We 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…
We 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…
In 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…
While 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…
Most 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…
Parents 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…
Introductions 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…
We 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…
Most 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…
Snotty 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. …