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.
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.
Osteoporosis bone loss reversed by prunes
Research just published in PLoS One (Public Library of Science) offers evidence that prunes, now fashionably known as dried plums, not only help to reduce bone loss but stimulate new bone growth.
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.
Test helps select most effective chemotherapy for leukemia and other cancers
Acute myelocytic leukemia responds significantly better to chemotherapy selected by a test that shows the ability of each chemotherapeutic agent to induce apoptosis (cell death) according to research just published in the journal Leukemia & Lymphoma. This joins the list of other malignancies including breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer that are treated more effectively with chemotherapy screened by the microculture kinetic (MiCK) drug-induced apoptosis assay.
Aspirin Cardiovascular/Gastrointestinal Risk Calculator
Aspirin has been shown to be worthy of consideration for secondary, and in some cases primary, prevention of heart attacks and strokes but carries known risks for gastrointestinal side effects. If you're not certain whether to recommend low-dose aspirin to a patient, the aspirin cardiovascular/gastrointestinal risk calculator can help with the clinical decision. A paper recently published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics describes the development and use of this practical tool.
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.
For preschool children at risk for ADHD parent behavioral training beats medications
It might seem counter-intuitive to medicate preschool children at risk for ADHD with drugs like Ritalin®, but a team of investigators tested the assumption and found that parent behavioral training (PBT) yields better outcomes than methylphenidate without risk of side effects by examining the evidence for a variety of treatments in a study just published in the journal Pediatrics.
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.
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.
Tennis elbow and sciatica are not helped by corticosteroid injections
Among patients with chronic unilateral lateral epicondylalgia, the use of corticosteroid injection vs placebo injection resulted in worse clinical outcomes after 1 year, and physiotherapy did not result in any significant differences. The available evidence suggests that epidural corticosteroid injections offer only short-term relief of leg pain and disability for patients with sciatica. The small size of the treatment effects, however, raises questions about the clinical utility of this procedure in the target population.
Sitting the rest of the day wipes out the benefit of an hour of vigorous exercise
Adding to the evidence demonstrating the marked metabolic impairment caused by sitting most of the day (and the benefit of sit-stand desks), research recently published in PLoS One (Public Library of Science) shows that the benefit of a full hour of exercise is wiped out by sitting the rest of the day...One hour of daily physical exercise cannot compensate for the negative effects of inactivity on insulin sensitivity and plasma lipids if the rest of the day is spent sitting. Reducing inactivity by low intensity activities such as walking at a leisurely pace and standing is more effective than physical exercise in improving these parameters in sedentary subjects. Our study suggests that in addition to health interventions that stress the importance of spending enough energy to maintain a neutral energy balance, a minimal daily amount of non-sitting time should also be promoted.
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.
High protein beats high carbohydrate diet for biomarkers of metabolic syndrome
Regulating insulin is the key factor metabolic syndrome, diabetes and weight loss. In accordance with that, a randomized controlled trial just published in the journal Diabetes Care offers more evidence that a higher protein (with carbohydrate) diet improves multiple biomarkers better than a high carbohydrate diet.
Study associates iodine deficiency with type 2 diabetes
Astute clinicians are cautious with iodine supplementation due to the risk for triggering latent thyroid autoimmunity, but a study just published in the journal Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes is a reminder to remain vigilant about the potential need for iodine when managing type 2 diabetes.
Sugar calories are worse for diabetes and obesity than others
Attentive clinicians who have been exhorting their patients for years to avoid excessively stimulating insulin production with sugar are heartily welcoming the superb research just published in PLoS One (Public Library of Science) that drives a stake through the heart of the mistaken notions that calories from sugar have the same effect as others, and that obesity causes diabetes.
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.