Proverbs 13:17 ESV A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A17&version=ESV] “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,” declares Isaiah 52:7, and we can all understand the sentiment. When someone comes to tell us good news, we are glad to see them,…
DetailsGoing away on a vacation for a week and returning to a water leak and subsequent water damage is never fun. Going away for months serving your country and returning to your home base’s living quarters to find mold growing is just as disheartening. While both may be covered cost-wise, one by insurance and the…
DetailsCOVID 19 has clearly left its marks on both individuals and society as a whole, and researchers have found another example of the profound immunological impact of this viral infection in reviewing the medical records of numerous children: COVID increases the rates of type I diabetes in infected children. This should not shock those who…
DetailsProverbs 13:16 ESV Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A16&version=ESV] We’ve all been a bit to quick to the trigger at times. We’ve spoken before thinking, acted before considering, agreed before understanding. Sometimes it works out. Often it doesn’t. This proverb points out the dichotomy between the foolish…
DetailsFunctional and natural medicine live in a world where their angry cousin, conventional medicine, keeps shouting for evidence, for studies, and for proof. Thankfully, the vast majority of what we do has sound evidence to support it directly or indirectly. The moaning and groaning of the grumpy cousin are therefore unwarranted- except for the rare…
DetailsWhile alligators, as a top predator, don’t fear much in the wild, they should be concerned about the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contaminating their environments. Their thick skin prevents harm from potential attackers, but their immune systems can be sabotaged by the widespread fluorinated organic chemicals polluting much of American waterways. Having recognized that alligators…
DetailsProverbs 13:15 ESV Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A15&version=ESV] Stories are the fundamental way people understand reality. Math and numbers may describe reality, but for the human mind, stories define reality. In other words, math is setting; stories are setting, plot, character, and theme combined. Thus,…
DetailsThe University of Minnesota is working to evaluate and remediate recently discovered excessive mold growth in one of their freshman dorms. After several students reported health concerns and visible mold, the university initiated a full inspection with a report to be released soon. So far, they report having found Cladosporium sphaerospermum but no mention of…
DetailsThis common herbicide in your food and in your yard increases the risk of lower birthweight in high-risk pregnancies and appears to increase the risk of a neonatal intensive care unit admission. With 8% of U.S. births falling into a high-risk category due to some other health factor in the mom, many babies enter the…
DetailsProverbs 13:14 ESV The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A14&version=ESV] Dramatic Bible verses are hardly uncommon, but this one should grab our attention: what are these ‘snares of death’? They could be literal, theological, eternal, or any other of a…
DetailsWe live in a paradoxical age, a time when information is more available to the average person than ever before in history, yet the truth seems more elusive than ever. Multiple factors play a role in creating this volatile and anxiety provoking situation. Together these factors challenge even the most diligent of truth seekers, while…
DetailsA study of the history of warfare emphasizes that an army’s supply lines are often the difference between victory and defeat. Our immune system’s battle for our health, though enacted at a microscopic level, likewise depends on supply lines. The recent pandemic, by highlighting the effects of nutrients like vitamin D on the outcomes of…
DetailsProverbs 13:13 ESV Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A13&version=ESV] We don’t like listening to authority. Well, we do, but only when it tells us things we like. Unfortunately, because man is sinful, the only authority he tends to like is that which…
DetailsSo many parents face the challenge of raising small children with unexplained chronic illness and hear the encouragement that the child will grow out of it sooner or later. This may cheer parents in the first week or two, but when symptoms continue for weeks or progress in severity and variety, eventually parents want more…
DetailsSettled science sometimes unsettles. Due to the universally recognized critical sensitivity of infants in the womb to toxins and stress, a wide body of evidence and resulting recommendations address what medications are safe or not safe during pregnancy. Health care providers and expecting mothers depend on these recommendations and guidelines to protect their little ones…
DetailsProverbs 13:12 ESV Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A12&version=ESV] God created man to desire. Primarily, He created man to desire Him, to love and adore Him; as a consequence of that love, though, He also ordained that we should love each other, should love…
DetailsIn practicing functional medicine, we use the best of both worlds of medicine, and both worlds benefit from quality studies looking at the therapies we recommend to our patients. Regardless of whether we’re recommending an herbal or a pharmaceutical, we want some evidence to back up our plans. Clinical experience always guides our protocols, but…
DetailsWe have known for some time that various autoimmune conditions increase the risk of heart disease, but no big picture of the connection has ever been attempted. These cardiovascular risk factors have always taken a backset to the traditional risks of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. This research paper sought to bring the big picture…
DetailsProverbs 13:11 ESV Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A11&version=ESV] Money made quick goes quick. It’s not a universal rule- this verse is descriptive, not prescriptive-, but the trend holds true. If I made money quickly, I’ll be more prone to spending it quickly, because I…
DetailsUnderstanding causation of a disease often starts with recognizing correlations between possible triggers and an identified disease syndrome. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) has been recognized as a syndrome affecting millions for a number of years yet a full understanding of its mechanisms and causes is still forthcoming. Researchers who take it seriously rather…
DetailsThe awareness of environmental chemical effects on human health has grown over recent years as more and more studies point towards measurable effects. Simultaneously, medical understanding of the hormonal receptors and these chemicals’ structures allow more direct connections to be made at a mechanistic level. Regardless, much of the work begins with studies like this…
DetailsProverbs 13:10 ESV By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A10&version=ESV] Listening is a skill most humans find unpleasant to learn. Generally speaking, one’s own opinions are much more interesting than everybody else’s, unless they’re agreeing; generally speaking, being too fond of the sound of one’s own…
DetailsThe news offers a never-ending smorgasbord of COVID-19 studies, but analyses like this one which bring together a lot of information into one presentation deserve special attention. Many are studying the aftereffects of COVID 19, something we call Post-COVID syndrome or Long-Hauler Syndrome. Countless symptom fingerprints are attributed to this unholy viral disease thrust upon…
DetailsSometimes researchers get really sweet ideas. Who wouldn’t want to inhale some honey to treat an infection? Well, okay, the reality of this new therapy for a drug resistant infection is not as taste-bud-exciting as it initially sounds. However, the potential benefits for thousands of cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis patients could be far more exciting…
DetailsProverbs 13:9 ESV The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A9&version=ESV] One central theme of the book of Proverbs is the superiority of the eternal to the temporary, of that which is God’s to that which is man’s. This proverb continues the trend, highlighting the…
DetailsShow me the science! This situation reminds me of a middle school argument in which a friend would just reply with a “prove it” when confronted with something they did not like. When it comes to mold toxicity, many in the conventional medical world just can’t fathom that their medical school and residency did not…
DetailsMost kids shrug off the call to bed as long as they can. With TV’s, smartphones, computers, and headphones among other bedroom electronics to keep them busy, young children want to keep going. Life is too much fun and there are too many things to do to justify turning out the lights and turning off…
DetailsProverbs 13:8 ESV The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A8&version=ESV] Being rich is dangerous. People are envious, and people are greedy. Some people will take the direct route to the wealth: kidnap-and-ransom, violent theft, or (if they’re particularly envious) murder-and-loot. Some take a more…
DetailsThe methylation cycle shows up in all kinds of disease processes. Researchers had linked high homocysteine levels with NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, in other studies. In this mouse study, they found that the addition of B12 and Folate not only lowered homocysteine levels, but also lowered the frequency of homocysteine being attached to liver proteins and…
DetailsWhile a prior article discussed which children get Long Hauler COVID and how often, today we add to that scientific understanding with more on which symptoms children get in this troublesome post-viral syndrome. Those of us practicing medicine have long recognized the concept of post-viral syndromes, but we do appreciate the newly found interest in…
DetailsProverbs 13:7 ESV One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A7&version=ESV] As soon as a man got hold of one pretty rock, he immediately showed it off and told all his brothers that he actually had two shiny rocks, the second was just a…
DetailsThe Western Journal reported on a recent case of mold toxicity in August of this year, describing how a now 42 year previously healthy woman developed a list of unexplained symptoms after moving into an apartment with her husband in 2016. Over time her weight continued to increase while her brain function continued to decline.…
DetailsMany would confidently assert that antibiotics have changed the course of medical progress while others would just as vigorously assert that antibiotics can change the course of one’s life in less-than-positive ways. Yes, antibiotics have saved the lives of many who would have otherwise succumbed to some overwhelming infection. Yes, even without resorting to the…
DetailsProverbs 13:6 ESV Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A6&version=ESV] In the ultimate account of the world, righteousness, the true righteousness which comes from God, is a guard, a protection, to the man whom God loves; vice, conversely, brings about the downfall of the wicked. Therefore, the man…
DetailsSometimes I have to admit when my gentle skepticism is proven wrong. Thankfully, one of the paper’s authors admits that he did not expect the results of this study either. Conventional medicine will doubt these results, but it does appear that our natural appetites do seem to reflect innate recognition of what food combinations cover…
DetailsEven prior to COVID’s intrusion into the world of immune research, much debate centered around whether we needed more vitamin D or if the standard daily allowance was enough. The exact minimum level continues to be debated, but this study provides further support for our contention that this so-called vitamin plays a role in inflammatory…
DetailsProverbs 13:5 ESV The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A5&version=ESV] Hate is the great crime of modernity. Racism, anti-homosexuality, anti-transgenderism, and a whole host of other sins against modernity (e.g. bigotry) revolve around hate, around not being loving. After all, ‘love is love’. That position is evil. To hate…
DetailsFor those who suffer from mold toxicity, ‘Is this mold?’ is rarely relevant. They know the answer. On the other hand, they really want to know how or why it is happening. They see others around them in the same environment who are not sick, but they themselves suffer greatly. In the end, it comes…
DetailsAny parent gets this point, but research now supports the fact that parents of infants know a painful cry when they hear it. It is a well know fact of life that babies cry a lot. Sometimes it seems like they cry for no reason, but clearly, sometimes the crying means they’re hurting. They have…
DetailsProverbs 13:4 ESV The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A4&version=ESV] That sloth breeds poverty and diligence plenty is not surprising. We often, however, forget about the more important results of sloth and diligence: the respective impoverishment and enrichment of the soul. Sloth…
DetailsResearchers have long noted that male pregnancies seem to suffer more from pregnancy stress than female. Many theories abound for why males have higher rates of neurodevelopmental issues like autism than females. This study looks at both the mechanisms of this effect and a possible therapy to prevent it. In their mouse study, this group…
DetailsThough tiny in size, viruses pack a big punch. Most recognize that from the various acute illnesses we face, including the recent heavyweight SARS CoV2 (which causes COVID 19). On the other hand, many may not know that viruses can contribute to long term conditions. Sure we know that some viruses can contribute to liver…
DetailsProverbs 13:3 ESV Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A3&version=ESV] Let’s pick up where we left off last week. The second standard, beauty, is the question, ‘Does this person have a right to this information; is this the proper time and place to tell…
DetailsThe wider medical world and the world at large keep ignoring the evidence of the toxicity of water damaged buildings. Despite this, functional medicine providers continue to treat scores of adults and children with clear symptoms due to these microbially overrun environments. One of the challenges to confirming a causative link resides in debate over…
DetailsIf COVID is a four letter curse word, Long COVID is a drunken sailor’s mouth which torments adults after COVID and includes a few children as well. Thankfully, studies like today’s focus article indicate that children are affected less often than adults. Still, parents want to know the chances and be prepared if their child…
DetailsProverbs 13:3 ESV Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A3&version=ESV] Snitches get stitches, or so the warning runs, and gossips have acquaintances, not friends. Some people, it seems, just don’t know when to stop talking; others don’t know when to start. This proverb addresses…
DetailsHurricane Harvey’s arrival in Houston left a lasting impression. There were the obvious impacts: Homes and businesses were destroyed, and lives were lost. There were also invisible impacts: flood damaged buildings and possessions grew mold and apparently, yet more toxins touched people’s lives. Other articles have addressed the mold toxins in the water damaged Houston,…
DetailsOne might believe that viruses besides SARS-CoV2 are novel, but viruses have been around for a very long time. Not only have they been infecting our ancestors for generations, but right now, you have viruses that have taken up residence in your body since childhood or earlier. Articles like today’s encourage functional medicine providers when…
DetailsProverbs 13:2 ESV From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A2&version=ESV] We talk a lot. We speak to friends, family, acquaintances, strangers, ourselves, nobody in particular, and most importantly, God. We speak, and most of the time we pay little…
DetailsMothers cherishes their little bundles of joy. We celebrate their birth and joyously commemorate the day for a lifetime. So much is poured into the infant’s first months and years in order to raise them into healthy adults. We should not ignore the fact that the little life has been swimming in amniotic fluid, absorbing…
DetailsI am always amazed at how we can consider our society as so advanced when we so blatantly poison ourselves with so many chemicals. We can look back and arrogantly belittle ancient uncivilized societies who poisoned themselves with lead in their water or drank from the waters in which they sacrificed. However, no matter how…
DetailsProverbs 13:1 ESV A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+13%3A1&version=ESV] Modernity doesn’t like fathers. To this culture, the father is a bigoted idiot, a bumbling if well-intentioned obstacle, or a Machiavellian tyrant, whom the children must evade and outwit in order to do what they…
DetailsOur cells undergo a lot of wear and tear in this fallen world of infection, toxins, and inflammation. The proteins take a beating, and sometimes they end up getting unfolded, misfolded, or stuck together. These dysfunctional proteins need to be cleaned up and cleaned out if the cells are going to continue working properly. When…
DetailsFoggy brains during a viral illness are nothing new as most of us feel foggy during the flu or bad head cold. This fogginess typically resolves as the infection is clear. COVID foggy brains can rise to a different level, however, both in terms of severity and duration. Not that the flu bug can’t kill…
DetailsProverbs 12:28 ESV In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A28&version=ESV] Can a man once saved be assured that the salvation is permanent? To say yes, many argue, is rank presumption; to say no, their opponents argue, is insulting the sovereignty of God and the truth…
DetailsAs 2022 marches on, we have entered the season of summer vacations. Many families booked beach trips up and down the coast months ago and are recently, currently, or soon enjoying time away from home in hotels and beach houses. Most choose their hotel based on location, amenities, and rates, with little thought to what…
DetailsUnlike those who consider life to be an illusion, we all know that our experiences can leave long-lasting effects on who we are. For any pediatric health care provider and many adopting parents, the fact that early life deprivation for children leaves life-long effects is an undeniable conclusion. Having worked with many families who adopted…
DetailsProverbs 12:27 ESV Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A27&version=ESV] The image of a man deciding not to eat because cooking is just too much work is legitimately funny, but we’ve all had similar impulses. We’ve all considered (or gone through with) leaving the…
DetailsSometimes antibiotics are needed to save a life. They are not inherently evil. However, not all uses of antibiotics are worth the risks associated. We know that antibiotics can trigger yeast overgrowth, intestinal problems, and possible allergic reactions. In this study, researchers also found a link between increased use of antibiotics over the lifetime and…
DetailsWhat do immune cells look like when they age and why do some immune systems grow more gray hair than others? When we talk through a mall, we can usually separate strangers by age through a variety of characteristics like gray hair and wrinkles. Sometimes, though, we marvel at how certain people seem to age…
DetailsProverbs 12:26 ESV One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A26&version=ESV] The power of a good- and a bad- example seems obvious to all of us. We imitate what we admire, and as we imitate it, we are shaped by that imitation.…
DetailsHopefully, your mom and dad taught you to respect those who protect you. Besides respecting our parents, we should show respect to police officers, firefighters, and our military. Respect doesn’t require a huge amount of effort but does include attention to doing the right thing. In the case of providing housing to military families serving…
DetailsForgive me, but I am still a little shell-shocked. After years of mainstream medicine downplaying the role of diet and nutrition in the severity of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, we actually get a study which demonstrates a connection between diet and ADHD symptom. We have known that imbalances in brain neurotransmitters contribute to ADHD. We…
DetailsProverbs 12:25 ESV Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A25&version=ESV] Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. The book of Proverbs has a way of stating truths we all know with clarity we often lack. Being…
DetailsIn the world of functional medicine, we deal with numerous occult infections. Viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi can sometimes find great hiding places in our bodies preventing our immune surveillance from eradicating them. Medical scientists must admit that even pharmaceuticals like antivirals and antibiotics may leave behind these hiding infectious agents. To fully eradicate these…
DetailsOur world is filled with not only lots of new people to meet and appreciate, but with a vast number of natural therapies which offer relief and restoration to those suffering from a chronic illness. As science advances, many of these new herbal friends attract our attention and gain our interests. New studies by researchers…
DetailsProverbs 12:24 ESV The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A24&version=ESV] Proverbs is full of harsh truths, truths many people enjoy forgetting. Laziness leads to ignominy and forcible hard work. Diligence leads to prosperity and authority. These truths are not without exception; they are patterns,…
DetailsMold is everywhere; so the naysayers claim. That truth of that claim does not negate that some molds are more problematic than others and that some molds can be an issue in our world of air-tight buildings. With that in mind, yes, the mold that college students like those a Vanderbilt found could be negatively…
DetailsEveryone wants to know why almost 1 in 10 children now have been diagnosed with ADHD, affecting their lives and the lives of their families. Numerous theories ask if some exposure or deficiency during pregnancy could be influencing brain development negatively. Toxins, deficiencies, infections, and various forms of inflammation are also implicated. As with autism,…
DetailsProverbs 12:23 ESV A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A23&version=ESV] Why does Proverbs tell us that prudent people conceal knowledge? Such concealment seems dishonest, almost; shouldn’t they be forthright in sharing what they know? Lying is wrong. We all know this. Concealing knowledge, though, is not lying. Not…
DetailsWhile the epidemic of diseases associated with inflammation rages, many search for explanations and mechanisms. With a little epidemiological sleuthing, one can quickly see a pattern linking dietary issues and higher rates of these inflammatory diseases. Many know that cardiovascular disease offers a number of links with poor nutrition lifestyles. Fewer recognize the nutritional choices…
DetailsWith the increasing prevalence of autism and developmental delays in children, would you stop to read a headline like ‘54% of Pregnancies at Risk for Autism’? Most parents would at least read the first few lines of such a striking claim. Uppsala University researchers should have gotten everyone’s attention when they published their results earlier…
DetailsProverbs 12:22 ESV Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A22&version=ESV] To be an abomination before the Lord is no small thing. The deeds of the Canaanites, which God called ‘abominations’, were the foundation for God’s judgement of that land. As Deuteronomy 18:25 says, “……
DetailsWhile mold toxins, mycotoxins, affect us in a variety of ways, their effects on the immune system seem to be a primary pathway. Though controversy exists over things like “toxic building syndrome”, research clearly supports immune modulating effects of these toxins. Researchers in a November 2021 volume of the International Journal of Molecular Science reviewed…
DetailsIn functional medicine, we are trained to think about root causes and this requires thinking about the upstream. For example, according to this study Vitamin D can be traced far upstream in the development of ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Rather than simply waiting until a disease or symptom occurs and then responding with a…
DetailsProverbs 12:21 ESV No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A21&version=ESV] Well, here’s one that seems patently untrue. Good people get hurt a lot; wicked people get rich a lot. The problem with that interpretation, though, is a mistaken understanding of ‘ill’ and a consequent misunderstanding of ‘trouble’. The…
DetailsBoth conventional and functional medicine can agree that most people in our nation need more fiber. The average American diet includes more and more processed ingredients with less and less old-fashioned fiber, leaving many missing out on fiber’s benefits. We can all agree that most patients can see benefits like lower cholesterol, better gut health…
DetailsMost people know that their best chance at triggering an unwanted yeast infection would be to take some good old-fashioned antibiotics. These yeast infections caused by a particular type of fungus may manifest in various bodily locations but they all seem to share a common mechanism. Antibiotics, by their very design, kill off bacteria that…
DetailsProverbs 12:20 ESV Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A20&version=ESV] This verse sets up an antithesis: deceit and evil versus peace and joy. The contrast, on a very basic level, seems obvious. It’s bad things against good things. That overview is true, but…
DetailsFor some reason, many people, particularly in our supposedly advanced nation, ignore what much of the world already realizes. The world’s most advanced medical system can focus so much attention on the big diseases like heart, diabetes, cancer, and others but cannot grasp the impact of mold toxins on our health. In this study, a…
DetailsParents of children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) search for anything that will help their children overcome the hindrances of this condition. They watch their children struggle with school and relationships. The parents struggle with the stress of ADHD on their own relationship with the affected child. Arguments and frustrations can abound. With this…
DetailsProverbs 12:19 ESV Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A19&version=ESV] The sovereignty of God means that the good guys are going to win; more precisely, it means that our good Lord is going to win. After all, if He is with us, who can hope to stand…
DetailsHow does such a little bacteria in such a little insect as a tick cause so many trouble? Lyme disease, like other biotoxin illnesses, produces a myriad array of symptoms in those who suffer from its attack. Practically every body system suffers some symptom or disruption when Borrelia burgdorferi enters one’s bloodstream from a tick…
DetailsHealth prevention comes down to a risk reduction number-game. Primary prevention serves as a term describing how to keep a healthy person healthy. At the point of primary prevention, we don’t know who is going to develop which disease so we treat a lot of people the same way trying to prevent as many as…
DetailsProverbs 12:18 ESV There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A18&version=ESV] Let’s start things off with a bang. “… The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the…
DetailsMold and Lyme garner greater attention from both chronically ill patients and functional medicine practitioners, but they are not alone in the biotoxin world. Spider bites and bartonella, the bacteria behind cat scratch disease, are also generally recognized as triggers for the Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). Lesser attention, however, is paid to toxic algae…
DetailsWe live in a toxic world. Yes, the stress of our times burdens us, but here I am talking about the toxins literally flowing through our water supply. We have industrial pollutants. We have countless medications pouring into our toilets. Some of these are filtered out in treatment plants and some are not. Among the…
DetailsProverbs 12:17 ESV Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A17&version=ESV] This proverb seems like a truism or a tautology. A tautology, of course, is a tautology, and we can’t get much out of them. Proverbs 12:17, though, points out a truth very important to all parts of…
DetailsWhile the onslaught (literally) of super-hero movies battles for our attention, we should instead consider real-life heroes in the world of natural therapies. Movie screen superheroes get the adrenaline going for a day or so, but natural heroes like resveratrol can offer far more benefits to our health. We could extol resveratrol for a variety…
DetailsThe world of medicine must constantly learn what it does not know. This requires a level of humility and a measure of hunger. With the advent of COVID, we have all faced the unknown of a novel infection which required us to admit that we had much to learn about viruses and their diseases. The…
DetailsProverbs 12:16 ESV The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A16&version=ESV] Ignoring an insult is generally harder than you’d wish. Sometimes, thankfully, it’s a glancing blow, ill-aimed to get past your defenses. More often than we’d like to admit, though, the insults, intended or not, make…
DetailsThe veterinary world strives to understand mold toxins and their effects on various livestock. Since the world of human medicine refuses to adequately research how these ubiquitous toxins affect us, we have to look to these animal studies to better understand. With that in mind, this veterinary paper offers a number of takeaway points to…
DetailsOur brains don’t like being shaken, rattled, or given a thud. Growing recognition of this fact of biology has given rise to more and more research into the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). In addition to a range of adults in contact sports (boxing, football, soccer, and others), children…
DetailsProverbs 12:15 ESV The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A15&version=ESV] Nobody knows everything, but some folks are awful certain they do indeed have that privilege. We’ve all met them, and sometimes, to our everlasting shame, been them from time to time. Unfortunately,…
DetailsDecisions are never so simple. Just add some heavy metal like lead to gas so that it burns better and our cars run better. Seemed simple at the time. Decades later we all still suffer as a nation from that decision. Rather than methodically study the possible secondary effects of adding millions of tons of…
DetailsDespite decades of food industry propaganda blaming fat as the scapegoat, more and more research points towards sugar as being a major contributor to inflammation in the diet. Many studies have correlated sugar consumption with a variety of inflammatory conditions. Scientists are not, however, satisfied with correlations. We want mechanisms of action to be clear…
DetailsProverbs 12:14 ESV From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A14&version=ESV] To say that God rewards the just and punishes the wicked is nearly banal. The question of how He does so, in contrast, is all too often…
DetailsWhile correlation does not equal causation, the presence of various mold and yeast species in Norwegian daycare centers does suggest the need for more research. A number of other studies have suggested a connection between mold and yeast in children’s environments and the development of allergies and asthma. These researchers did not work necessarily towards…
DetailsIn a world where pain and fever are a common affliction, sufferers (and their parents) appreciated having therapies which relieve these discomforts. Both pharma and natural medicine offer a list of substances which work to relieve pain and fever. With this list of options, most parents recognize that any therapy may have risks, even if…
DetailsProverbs 12:13 ESV An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A13&version=ESV] This verse continues the themes of the previous verse and of much of Proverbs: the self-destructive nature of evil and the fundamental consonance of righteousness with God’s world. These two tendencies are far…
DetailsThe world of conventional medicine seems to continue in its doubt of natural therapies until its own methods prove a natural therapy worked… and then they hijack it for a medication. Once again, researchers have found omega 3’s, in this case the EPA form, to have significant benefit for patients with cardiovascular disease. Therefore, of…
DetailsFirefighters in a burning building will check doors and rooms for fire or smoke. If something is not right, they activate resources to address the issue. Natural Killer cells function in a similar way: they patrol our cells asking each one how things are going. Depending on the response they get, the Natural Killer cells…
DetailsProverbs 12:12 ESV Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A12&version=ESV] The wicked man does not produce; he steals. His love is the spoil, and spoil cannot be made, only stolen. Wickedness is, after all, antithetical to God, and therefore antithetical to the Dominion Mandate…
DetailsIntroductions are in order for the newest biotoxin to the world of life and medicine. Over the years society has become more and more familiar with biotoxins like mold toxins, Lyme, Bartonella, red tide, and others. Those who suffer from these illnesses would not wish their symptoms on anyone. Those of us who care for…
DetailsWe live in a world seemingly obsessed with either industrialization or with greenification. While our cities are expanding, we hear the battle cries for keeping our planet green on the news and social media. While many strive for climate change, in functional medicine we are urging our patients to move towards nature and away from…
DetailsProverbs 12:11 ESV Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A11&version=ESV] Mankind loves to be the center of attention, and mankind hates to work. These two truths come together to make ‘worthless pursuits’- carnal, empty entertainment, flashy stunts, get-rich-quick schemes, and more- to make…
DetailsThe news report below in the Military Times from February 17th recounts another sad chapter in our soldiers’ trench warfare against governmental bureaucracy. In 2019, Congress passed measures to address the publicized issues with military housing which included not only mold infestations, but rats and other problems. Countless soldiers and their families had raised awareness…
DetailsAs the world continues to live through another day of COVID 19, the medical world continues to report new findings attempting to explain the symptoms of COVID 19. A common adjective used to describe COVID 19 disease has been ‘weird’. This virus seems to have taken on a multitude of superpowers to affect a wide…
DetailsProverbs 12:10 ESV Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A10&version=ESV] To have mercy for the weak is not natural. Mankind may feel pity, it is true, and kindness is hardly unknown to him, but these are mere impulses, washed away with…
DetailsWe have all stood in front of a locked door working through a set of keys to see which one unlocks it. It takes time to try key after key to find one that works. What if we had a few hundred key, and a hundred or so locks to match? I would just give…
DetailsLike a modern-day action movie, the ticking time bomb of autism advances forward, taking a higher and higher percentage of the next generation as scientists frantically search for clues to the mystery. With the estimated rates of autism rising to 1 in 50-something, we all hope for answers which lead to successful therapies. Like the…
DetailsProverbs 12:9 ESV Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A9&version=ESV] The famous words of Milton’s Satan encapsulate the common sentiment of man’s pride: “Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven” (Paradise Lost Book 1, Line 263). Fallen man loves to lord himself…
DetailsMost are aware of vitamin D and vitamin C as well as minerals like zinc, but do you know about the role that iron plays in our immune defenses and microbial invasions like Lyme? As functional medicine strives to optimize the terrain for potential or actual microbial attacks, we must consider the battle over iron…
DetailsProverbs 12:8 ESV A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A8&version=ESV] Men of twisted minds seem to be the most successful sort. After all, who walks the halls of power? Who squabbles over the ‘Top Ten Wealthiest ____ in the World’ spots? Who do all…
DetailsSnotty noses may protect from COVID infections. Scientists in the Imperial College of London report on the benefits of T-cells primed by prior coronaviruses in lowering the risk of COVID 19 infections. Building on prior knowledge of cross-reactivity in the immune system and the genomic functioning of other coronaviruses, this team searched for more answers. …
DetailsProverbs 12:7 ESV The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A7&version=ESV] The house of the righteous is a remarkably resilient institution when considered under the lens of world history and a remarkably fragile one when considered under the lens of most men’s lifetimes. After all,…
DetailsIrritable Bowel Syndrome patients may grow a little irritated when allergists tell them that a particular food cannot be causing their GI symptoms. The allergist looks at either a skin allergy test of a blood IgE antibody test and says “all normal”. The IBS patient, however, knows that the food in question undoubtedly causes them…
DetailsProverbs 12:6 ESV The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A6&version=ESV] Why do we worry about people’s character when we’re listening to them? You’re probably giving me a funny look right about now, I know, but we need to be able to answer…
DetailsSo many struggling people enter our doors searching for answers to chronic mental health problems after having been told it was just all in their heads. Many other providers had advised them to accept the fact of lifelong medications and lifelong symptoms. Some of them had heard from therapists and counselors that they just had…
DetailsLet’s step back from individual therapies that a functional medicine provider might recommend for our patients and consider the bigger picture of natural therapies versus pharmaceuticals. For many, this separation is truly a one “versus” the other, an “either – or” choice. The purists of either camp can demonize the opposing camp, painting the picture…
DetailsProverbs 12:5 ESV The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A5&version=ESV] How much does somebody’s character matter when you’re considering their advice? Intelligence and knowledge don’t correlate well with moral character (though wisdom does), but the idea that since somebody is smart, he must be worth listening…
DetailsEven prior to the stress of 2020 and 2021’s new normal, we have seen a growing number of suicides. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/) the rate per 100,000 individuals has risen from about 12 in 2010 to 14 in 2018 with a slight dip in 2019 and 2020. So many…
DetailsAs our understanding of immunity deepens, our repertoire of immune modulators expands so that we can influence our immune defenses in a beneficial direction. The vaccine company Novavax, in working on a COVID-19 vaccine, has incorporated saponins from Chilean soapbark trees into their vaccine with the goal of boosting both antibody and cell-based immunity. Whereas…
DetailsProverbs 12:4 ESV An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A4&version=ESV] Choosing who you marry is a big deal. Even modern culture recognizes that much, and modern culture has relaxed the bonds of marriage till they’re a mere mockery of their…
DetailsThe tool of “Metabolomics” looks to revolutionize how we view children’s chronic diseases. The basic lab markers of yesterday revealed shadows of underlying dysfunction. Metabolomics works to shine clearer light deeper into the actual mechanisms of our next generation’s growing chronic illness epidemic. Today’s article of interest shares insights into how this developing tool has…
DetailsProverbs 12:3 ESV No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+12%3A3&version=ESV] The Bible repeatedly emphasizes man’s need for a strong foundation. In Matthew 7, for example, we read of the man who builds upon stone and the man who builds upon sand, and in 1 Timothy…
DetailsParents, doctors, and researchers have long wondered how children who have greater exposure to potential pathogens seem to have less infections and less allergies. Living on a farm, playing in the dirt, and hand-washing dishes seem to strengthen kids’ immunity in a variety of immune studies. The idea that ongoing infectious or antigen stimulation keeps…
DetailsAnytime you pack hundreds to thousands of students into a college campus, mold may visit the dorms and hallways bringing a variety of health effects (see our previous article on Virginia Commonwealth University here) . To put that many people in one area, you need large building, often with flat roofs and always with extensive…
DetailsProverbs 12:2 ESV A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012&version=ESV] Good things for good people seems like an over-simplified, Sunday school moral, and when we put it that way, it is. The righteous, those who hold faith in God and seek to follow his…
DetailsFor any of you out there who have worked the evening or night shift, you know that it does something to your bodies. Sure, there are a few night owls who thrive past midnight, but they have just adapted their body clocks to run differently that others. For those who disrupt a more day-oriented body…
DetailsWith a mainstream medical world harping about the importance of following CDC and consensus guidelines for the treatment of COVID 19, lets revisit some ancient history of 2013 to see how well pediatricians follow guidelines. Researchers from Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York measured the compliance of pediatric specialists with the “American Academy of…
DetailsProverbs 12:1 ESV Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012&version=ESV] Discipline and reproof are an essential part of any parent’s arsenal. When a kid throws a tantrum over not getting ice cream (incidentally launching his brussel sprouts in a parabolic arc towards the floor), his mother and father…
DetailsWhen mold toxicity strikes you or your family, you often feel very alone. No one seems to understand. Friends may back away from spending time together when they hear about your random symptoms. Family may urge you to just push through or stop complaining so much. Doctors pass you around from one office to another…
DetailsThe COVID 19 pandemic has hit us all like a real life fast-paced mystery spy thriller. Medical news has never gotten the media attention like this virus and the hoopla around it. Regardless of your opinions on the source of the virus, motives of the players, or response to COVID, we can all agree that…
DetailsProverbs 11:31 ESV If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner! [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A31&version=ESV] God’s justice doesn’t always seem to work. From out finite, mortal perspectives, it seems like a rickety old coffee machine which only works when you kick it a few times and turn the dials juuuust…
DetailsCheck out part one here. Aloe vera includes a number of chemical constituents derived from the plant which provide a number of benefits to the GI tract with ingestion. (Mills 2005) Various studies have demonstrated benefits including bowel regularity and various inflammatory conditions (Brawn & Cohen 2015; ,Bone & Mills 2013). It is considered safe…
DetailsG.I.DetoxTM from Bio-Botanical Research Inc. offers a multi-modal detox in a single product for our biotoxin patients suffering from mold toxicity, Lyme, disease, toxic algae, and Bartonella among others. Over time, we may shift focus to a single agent such as clay or charcoal or cholestyramine alone when we find only 1 toxin remaining, but…
DetailsHaving your cake and eating it too in the field of infectious disease means discovering antibiotics that both attack the bacteria and stimulate the immune system to turn up its defenses. Researchers report a new class of antibiotics which carry out this dual function, providing some hope in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Functional…
DetailsQuercetin finds itself in a number of Sanctuary protocols due to the multiplicity of benefits it has to offer. The natural substance boasts among its most well-known functions effects in ameliorating allergies, preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol, assisting in metal detoxification, and providing anti-oxidant protection. Lesser-known benefits include for those with prostatitis and very mild…
DetailsI have said this before, but we need to consider potentially removable triggers for a patient with autoimmune disease before just condemning them to a life of immune suppressing therapies. Discerning the root cause may avoid a lot of unnecessary therapy and prevent a lot of damage. I just don’t understand why conventional medicine ignores…
DetailsI have said this before, but we need to consider potentially removable triggers for a patient with autoimmune disease before just condemning them to a life of immune suppressing therapies. Discerning the root cause may avoid a lot of unnecessary therapy and prevent a lot of damage. I just don’t understand why conventional medicine ignores…
DetailsWe should all be looking for ways to strengthen our immune systems and the immune systems of our vulnerable loved ones. As we do so, we should search for those therapies that are most cost effective not only for ourselves, but for society as millions could benefit from such insight. Finding $1000 a pill therapies…
DetailsDay 12 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Twelve Snapshots of My Abundant Life” On this 12th and final day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas,” I wanted to share some images that help illustrate some of my ideas of the Abundant Life we talk about at SFM. We…
DetailsDay 11 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Eleven Favorite Supplements” “On this, the 11th Day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas,” we offer eleven video clips of some of Sanctuary’s favorite supplements. These all-stars stand out due to their ability to provide multiple benefits in one dose. I…
DetailsDay 10 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Ten Creative Exercise Ideas to Get You Moving” On the 10th day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Christmas,” we not only encourage you to do at least 10 minutes of exercise per day but provide 10 exercise ideas to fit into…
DetailsDay 9 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “9 Favorite Psalms” “On this 9th day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Christmas,” the staff at Sanctuary will be sharing some of their favorite Psalms. May your meditation upon these Psalms bless your season. We encourage others to look to the Psalms…
DetailsDay 8 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Memory is a Marvelous Gift” “On the 8th Day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas,” I want to highlight memory. We hold traditions and affections in our memory. Our memories often help shape who we are in the present. We encourage…
DetailsMoldy and Blood Brain Barrier https://sanctuaryfunctionalmedicine.com/topics/mold/moldy-and-blood-brain-barrier/ Everyone is exposed to mold on a practically daily basis. How can it really cause so many different symptoms as functional MD’s claim? Over time, I intend to answer those questions for a long list of symptoms, but for today, let’s look at the brain. Several studies indicate that…
DetailsDay 6 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Six Gluten-free Go-To’s” For the sixth day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas,” I will share a list of some of my family’s favorite gluten-free options for those times when life is just a little too rushed to worry about absolute…
DetailsDay 5 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Five Minutes of Real Rest” “Rest… It can be an elusive concept in today’s frenetic world. Many things interfere with rest: newborns, toxins, stress, anxiety, illness, schedules, LIFE! And this time of the year it seems to get worse. Despite its elusive nature, rest…
DetailsDay 4 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Four Key Nutrients for Healthy Holiday Celebrations: Incorporating MVPM into your Holiday Fare” “Our patients learn a great deal about MVPM during their health journey with us even if they never hear us bring them all together under this mnemonic. Minerals, Vitamins, Phytonutrients, and…
DetailsToday’s report brings together two studies into one soup that impacts health from infancy to adulthood. While the two groups of researchers know little to nothing of each other, their work comes together to guide families, society, and medical providers on the importance of early childhood nutrition and family meals. On one hand, the group…
DetailsDay 3 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “The Three Macronutrients That May Impact Your Relationships This Holiday Season” “During the Holiday Season, our patients generally struggle to participate in the festivities due to a variety of health issues. A large portion of those health issues involve dietary restrictions. Proteins, fats, and…
DetailsDay 2 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Two Gifts in One: A Gift of Infinite Value” “We all recognize Christmas as a season of gift giving. Have you ever stopped to think about the lasting value of the gifts that you give? Often, I have found that the gifts that I…
DetailsDay 1 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “One Dose of Conquering Peace” At Sanctuary Functional Medicine, our patients come to us seeking restoration. An important part of that restoring process includes finding relief from the chaos that chronic illness has brought into their lives. That chaos comes in many different forms.…
DetailsProverbs 11:30 ESV The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A30&version=ESV] The good deeds of a man are a blessing upon that man and upon those around him (Gen. 22:18; 18:18-33). As this verse says, the fruit- the results- of the righteous man’s life is…
DetailsVirginia Commonwealth University joins a list of other colleges which have been forced to close a dorm or building for mold remediation over the years. Johnson Hall has been closed as of November 23rd, 2021 after October investigations revealed mold concerns in a number of rooms. VCU’s site linked below provides their basic information on…
DetailsSanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more… offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
With the growing number of children developing autistic features in today’s world, researchers are on the hunt for the causes of autism. In a complex and multifaceted condition like autism, this hunt rarely ends an “aha” moment with the one answer suddenly appearing out of the research. Instead, research inches forward in fits and starts. …
DetailsProverbs 11:29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A29&version=ESV] ‘Inheriting the wind’ seems a little bit excessive for such a minor offense as ‘troubling your household’. This word for ‘trouble’ however, is another form of the word used for Achan…
DetailsResearchers are continuously uncovering the mechanisms behind what prior observations had demonstrated about the links between our diet, our gut, and our immune systems. A recent report in Nature explains another fascinating mechanism by which bacteria in our gut take amino acids in our diet to make a sugar that influences our immune system’s natural…
DetailsProverbs 11:28 Whoever trusts in his righteousness will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A28&version=ESV] Many men trust in their own righteousness. They say that they do good works for the poor, that they have never been rude, and that no man can hold anything they’ve done against them. These…
DetailsWith all the conflicting stories out there, you know you need to take the time to understand the science behind the recommendations. You don’t have to become a PhD in immunology or nutrition, but reading articles like this one and taking our Immune Prepper course (Sfmempoweron.com) will help you navigate the headlines and their abundant…
DetailsAs discussed in the prior article, although the GI tract would appear simple as a one-way street from mouth to anus, the story of mycotoxins turns out to be a real plot twisting complexity. In part 1 we began with an outline of how our gut bacteria affect the incoming mold toxins. In this edition,…
DetailsProverbs 11:27 ESV Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A27&version=ESV] In searching for God, man not only fulfills his duty but brings himself much benefit. When he searches for trouble, though, he will find it. He will not usually like the results of finding it.…
DetailsWhile the GI tract would appear simple as a one way street from mouth to anus, the story of mycotoxins turns out to be a real plot twisting complexity. We had hints of this complexity by the fact that different animals demonstrate varying abilities to withstand mold toxins in their diets. The importance of what…
DetailsGiven the past research indicating a correlation between air pollution and the rates of pediatric lower respiratory tract infections, this Memphis (TN) based study offers only a few surprises. Researchers utilized a variety of environmental assessments of pollution levels as compared to rates of pneumonia in different Memphis neighborhoods in order to connect the dots…
DetailsProverbs 11:26 ESV The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A26&version=ESV] Not every verse in Proverbs is a moral admonition. Some, like this verse, are intended to teach the read about the way the world really works. After all, just as a…
DetailsProverbs 11:25 ESV Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+11%3A25&version=ESV] This verse continues the theme of the last (LINK): the man who blesses another will be blessed by the Lord. The focus of verse 25, however, is on the spiritual as much as the physical. The most…
DetailsOverview The loved and hunted amino acid derivative, N acetyl cysteine, offers a number of potential benefits to those seeking to recover from or prevent the occurrence of several diseases and conditions. Those of us practicing functional medicine love its multifaceted uses (as noted below). For some reason government regulators are hunting it and considering…
DetailsModern medicine signs its name with “allopathy” when pressed for its roots. Allopathy basically means that we come against disease (pathos). If bacteria invade our body’s sanctuary, we respond with anti-bacterials. If cancer arises, we respond with anti-cancer agents called chemotherapy. This paradigm has served us well for decades in the acute war against disease.…
DetailsProverbs 11:25 ESV Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A25&version=ESV] This verse continues the theme of the last (LINK): the man who blesses another will be blessed by the Lord. The focus of verse 25, however, is on the spiritual as much as the physical. The…
DetailsAs we look to launch our SFM Empower Immune Prepper Course in the coming weeks (Note: as of this re-post, available here), I can’t control the urge to share a few bits and pieces of it now. With the onslaught of COVID 19 and the fear surrounding it, this wisdom will be critical to navigate…
DetailsCorrelation does not equal causation. We hear that often in medicine. For example, we know there are correlations between maternal illness during pregnancy and autism. We know that these two conditions, maternal illness and infant autism, travel together, but we don’t have a mechanism of action to prove that the former causes the latter. We…
DetailsProverbs 11:24 ESV One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A24&version=ESV] Charity as a business strategy seems counterintuitive; why would giving away what you have produce prosperity? Surely charity is a goal you can pursue only with the bit of your income that’s left…
DetailsThis year has welcomed a number of new ideas and words to the public’s vocabulary including cytokine storm, lockdown, coronavirus, and now “syndemic”. Apparently, this word was coined in the 1990’s with the HIV/AIDS crisis, but I had never heard it until today’s article. We have heard multiple studies highlighting the connection between chronic diseases…
DetailsIt’s just a little mold. It’s nothing to be afraid of… so they say. Until this little mold spreads around a little toxin called gliotoxin- then you all know what goes down. Functional MD’s like myself who deal with mold and its toxins are not surprised by this study’s findings, but conventional medicine should really…
DetailsProverbs 11:23 ESV The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A23&version=ESV] At first blush this verse seems to teach ideas many would rightly consider heresy, ideas like “anything a Christian wants is good” and “God gives Christian what they want all the time, every time”.…
DetailsThe hunt for autism’s trigger continues. The reason for its long continuance likely lies in that it is not one homogenous disease, but a mixture of different triggers culminating in a similar pattern of brain dysfunction and life disruption. The role of the immune system probably runs second only to genetics in terms of research…
DetailsMedicine boasts its fair share of long words. Cholestyramine is one of those long words which we use a lot at Sanctuary Functional Medicine as we care for our patient who suffer from biotoxin illness like mold. Typing or saying it over and over gets tiring, so we use the acronym CSM in the office…
DetailsProverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A22&version=ESV] One consistent theme of Proverbs is the superiority of wisdom to the carnal pleasures which so often overshadow it. A gold ring is beautiful and precious, without a doubt, and likewise a woman may be beautiful and…
DetailsWe should all be looking for ways to strengthen our immune systems and the immune systems of our vulnerable loved ones. As we do so, we should search for those therapies that are most cost effective not only for ourselves, but for society as millions could benefit from such insight. Finding $1000 a pill therapies…
DetailsMany younger patients come to our office with a life-disruptive mix of random symptoms that have lasted years, sometimes with a prior diagnosis of POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and they want answers. These patients primarily complain of dizziness, palpitations, passing out, difficulty exercising, and other cardiovascular symptoms. Most also complain of seemingly vague…
DetailsProverbs 11:21 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A21&version=ESV] Nowadays, generational security is an endeavor constantly on the edge of toppling under the pressure of economic trouble, political turmoil, and the difficulties of everyday life. God offers a better alternative: He promises to…
DetailsAs a functional MD caring for a multitude of mold toxic patient, I am frequently fielding the question of “how did I get mold toxins in me?”. I am also faced with defending this field of mold detox to conventional medicine. This particular article provides a few answers to how this whole process occurs and…
DetailsMany parents come to our doors seeking help for their child whom they suspect has PANS or PANDAS. These parents have either heard of the possibility from their doctor or come to suspect it after some reading online or in a parenting group. Others have never heard of these acronyms but just know that something…
DetailsProverbs 11:20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight. [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A20&version=ESV] That God takes delight in goodness and in beauty should be evident from a simple glance at the natural world or at your family. Sure, there are imperfections and cracks in the beauty, but…
DetailsIf your child has PANS or PANDAS, you have asked yourself at least once about what will happen if your little one gets COVID19. Like other parents, even a small risk of a deadly disease for your child sends chills up your spine. Unlike other parents, any viral or bacterial disease, however minor in other…
DetailsIn caring for those oppressed by mycotoxins, a functional MD like myself cannot ignore any body system. By definition, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome presents as a multi-symptom, multi-system disease. Mycotoxins enter our patients’ lives in multiple ways, through air, skin, and food. To enter their lives and restore their health, we are constantly trying to…
DetailsProverbs 11:19- “Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.” [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+11%3A19&version=ESV] God calls His people to imitate Him. He is forever “steadfast in righteousness”, and so we ought to similarly remain steadfast. However, because this task is too great a task for any man, God promises that He has…
DetailsResearchers have searched for the root causes of ADHD for decades hoping to hint at successful treatments. Sometimes, they also work backwards, looking at therapies that appear to be helpful and trying to understand why. By understanding how a medication changes dysfunction into function, they hope to uncover the root causes in the process. Functional…
DetailsI have said this before, but we need to consider potentially removable triggers for a patient with autoimmune disease before just condemning them to a life of immune suppressing therapies. Discerning the root cause may avoid a lot of unnecessary therapy and prevent a lot of damage. I just don’t understand why conventional medicine ignores…
DetailsIn our final summer series edition, we return to the medicine kitchen to discuss POTS and Long COVID. POTS, or postural orthostatic syndrome, took a while to gain acceptance in mainstream medicine; they have only recently begun to understand it as a probable autoimmune condition. This dysfunctional condition of the autonomic nervous system results in…
DetailsStudy Your Paycheck Everything will receive its due reward. The wicked will be deceived for a time thinking themselves the recipients of great reward, only to be rudely interrupted by their unwanted surprise. In contrast, the sower of righteousness receives something unchanging that can be trusted. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric…
DetailsThere is nothing like living through a mystery thriller in real time (even if the mice are the heroes of this particular chapter). The entire planet wakes up each morning asking for more news about this little virus called “SARS- CoV2” (and the resulting COVID 19 disease). Some people want to know the case count…
DetailsThe Reward of Kindness Be kind today. It will do you some good. Avoid cruelty as it will bite you. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and…
DetailsSeveral voices express their suspicions that mast cell activation plays a role in both the acute and chronic phases of COVID 19 disease. While these immune cells get more attention for their ability to release histamine and thereby cause allergic symptoms, they play a more common role than most would suspect. With the predicted frequency…
DetailsWe have come full circle again to needing discernment so this is a perfect time to reprint a blog article from 2020. My latest updated thoughts are included at the end. It takes guts to admit when you are wrong. I humbly admit that I finally agree with Dr. Fauci on something. Okay, if you…
DetailsGetting What You Deserve In a world of narcissism, sarcasm and disrespect, the graceful nature of godly women gains honor. In our fallen world, violent men do profit for a time. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently…
DetailsWe have come full circle again to needing discernment so this is a perfect time to reprint a blog article from 2020. My latest updated thoughts are included at the end. Current national headlines ramble constantly concerning studies and models for COVID. Those outside of medicine or the world of research either scratch their…
DetailsWe have come full circle again to needing discernment so this is a perfect time to reprint a blog article from 2020. My latest updated thoughts are included at the end. We take a moment to remind ourselves of who is in control of COVID. Some believe the elite globalists control this pandemic. Some…
DetailsBeware of Striking Hands We should focus on keeping our own word rather than making guarantees for others who are beyond our control. Making pledges for others will lead to disappointment. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently…
DetailsWhile I do my best to refrain from hasty generalizations by dialoguing with someone before taking their words in the wrong direction, with this article, I have to state my annoyance. The attitude hinted at in this article deserves a momentary spotlight and response. Maybe we can chalk it up to their being French, but…
DetailsLike other biotoxin diseases, COVID 19 appears to trigger ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus for many people. While the loss of smell being more common led to its greater fame in the list of COVID symptoms, tinnitus is leaving a number of post COVID patients with an annoyance they would like to be…
DetailsIf you accidentally close the enrollment box, here is another OPPORTUNITY. If you closed it without enrolling in the Sanctuary Orientation Series (SOS), we hope you will come back soon to do so. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee…
DetailsSeek Out Wisdom from Many Sources In a world of darkness and fog, guidance is critical. An abundance of insight can only come from an abundance of counselors. In that abundance one can rest in safety. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle…
DetailsMost in the general public would not recognize the word dysautonomia nor the syndrome called POTS. For those suffering with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a type of dysautonomia, or dysregulation of our autonomic control system, they can’t forget it. The dizziness, palpitations, syncopal episodes, fatigue, and sometimes inability to function well while standing upright…
DetailsLike any good all you can eat buffet, you have a number of choices when treating hypothyroid disease. Besides trying to reverse the cause of the weakening thyroid, functional MD’s work with a number of therapy choices rather than just the T4 that conventional medicine utilizes. Conventional medicine prescribes T4 or levothyroxine from a few…
DetailsSome diseases have the coolest names. Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis just rolls off your tongue even if your severe fatigue leaves you wanting to blame Dr. Hashimoto for this disease named after him. This malady gets quite a bit of press in the natural world and rightfully so as the high prevalence of this disease in…
DetailsPrior blog articles discussed the basics of T4 and T3, the primary active hormones of our thyroid gland, but now we turn our attention to the forgotten troublemaker in the family. Reverse T3, like its mirror image T3, has 3 iodines attached to a double tyrosine backbone. (see prior articles for more). The problem arises…
DetailsAs my first blog on Thyroid Answers explained, our thyroid gland makes two active forms of thyroid hormone. The first difference between these forms, T4 and T3, lies in how many iodine atoms are attached to the backbone structure. As you might guess, T4 has 4 iodine and T3 has 3 iodine. They are added…
DetailsThe thyroid uses a hormone as its foot on our metabolic gas pedal. The thyroid is a gland, or collection of tissue sharing one function, which secretes this hormone into our blood stream. The hormone travels throughout the body and interacts with receptors on cells. These cells respond by changing the rate of their cellular…
DetailsLong Haulers COVID patients need more help than just functional medicine. For some, they need help with long term care insurance benefits or disability benefits as they cannot go back to work. Our goals are always to return our post viral syndrome patients back to a healthier more abundant life, but that often requires some…
DetailsMouth Revelations One may appear wise and strong till the opening of their mouth belittles others and slanders, revealing their lack of sense. Often silence expresses more wisdom and understanding and demonstrates more trustworthiness. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and…
DetailsMany parents have become quite alarmed by Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), also known as “pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS)”. The media alerted us early in the epidemic to the small number of children who developed a hyperinflammatory state from the viral infection. While the vast majority of children suffered…
DetailsWhile the other systems discussed over the previous weeks stood out as more disruptive of life, the GI tract and the skin are thankfully affected in lesser degrees. Interestingly, the virus can be found in stool samples an average of 28 days after disease onset despite the GI symptoms being milder than with diarrhea acutely.…
DetailsTwo Reasons to Rejoice Both the blessing of the righteous and the fall of the wicked brings rejoicing to a city. May we have more rejoicing in these works of God as well as His deliverance of the wicked from their wickedness, making them into the righteous who brings blessing. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the…
DetailsWhile COVID 19 touches many body systems, sometimes for months, the nervous system ranks high in both the variety of symptoms and in the prevalence among the Long Hauler COVID crowd. Like other post viral syndromes, sufferers report ongoing fatigue, malaise, mood disruption, and sleep problems. Also frequent among the Long Hauler crowd are headaches…
DetailsWhile my recent post addressed the lungs and the blood clotting systems, today we turn our attention to a vital organ, the heart, and how COVID leaves behind nagging problems. For many, after COVID palpitations and chest pains disrupt life up to 6 months beyond the acute illness’s end, according to a Chinese study (1). …
DetailsOvercoming Strong Mouths Godless men seek to destroy everything nearby. Even their neighbors must take care of the wicked man’s mouth seeking to destroy. God uses knowledge and truth to deliver His righteous from the mouth of the wicked. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services…
DetailsBesides the lung focused symptoms which Long Hauler COVID patients experience, COVID patients fear the less common danger of blood clotting given its potential for devastating effects. While the rate of diagnosed blood clots up to 1 month after the acute infection lingers below 5% in most studies, the real chances are low. But, those…
DetailsMoving beyond the big picture, many Long Haul COVID patients feel the need for a deep breath but cannot ever quite get what they need. Obviously, a viral disease which infects the lung has the potential for leaving behind some lung damage. COVID, however, could be considered an overachiever in its leftover damage compared to…
DetailsLife Preservers Our fallen world offers many opportunities for trouble. We have more than a full time job avoiding the pitfalls and potholes. We need one greater than us to act as our deliverer. Living in righteousness before our Maker brings that needed deliverance whereas living in wickedness means one will walk directly into these…
DetailsIn real estate, its all about location, but for Long Hauler COVID, its all about the symptoms and then the time course. In the previous edition of this Long Hauler Summer Series, we discussed how medicine must identify the correct target in order to hit that target and hope for resolution of the disease or…
DetailsHitting a target first requires seeing and aiming at the right target. Without that first critical step, we will never overcome the very important target known as Long Hauler COVID or Long COVID. Conventional medicine has named it PACS (Post Acute COVID Sequelae), but most online simply know it as Long Hauler. In functional medicine…
DetailsThe Beginning and End of Hope We all hope whether our hearts are wicked or just. Our hopes may long for different dreams, but they are still hoping. The wicked hearts will one day fall short of that hope. May your hope be grounded in something eternal. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr…
DetailsChemicals which influence our hormonal balance literally fill our reality. From the air we breathe in water damaged buildings to the plastic- wrapped food we eat, we cannot escape them. While we treat many in our clinic with mold toxicity for hormonal imbalances, the threat posed by such toxins is magnified by the plethora of…
DetailsVitamin D stands out among the most critical and most researched nutrients. The list below only scratches the surface of known and suspected benefits that we gain from maintaining adequate vitamin D. It is actually more of a hormone than a vitamin in its mechanisms of action and is produced by humans from cholesterol metabolism.…
DetailsDeliverers and Captors Why does man so often seek captivity to his own lusts? Do they not see that wickedness leads them to the pit where they fall to their deaths? Why do not more seek righteousness and the deliverance from captivity? Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD,…
DetailsCOVID 19 has relatively spared children from the most severe complications and death but a very tiny number get a severe complication called multi-system inflammatory response (MIS-C). For these children, they experience the hyper inflammation with life threatening complications. Sometimes 4 to 6 weeks after an otherwise mild infection, these children start with fever, abdominal…
DetailsEver feel like you are living in the crazy house with how many times the story keeps changing about COVID antibodies? They do protect, they don’t protect. Antibody plasma works, it doesn’t work. Antibodies do last, they don’t last. Other coronavirus antibodies don’t cross react and protect, and now they do. Would you just like…
DetailsProfiting Rightly Treasure which we cannot hold deserves not our interest. When the day of testing comes and the riches dissipate, the wicked will have no profit. In that day, righteousness will deliver what riches could not. Even death cannot steal the reward. Seek the reward which endures. Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction…
DetailsWhile the adverse health effects of mold are under-recognized by the general public, the situation with insurance coverage for mold remediation might be even less so. As houses become more and more energy efficient, the risk for humidity or other water sources to build up and encourage mold growth in a house increases. Once someone…
DetailsScience lives on as the discipline which never runs out of questions, especially for COVID19. While true for every worthy scientific endeavor, the persisting syndrome of Long Hauler COVID promises a litany of questions to answer for years to come. The acute disease was threatening enough, but the ongoing symptoms for many with Long Hauler…
DetailsWhich Guide Will You Follow? How often have you sought guidance? If you have not done so, you might be more foolish than you realize. If you have sought guidance, what kind of guidance do you desire? Do you seek guidance which deceives? Of course not. You seek integrity. If you seek such integrity outside…
DetailsWith the growing epidemic of autism spectrum disorder in children, countless researchers are searching for the genes and pathways which lead to what we call autism. This paper describes how two proteins, Cullin 3 and Plastin 3 contribute to the failure of certain brain cells to find their destination in brain development. In the mouse…
DetailsSo many are asking if their mild COVID 19 infection protects them from getting the disease again. Some want to know if they still need a vaccine. Some just want to know if they are safe to venture out of their self-imposed bubble. Science wants to provide definitive answers rather than guesses so researchers have…
DetailsPride Comes Before the Fall We have heard of how the prideful tend to fall from their highest points. Look behind the curtain and see why this is true. We are but fleeting shadows on the grand stage of a universe larger than our comprehension and deeper in complexity than we can contain in our…
DetailsL-theanine finds itself in many patient programs at Sanctuary. It has a track track record in clinical care at our office. For patients needing something to relax whether to help with sleep or just settle anxiety, this non-essential amino acid works through GABA and alpha waves to both relax and improve cognitive function. Our bodies…
DetailsThe age of COVID-19 has brought upon us a re-examination of the air we breathe inside buildings. While history offers examples of airborne outbreaks inside buildings, this incident, unlike any of its predecessors, caught the entire world’s attention simultaneously. Yet, for those of us aware of the effects of water damaged building air quality, this…
DetailsBalancing Truth Neither truth nor justice grew out of the evolution of civilization. God determined truth and justice as they flowed out of His being. Within that justice, God hates when men deceive one another through false measurements. For good reason, we would be appalled if we learned that our favorite gas station actually dispense…
DetailsWho doesn’t want the truth? Just because a famous movie line tells some that they can’t handle the truth, does not mean we should settle for half-truths and outright deceptions. If you missed the fireworks, a few Senators did their own interrogations of CDC staff in recent weeks. Asking our famous Dr. Fauci and CDC…
DetailsWhile individual studies have given inconsistent results, the meta-analysis big picture suggests that air pollution plays a role in the increasing rates of childhood high blood pressure. With high blood pressure considered as one of the top ten contributors to global disease (1) public health went looking for answers, as these children with high blood…
DetailsListen to Lips of Wisdom For the one seeking wisdom, they must look to the righteous ones who possess and share their wisdom. The mouth of the wise bears more wisdom for those who listen. The lips of these righteous ones discern what is good while the mouth of the wicked…
DetailsQuestions abound concerning who is at risk for COVID 19 infection including whether children or the immune compromised of our society are at higher risk. With time, we have learned that the elderly and those with metabolic diseases like hypertension and diabetes are at higher risk. In contrast, children seem to be relatively spared from…
DetailsPersonal protection equipment may not protect as much as it harms. Since the unforgettable year of 2020, PPE has enmeshed itself into the fabric of society. As a society, we are searching for ways to overcome the fear of COVID19 through various layers of face masks, sterilization methods, gloves, and more. In 2021, these responses…
DetailsRighteousness Leaves Physical Fruits Swallow your supplements. Do your exercise. Eat this. Don’t eat that. Go to bed early and wake up refreshed. We seek long and fruitful life filled with joy and steadfastness. None of these are wrong. Each of these have their time and place and role in life. Its just…
DetailsWhile athletes repeat the mantra, “no pain, no gain”, to themselves at the gym, when it comes to pregnancy, stress is a bad thing. Our Christian heritage leads us to protect pregnant women from a variety of harms. Science offers another reason to do so with this research out of the Massachusetts General Hospital. They…
DetailsDid you know that scientists really enjoy reviewing literature? Okay, so its not poetry or love stories, but scientists at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute reviewed medical literature regarding pediatric concussions to find a link with children’s future mental health. With the growing number of children with mental health diagnoses, researchers have embarked on a quest…
DetailsDon’t be a Slug Outside of young boys wanting to gross out their sisters, few find enjoyment in slugs. They are slimy and not very exciting. We would never send a slug on a necessary errand as their sluggishness would delay its success and leave be a slimy trail. We recoil at the…
DetailsApparently, teachers and students should fear more than COVID19 upon return to long empty school buildings, at least in this Virginia school district. After months of remote learning, everyone looked forward to Sherwood Forest Elementary returning to in-person learning. Upon returning, many teachers found disturbing environmental conditions and experienced concerning health symptoms. With obvious water…
DetailsQuercetin finds itself in a number of Sanctuary protocols due to the multiplicity of benefits it has to offer. The natural substance boasts among its most well-known functions effects in ameliorating allergies, preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol, assisting in metal detoxification, and providing anti-oxidant protection. Lesser-known benefits include for those with prostatitis and very mild…
DetailsStriving for the True Riches While we may grunt and groan in our strainings after material gains, our efforts only carry our lives to a point both in the here and now and in the life to come. Wisdom and righteousness to the contrary bear more lasting fruits. Wisdom grants pleasure now…
DetailsThe scientific world has continued to reveal the effects of our microbiome on our health. The bacteria, fungi, and even viruses living in our GI tract influence every other body system through various mechanisms. This collection of internal microbial neighbors begins with ones provided by our mothers at birth. Well, it seems that even fruits…
DetailsThe convergence of pharmaceutical and natural therapies upon one neurologic pathway to modify a brain degenerating process offers hope in traumatic brain injury patients. While traumatic brain injury, especially when repetitive, often leads to cognitive decline, even dementia, two pharmaceuticals and a few natural agents offer hope. The anti-inflammatory medications diflunisal and salsalate garner little…
DetailsWords, Words, and More Words Words can no doubt cause trouble in many ways. At times, they can hide hatred and mal-intent which boils underneath the surface. They deceive the hearer, preventing them from knowing the speaker’s actual hatred. At other times, the slander of words while intending to hurt another just prove that the…
DetailsOmega 3’s standout as the most anti-inflammatory of the poly unsaturated fatty acids (omega 9’s also acting as anti-oxidants). They modulate NF-kappaB (central in the inflammation cascade), help heal leaky gut, treat pain in arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, benefit the cardiovascular system, and even help lower allergic reactions in the current and future generations. And…
DetailsWhen fighting COVID 19 or any threatening disease, we want as many guns pointed at our enemy as possible. Even a simple form of life like a coronavirus possesses great complexity and thus many potential therapeutic targets. Each target offers many options for guns to strike a mortal blow against our foe. Options abound- blocking…
DetailsHeeding the Instructions to Life When traveling, the driver will find it hard to drive while looking at the map. Keeping the eyes on the road and a map simultaneously can lead to problems. If they have someone holding the map and reading it for them, they can find their way to their destination. …
DetailsCurcumin stands as a giant among supplements because both the breadth and the strength of the mechanisms by which it alters health for the better seem staggering. In its repertoire, it boasts anti-oxidant benefit, pain control benefits, general anti-inflammatory benefits, detoxification capabilities, brain protection capabilities, and even anti-Lyme benefits. Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory: With greater than…
DetailsAs NASA handles the intricacies of landing on a planet millions of miles away, closer to home they spend our tax dollars to determine whether or not black mold can live on Mars. Okay, I guess it seems important if we are planning to colonize Mars. Whether you are looking to buy a new home…
DetailsNeither Riches Nor Poverty Lead to Life Yes, many live with wealth in their riches on this earth. They have strong cities, even lands with many houses circled around them. They possess the wealth of cities. Meanwhile many live in poverty and their lives hurdle towards ruin. Yes, life comes not…
DetailsAshwagandha, the herb name that just rolls off your tongue, offers a little something for many varieties of health issues. Sleep improvement and anxiety reduction may be the best-known uses. Thyroid support, male infertility, athletic enhancement, cortisol lowering effects, and cognitive improvement should not be forgotten however. Sleep and anxiety: So many are searching for…
DetailsUnderstanding must precede therapy as scientists seek to adequately relieve the suffering of millions with autoimmune conditions. Initial understanding pointed repeatedly to an immune messenger or cytokine called Interleukin 1b as a critical factor in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. For a number…
DetailsProbiotics receive a lot of attention these days as we have begun to better understand the role of the microbiome within our digestive tract. Besides the benefits promoted in the functional medicine world, the world of the neonatal intensive care unit also finds probiotics beneficial to their patients. As science has advanced its ability to…
DetailsMold toxins, in all their varieties, damage cells and cell structures through a number of mechanisms including speeding up cellular aging. Like tires, the cells of our bodies or the bodies of any animal for that matter, can wear out sooner due to ongoing damage. Our cells sustain different types of damage, but oxidative stress…
DetailsMay we exemplify wisdom and understanding to the world As Christians walking in a fallen world, may we be known for wisdom and understanding. May it truly rest upon our lips and be shared frequently and freely with others. Strive after understanding so that we can enrich others with wisdom. Yet, even wisdom must be…
DetailsThe world receives a daily serving of medical education as it waits expectantly for a silver bullet therapy against COVID. As the public watches the unfolding of the COVID 19 pandemic, each morning comes with an eagerness for reports that might tell us of a wonder drug against this invisible foe. One area which receives…
DetailsMany skeptics challenge functional MD’s like myself when we diagnose mold toxicity as the explanation for a chronic illness whether in adults or in children. The refrain goes like this: “Mold is everywhere! How could that explain the symptoms?” We understand that patients or their parents desire proof and certainty before embarking on a treatment…
DetailsThe Love Hate Relationship Two different emotions lead to two very different outcomes. Hatred beyond a static existence, taking on a life of its own, self-replicating. Hatred begins as felt strife against another and bears more strife. Hatred stirs and stirs, creating more strife that it feeds off of. In contrast, love denies strife the…
DetailsCOVID-19 opened a whole new world of research including great effort into understanding why men fared worse than women with regard to disease severity. While women generally suffer from more autoimmune conditions, with this SARS CoV2 virus, men got the short straw. When this correlation for men continued to pop up from epidemiological studies, the…
DetailsFour diseases, common in America, could explain 2 out of every 3 hospitalizations for COVID. Imagine if we could have lowered those diseases. Many hospitalizations and many lives could have been saved. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure rose to the top of a computer model which took epidemiologic data and COVID mortality data to…
DetailsSo many ways to stumble The little boy of yesterday knows that a wink can stir up consequences, but this wink hints at more than an elementary school crush. This wink disrupts justice and makes a deal against truth in the halls of justice. It makes a deal with deceit. Again, the fool who babbles…
DetailsWhile mainstream medicine long ignored post-viral chronic fatigue, conventional doctors must now acknowledge the long term effects of Post-Covid Long Hauler syndrome alongside functional medicine providers who show no surprise at this situation. Functional medicine practitioners like our clinic have long treated patients who report months and years of debilitating physical and mental fatigue which…
DetailsCancer stands out as such a nasty enemy, but a natural substance in green tea appears to strengthen our internal cancer prevention system. While cancer rates continue to rise, efforts to both treat and to prevent have increased including looking to natural compounds. Building on prior awareness of the critical role of a protein called…
DetailsReceiving and Walking Wisdom receives commandments from the One who orders all things. Their hearts are open to what is best for them. In contrast, a fool who overflows with babbling only comes to ruin. Their overflow serves neither them nor their listeners. Integrity requires action. Even standing on principles requires the action of standing.…
DetailsWhile we endure living through the poorly written plot of a science fiction medical thriller – yes I am referring to COVID-19 – we must face the plot twist of viral mutations. Like it or not, 2021 continues the COVID-19 storyline with the so-called variant strains. The virus and its ensuing pandemic takes on an…
DetailsFighting autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease requires a multi-modal approach including recognition that certain bacteria and certain foods worsen the condition. Focusing on one bacteria called adherent-invasive Escherichia coli for the moment, researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian took prior knowledge which implicated this bacteria and searched for the reasons behind the connection. …
DetailsWe fuss and fume. We fight and flurry. We push and shove thinking that our success comes from the American way of hard work. Whether in church, at work, or at home, hard work comes out at the top of most lists of how to get ahead. Here we see that if our heads are…
DetailsWe can no longer hide our heads in the sand, denying the reality that the daily food which goes in our stomachs influences every metabolic system of our bodies. No longer can we deny the role of nutrients like phosphatidylcholine, as described in this article, in the health of our guts or our brains. Simple…
DetailsBesides frantically searching for therapies to combat this little coronavirus, scientists also continue searching for those factors which either help or hurt patients during COVID infection. Many risk factors find their ways into both scientific journals and social media. The question arose over whether NSAIDS, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, like ibuprofen and naproxen, could help or…
Details“Tell me doctor, which diet works for everyone?” And the doctor answers: the diet that works for the person eating it. Despite the myriad opinions on the internet, we are still in the midst of learning which diet types work for different people. Today we offer another insight into what researchers have found in comparing…
DetailsWhile the agricultural world pours millions into avoiding mold toxins in animal feed, the medical world refuses to recognize how these ubiquitous toxins might affect human health. With numerous studies in animals on how different mold toxins might lead to various harms, you would expect some concern in humans. Until that concern leads to an…
DetailsIn caring for patients suffering from mold toxicity, a functional MD like myself must not only care for the patient but guide the patient in caring for their home environment. Being an expert in the former requires understanding the latter even if I can’t become an “expert” in the environmental side. For that reason, at…
DetailsResearchers continue to search for the mechanistic connection between obesity and increased inflammation which all agree occurs in our epidemic of metabolic diseases. UT Southwestern scientist believe they may have uncovered at least one connection. Fibro inflammatory progenitor cells found in the walls of fat tissue blood vessels could link obesity and inflammation. Countless studies…
DetailsHow do they make armbands small enough to fit on the immune cells wrists? Wait, they don’t have wrists…. Anyway, my point is that research is uncovering the mechanisms by which CD8 immune cells react differently during different times of the day. A team of researchers led by Nicolas Cermakian, PhD, of the Douglas Research…
DetailsWill I turn red, break out in hives, and stop breathing? Many ask if the COVID vaccine will trigger an allergic reaction. They are considering whether or not to step in line for the vaccine in the coming weeks but have concerns about news reports of anaphylaxis or other allergic reactions in those receiving…
DetailsDid you feel the earth quake on April 3rd, 2019? Well, that was the date the prestigious journal, The Lancet, published one of the most important studies of the year. Their findings? Simply their conclusion that medical students need more education in nutrition during their training. Most of you who are reading this are…
DetailsOur fallen world provides numerous examples of how adversity can impact our health. None of you need convincing of that reality and therefore this study appears bland at first. But read a little further and you will see that the researchers uncovered effects on children’s executive functioning and changes in stress hormones. They found measurable…
DetailsBeing sick is confusing these days with so many medical options promising relief. Allopathic medicine promises medications to heal. Naturopathic medicine promises natural cures. Energy medicine promises to realign your energy fields. That is just the beginning. When you are hurting, where do you turn? Who do you trust? That will depend on both you…
DetailsIndividuals with multiple symptoms in multiple body systems over months and years without beneficial answers from conventional medicine need something more. Functional MD’s like myself strive to provide such patients with paths to restoration, not by abandoning conventional medicine, but by applying the best of medical research to our patients. We are often accused of…
DetailsHaving your cake and eating it too in the field of infectious disease means discovering antibiotics that both attack the bacteria and stimulate the immune system to turn up its defenses. Researchers report a new class of antibiotics which carry out this dual function, providing some hope in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Functional…
DetailsSometimes researchers reveal background facts more intriguing than the mundane discovery which they publish in the headline, as this article about the spread of Lyme disease demonstrates. Their headline proclaims a model to predict where Lyme disease will next arise within our nation which might make you think “duh!”. In comparing the records of 1992…
DetailsMany patients ask how a mold toxin could cause so much trouble in so many body systems? I greatly enjoy sharing insights with patients, so I could easily get side tracked for hours, but even our prolonged visits in the office have to end so I can see the next patient. Without going into the…
DetailsWhen Life Hands You Lemons: Remain Rooted By Dr. Potter’s wife, Jennifer O Word of God Incarnate O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky; We praise Thee for the radiance that from the hallowed page, A Lantern to our footsteps, shines on…
DetailsMany may express frustration towards the academic types of medicine, accusing them of having their heads buried so deep in their labs that they don’t appreciate clinical applications. I agree at times, but this research on the mechanisms by which elderberry inhibits influenza activity could only be done in a lab by such academics. Many…
DetailsEveryone is exposed to mold on a practically daily basis. How can it really cause so many different symptoms as functional MD’s claim? Over time, I intend to answer those questions for a long list of symptoms, but for today, let’s look at the brain. Several studies indicate that our delicate neurological system does suffer…
DetailsWhat is the magic ingredient in breastmilk which drives the lifelong benefits for infants who breastfeed? For some this has been like the holy grail, an elusive answer that would explain why breastfed babies journey through life with lower rates of many inflammatory diseases. Both my field of pediatrics and functional medicine has promoted breastfeeding…
DetailsThe vast advances in genetic testing ushered in a new era in which patients with illnesses are not the only ones to seek therapy guidance from genetic testing. Parents want to know what their children may face in the near and far term of life. Moving beyond the neonatal screening programs for cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria,…
DetailsWhy can’t we find the one cause of autism? Because… we are searching for what does not exist, the “one” cause. Autism remains a mysterious complexity and much of that complexity may lie in the fact that multiple causes may lead to it. Furthermore, multiple processes interact to produce what we see in children. Dr.…
DetailsEveryone is exposed to mold on a practically daily basis. How can it really cause so many different symptoms as functional MD’s claim? Over time, I intend to answer those questions for a long list of symptoms, but for today, let’s look at the brain. Several studies indicate that our delicate neurologic system does suffer…
DetailsWhat is the magic ingredient in breastmilk which drives the lifelong benefits for infants who breastfeed? For some this has been like the holy grail, an elusive answer that would explain why breastfed babies journey through life with lower rates of many inflammatory diseases. Both my field of pediatrics and functional medicine has promoted breastfeeding…
DetailsSanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more… offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
Why can’t we find the one cause of autism? Because… we are searching for what does not exist, the “one” cause. Autism remains a mysterious complexity and much of that complexity may lie in the fact that multiple causes may lead to it. Furthermore, multiple processes interact to produce what we see in children. Dr.…
DetailsJust who does this American Academy of Pediatrics thinks they are? Just because they control board certification for all pediatricians, set the guidelines for pediatric well and sick care, and are the largest influence in mainstream pediatrics does NOT give them the right to make outrageous claim that we in functional medicine have been making…
DetailsDay 12 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Twelve Snapshots of My Abundant Life” On this 12th and final day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas,” I wanted to share some images that help illustrate some of my ideas of the Abundant Life we talk about at SFM. We…
DetailsDay 11 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Eleven Favorite Supplements” “On this, the 11th Day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas,” we offer eleven video clips of some of Sanctuary’s favorite supplements. These all-stars stand out due to their ability to provide multiple benefits in one dose. I…
DetailsDay 10 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Ten Creative Exercise Ideas to Get You Moving” On the 10th day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Christmas,” we not only encourage you to do at least 10 minutes of exercise per day but provide 10 exercise ideas to fit into…
DetailsDay 9 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “9 Favorite Psalms” “On this 9th day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Christmas,” the staff at Sanctuary will be sharing some of their favorite Psalms. May your meditation upon these Psalms bless your season. We encourage others to look to the Psalms…
DetailsDay 8 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Memory is a Marvelous Gift” “On the 8th Day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas,” I want to highlight memory. We hold traditions and affections in our memory. Our memories often help shape who we are in the present. We encourage…
DetailsCovid and Vitamin D3 https://sanctuaryfunctionalmedicine.com/topics/functional-medicine/covid-and-vitamin-d3/ “As every potential therapy is being tried against COVID in a widespread rock-paper-scissors game of what can beat COVID, one notable vitamin stands out as a rather consistent winner against COVID 19. “And the winner is Vitamin D3” can be heard nearly every week in various medical research reports. The…
DetailsDay 6 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Six Gluten-free Go-To’s” For the sixth day of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas,” I will share a list of some of my family’s favorite gluten-free options for those times when life is just a little too rushed to worry about absolute…
DetailsDay 5 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Five Minutes of Real Rest” “Rest… It can be an elusive concept in today’s frenetic world. Many things interfere with rest: newborns, toxins, stress, anxiety, illness, schedules, LIFE! And this time of the year it seems to get worse. Despite its elusive nature, rest…
DetailsWhile research seeks to answer the burning questions of science, it’s findings often lead to more questions. Scientists from the Medical University of Vienna described how COVID-19 left changes in the immune systems of patients 10 weeks later and therefore left a question for future research: “so what?” The numbers of different immune cells including…
DetailsDay 4 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Four Key Nutrients for Healthy Holiday Celebrations: Incorporating MVPM into your Holiday Fare” “Our patients learn a great deal about MVPM during their health journey with us even if they never hear us bring them all together under this mnemonic. Minerals, Vitamins, Phytonutrients, and…
DetailsVaccines are notorious for needing repeated doses and the flu vaccine may be the most notorious. There are many reasons for needing repeat doses. The childhood vaccines require a series of injections to stimulate enough response for protection throughout childhood. Even then, the tetanus vaccine wears off years later. Of course, even a natural infection…
DetailsDay 2 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “Two Gifts in One: A Gift of Infinite Value” “We all recognize Christmas as a season of gift giving. Have you ever stopped to think about the lasting value of the gifts that you give? Often, I have found that the gifts that I…
DetailsDay 1 of “The 12 Days of a Sanctuary Functional Christmas” “One Dose of Conquering Peace” At Sanctuary Functional Medicine, our patients come to us seeking restoration. An important part of that restoring process includes finding relief from the chaos that chronic illness has brought into their lives. That chaos comes in many different forms.…
DetailsFolly is a Seductive Witch While Wisdom was seen to have prepared great blessings for her followers, Folly does nothing more than call others to fall into her pit. She offers stolen water and bread to entice, but offers nothing of her own to those who succumb to her temptations. Folly is loud. Folly makes…
DetailsScience fiction thrillers fill our nightmares with deadly viruses mutating to the point of human annihilation. While possible, this scenario is highly unlikely and research indicates that SARS CoV-21 does not appear to be gaining transmissibility super powers either. Researchers from the University College of London Genetics Institute evaluated over 40,000 strains of the virus…
DetailsSanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more… offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
A reverence for our Creator and Sovereign Lord is the starting point for all wisdom. Knowing God is the greatest source for insight into life. This beginning leads to great blessings. Wisdom multiples our days, adding years to our life. Wisdom blesses the possessor while scoffing brings burdens. When you next face a time of…
DetailsEggs have gotten a bad wrap from the worlds of cardiology and nutrition. With the anti-cholesterol movement still strong, the belief that egg’s cholesterol content is damaging to heart vessels still erroneously circulates. DiBella and others report “This study demonstrates that in a MetS (metabolic syndrome) population, intake of three eggs per day does not…
DetailsOne theme of this year’s COVID19 research reality TV series is the repeated flip flopping of scientists and policy makers. In this case, Johns Hopkins University researchers pulled an article by Genevieve Briand, assistant program director of their Applied Economics degree program which reported that COVID-19 had not increased the number of deaths in the…
DetailsRecently a patient asked whether toxins we find on urine testing really make a difference in human health. A friend was challenging her and challenging the work of the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) demonstrating the myriad effects of the industrial age chemicals contributing to chronic disease. I am accustomed to such challenges from people like…
DetailsScoffers versus the Wise man One’s response to admonition reflects the internal state of their soul. We all hesitate to tell a scoffer that they are mistaken or that they did something wrong. We know that they will repeat their past responses which stung us before. Rather than pausing to consider our words, they will…
DetailsOur world is a dangerous place, not only thanks to industrial pollution, but also thanks to the contributions of nature as it fills our world with a variety of chemicals. While our clinic works with a multitude of individuals affected by mold toxins, we also appreciate those dealing with other biotoxins including those from algae…
DetailsWe live in the year of anxiety, 2020, pondering what 2021 will bring. Our confidence in experts and the government has taken a huge pummeling. Then we read the CDC’s documents “Operational Considerations for Humanitarian Settings” (accessed 11/21/2020 at site below). Yes, we want the government to have a plan for emergencies, but our hair…
DetailsAs every potential therapy is being tried against COVID in a widespread rock-paper-scissors game of what can beat COVID, one notable vitamin stands out as a rather consistent winner against COVID 19. “And the winner is Vitamin D3” can be heard nearly every week in various medical research reports. The following studies offer three examples…
DetailsProverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom has prepared blessings for those who listen In contrast to what folly prepares for its followers, wisdom offers far more to those who seek it. Wisdom builds a house with strong pillars offering dependable shelter. Wisdom prepares a banquet of meat and wine, setting a table waiting for us. Wisdom not only…
DetailsEveryone wants to talk about the gut-brain axis these days for good reason. So many brain diseases are being found to have contributing factors originating in the intestinal tract that other are searching for more connections. Mostly we have a lot of correlations, meaning we know there is a connection, but don’t have a mechanism…
DetailsCOVID-19 offers an endless array of research options as researchers scramble to understand everything from its adaptation in humans to the leftover effects of the disease in what we call “long-haulers”. This latter topic of “long-haulers” forced upon us by this virus takes center stage in the article of interests as King’s College London researchers…
DetailsWe know definitively that COVID-19 debuted in the United States not as a thunderclap sudden downpour, but entered as thousands of unnoticed raindrops for weeks to months prior to its March 2020 hysteria. Research like that of Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine continues to confirm this perspective in contrast to the media’s portrayal of…
DetailsCOVID risks and risks of COVID might sum up today’s post, highlighting the possible two-way street between this coronavirus pandemic and autoimmunity diseases. Two questions have arisen from the COVID 19 pandemic. First, who is at risk? Second, after the infection is over what problems are left behind? Autoimmunity, or the condition where our bodies…
DetailsWhether conventional medicine likes it or not, we must recognize a mycotoxin endocrine axis which modulates our hormonal balance. In the endocrine world, we speak the hypothalamic pituitary axis or the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis among others. This term, axis, highlights the interplay between the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary) and the given endocrine gland in…
DetailsProverbs 8:32-36 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=ESV Listen to Wisdom The prior verses painted a clear picture of how wisdom should be viewed. These verses carry on the implications that such wisdom of God will greatly bless those who listen to it. Blessings, life, and favor from the Lord are waiting for those who hear and keep wisdom’s ways. In…
DetailsYou have to ask yourself why conventional medicine does not get it. Here we have a study that clearly links mercury with cardiovascular disease and even demonstrates treatment efficacy, yet your regular doctor turns a blind eye to it. They dismiss the connection as some alternative medicine crazy idea outside of real evidence-based research. Truth…
DetailsThis year has welcomed a number of new ideas and words to the public’s vocabulary including cytokine storm, lockdown, coronavirus, and now “syndemic”. Apparently, this word was coined in the 1990’s with the HIV/AIDS crisis, but I had never heard it until today’s article. We have heard multiple studies highlighting the connection between chronic diseases…
Detailshttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=ESV Wisdom is not the New Kid on the Block Progress seems the thrill of the day. The latest must be the greatest says contemporary society. Yet, God says wisdom has existed from before the world itself began. Wisdom should be our joy rather than the newcomer called “progress”. We could simply breeze over the passage’s significance…
DetailsWho doesn’t want a little testosterone these days? The anti-aging science coming out indicates that both men and women should optimize their levels of this hormone. Of course, women need far less than men, but still need enough for metabolic benefits. Like nearly all of our health pathways, we want enough but not too much.…
DetailsQuercetin finds itself in a number of Sanctuary protocols due to the multiplicity of benefits it has to offer. The natural substance boasts among its most well known functions effects in ameliorating allergies, preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol, assisting in metal detoxification, and providing anti-oxidant protection. Lesser known benefits include in prostatitis and very mild…
DetailsMultiple sclerosis patients need some good news now and then. It is such a devastating disease for many and produces so much fear. Its attack on the myelin surrounding nerve fibers leads to countless neurologic symptoms unless something turns off the attack or turns up the repair. Researchers are constantly searching for that magic medicine…
DetailsCorrelation does not equal causation. We hear that often in medicine. For example, we know there are correlations between maternal illness during pregnancy and autism. We know that these two conditions, maternal illness and infant autism, travel together, but we don’t have a mechanism of action to prove that the former causes the latter. We…
DetailsInitially the title sounds like a title for a bad horror film written by a biologist. Creeping fat brings up images of the old “Blob” movies. The reality is that scientists found a link between a gut bacteria moving through the intestinal walls of patients with autoimmune Crohn’s disease and a complication of fat accumulation…
DetailsMany individuals attempting to survive 2020’s insanity are looking to food storage as a way to weather the grocery rationing and food shortages. While toilet paper needs little in the way of preservatives to keep fresh, foods don’t sit on shelfs for weeks and months without a little help in the preserving department. This year…
DetailsThe long-standing debate between automatics and stick shifts in cars has taken a whole new twist as the nation’s health experts at the CDC can’t seem to choose “drive” or “reverse” as they release guidance on various aspects of their COVID 19 response. Two articles from Medscape highlight this inability to avoid appearing like a…
DetailsDo you ever wonder why you don’t hear more about the effects of mold on human health? Normally, the “bad news” gets more attention, but when it comes to mold toxicity, it seems that few want to talk about it. Even fewer seem to want to acknowledge studies like this one which point to the…
DetailsProverbs 8:17-21 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=ESV] Wisdom is a tender and caring master. Submitting oneself to its care is entrusting one’s being to the most loving mother. Such a mother will never turn away her fragile infant as he searches for warmth. Wisdom makes itself easy to find if we but try. The reward for such searching is grand, enduring riches and honor. Gold…
DetailsIn caring for mold toxic patients, we can’t get over focused on just the toxin removal process. Mold has too many “friends” including a syndrome called MCAS, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Without addressing the “friends” of mold, recovery is difficult and detox may not be possible. Mast cells are immune cells which help coordinate other…
DetailsProtein supplements in general get moderate attention in the nutrition world. Many debate the pros and cons of different protein sources like whey or hemp or soy or pea. Others focus on specific amino acids for specific issues like NAC for detox or mucous thinning. Taurine rarely gets the big headlines even if many of…
DetailsProverbs 8:12-16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=ESV Wisdom does not live a solitary life. Wisdom dwells with others who provide worthy treasures. Prudence, knowledge, and discretion have long shared residence with wisdom. Yet, there are those who are never welcome in wisdom’s home. Evil is hated along with pride, arrogance, and perverted speech. The dwelling together of wisdom’s companions while closing the door…
DetailsMono from Epstein-Barr Virus can be confirmed by blood testing to have infected by about 95 percent of the world by age 30. Despite this widespread prevalence, only a small percentage of people suffer from the debilitating form of acute infectious mononucleosis in which fatigue, fever, and sore throat which may last weeks or months. …
DetailsWhat is the magic ingredient in breastmilk which drives the lifelong benefits for infants who breastfeed? For some this has been like the holy grail, an elusive answer that would explain why breastfed babies journey through life with lower rates of many inflammatory diseases. Both my field of pediatrics and functional medicine has promoted breastfeeding…
DetailsProverbs 8:1-11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=ESV Creation cries out. Our inspired spirits cry out. The Spirit of God alive in the hearts of His children cries out. They all shout wisdom. In all places and in all times, God offers wisdom to the wise and the foolish, to His children and to those who are not His. The simple are called to learn prudence. The…
DetailsThat’s right. You will find a number of articles out there in journals and on web pages which deny that mold toxicity can make anyone sick. While some just blatantly call you crazy for thinking such non-sense, others attempt a measure of scientific propriety. They walk through examples and mechanisms and a variety of studies…
DetailsMaternal Immune Activation Leading to Autism The hunt for autism’s trigger continues. The reason for its long continuance likely lies in that it is not one homogenous disease, but a mixture of different triggers culminating in a similar pattern of brain dysfunction and life disruption. The role of the immune system probably runs second only…
DetailsBacterial Immune Chemotherapy The interwoven nature of our gut microbiome with the functioning of our immune system never ceases to amaze me. Researchers at the University of Calgary recently reported another potential life-saving discovery. Specific gut bacteria may enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy in several cancer types. Besides correlating the presence of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum,…
DetailsSome call eczema the itch that rashes. In the nearly 1 in 5 children who have eczema or atopic dermatitis (the other name), this skin condition can range from annoying to life-changing. Scientists have long recognized that eczema goes deeper than just redness and dry flaky skin. In various research the concept of leaky skin…
DetailsProverbs 7:10-20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%207&version=ESV The author of Proverbs continues to describe the seduction of sin using the adulteress as the prime temptress. Seductive speech and smooth talk make the temptation appear much more appealing and pleasurable. “All at once” indicates a sudden “giving in” to the seduction, a dropping of the guard. The strong ox is then led to its…
DetailsAntifungals for Your Home – What Works Best While caring for hundreds of patients harmed by mold toxicity, we get countless questions about how to clean homes and belongings for mold contamination. We are not remediators and often refer questions to those who are more expert in the remediation world than we are, but we…
DetailsWe should all be looking for ways to strengthen our immune systems and the immune systems of our vulnerable loved ones. As we do so, we should search for those therapies that are most cost effective not only for ourselves, but for society as millions could benefit from such insight. Finding $1000 a pill therapies…
DetailsUnmasking the Truth (skip to “The Thirteenth Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively determine…
DetailsProverbs 7:10-20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%207&version=ESV The prior verses urged the importance of holding to wisdom. These verses warn of the temptress who lures away the foolish. The picture of the prostitute is literal, but the temptation may come in many forms and always promises reward and pleasure to those who forsake wisdom. We are daily tempted to…
DetailsAs our ability to identify and measure gut bacteria has progressed, the number of connections between our gut microbiome and various neurologic diseases constantly expands. Autism, Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others have been linked to various changes in the relative numbers of gut bacteria. These researchers examined the interactions between the mucous…
DetailsUnmasking the Truth (skip to “The Twelfth Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively…
DetailsBesides respiratory failure and death, one of the most publicized effects of COVID infection has been the loss of smell experienced by so many. As one of the earlier symptoms, many have gotten nervous when their smell is off momentarily. For those who have experienced this frustrating symptom in reality, it sometimes takes weeks to…
DetailsProverbs 7:6-9 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%207&version=ESV Our world is full of fools. None of us wants to be one of those who fall prey to deception and foolishness, yet we are always a step away from doing so if we forsake wisdom. As you look out of your window and perceive the foolishness of the immature, remember…
Detailsskip to “The Eleventh Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively determine truth and…
Details(skip to “The Tenth Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively determine truth and…
DetailsIn caring for a large number of patients suffering from mold toxicity, I have seen just about every disease and symptom under the sun coming from mold exposure. I am still amazed at the agility of my enemy (yes, mold is my hated enemy for many reasons) to cause so many different problems for human…
DetailsThe race against COVID-19 has developed into the most widely watched scientific discovery since HIV. However, HIV’s story turned into a long grueling ultra-marathon while COVID is more like the Olympic 1600 meter race with speed hoping for a quick finish. The rapidity of discovery has been both exhilarating and maddening. Each discovery is met…
DetailsProverbs 7:1-5 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%207&version=ESV So many in science, in legend, and in the local health store are searching for longer lives. The Word tells us how to find life both in length and in quality. Wisdom, its possession and application brings life. Their reward is so grand that the writer of proverbs urges us to treasure…
Details(skip to “The Ninth Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively determine truth and…
Details(skip to “The Eighth Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively determine truth and…
DetailsExactly what is a “healthy” gut microbiome? Many would just say eat fiber. Others would throw a probiotic into that mix. As usual, the situation in our bodies is much more complicated than that. Researchers from the integrative medicine program at George Washington University along with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reviewed…
DetailsMedical research has poured billions of dollars into understanding protein and carbohydrates based metabolic processes. Even when lipids have been studied, they often related to how either proteins metabolize them or how carbohydrates relate to them. The long article from which this post is based argues forcibly for a deeper study of lipids in their…
DetailsHello! This is Dr. Potter. For the last few months we’ve heard from people who wanted to know what they could do to strengthen their immune system and asked if I had recommendations on therapies or courses. I take your concerns very seriously so I’ve been working hard to create one. I call it “Immune…
DetailsUnmasking the Truth #7 – Have you read “How to Lie with Statistics”? (skip to “The Seventh Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse.…
DetailsSometimes the obvious deserves mention. Medscape recently highlighted an article from the journal, Neurology, (see link at end) which emphasized how the practice of 5 lifestyles patterns could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 60 percent. The rate of Alzheimer’s disease is climbing and it impact on society is growing as more…
Details(skip to “The Sixth Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively determine truth and…
DetailsSometimes we need to get away from the urban life into the country to learn a little science. In this case, researchers were primarily looking for ways to alleviate the toxic effects of aflatoxin in animal food in the livestock industry. For functional MD’s trying to care for mold toxic patients and keep our own…
DetailsProverbs 6:25-29 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+6&version=ESV In the previous selection, parents advise their son to listen to their wisdom. Here they are urging him to refrain from adultery. This seems so old-fashioned to many today as morals and expectations have changed. Many believe they can do whatever they want without consequences. These verses remind us that there are not only…
DetailsUnmasking the Truth – Question 5 Part 2 – Are you missing any factors? You will want to go back to the last post to read the first half of question 5. Then return here to continue… After looking at the first side of this question, now turn your attention to what factors…
DetailsSometimes, a study leaves me speechless in the potential for a profound impact I see in its findings. The authors of the study may never know how significant their finding could be for biotoxin patients. Without a little explanation, those outside the biotoxin world would never know how far down the rabbit hole a…
DetailsUnmasking the Truth – Question 5 Part 1 – Are you missing any factors? (skip to “The Fifth Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than…
DetailsIt’s just a little mold. It’s nothing to be afraid of… so they say. Until this little mold spreads around a little toxin called gliotoxin- then you all know what goes down. Functional MD’s like myself who deal with mold and its toxins are not surprised by this study’s findings, but conventional medicine should really…
DetailsUnmasking the Truth (skip to “The Fourth Question” below if you read prior questions already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively…
DetailsProverbs 6:12-15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+6&version=ESV Do not be that man We are whole beings of spiritual and physical nature. The workings of a wicked heart will come out in both word and deed. The word and deed will bring destruction on the whole person. As the wicked goes about with crooked speech, he will send signals that further distort…
DetailsUnmasking the Truth (skip to “The Third Question” if you read question one already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively determine…
DetailsIt takes guts to admit when you are wrong. I humbly admit that I finally agree with Dr. Fauci on something. Okay, if you don’t know already, I am very frustrated with the flip-flopping of our so called medical experts in government. Dr. Fauci has gone back and forth on multiple topics, but I think…
DetailsOur upcoming immune prepper course will offer an in-depth look at a multitude of factors which go into the proper care and function of our immune defense systems. Today we look at one factor in our diets which can impair our ability to fight off infections. The amount of salt we take in on a…
Detailshttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+6&version=ESV HOLD tight to Wisdom If we are blessed with wise and loving parents who take the time to share their wisdom, we should stop and receive the gift they offer. Rather than treat them dismissively, we should bind them to us in a way that we hold tightly to them. When held this tightly,…
DetailsUnmasking the Truth (Skip to “The Second Question” if you read question one already) Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively find…
DetailsHaving broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively find the truth and decide on policy, I offer a series of questions. I don’t…
DetailsFats just do not get the respect they deserve and I admit that I have been in the disrespectful group up until recently. Over the years, fats have either been implicated as cardiovascular disease culprits or lauded as dietary miracles in the ketogenic world. They get attention but their contribution to health and disease reaches…
DetailsI can’t bring myself to spend a long time on this article as the “Duh!” factor is so overwhelming. The conclusion is so simple yet so profound I can’t leave it untouched. The community in which you live affects the length of your life. Wow, earth shattering news flash, right? The study looked at the…
DetailsProverbs 6:16-19 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+6&version=ESV Avoid that which God Hates We have no excuse should we choose to displease our maker. We have commandments. We have explanations of the Law in the Pentateuch. We have Jesus’ words and life. And we have 7 things that God hates. In this list we see sins of the heart, sins…
DetailsMedicine boasts its fair share of long words. Cholestyramine is one of those long words which we use a lot at Sanctuary Functional Medicine as we care for our patient who suffer from biotoxin illness like mold. Typing or saying it over and over gets tiring, so we use the acronym CSM in the office…
DetailsFirst of all, I have to admit that I have never recommended Thunder God Vine Root for autoimmune diseases. Maybe you will fault me for not knowing about this potentially beneficial therapy for autoimmune disease, but this is part of practicing functional medicine. New studies come out. New knowledge and understanding come out of research. …
DetailsProverbs 6:6-11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+6&version=ESV Stay Awake While looking to a heavenly father for our daily bread, we do not wait idly. The Israelites were called to gather manna in the desert. We are called to take care for ourselves and others. We are called to take action in preparing while God does the providing. In contrast, those who…
DetailsAs I worked through hundreds of articles preparing for my upcoming SFM Empower Immune Prepper course, many of the articles had so much potential for impact that I could not wait to share them in the course. This article by Moray et al jumped out with its emphasis on the connection between stress and immune…
DetailsWe are truly a whole person. Functional MD’s like myself recognize how our body, minds, and spirits interact even though we don’t always understand fully the mechanisms. Still, we appreciate when studies support what we practice on a daily basis. This study looked at how cognitive behavioral therapy could lower inflammation and affect inflammatory messengers…
DetailsProverbs 6:1-5 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+6&version=ESV Take care with your promises The Father turns to advising his son on pledges and promises. At the heart of this admonition, he tells his son to not bind himself under a neighbor’s future behaviors. By putting up a security for the neighbor, the son agrees to pay a price should the neighbor not…
DetailsAs a functional MD caring for a multitude of mold toxic patient, I am frequently fielding the question of “how did I get mold toxins in me?”. I am also faced with defending this field of mold detox to conventional medicine. This particular article provides a few answers to how this whole process occurs and…
DetailsAs we look to launch our SFM Empower Immune Prepper Course in the coming weeks, I can’t control the urge to share a few bits and pieces of it now. With the onslaught of COVID 19 and the fear surrounding it, this wisdom will be critical to navigate the new world before us. The nuggets…
DetailsFaithfulness to First Loves Proverbs 5:15-23 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+5%3A15-23&version=NIV The betrayal of first loves is deepest of all. We have read last week of the consequences of betrayal. We read here of the commanded actions towards one’s wife of their youth. Drink from her and do not share with others. Delight in her and enjoy the blessings of her…
DetailsMedical research supports both brain exercise and body exercise for our health. Given the quest for deeper understanding researchers next wondered if the brain or the body led the way in staying healthy. Boris Cheval et al published their attempt to determine the race between brain and body in Health Psychology. By monitoring cognitive function…
DetailsWe all prefer good news over bad news, but if functional medicine hopes to remain true to science and reality, we have to acknowledge some failures. At Sanctuary, some of our female patients not only want to overcome their chronic health issues but want to bear children. In helping them, we look to detox, fighting…
DetailsProverbs 5:7-14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+4&version=ESV The Sour Fruits of Foolishness The father continues to plead with his sons to listen and to keep listening. He repeats his warning from previous verses to stay away from the adulterous woman, the one who entices his sons to betrayal. Do not even go near betrayal or the one who entices it. The…
DetailsWe can all agree stress affects our health. Whether the source of stress begins with an annoying boss or an overseas virus, we feel, think, and act differently under stress. A measure of the distress comes from feeling out of control over our situation. For babies during their mother’s pregnancy or in early life after…
DetailsAs the epidemic of Alzheimer’s grows, scientists search for whatever therapy options arise out of the ongoing investigations into root causes. Scientists search for the complex and sophisticated, but sometimes simple possibilities poke their heads up and surprise. Researchers recognized alterations in the metabolic activity of early Alzheimer’s and asked themselves if this could contribute…
DetailsWhile some mainstream media outlets and part of society continues to disparage breastfeeding, science continues to support the benefits of breastfeeding for infants. As a functional medicine pediatrician seeking to counsel parents on the best ways to prepare their children for the world, breastfeeding will always be in the top 5 to 10 practices. Without…
DetailsInsomnia plagues the lives of many, robbing their daytime of energy and focus, robbing nights of peace. In functional medicine we offer many therapies to improve sleep such as supplements, lifestyle changes, and neurofeedback. This research may lead to another option as scientists further unravel the connections between prebiotics and sleep. Coming in various forms…
DetailsCurcumin, the multi-tool of functional medicine just got nano-scaled. As the article notes, curcumin has frustrated scientists for years. It clearly affects multiple bodily processes like inhibiting NF-kB, TNF alpha, and IL-6. Each of these substances play a role in inflammation. However, our body’s limited ability to absorb curcumin and the swiftness of its metabolism…
DetailsI only know one person whose favorite color is orange, but they may be on to something with weight loss. Western University researchers identified a substance called nobiletin from oranges and tangerines which modify how animal metabolism handles lipids (fats). In a study of rats fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, those rats fed nobiletin ended…
DetailsProverbs 5:1-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+4&version=ESV Warning Against Betrayal Again the writer of Proverbs calls his son to attend to a warning. The message is simple. While the words of the adulterous woman sound sweet as honey in the beginning, they lead to great bitterness and are sharp like a sword. They lead to death. While both the newlywed and the…
DetailsGiven the fact that we have been eating for as long as we have existed and modern society focuses so much on weight control, you would think we would have our “system” down on the meal issue. We do tend towards 3 meals a day even if we have different names for them and different…
DetailsIn medicine, scientists search for targets which can be manipulated for health benefits. The complexity of our systems makes such targets few and far in between. Still they hope to discern the key players in disease processes like neurodegeneration. For diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, they have learned that inflammation and a leaky blood brain…
DetailsForget the chickens and the eggs for now, let’s consider teas and berries for brain health. This research confirms that foods high in flavonoids benefit brain health as we grow older. By comparing the self-reported intakes of 6 different types of flavonoids in 2,800 people, they determined that those with higher intakes had 2 to…
DetailsProverbs 4:20-27 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+3&version=ESV The Practices of Wisdom In a world which values expediency, we like the easy fixes. We look for the simple 3 step guide to everything. We want fast food and fast results. This selection from Proverbs 4:20-27 gets in the way of finding 3 steps to wisdom. We are told to: Be attentive Incline…
DetailsWhile many are considering COVID to be a four-letter curse word that they are sick of hearing, by necessity of its threat to human life, researchers continue to search for explanations and I continue to share their discoveries with you. We have addressed many other nutritional, pharmaceutical, and lifestyle therapies in past articles. Today we…
DetailsJust change a couple of carbons, add some hydrogen, or move some double bonds and magically you take a dangerous chemical like BPA and make it safe. Well sometimes yes and sometimes no. When industry realized that BPA in plastics was no longer an option, they devised all sorts of alternatives with the intention of…
DetailsMy son has already burst my Scrabble bubble by pointing out that vomocytosis is too long for the standard rules of Scrabble. Nevertheless, it will be a useful word to sound smart. All that aside, the relationship of vomocytosis and fungal infections intrigues me more than Scrabble success. Researchers from the University of Birmingham…
DetailsOur mothers may have taught us how to fold our clothes for easier placement in our dresser drawers, but proper folding appears to be important in the development of type I diabetes, an autoimmune disorder. Researchers have worked long and hard to understand how autoimmune diseases develop in search of prevention and treatment. Our understanding…
DetailsPsalm 91 and COVID 19 Verses 5 and 6 God is not afraid of COVID 19 and neither should we be afraid. God has a plan for us from eternity past and nothing in heaven or on earth can hinder His plan. In fact, whether it involves the intent of our mortal enemy or…
DetailsModern medicine signs its name with “allopathy” when pressed for its roots. Allopathy basically means that we come against disease (pathos). If bacteria invade our body’s sanctuary, we respond with anti-bacterials. If cancer arises, we respond with anti-cancer agents called chemotherapy. This paradigm has served us well for decades in the acute war against disease.…
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