Your Nose Produces Antibiotics…

We desperately need new antibiotics to help us fight back against the looming antibiotic apocalypse and the seemingly indestructible multidrug resistant superbuds

but we might have a small cause for optimism…

Scientists discovered epifadin – an antimicrobial compound produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis a bacterial species found inside our nose (and on our skin)

In fact many of the microbes on our skin, particularly the bacteria produce compounds to outcompete other microbes.

During research, the scientists found that epifadin was effective at killing the potentially pathogenic staphylococcus aureus – so derivatives of epifadin could serve as a basis for a brand new antibiotic!

The development of antibiotics have remained stagnant for a number of decades but potentially, we have a new avenue of research – looking within ourselves.. with a focus on antimicrobial compounds secreted by the members of our own microbiome!

The Colour of Your Snot…

Snot colour can take almost any colour of the rainbow… and the colour of your mucus can be a reflection of what is happening in your body.. so here’s the scoop of mucus:

Clear: Usually baseline colour and nothing to worry about. If you’re producing a large amount of clear mucus it could be an indication of an environmental allergy which is irritative (dust, allergens)

Yellow: Typically a sign of a low grade infection. The yellow colouring comes from white blood cells that have arrived to fight any infection

Green: Likely a stronger infection with more white blood cells in the mix.

Red: This probably indicates there is some blood but don’t be alarmed – the cause is usually a benign one like irritation of your nasal passages either because you’re blowing your nose too hard, or it’s dry because of excessive nasal spray usage!

Brown: It’s not an exact science because many of these colours can overlap. If it’s an orange-brown then this might be old blood or if it’s a green-brown it could an infection.

Black: People who smoke can often notice black mucus  due to the chemicals in the smoke and in some cases it could point to an underlying fungal infection  - so if this doesn’t go away, it’s worth being seen by your healthcare professional.

Life Updates:

I’ve worked the last 5 Christmases so it is an absolute delight to be off this year and off for boxing day – who doesn’t love a long weekend! I get back straight into a 13 hour shift on Wednesday, operating on Thursday then a cheeky off day next Friday!

The next 2-3 weeks is an exciting one for me for several reasons:

1) If you haven’t heard me bang on about this enough… my book is coming out on Thursday 28^th December! Then in the week or so following the launch I have a bunch of book related PR stuff to do — interviews with various magazines, newspapers and podcasts!

Interestingly, even though the book is out on the 28^th Dec, there has been some weird glitch where some people have received the book before Xmas in some countries – so if you fancied trying your luck to get it before the 28^th and take advantage of that glitch…

2) Then the week after the book PR I’ve been invited to… the World Economic Forum! Supposedly this year there is a health/science theme so it’ll be an interesting opportunity to connect with the powers in the world of health, education and science from different nations – no idea what to expect but let’s find out! I’ll be doing lots of stories and fingers crossed I can collar some people for some interviews (in the run up to my podcast re-start in Feb 2024)

What You Should Watch:

Rebel Moon: A Child of Fire — Netflix

When I first saw the trailer for this – I immediately thought this was some sort of Star Wars rip off. There was a warrior with red-heated blades (e.g. a rip off light saber) and weird looking aliens with horns drinking in bars… and it has some homages to Star Wars for sure but ACTUALLY it’s a rip off of an incredible 2000s anime called Samurai 7.

Essentially the anime is a steampunk, post-apocalyptic futuristic world where corrupt Japanese barons rule the world and enslave a small farming village and force them to part with all their harvest. The villagers go in search of a band of warriors to fight against the main powerful antagonist.

Rebel Moon is much the same – a plucky, rogue band of warriors come together against a common enemy (each for their own reasons). I’d highly recommend watching it if you’re into good visuals, a semi-decent story and sci-fi/dystopian films!

Reminders During The Festive Period:

1.    It’s fine to have weight loss goals but remember to make good memories with friends and family – don’t sacrifice the latter for the former

2.    Weight loss should improve your life not make you miserable – don’t spend your entire Christmas worried about eating an extra potato or pig in blanket

3.    Following the above point – 1kg of fat is 7700 calories..so going a few hundred calories beyond your quota isn’t the end of the world.

4.    In a few years time, you won’t necessarily remember the presents you got but the memories you made so focus on people & experiences not just the gifts

5.    Put the work down – you have permission to take some time off, the work will still be there after your break

Why Doctors Wear White Coats:

It’s bizarre right? White shows every single stain under the sun…. so why wouldn't they wear a darker colour like black?

Well, they actually used to in the 1800s - doctors wore black suits which had all stains and grime and you couldn’t see anything and that's actually exactly why they switched to white coats to make sure everything was visible to ensure they maintain a sterile environment and to promote the idea of cleanliness.

Additionally the prevailing thought in the late 1800s and early 1900s was that the more blood and stains a white coat had.. the more experience the doctor had!