Those outside of functional medicine may ridicule the notion that our gut play such a central role in our health (and so did I at one time), but recent research makes that more and more difficult to ignore. Researchers in a Swedish university looked closely at the gut bacteria of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes…
I often feel like a street preacher, proclaiming time and time again the interconnectedness of our body systems. At other times, I feel a little crazy, talking to myself about the very same things. Here, both déjà vu’s come to the fore as I did not see this one coming but “feel” like I should…
Epidemiological studies either peer back into time looking for patterns or arrange monitoring of future variables looking for the same patterns. Data is analyzed and … sometimes nothing. When a pattern does arise out of the fog, they then have to go searching for biological links. Patterns may only indicate correlation but not causation, meaning…
In searching for answers, others choose blood tests that guide the selection of foods to eliminate. We use a panel that includes both IgG and IgE antibodies. Normally, IgG deals with body invaders like viruses and bacteria. On the other hand, IgE interacts with allergens and parasites in our immune defense system. For some, the…
We have grown accustomed to debating conventional medicine over a variety of topics, but this one is even debated within the functional medicine world. So many patients want to know if a food is causing their symptoms. They ask, “How do I know which food it is?” Conventional medicine either doubts the possibility or refers…
As a Functional MD, I spend a lot of time addressing toxicity. While conventional medicine wants to deny that we live in a toxic soup of our own concoction, functional MD’s recognize what study after study reveals. Not only do one-time high doses of toxins cause issues, but low-level chronic exposures also create bodily harm.…
Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall of some conversation, listening in? Well, researchers are trying to do just that as your sweet little baby’s poop sends messages to his or her developing brain. Research methods over recent decades have allowed scientists to “see” so many more bacteria in our guts…
Autism – its one of the day’s great debates. Many spend their time arguing about whether vaccines or some toxin has created the epidemic. Others search for the magic gene convinced that genetics or epigenetics can explain it all. None of these avenues are wrong or fruitless as understanding origins may lead to therapies. Yet,…
If you don’t know what a polyphenol is, but are afraid to ask….basically a natural chemical class in many herbs, veggies, and fruits that posses numerous antioxidant properties. So what? In this case, they may be protecting your liver or even helping it to heal. The article lists many sources, but a short list includes…
Functional MD’s tell some odd punch lines, like this one. They talk about their bacterial neighbors of course. Okay, not expecting any belly laughter on this one, but there is truth in this corny joke. My staff at Sanctuary Functional Medicine are used to my bad jokes though. Researchers constantly find new interactions between our…