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.
Systemic thyroid hormone effects with levothyroxine can fall short
Systemic thyroid hormone status—the systemic effects of thyroid hormone activity—has been further confirmed to be insufficient with levothyroxine therapy in a significant percentage of cases, even though laboratory levels of TSH and T4 are normalized...
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.
Hypoglycemia increases inflammatory reactions, cardiovascular risk
"These data provide novel mechanistic insights into how hypoglycemia could increase CV risk through upregulation of inflammatory responses."
Fish oil omega-3 fatty acids do not increase bleeding risk
"...our findings on the safe use of n-3 LC-PUFAs are applicable to a diverse clinical population including those on concomitant anticoagulant medications as used here."
DHEA predicts coronary heart disease risk
Low serum levels of DHEA predict an increased risk of coronary heart disease in older men. This is especially important because there is still a high incidence of sudden cardiac death in individuals who do not have the traditional risk factors.
Circadian rhythms of inflammation
Treatment of chronic inflammation can be enhanced and adrenal suppression minimized by circadian dosing of anti-inflammatory medication.
Oxidized LDL promotes atherosclerosis
Research recently published in Science Signaling elucidates one of the mechanisms by which oxidized LDL promotes atherosclerosis
Brain blood flow reduction associated with kidney function
A study just published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology demonstrates that impairments in kidney function consistent with mild CKD (chronic kidney disease) are associated with reduced blood flow in the brain.
Low normal sodium a cardiovascular risk
Low sodium within the normal range is associated with significantly increased CVD events and total mortality in older men without major CVD or HF.
Insulin resistance indicated by neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio
We recommend that the NLR values of diabetic patients be calculated as NLR is a cheap, predictive, and prognostic marker for IR. High NLR values were independently related to IR.
Women's heart risk lower with exercise 2-3x/week than daily
A large study using data from 1.1 million women recently published in the journal Circulation offers evidence that strenuous physical activity 2-3 times per week significantly lowered their coronary heart disease risk while more frequent strenuous exercise actually increased it.
Low-normal thyroid function and cardiometabolic disorders
Observational studies suggest that low-normal thyroid function may be implicated in the pathogenesis of CVD. Low-normal thyroid function could also play a role in the development of MetS, insulin resistance and CKD...
Blood pressure forced too low and cognitive impairment
Low daytime systolic blood pressure was independently associated with a greater progression of cognitive decline in older patients with dementia and MCI among those treated with AHDs. Excessive SBP lowering may be harmful for older patients with cognitive impairment.