Peer-Reviewed Articles
The association of gut health to general health has been the focus of many medical approaches, including traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, and naturopathic medicine. The discovery of the gut microbiome has led to new areas of research that focus on the possible biochemical mechanisms that can relate gut health to local disease as well as the health of distant organs. The relationship of the gut to the skin, referred to as the gut-skin axis, is one emerging area of research.
The use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men has risen dramatically in recent years. This comprehensive review article covers many aspects of TRT, including testosterone metabolism, indications for TRT, diagnostic testing with a decision-to-treat algorithm, contraindications, and risks vs benefits of treatment.
A fascinating review article describes in detail the many downstream effects of endocrine damage caused by traumatic brain injury, effects that manifest themselves in symptoms that may not be recognized as a consequence of brain trauma.
Naltrexone is known as a treatment for opioid addiction, but studies suggest naltrexone taken in lower doses may yield benefits for other health issues. This review article discusses potential applications of low-dose naltrexone and presents mechanisms of action that could explain its beneficial effects.
Our understanding of the human microbiome continues to mushroom. A review of recent research reveals the influence of dysbiosis on cancer and cancer treatment outcomes.
What’s in a name? Controversy over “adrenal fatigue” diagnosis may have more to do with terminology than physiology.
A fascinating review article provides convincing evidence that anger negatively affects many aspects of men’s health in addition to its more well-recognized cardiovascular effects, making a case for the value of addressing anger issues in our male patients.
The benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been touted for years, but evidence of its health-promoting effects continues to mount. This article reviews more recent studies that underscore the diet’s cancer-preventing effects, and provides an in-depth analysis of the diet itself, including specific suggestions for food selection and preparation to improve adherence.
The loss of a single pregnancy can be devastating, but some women experience multiple losses, compounding the devastation. Dr. Chasse explains many potential causes of pregnancy loss and provides guidelines for evaluation and treatment, noting that naturopathic clinicians have much to offer.
The use of probiotics to support general health is widespread, and quite a bit of research has been conducted on the use of various strains and doses in various contexts. Based on available research, some guidelines have been developed on clinical use of beneficial bacteria under specific disease or treatment circumstances, regarding strains, doses, and expected outcomes. This article highlights available evidence related to the use of probiotics in abdominal surgery as an addition to standard perioperative procedures, such as prophylactic antibiotic administration, with special attention to the use of probiotics in the perioperative gastrointestinal (GI) oncology setting, a narrow focus that lies beyond the scope of current guidelines.