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.
Hip fracture risk predicted by red blood cell width
Hip fracture risk can be predicted by RDW, a biomarker commonly included in a complete blood count (CBC).
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.
Alzheimer's disease and blood-brain barrier leakage
Patients with early Alzheimer's disease have significantly more tissue characterized by blood-brain barrier leakage than do healthy control subjects...BBB leakage may help to provide a biomarker for early diagnosis, or at least a marker indicating vulnerability for the development of dementia.
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.
Increasing calcium intake does not prevent fractures
"Collectively, these results suggest that clinicians, advocacy organisations, and health policymakers should not recommend increasing calcium intake for fracture prevention, either with calcium supplements or through dietary sources."
Saliva cortisol associated with brain volume, cognitive function
A study recently published in the journal Neurology shows that measurements of salivary cortisol can be an indicator for cognitive impairment and loss of brain volume.
Stunning discovery links brain and immune system
Investigators report in the prestigious journal Nature the stunning discovery of a central nervous system lymphatic system connecting the brain and immune system.
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.
CKD (chronic kidney disease) expected for 50% over age 30
Chronic kidney disease incidence is rising steeply and projected to affect half the population aged 30 to 64. Key causal factors are metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance and hypertension. These are made worse by added sugars than by salt.
Bisphosphonates increase risk of atypical fracture
More evidence that bisphosphonates (Fosamax® (alendronate), Boniva® (ibandronate), Actonel® (risedronate), Reclast® (zoledronic acid), etc.) by increasing bone density while sacrificing bone health increase the risk of atypical fractures is presented in a study just published in the journal Family Practice.
Systemic inflammation drives brain neurodegeneration
n a richly valuable paper published recently in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience the authors describe the ways in which systemic inflammation causes neurodegeneration in the brain associated with cognitive decline and a host of neuropsychiatric disorders. In the short term this manifests the anorexia, malaise, depression, and decreased physical activity known as sickness behavior (SB) that occurs with inflammation due to infection. Permanent cognitive and behavioral changes due to neurodegeneration occur when inflammation is chronic. Discerning and targeting the causes of inflammation offers opportunities for treatment.
Zoledronic acid ups bone density but doesn't reduce fractures
Zoledronic acid (Zometa®, Zomera®, Reclast®, Aclasta®), like other bisphosphonate drugs, slows bone resorption by binding to bone and inducing apoptosis (killing) osteoclasts, the bone cells that clear old bone to make room for new. A study just published in JAMA Internal Medicine adds to the evidence that this strategy, while improving bone mineral density, may not reduce and may even worsen fractures.
Calcium supplementation may increase macular degeneration
Calcium supplementation has previously been associated with cardiovascular risk (search 'calcium' for earlier posts), most likely by opposing the anti-inflammatory activity of magnesium. A study just published in JAMA Ophthalmology offers evidence that calcium supplementation may similarly promote age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
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.
Benzodiazepines associated with increased Alzheimer's risk
Benzodiazepines are well known to be deleterious to brain health with more than very short-term use. Research just published in BMJ (British Medical Journal) presents evidence that the use of benzodiazepines to treat anxiety or insomnia is associated with a substantial increase in the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Nigella sativa, a true 'wonder medicine'?
Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, produces seeds with a mind-boggling wealth of medicinal virtues. For colleagues and others who may not be familiar with the abundance of scientific evidence for the use of Nigella sativa seed extract in clinical practice, this selection of citations serves as an introduction to its wide range of indications.
Magnesium supplementation improves insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is benefited by magnesium supplementation according to mounting evidence. A study published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism documents significant improvements in insulin resistance by supplementation even when the subjects' magnesium levels appeared normal.