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.
Breast cancer and glucose intolerance
Breast cancer, insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation are associated, and more evidence for the breast cancer link with glucose intolerance is presented in a study just published in PLOS ONE.
Breast cancer survival is enhanced by higher serum levels of vitamin D
Breast cancer survival is linked to higher serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] according to evidence presented in a meta-analysis just published in the journal Anti-Cancer Research...Higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with lower fatality rates in patients with breast cancer. Patients with the highest concentration of 25(OH)D had approximately half the fatality rate compared to those with the lowest concentration
Alzheimer's disease increased in women by common psychosocial stressors
As study just published in BMJ Open (British Medical Journal) identifies common psychosocial stress as a significant contributor to the development of Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia.
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.
Progesterone increases thyroid hormone
This 12-week randomized controlled progesterone trial documented that Free T4 levels were significantly elevated in progesterone-treated compared with placebo-treated women.
Breast cancer risk doubles with calcium channel blockers for hypertension
Breast cancer risk assessment must take into consideration chronic inflammation, which comes to the fore in light of a study just published in JAMA Internal Medicine (formerly Archives of Internal Medicine) offering evidence that use use of calcium channel blockers double the risk for breast cancer.
Breast cancer in younger patients worse with iron deficiency
Iron deficiency may be an important and treatable risk factor that contributes to breast cancer in premenopausal patients.
Iodine deficiency, pregnancy, and autoimmunity
Iodine deficiency is still a serious concern, especially for pregnant women in North America, as reported in a review just published in the journal Thyroid. Despite global improvements since 1990, iodine sufficiency has actually been declining in US adults. Iodine deficiency can be detected with a 24-hour urine collection. Even when supplementation is indicated it must be done cautiously to avoid triggering autoimmune thyroiditis.
Biopsy of breast tumors may spread cancer cells through the acute inflammatory response
A study just published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment demonstrates that it is possible for tumor cells to be spread by the acute inflammatory response to the biopsy procedure. Happily, the authors also show that anti-inflammatory treatment prior to the biopsy can protect against metastasis.
Psychological harm of false-positive mammography persists for years
Apart from the controversy over the timing and frequency of screening mammography, practitioners must bear in mind that the psychological effects of false-positive findings can last for years and be as psychologically disturbing as a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer. A study just published in Annals of Family Medicine confirms long lasting psychosocial harm from false-positive mammography results.
Insulin resistance is a risk factor for breast cancer even with normal fasting glucose and insulin
Well before fasting glucose and insulin rise out of the normal range, background surges of insulin associated with decreased insulin receptor sensitivity do harm throughout the body and, as confirmed by a study just published in the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research shows, promote breast cancer.
High homocysteine is a risk factor for colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer can be added to the list of conditions for which high levels of homocysteine are a risk factor according to a study recently published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Perhaps more important than the association of high homocysteine with low levels of vitamins B12, B6 or folate is the fact that homocysteine is a biomarker for inflammation.
Preeclampsia, an autoimmune disease
Preeclampsia throws into turmoil 5% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide with potentially terrible consequences. Clinicians who participate in the management of pregnancy should appreciate the evidence revealing that preeclampsia is driven by autoimmunity.
Low-dose aspirin prevents cognitive decline in women with high cardiovascular risk
Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is controversial (meaning there is conflicting evidence for its use by patients who have not previously suffered a heart attack or stroke). But the authors of a study just published in BMJ Open (British Medical Journal) show that low-dose aspirin prevented cognitive decline in women with high cardiovascular risk.
Breast cancer risk increased by diagnostic radiation
Breast cancer risk increased is by diagnostic radiation including mammography for BRCA1/2 gene carriers.
Breast cancer in Marin linked to vitamin D receptor differences
The high incidence of breast cancer in Marin County, California is linked to vitamin D receptor polymorphisms ('versions').
Dried apples and plums lower cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women
Dried apples and plums lower cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women
Infertility and chronic inflammation from subclinical pelvic inflammatory disease
Infertility and chronic inflammation from subclinical pelvic inflammatory disease