Peer Reviewed Articles
A Commentary on the Nutrient-Chronic Disease Relationship and the New Paradigm of Evidence-Based Nutrition
12-01-2010 There is general agreement within the nutrition science and practitioner communities that ones diet, nutritional status, and lifestyle can substantially predispose one to (or protect against) many chronic diseases and other conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For decades, the US government has invested, and continues to invest, enormous resources to support programs such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Institute of Medicines (IOM) Dietary Reference Intakes to develop recommendations for diet and nutrient intake levels that will, among other things, reduce chronic disease risk within the population. The nutrient-chronic disease relationship is also addressed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when it reviews Health Claim and Qualified Health Claim petitions, both of which are viewed as broad public health statements. But many questions unique to nutrition still remain when it comes to evaluating the evidence on which these and other recommendations are based.
Naturopathic Approaches to Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis
11-01-2010 Healthcare providers can help prevent and treat osteoporosis by supporting the improvement of nutritional status through diet and nutritional supplementation, along with suggestion for an increase in exercise training.
Coenzyme Q10 in Parkinson's Disease: Ready for First Line Use?
11-01-2010 Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by resting tremors, rigidity of movement, postural abnormalities, and akinesia. The "trigger"for the onset of PD is not known and is presumed to be multifactorial, involving genetic susceptibility and environmental agents.
Parabens and Breast Cancer
10-01-2010 Some research has raised concern that parabens may be associated breast cancer. Parabens have been detected in human breast tissue and have shown estrogenic properties.
Dietary Considerations in Chronic Kidney Disease
09-01-2010 A low-protein diet can be beneficial to a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the source of that protein is important as well. Many clinicians assume that a vegan diet is superior for kidney patients, but this may not be the case.
The Therapeutic Effects of Acetyl-L-Carnitine on Peripheral Neuropathy: A Review of the Literature
08-01-2010 Conventional therapies have limited success in preventing or reversing symptoms of neuropathic pain and numbness. In the past decade there has been a surge in publications suggesting acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) may be an effective neuroprotectant and antinociceptive for peripheral neuropathy. This review highlights the uses, doses, and proposed mechanisms of action for the therapeutic effects of ALC in patients with peripheral neuropathy.
Development of the Infant Immune Function and the Effects of Breast Milk
08-01-2010 There is a need for more extensive research into the development of the immune system in infants so that we have a more complete understanding of how to target and prevent immune disorders. Our current understanding points to 4 main areas in the ontogeny of the infant's immune system as potential early intervention points for the prevention of immune disorders.
Marinades Reduce Heterocyclic Amines from Primitive Food Preparation Techniques
07-01-2010 It is certainly possible, as these papers suggest, to significantly lower the formation of carcinogens during cooking, even while barbecuing. Incorporating specific ingredients into meat through mixing, marinades, or rubs provides accessible means to inhibit formation of HCAs.
Citicoline: A Novel Therapeutic Agent with Neuroprotective, Neuromodulatory, and Neuroregenerative Properties
06-01-2010 Citicoline (cytidine diphosphocholine, CDP-choline) is a novel nutrient with a broad spectrum of benefits for conditions associated with symptoms of neurological dysfunction. An endogenous compound, citicoline is an essential intermediate in the synthesis of cell membrane phospholipids and its formation is the rate-limiting step in phosphatidylcholine synthesis. It plays several important roles in human physiology, including enhancement of structural integrity and signaling for cell membranes, support of acetylcholine synthesis, and synthesis of betaine, a methyl donor.
The Role of Cortisol in Sleep
06-01-2010 The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis interacts with sleep in multiple ways. This article reviews the effects of the HPA axis on sleep and the converse. The hormones secreted by the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary that interact with the adrenal cortex are discussed, with implications on sleep disturbances and insomnia. A review of the stages of sleep and sleep architecture is given, and particular attention is paid to the role of cortisol. A dysfunctional HPA and alterations in the rhythm of cortisol production is described as a basis for understanding many cases of insomnia. This abnormal cortisol production and cycling is the basis for the hypothesis and the small body of research on the use of natural therapies to regulate the HPA axis and cortisol production.
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Evidence-Based Research
04-01-2010
NMJ Original Research: Reproducibility and Reliability of Two Food Allergy Testing Methods
03-01-2010
Nutritional Protocol for the Treatment of Intestinal Permeability Defects and Related Conditions
03-01-2010 Under healthy conditions, the intestinal mucosa permits the absorption of vital nutrients from the gut lumen while presenting a barrier against the passage of pathogenic substances into the body. Leaky gut syndrome describes a pathological increase in permeability of the intestinal mucosa that causes increased absorption of intestinally derived endotoxin, antigens, inflammatory mediators, and, in some cases, intact bacteria.