improvements in mood within weeks, and 77% of real-world users reported feeling better in as little as three weeks. The approval is significant because it expands treatment options beyond medication and therapy, potentially reaching people who struggle with side effects or limited access to traditional care.
Dr Paz comments: This may not help everyone, but the initial studies are very promising.
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