Peer-Reviewed Articles
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.
Asthma affects approximately 24 million Americans, and 6.3 million of those are under 18 years of age. The reliance on asthma medication as the only treatment for this widespread condition has had virtually no effect on asthma rates, which have continually increased since the 1980s. It is therefore imperative that the medical community at large start to commit to prevention as an equally important measure when considering asthma as a condition. A holistic perspective should take into account all the factors affecting asthma prevalence and expose the connections between them.
Patients with pancreatic cancer experience symptoms of disease and treatment-related symptoms that can reduce quality of life and negatively impact survival. This paper discusses practical tools for supporting patients in digestive tract symptom reduction with safe interventions such as nutritional counseling and evidence-based supplements. Patients and caregivers who are provided knowledge about digestive tract physiology, nutritional education, and detailed instructions for use of pancreatic enzymes may more effectively utilize treatment plans at home. Supporting overall nutritional status and maximizing digestive function with use of pancreatic enzymes and supplements such as probiotics and melatonin may help reduce suffering in pancreatic cancer patients and support quality of life.
The serendipitous discovery that grapefruit juice could dramatically increase the bioavailability of orally administered medications resulted from the findings of a 1989 clinical trial on the pharmacodynamics of felodipine. Grapefruit juice is now estimated to pose a nutrient-drug interaction with more than 85 different medications. The primary mechanism of this interaction is inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), but grapefruit juice also inhibits organic anion-transporter polypeptides (OATPs). These mechanisms can increase bioavailability, decrease bioavailability, or reduce the metabolic activation of certain medications. Many commonly prescribed drugs interact with grapefruit juice, and these interactions can produce clinically significant effects. Consumption of a single glass of juice is sufficient to alter drug metabolism, and the effect can last as long as 3 days. Practical implications of grapefruit juice-drug interactions are reviewed here.
