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.
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.
ALS and gluten sensitivity
In a study just published in JAMA Neurology, investigators report an association between some cases of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and gluten sensitivity.
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.
Mercury exposure at low levels induces autoimmunity
Methylmercury, at low levels generally considered safe, was associated with subclinical autoimmunity among reproductive-age females. Autoantibodies may predate clinical disease by years, thus methylmercury exposure may be relevant to future autoimmune disease risk.
Breast cancer, oxidative stress and NF-κB
A paper just published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment highlights how reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate pro-inflammatory NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa beta, also an oncogenic transcription factor) to promote more aggressive breast cancer, and that this can be ameliorated by NAC.
Gluten intolerance acquired after gastroenteritis
Gluten intolerance can occur at any age due to a number of causes that contribute to loss of immune tolerance. The authors of a paper published recently in the journal Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench remind how a bout of viral or bacterial gastroenteritis can be the trigger.
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.
Fatigue: inflammation and autoimmunity
Severe fatigue, associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or another disorder, has as a core underlying cause chronic inflammation...there are sufficient robust multiple lines of evidence to support the proposition that the severe fatigue and profound disability experienced by people with the neurodegenerative, neuro-immune and autoimmune diseases discussed here is largely driven by peripheral immune activation and systemic inflammation either directly or indirectly by inducing mitochondrial damage.
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).
Magnesium protects against preeclampsia seizures
...magnesium raises the threshold for seizures in preeclampsia by reducing neuroinflammation...and prevents hypertension in the last weeks of pregnancy.
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.
Blood donation? Great. Take some iron after.
According to a clinical trial recently published in JAMA, iron supplementation after blood donation may prevent you from becoming anemic and very likely greatly reduce the time it takes to recover a normal ferritin level.
ALS treatment: start long before clinical symptoms
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) has a long presymptomatic period during which neuroprotective interventions can be applied.
Cancer survival enhanced by complementary therapies
Evidence reported in a study just published in Current Oncology Reports demonstrates that appropriate complementary therapies, beyond improving symptoms and quality of life, prolong cancer survival.
Perinatal brain injury and inflammation
Perinatal brain injury involves neuroinflammation with consequences for neuropsychiatric disease extending into adult life...
Blood from children with autism induces autistic features in rats
"One of the most remarkable findings of the current study is the development of several features of autism in young rats whose brains were exposed to sera from autistic children...Remarkably, P6 treatment was able to rescue these structural abnormalities probably via increased BDNF expression."
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.
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and Helicobacter pylori
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by antibody destruction of platelets...based on the findings of clinical reports emerging over the past 20 years, health organizations around the world increasingly suggest the detection and eradication of H. pylori as a treatment for ITP.