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.
Food allergy testing with IgG4 is not recommended
"...food-specific IgG4 does not indicate (imminent) food allergy or intolerance, but rather a physiological response of the immune system after exposition to food components. Therefore, testing of IgG4 to foods is considered as irrelevant for the laboratory work-up of food allergy or intolerance and should not be performed in case of food-related complaints."
Neuropsychiatric illness, autoimmunity and the role of microbes
Neuropsychiatric illness often involves brain inflammation for which there may be an autoimmune origin. The authors of a paper* recently published in Current Opinion in Rheumatology set out to..."illustrate how microbes might participate in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric illness by triggering the production of autoantibodies that bind to brain targets."
Progesterone and irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and irritable bladder
Progesterone plays a role in preventing or ameliorating irritable bowel syndrome by inhibiting the release of histamine. This applies to numerous conditions including migraine, interstitial cystitis (painful/irritable bladder), dysmenorrhea and others.
Chronic Lyme disease, post-Lyme disease syndrome and insights from the pathophysiology of sepsis
Chronic Lyme disease, now correctly termed post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS), has challenged and confused practitioners and patients unfamiliar with the potential autoimmune sequelae of infection... The principles of managing autoimmunity, triggered by infection or not, entail discernment of the multiple underlying mechanisms contributing to loss of immune tolerance of self-tissue...This must be borne in mind by the clinician managing either autoimmunity triggered by Lyme or other infections
Autoimmune inflammation can elevate serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D
I have found that patients with an autoimmune component to their case often have elevated 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (calcitriol). This is not the 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol metabolite) that we always test to determine vitamin D3 sufficiency. Often with normal and even low vitamin D3 levels, patients with various degrees of active autoimmunity are testing for elevated 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D levels. Now research published in PLOS One (Public Library of Science) shows how autoimmune inflammation and elevated 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D are associated.
Vagal nerve activity moderates brain-immune relationships and is measured by heart rate variability
An exciting study with tremendous practical significance was just published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology that shows how vagal nerve activity, which can be measured in the clinic by heart rate variability analysis (HRV), is a key moderator of the brain-immune web and determines the immune and physiological responses to acute stress.
Prof. Y. Shoenfeld talks about ASIA: autoimmune syndrome induced by vaccine adjuvants
Professor Yehuda Shoenfeld of the Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Tel-Aviv University talks on ASIA—autoimmune sydrome induced by adjuvants (used to magnify the immune response to vaccines). He does not argue against the immense benefits of vaccines, but explains briefly why clinicians must be aware of the potential for autoimmune complications in a percentage of the population that may be predisposed. Morever, he discusses how the process in ASIA is relevant also for the loss of tolerance involved in conditions such as environmental and chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, narcolepsy, sick building syndrome, reactions to silicon implants, Gulf War syndrome and others.
Depression, aging and brain inflammation: indications for sustainable treatment
Depression and aging, not only diminished cognitive function but the level of physiological competence throughout the body, have brain inflammation in common. This fact is of premiere importance when designing rational treatment plans for both depression and high functioning longevity.
Type 1 diabetes and cytokines: clinical opportunities
Type 1 diabetes, like all autoimmune diseases, is characterized by dysregulated pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies that reveal the dynamics suggest opportunities for therapy.
Autism spectrum disorders and altered immune function
Autism and autoimmunity have been linked in a number of earlier studies. A paper just published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders sheds more light on the role of immune dysregulation in ASDs.
Anemia and thyroid hormones
In the present study significant associations between free T4 and erythrocyte indices, including haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and erythrocyte count were demonstrated.
The human microbiome, breast milk and autoimmunity
A fascinating study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition illuminates how the microbiome of human breast milk changes depending on the mode of delivery (vaginal, elective and nonelective cesarean) and weight of the mother. This has great significance for the development of autoimmune and allergic diseases.
Treating atherosclerosis as an autoimmune inflammatory disease
Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by plaque formation in an artery in response to inflammation in the lining (endothelium) of the vessel. It is referred to also as vulnerable plaque because it is subject to rupture followed by the blocking of a smaller downstream artery, the immediate cause of most heart attacks and strokes. A paper recently published in Immunology Letters discusses the treatment of the vascular inflammation of atherosclerosis as an autoimmune inflammatory disorder.
Uncomplicated diverticulitis does not improve with antibiotics
Although acute diverticulitis is typically treated with a course of antibiotics, a randomized controlled trial just published in the journal Evidence Based Medicine examines this practice and finds that uncomplicated diverticulitis is not improved by antibiotic therapy.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Celiac disease is but one consequence of autoimmunity or autoinflammation triggered by gluten among a host of others better characterized by the term non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The lack of standardization in terminology has obscured this fact, so two recent papers that help to clear the air are welcome.
More on the autoimmunity of osteoarthritis
A paper just published in the journal Clinical Immunology reminds clinicians that osteoarthritis occurs when there is a pathological immune response to articular cartilage. "Even though osteoarthritis (OA) is mainly considered as a degradative condition of the articular cartilage, there is increasing body of data demonstrating the involvement of all branches of the immune system."