Ephi Lu

Immune system

The immune system is the complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against foreign invaders such as…

Immune cells

Immune cells are the active components of the immune system and belong to the white blood cell (WBC) category. They provide immunity to the…

Homeostatic Signals

Food intake is regulated by two complementary pathways in the body and brain that signal us to consume food: the homeostatic and hedonic pathways.…

Hormones

Hormones are chemical signaling molecules secreted directly into the bloodstream by glands and carried in the circulation to target tissues and organs where they…

Hosts

Hosts in biology are larger organisms that harbor smaller organisms inside or on their bodies (Casadevall & Pirofski, 2015). In this course, we commonly…

HPA Dysbiosis-Neuroinflammatory Cycle

The HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis dysbiosis-neuroinflammatory cycle is a proposed mechanism of how chronic stress and an imbalanced gut microbiota can contribute to the development…

Changing Your Diet Can Help Tamp Down Depression, Boost Mood

Diet, Gut Microbes Affect Effectiveness of Cancer Treatment, Research Reveals

More Evidence Links Ultra-Processed Foods to Health Harms

People who eat lots of ultra-processed foods are more likely to develop heart disease and to die sooner than those who stick with foods…

The Link Between Food and Mental Health

Simple Sugars Wipe Out Beneficial Gut Bugs

Eating Green Veggies Improves Immune Defenses