FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE BLOG
Includes over 800 monographs reporting on emerging studies in the medical and scientific literature of practical clinical importance, easily searched for content.
Maternal autoimmunity associated with ADHD in children
The biology of autoimmunity during pregnancy can have numerous consequences for the health of both mother and offspring; these include such conditions as childhood tics and OCD, autism, congenital heart block; infertility, miscarriage and preterm birth; placental abruption, numerous consequences of antithyroid antibodies, etc.
Probiotics: use caution with autoimmune disease
Probiotics may promote immune disease in a predisposed host.
Induction of autoimmunity by infection
Autoimmune conditions are on the rise. They can be triggered by infection. We are very likely too see an even steeper increase in autoimmune symptoms in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MS risk nearly double 15 years after concussion for teens
Multiple sclerosis risk almost doubles for teens 15 years after a concussion.
Flu vaccination response weakened by antibiotic effects on gut microbiome
Microbiome loss from antibiotics weakens the response to flu vaccination, perturbs bile acid metabolism, and promotes pro-inflammatory signals.
Probiotics may impair post-antibiotic gut microbiome recovery
Probiotics taken after antibiotics may impair recovery of the gut microbiome and its functions.
Antigliadin antibodies harmful for brain at low levels
Antigliadin antibodies (AGA), a subset of anti-gluten antibodies, have been shown to be harmful to the brain at levels below the standard reference range in an important study on gluten ataxia (GA) published in the journal Nutrients. Gluten ataxia is a condition characterized by loss of balance due to cerebellar damage due to neuroinflammation provoked by gluten. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) can cause inflammation in the brian and central nervous with antibodies at lower levels than in celiac disease and in the absence of abdominal symptoms.
Gut microbiome, SCFAs, mood disorders, ketogenic diet and seizures
SCFA (short-chain fatty acid) production by the gut microbiome has a large effect on autoimmunity, brain inflammation, neuropsychiatric disorders and seizures by Immune system modulation; and this positive effect can be damaged by antibiotics.
Osteoarthritis: auto-inflammation, IL-17 and the microbiome
Osteoarthritis is an autoinflammatory condition characterized by a more aggressive inflammatory response to stressed or damaged tissue, with a subset exhibiting high IL-17 activity, a hallmark of autoimmunity. This may be ameliorated by regulating the autoinflammatory response through manipulation of the gut microbiome.
Immunotherapy can take 3 years to desensitize to allergens
Immunotherapy can induce tolerance for allergens, but what is a realistic time frame? A study recently published in JAMA demonstrates that 3 years of sublingual desensitizing treatment is effective, but 2 years is no different than placebo. This research helps practitioners working in the larger context of immune plasticity, and patients, to consider pragmatic parameters for case management.
Levothyroxine therapy and normal TSH yet hypothyroid symptoms
A significant proportion of patients treated with levothyroxine continue to experience residual symptoms of hypothyroidism, including psychological and metabolic effects, due to inadequate conversion of T4 to T3.
Autoimmune diabetes (type 1): half develops after age 30
Half of autoimmune diabetes occurs in adults. "Physicians shouldn't be complacent when...not bringing A1c down to target when they should."
Leaky gut: inflammation, chronic fatigue and depression
Leaky gut permits bacterial LPS translocation into the gut lymphoid tissue where it triggers inflammation causing chronic fatigue and depression.
Thyroid autoimmunity and iron deficiency in pregnancy
Thyroid autoimmunity and iron deficiency are linked in pregnancy, posing a risk for numerous adverse fetal and maternal outcomes, including miscarriage.