Spinach is best known as a leafy green staple in many kitchens. But what if it could also help treat dry eyes?
A surprising new development in eye care is exploring spinach as a key ingredient in experimental eye drops that may help manage dry eye disease over time. Researchers are investigating whether compounds derived from the leafy green could support eye health and help protect against cellular damage linked to the condition.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore, including biomolecular engineer Xing Kuoran, developed the experimental treatment using light-activated structures extracted from spinach leaves. These plant-based photosynthetic components were introduced into lab-grown human eye cells and mice engineered to mimic dry eye disease.
When exposed to light, the nanoparticles produced NADPH, a molecule that helps cells defend themselves against oxidative stress and inflammation. Researchers say this process may help counter the cellular damage associated with dry eye disease.
The technology was named LEAF, short for “light-reaction enriched thylakoid NADPH-foundry.” While the findings remain in the early stages of research, scientists believe the approach could eventually lead to a new class of light-powered treatments for eye conditions.
This emerging approach to dry eye treatment combines plant science with modern medicine in an unusual but promising way. According to biomolecular engineer David Leong Tai Wei, the concept raises the possibility that human cells could one day possess a limited but beneficial form of photosynthetic ability—not only in the eye, but potentially in other parts of the body as well.
Psoriasis is often seen as a surface-level issue, but the red, scaly plaques on the skin can be a visible sign of a deeper inflammatory process. As understanding of this autoimmune skin condition has grown, researchers now recognize that psoriasis symptoms may reflect widespread immune activity affecting joints, blood vessels, and metabolism.
Viewing psoriasis through this systemic lens can change how people think about diagnosis, treatment, and long-term health.
Understanding Psoriasis as an Autoimmune Skin Condition
Describing psoriasis as an autoimmune skin condition highlights the role of the immune system in driving the disease.
In autoimmune and immune-mediated conditions, the body’s defenses become misdirected, leading to chronic inflammation even in the absence of infection. In psoriasis, this inflammation focuses on the skin and, in some people, the joints.
Some experts refer to psoriasis as both autoimmune and autoinflammatory because it involves elements of classic autoimmunity and innate immune activation.
Regardless of terminology, the key idea is that psoriasis is not caused by poor hygiene or simple irritation. It is a biologically complex condition with genetic and environmental contributors, and its symptoms reflect immune pathways that can also affect other organs.
Recognizing Common Psoriasis Symptoms
Psoriasis symptoms can look different from person to person, but several features are particularly characteristic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, typically presents with:
Raised, thickened patches of skin covered with silvery-white or grayish scales
Red, pink, or purple discoloration, depending on skin tone
Lesions most often found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back
Many individuals report itching, burning, or soreness in affected areas, which can interfere with sleep and daily activities. The skin may become dry and cracked, with occasional bleeding when plaques are irritated or scratched. The scalp can show heavy flaking that resembles severe dandruff.
Psoriasis symptoms are not limited to the skin. Nail changes are common, including pitting (small depressions), ridging, discoloration, and separation of the nail from the nail bed.
Different subtypes—such as guttate, pustular, inverse, and erythrodermic psoriasis—have their own patterns of symptoms, ranging from small drop-like spots to widespread redness or pus-filled bumps. This diversity is one reason why a professional evaluation is important when symptoms first appear.
How Psoriasis Connects to Systemic Inflammation
The connection between psoriasis and systemic inflammation lies in the immune pathways that drive both skin lesions and deeper health effects. Immune cells in psoriatic plaques produce cytokines—chemical messengers that promote inflammation.
These cytokines do not remain confined to the skin; they circulate in the bloodstream, potentially affecting the lining of blood vessels, joints, and other tissues, according to Mayo Clinic.
This understanding supports the view of psoriasis as part of a broader inflammatory network that can raise the risk for other conditions. In this sense, psoriasis symptoms on the skin can serve as a visible marker of underlying immune activity that may be occurring silently elsewhere in the body.
Recognizing this connection has encouraged more comprehensive care, with attention not only to skin clearance but also to overall inflammatory burden.
Triggers That Worsen Psoriasis Symptoms and Inflammation
Psoriasis symptoms often fluctuate over time, with periods of relative calm and sudden flares. A variety of triggers can worsen the condition, including:
Infections, particularly streptococcal throat infections in guttate psoriasis
Skin injuries such as cuts, scrapes, or sunburn (the Koebner phenomenon)
Psychological stress and lack of sleep
Certain medications, including some blood pressure drugs and antimalarials
Smoking and heavy alcohol use
Lifestyle factors also play a major role. Obesity and inactivity can promote systemic inflammation and increase disease severity. Dietary patterns high in processed foods and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may contribute to an inflammatory state.
Genetics and family history further influence who develops psoriasis and how severe it becomes, highlighting the interplay between inherited risk and environmental exposures.
Diagnosis and Assessment of Systemic Involvement
Diagnosis of psoriasis is usually clinical, based on the appearance and distribution of lesions and the presence of characteristic scaling.
Dermatologists may perform a skin biopsy in uncertain cases to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. Because psoriasis is linked with systemic inflammation, many experts also recommend screening for comorbidities.
A thorough assessment may include questions about joint pain, stiffness, and swelling to identify psoriatic arthritis. Blood pressure, weight, waist circumference, and basic blood tests can help evaluate cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
In some cases, referral to rheumatology or other specialists is appropriate. Approaching psoriasis in this integrated way supports early detection of related conditions and more comprehensive management.
Treatment Options for Skin and Systemic Inflammation
Treatment strategies for psoriasis aim to relieve symptoms, improve skin appearance and function, and reduce the underlying inflammatory activity. For mild disease, topical therapies are often the first line.
These include corticosteroid creams and ointments, vitamin D analogues, retinoids, calcineurin inhibitors, and other medicated products that reduce inflammation and slow skin cell growth, as per Cleveland Clinic.
For more extensive or resistant psoriasis, phototherapy (controlled exposure to ultraviolet light) can be effective. Systemic medications such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, and newer oral agents are used to modulate immune responses in moderate to severe cases.
Biologic therapies have become a major advance; these drugs target specific molecules such as interleukin-17, interleukin-23, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. By focusing on key inflammatory pathways, biologics can improve both skin and joint symptoms and may help lower overall inflammatory burden.
The choice of treatment depends on disease severity, comorbid conditions, patient preferences, and safety considerations. Regular follow-up is important to monitor effectiveness, side effects, and long-term health.
Psoriasis Symptoms as a Clue to Whole-Body Health
When psoriasis is viewed only as a cosmetic concern, opportunities to protect long-term health can be missed. Recognizing it as an autoimmune skin condition that reflects broader immune activity changes the conversation.
Skin lesions, nail changes, and joint symptoms can act as visible clues to underlying systemic inflammation, providing an early chance to identify and address associated risks.
People living with psoriasis benefit from collaborative care that includes dermatology, primary care, and when appropriate, rheumatology or cardiology. Open communication about new or changing symptoms, treatment goals, and lifestyle challenges helps tailor a plan that addresses both the skin and the whole person.
By integrating medical therapy with attention to cardiovascular, metabolic, and joint health, psoriasis can be managed not just as a skin disease but as a key window into overall inflammatory wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can someone have psoriasis without the classic red, scaly plaques?
Yes. Psoriasis can appear as smooth red patches in skin folds, only affect the nails, or show mainly as joint pain with minimal visible skin changes.
2. If psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition, does that mean the immune system is “weak”?
No. The immune system is overactive and misdirected, creating chronic inflammation, not too weak to fight infections.
3. Can psoriasis go into remission, and what does that look like?
Yes. Plaques can flatten or disappear, itching can resolve, and skin may look almost normal, though flares can return.
4. How is psoriasis different from eczema if both cause itchy, inflamed skin?
Psoriasis usually forms thick, sharply edged, scaly plaques and is strongly tied to systemic inflammation; eczema tends to be less defined, may ooze, and is more linked to allergies and a weak skin barrier.
Doctors in the United States are sounding the alarm as a recently recognised health condition called cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome now affects nearly all American adults. The American Heart Association (AHA) reported in October 2025 that around 240 million adults have at least one health issue linked to CKM, including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or kidney disease.
What has shocked experts is that 88% of surveyed adults said they had never heard of CKM syndrome. Health officials fear this lack of awareness could make the condition worse nationwide.
What is CKM Syndrome?
CKM syndrome, short for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, is a medical condition describing how heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic problems like diabetes interact. The AHA officially named the condition in October 2023 to help doctors address these illnesses as one rather than separate issues.
Hospitals such as the Cleveland Clinic and Mass General Brigham describe CKM as a ‘full-circle disorder’ because poor function in one system can cause damage in another. This constant cycle can lead to serious long-term health decline.
According to the AHA, damage in one area can trigger worsening conditions across all three systems, putting people at major risk for CKM.
Is CKM Syndrome Deadly?
CKM syndrome itself does not kill directly but raises the chance of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure — the main causes of death in the US. Johns Hopkins Medicine found that people with diabetes are up to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, one of the main results of CKM.
The AHA warns that when multiple risk factors exist together, they multiply the danger levels. Cardiologist Dr Nidhi Kumar told CBS New York that chronic illnesses tied to CKM are now among the leading causes of death and disability across the country.
CKM Syndrome Symptoms
CKM symptoms vary because they develop through several systems. The Cleveland Clinic lists common warning signs such as:
High blood pressure
Abnormal cholesterol levels
High blood sugar or insulin resistance
Weight gain or obesity
Fatigue and poor kidney function
Swelling of hands, feet, or face
Shortness of breath or chest pressure
Doctors classify CKM in five stages, ranging from no visible risk (Stage 0) to severe, symptomatic heart disease (Stage 4).
Who Are Most Vulnerable?
Data from the AHA and American Kidney Fund show that older adults face the greatest risk. Black Americans and those aged 20–44 also show high vulnerability due to obesity and diabetes. Sedentary habits, poor diets, and family history increase the chance of developing CKM.
The AHA noted that these groups face higher rates of serious illness and require early screening to prevent complications.
Is CKM Syndrome Curable?
CKM syndrome cannot be cured, but it can be managed or reversed with early action. The AHA said three in four adults could reverse CKM through medical care and lifestyle adjustments.
Recommended steps include balanced meals, regular exercise, and careful monitoring of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Dr Sanchez urged people to check their health numbers regularly since early intervention can stop further damage.
How To Prevent CKM Syndrome
Experts say prevention depends on healthy daily habits. Eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while cutting salt, sugar, and processed food helps protect vital organs. Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight further reduce risks.
Doctors also stress routine screenings for cholesterol, blood sugar, and kidney function. Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake can ease pressure on the heart and metabolic systems.
The AHA stated that most adults can control CKM through diet, exercise, and medical guidance — a reminder that prevention remains the strongest defence against this widespread condition.
A toddler’s heartbreaking death exposes NHS failings as doctors wrongly accused parents of causing a facial lump, delaying cancer diagnosis by months in a case reigniting debates on child protection protocols and medical accountability.
Delilah-Rai Reid-Floyd, just 19 months old, passed away on 9 August 2023 after a pea-sized mass discovered in January ballooned into aggressive soft tissue cancer, with her mother Kayleigh Reid alleging neglect through misdiagnosis and three-month waits.
As investigations unfold into Russells Hall Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital, families demand swifter scans and less hasty abuse assumptions to prevent such tragedies in the UK’s overburdened health system.
Mum Spots Lump Sparking Urgent GP Referral
Kayleigh Reid noticed a pea-sized lump on her daughter Delilah-Rai’s face while bathing her on 30 January 2023, prompting an immediate doctor’s visit the next day. The GP referred the one-year-old to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, suspecting non-accidental injury without initial scans, a move that left the family reeling from unfounded blame.
This hasty assumption sidelined potential tumour checks, as Delilah-Rai awaited transfer to Birmingham Children’s Hospital amid growing parental distress.
Doctors Misdiagnose Growth as Injury
At Russells Hall on 9 May 2023, a CT scan revealed a paranasal cystic lesion, leading to an ENT specialist referral, but a three-month wait for Birmingham Children’s Hospital stalled progress until July.
A biopsy on 16 July 2023 initially diagnosed desmoid fibromatosis as non-cancerous on 30 July, cancelling scheduled surgery on 5 August, only for tests to confirm aggressive soft tissue cancer days later.
Kayleigh Reid later stated, ‘With so many delays and misdiagnoses throughout, I believe the NHS neglected her and didn’t give her the care she deserved.’
Cancer Ravages Toddler as Condition Declines
Delilah-Rai’s condition deteriorated swiftly post-diagnosis, with the tumour spreading aggressively, and she passed away peacefully at home on 9 August 2023, days after her 19-month milestone.
The ‘sweetest’ and ‘cheekiest’ girl, known for her loving nature, endured unnecessary pain from postponed interventions, as her mother believes earlier action could have improved survival odds. X post from The Sun Health on 13 September 2025 captured public outrage: ‘Girl, 1, dies of cancer after docs ‘assumed facial lump was caused by parents’.
Hospitals Launch Internal Reviews
Both The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust initiated reviews on 12 September 2025, vowing to share findings with the family and implement learnings to avoid future errors.
Diane Wale, chief executive at Dudley Group, expressed, ‘On behalf of the Trust, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Delilah’s family. We will look into the issues raised and speak with Delilah’s family to better understand the circumstances surrounding this sad loss.’ Kayleigh Reid is pursuing legal action against the trusts, supported by a GoFundMe raising funds for awareness.
Mother’s Campaign Raises Alarm Delays, Missteps
Kayleigh, reflecting on her ‘very very loving’ daughter, aims to spotlight desmoid fibromatosis and soft tissue cancers affecting young children, urging faster diagnostics amid 1,800 annual UK under-five cases. She affirmed, ‘Going forward I wish to raise more awareness for this cruel disease, but I also want the NHS held accountable for their part they played in my daughter’s passing.’
Birmingham Trust spokesperson added, ‘The Trust would like to offer Delilah-Rai’s family our deepest sympathies… An internal review is now under way.’ This case, resurfacing on 12 September 2025, underscores urgent calls for reformed referral timelines, with experts noting abuse suspicions can eclipse medical urgency in 20% of paediatric assessments.
Families like the Reids highlight how such oversights compound grief, pushing for mandatory rapid imaging in lump cases. As probes progress, Kayleigh’s resolve ensures Delilah-Rai’s story drives systemic change, preventing other parents from enduring similar heartbreak in Britain’s strained NHS landscape.
Colorectal cancer cases are spiking, especially among younger adults, leaving scientists racing to uncover the hidden culprits behind this troubling trend. While poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental factors have long been in the spotlight, a new study reveals a surprising contributor, a condition that is both widespread and frequently missed.
Researchers have identified a striking link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a silent condition that affects an estimated one in four people globally and millions of Americans, and a significantly increased risk of early-onset colorectal cancer (diagnosed before the age of 50). Despite its prevalence, NAFLD often goes undetected in routine medical care and progresses without obvious symptoms.
To understand the link between NAFLD and early-onset colorectal cancer, researchers conducted a large-scale, population-based cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service involving over 4.6 million adults.
The participants were between the ages of 20 and 49 who underwent routine health checkups in 2009, with health outcomes tracked through 2019. NAFLD was identified using a validated measure known as the Fatty Liver Index (FLI), with scores of 60 or higher indicating the presence of NAFLD.
Participants were then grouped based on their FLI scores: those with NAFLD (FLI ≥ 60), borderline NAFLD (FLI between 30 and 59), and no NAFLD (FLI
Researchers noted that individuals with NAFLD had a 24% higher risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer compared to those without fatty liver, while those in the borderline NAFLD category had a 12% increased risk.
Interestingly, the study also found a dose–response relationship between the severity of fatty liver and cancer risk in cancers, in those located in the left colon and rectum. The association was particularly strong among males, younger individuals aged 20–29, and those without diabetes, highlighting the need for targeted early screening and liver health monitoring in these higher-risk populations.
“These findings highlight the need for multifaceted preventive strategies, including lifestyle interventions and expanded screening for younger populations with NAFLD,” the researchers wrote in the study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
It is time to pay attention to your teen’s health. Even adolescents who look healthy and fall within a normal weight range could be on the path to heart damage if they have one hidden health condition, warns a recent study.
Teens with prediabetes, a condition marked by elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, may face a much higher risk of heart trouble than previously thought. According to the latest study published in the journal Diabetes Care, adolescents with prediabetes are nearly three times more likely to have worsening of both structural and functional heart damage during growth to young adulthood.
Even more striking was the discovery that heart damage progresses five times faster in females than in males, highlighting the urgent need for parents and health professionals to pay closer attention to adolescent girls when it comes to early detection and prevention of prediabetes.
In the study, researchers followed 1,595 adolescents from age 17 to 24, using data from the University of Bristol’s Children of the 90s cohort. The prevalence of high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and heart enlargement of the participants was evaluated during the period.
Teens with fasting blood sugar levels of ≥5.6 mmol/L during the follow-up period faced a 46% higher risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy, a thickening of the heart muscle that can lead to serious heart issues. For those with even higher blood sugar (≥6.1 mmol/L), the risk tripled. Researchers also noted that insulin resistance also played a role, raising the risk of premature heart damage by 10%.
“Earlier results from the same cohort indicate that late adolescence is a critical period in the evolution of cardiometabolic diseases. The current findings further confirm that even healthy-looking adolescents and young adults who are mostly normal weight may be on a path towards cardiovascular diseases, if they have high blood glucose and insulin resistance,” said researcher Andrew Agbaje, in a news release.
“Worsening insulin resistance and increased fat mass have a bidirectional reinforcing vicious cycle. In the new study, we observed that two-thirds of the effect of insulin resistance on excessive heart enlargement was explained by increased total body fat. The five-fold increase in the prevalence of prediabetes within seven years of growth from adolescence to young adulthood underscores the critical importance of lifestyle behavior and dietary habits, especially after adolescents have become independent from their families,” Agbaje added.
Craving for a sweet treat after a meal, or a candy when you feel low may seem a totally harmless routine. But a doctor now warns that frequent sugar cravings could be more than just a habit; they might signal an underlying health condition that could have serious consequences if left unchecked.
According to Dr. Crystal Wyllie, a GP and online practitioner from the U.K., uncontrollable cravings are not just a desire for certain foods; they could be the body’s way of signaling an underlying health issue.
“Cravings are often your body’s way of telling you something. While most are psychological or habit-driven, unusual cravings, like a strong desire to eat ice, chalk or even ash, can signal deeper health issues, from iron deficiency to hormonal imbalances,” she said, as reported by Birmingham Live.
Dr. Wyllie specifically highlighted sugar cravings as a potential warning sign. “If you often crave sugary foods like cakes, biscuits, or white bread, it could indicate unbalanced blood sugar levels,” she explained. “This might be a sign of insulin resistance or even early type 2 diabetes.”
Sugar cravings in individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance often stem from rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels. When blood sugar drops too quickly, either due to the body’s inability to regulate glucose properly or as a result of an insulin spike, it signals the brain to seek a quick energy boost and this triggers cravings for sugary foods. However. Dr. Wyllie warns that this can ultimately lead to a cycle of sugar spikes and crashes.
“Giving in to these cravings too often can make it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar over time. This can lead to insulin resistance, where the body’s cells no longer respond properly to the hormone that controls blood sugar. If this continues, it can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” warned Dr Wyllie.
When a person has diabetes, their body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels effectively, which can lead to long-term health complications if left unmanaged. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves, increasing the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Uncontrolled diabetes can also cause vision problems, including diabetic retinopathy, which may lead to blindness.
