Peer-Reviewed Articles
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.
Although we instinctively understand that you can have too much of a good thing, sometimes our approach to natural remedies is to assume if a little bit helps, more is better. This analysis introduces principles related to optimal dosing and reviews recent literature.
Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA) is a relatively new entity introduced in 2011. Diagnosis of ASIA is based on major and minor criteria encompassing generalized signs and symptoms such as persistent fatigue, cognitive difficulties, neurological deficits, myalgias/arthralgias, and dry mouth. As the name implies, an immune adjuvant is requisite, although the adjuvant itself may or may not be identified. ASIA is thought to be a rare entity, which makes the identification and study of those affected challenging. Knowledge of ASIA may help clinicians identify patients with underlying immune dysregulation.
Lactotripeptides (LTPs) found in fermented milk have been shown to have potential antihypertensive properties by acting as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. A standardized LTP product, with levels of LTP higher than what is available from dairy products, has also been shown in both in vitro and animal models to induce nitric oxide (NO) production and attenuate atherosclerosis. Clinical research has confirmed that LTP can promote vasodilation, improve endothelial function, and mitigate arterial stiffness in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects. In this review of published research on the standardized LTP product, we discuss its established mechanisms of action and the randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials that document its potential beneficial effects on cardiovascular health.
There are 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States and, according to the American Cancer Society, this number is projected to increase to 20 million by 2026. In recognition of the unique health needs of this growing population, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has mandated that cancer centers provide survivors with a Survivorship Care Plan. This review provides scientific substantiation regarding key lifestyle intervention strategies that both help cancer centers meet the mandate, and help cancer survivors heal from treatment, reduce their risk of cancer recurrence, and enhance overall wellness.
A healthy and intact immune response requires coordination between skin, mucosal barriers, and both the innate and adaptive aspects of immune response. With an overarching mandate of protection, the blueprints of individual immune surveillance systems are inherited through family history and fashioned through interactions with the environment, including lifestyle choices and chemical exposures. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the immune response and opportunities for assessment, treatment, and management from an integrative medical perspective.
Some recent studies claim biodiversity has a positive effect on human health, whereas human alterations to the natural environment have unfavorable health effects. This brief literature review cites current research that endorses biodiversity for human health and examines the negative consequences of natural environment modification. The review focuses on the health benefits of biodiverse environments, outdoor activity, and plant interactions, as well as the negative health effects of human disturbances, climate change, and urban landscapes.
The effects of dietary and supplemental omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are varied, and some of this variation may be explained by the genetics of fatty acid metabolism. In particular, the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) enzyme has genetic variation that may influence the rate at which omega-3 and omega-6 precursors are metabolized downstream into long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
