The Medical Advisor

Of late, there are dozens of supplements and vitamins that claim to boost your immune system but which ones actually work? Below, we look at some of the best options and what the existing research says about them. How to help your immune system The science of how the immune system works is a complicated subject for the public. Here at One Day MD,  we try to make it a little easier for consumers to understand. A healthy lifestyle – not smoking, drinking little or no alcohol, sleeping well, eating a balanced diet, taking regular moderate exercise and reducing stress – helps our immune systems to be in the best shape possible to tackle invading micro-organisms. But the first line of defence is to prevent infection from entering the body. These simple actions are vital to slowing the spread of a new disease like the coronavirus – to which nearly everyone is susceptible, but particularly older people and those with underlying health conditions. Foods (and the Nutrients Therein) to Boos...

Your body is an intricate and remarkably efficient system constantly working to maintain a state of balance and health. A crucial component of this complex network is the immune system, your body's primary defense against a constant barrage of external threats, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. You might have heard that fiber is good for your gut, and there is a straightforward reason for that advice: certain substances called short-chain fatty acids, or SCFAs. One SCFA in particular, butyrate, often appears in discussions about normal colon function and everyday energy metabolism in the cells that line your colon. Intriguingly, a seemingly simple molecule produced within your gut, known as butyrate, plays a surprisingly significant and multifaceted role in regulating this complex defense system. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced when beneficial gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber in your colon. It is a primary energy source for colonocytes, the ce...

Executive Summary Cancer incidence is increasing for certain age groups and cancer types, especially among younger adults , but the reasons are complex and multifactorial: Cancer statistics from major registries (SEER and global data) show that some cancers (e.g., colorectal, thyroid, breast) have increased in younger adults over recent decades. ( PubMed ) Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are recognized contributors to cancer development, but they do not act in isolation and are not proven to be the single cause of rising cancer incidence. ( MDPI ) Lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet, smoking, and sedentary behavior are established contributors to cancer risk.  Emerging research continues to explore links between immune markers and cancer prognosis, but there is no strong evidence that infections like COVID-19 or vaccines cause cancer. ( Springer Nature Link ) Cancer prevention strategies supported by evidence include vaccination against oncogenic viruses (e...

What Is Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)? Red light therapy (RLT) — more precisely called photobiomodulation (PBM) — uses specific wavelengths of red (≈600–700 nm) and near-infrared light (≈700–900 nm) to trigger non-thermal biological responses in cells by stimulating mitochondrial activity and cellular signaling. This can increase cellular energy (ATP), modulate inflammation, and support tissue repair.This therapy has gained attention for its ability to promote healing, reduce inflammation and alleviate pain in various conditions. Scientific literature suggests there are nearly 60 other names for RLT, such as: low level light therapy (LLLT) soft laser therapy cold laser therapy biostimulation photonic stimulation low power laser therapy (LPLT) In 2025–26, major medical groups and research reviews have continued to refine clinical recommendations for PBM, including the first European clinical guide for supportive cancer care . ( Medscape 2025 , PubMed 2025 ) How Photobiomodulat...

Introduction Access to effective, cancer-specific therapies remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where cancer survival rates lag behind those in high-income settings due to inadequate funding and infrastructure (9, 10). This has led to increased interest in repurposing existing drugs as more affordable alternatives. Exploring such options may provide valuable insights and potential solutions for expanding treatment accessibility, warranting further scientific investigation. Traditional cancer therapies—including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy—have relatively low documented survival rates and outcomes for advanced, metastatic and stage 4 cancers: Stage 4 Breast Cancer 5-year relative survival rate: 26% (distant/metastatic) (11). Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer 5-year survival rate: 13% (distant) (11). One emerging area of interest in recent years is the potential use of anti-parasitics such as ivermectin and fenbendazole or m...