Research and News February 2017

We like to stay on top of the latest news in functional medicine and nutrition. If you do too, you’ll find our monthly, easy-to-digest compilation of research and news articles right here. Check back regularly to find updates, or follow us through our newsletters and social media to ensure you don’t miss any.

B12 – Regulator of Microbial Communities and More
Interesting facts about vitamin B12: this nutrient apparently wields a lot of power in microbial communities since it is produced only by a few organisms but needed by nearly all of them, thereby playing a role in shaping microbial communities. B12 is a nutrient that can be lacking in unplanned vegan diets since it is only found in animal foods. Also, heads up if you take metformin – this pharmaceutical depletes B12 and you’ll need to replace that to avoid peripheral neuropathy and other issues that a deficiency of this important nutrient can cause. Ps – this pic is of a piece of the microbial ‘mat’ in a hot lake in Washington state – cool, no?

Omega-3s and Traumatic Brain Injury
In some of the recent controversy about fish oil (that I don’t completely agree with), it’s good to touch base on a nutrient that I still think is immensely valuable. Among my colleagues, we have some anecdotal examples of the benefits of omega-3s (from fish oil) in traumatic brain injury, a situation that presents a huge clinical challenge. This preliminary review of data showed that doses up to over 19 g/d omega-3s have been helpful in aiding recovery. Monitoring of AA:EPA ratio (should be >1) is recommended to avoid theoretical possibility of bleeding. I am hoping to discuss this in more depth in a podcast later this year.

Antibiotics Can Stimulate Bacterial Growth
Beyond the tremendously concerning antibiotic-resistance bacterial species that we are encouraging through overuse of antibiotics, new research shows that antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli can actually grow in numbers when exposed to antibiotics.

How Microbes Can Cause Autoimmunity
Have an autoimmune condition? Did you know that each autoimmune condition has a potential microbial connection? The link between the two is due to ‘molecular mimicry,’ where fragments of protein chains produced by microbes and which provoke an immune attack in a ‘primed’ individual. The microbial protein chains look similar enough to our own cell proteins for our immune system to confuse the two, and start attacking ‘self.’ A report this week connected E. coli with Crohn’s disease and spondyloarthritis. Other connections have been found between RA and Proteus, Crohn’s and Klebsiella, Hashimoto’s and Yersinia, Multiple sclerosis and Chlamydia. These are just a few examples, making a strong case for using pathogen screening tests for those with persistent autoimmunity.

Is Your Loved One Depressed? Show Them More Love
While it can be tempting to withhold from someone who is depressed and not returning your feelings of affection or even lashing out, new research shows that partner support and love is tremendously helpful in improving depressive symptoms and their future mental health. If your partner is reacting negatively, the relationship researchers suggest ‘invisible support,’ like taking care of a sink full of dirty dishes they haven’t seen yet. Other ways to help include offering to handle tasks that aren’t normally yours such as planning meals, or driving children to school. Ultimately, these challenges have the opportunity to deepen and strengthen an otherwise-healthy relationship.

Benefits of Fish Oil-Derived Proresolvins for Asthma May Be Blocked by Steroids
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, and their derivatives, are used in Functional Medicine to dampen pathways of inflammation that underlie conditions such as asthma, a condition of inflamed and reactive airways. So-called specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) that our bodies derive from omega-3 fatty acids also block the production of IgE antibodies, that can trigger or exacerbate asthma. Using steroids as treatment controls inflammation, but does not cure the underlying disease. 17 patients in this most recent study showed positive responses to omega-3 derived SPMs, but those taking oral steroids were less sensitive to the intervention.

Have you heard of ASIA—Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants?
ASIA is an umbrella term for generalized symptoms such as persistent fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment or memory loss, or dry mouth. Conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sick building syndrome, or postural orthostatic hypotension (POTS) fall under ASIA. Adjuvant inducers can be any substances that provoke an autoimmune or inflammatory response in genetically predisposed individuals. Examples include silicone implants, pathogens such as Epstein-Barr, vaccine ingredients such as aluminum. Not everyone reacts to all these substances (in fact most do not), but there is a subset of individuals who do.

Our Aging Brains: To Drink or Not to Drink?
Those bright PhDs over at PLOS Neuro have done a fabulous job capturing the state of the science on alcohol and our aging brains. They refer to numerous studies that have reported lower rates of dementia, better cognitive performance, slower memory decline and reduced loss of executive functions with moderate alcohol intake. But, take note—they also point out that some of the benefits of alcohol consumption may be from tangential factors associated with brain health, such as eating a Mediterranean Diet, or increased social activity. While those who don’t drink aren’t advised to start, low-to-moderate (1-2 small servings with dinner and company) may be acceptable. If, however, you’re having a hard time controlling the amount you drink, or if you notice negative effects from drinking, then you’re experiencing the very real toxic effects that alcohol can have.

Keeping Blood Pressure Under 120 Would Prevent 107,500 Deaths Per Year in US
1 in 3 people in the US has high blood pressure, significantly increasing their risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems. Conventional care considers systolic blood pressure under 140 mm/Hg to be the goal, but in this new SPRINT trial, reducing systolic blood pressure to less than 120 mm/Hg in those aged 50+ lowered all-cause mortality by a further 27%. Functional Medicine has an arsenal of dietary and lifestyle tweaks that can effectively keep blood pressure within healthy ranges, minimizing the need for medication. Click here and here to see how DIFFERENTLY Functional Medicine works for blood pressure health.