Research and News August 2018

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.

“Considerable evidence” for Melatonin in Cancer Prevention and Treatment
There is considerable evidence that melatonin may be of use in the prevention and treatment of cancer,” according to a new paper in the International Journal of Molecular Science. I consider it a useful component of our anti-cancer arsenal. This also highlights the importance of healthy sleep for cancer prevention, a time when our bodies naturally switch to producing melatonin (only half of us get good quality sleep now, compared with 95 percent 50 years ago). Melatonin is known to act as an antioxidant, immune balancer, and has the ability to epigenetically regulate gene expression related to tumor suppression as well as aging.

Are Gut Bacteria Thwarting Your Weight Loss Attempts?
Bacteria residing in your gut can derail your weight loss attempts. These resident microbes can alter how we utilize dietary carbohydrates, as the Mayo Clinic now recognizes, making them more readily available to our bodies. We also witness the challenges that poor gut microbiomes present for weight loss including significantly inducing cravings, and provoking inappropriate immune responses that perpetuate the cycle of weight promotion. A comprehensive gut restoration protocol is therefore a foundational component for addressing apparent weight loss resistance.

Breastfeeding Benefits Include Epigenetic Programming
Breastfeeding, when possible, has many benefits for baby, and for Mom. Did you know that they include optimizing baby’s epigenetics – that control layer that regulates how your genes are read? The long term effects include reduced risk for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis), infections, obesity and cancer. Read more here, and check out our own blog on the general benefits of breastfeeding.

Probiotic Adaptation to Survive Harsh Stomach Environments
An often-asked question – can probiotics really survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach, bile acid secretions, to reach the lower gastrointestinal tract unharmed? After all, these are designed to keep pathogenic infections from occurring. Certain bacterial phyla, including commensal (helpful) microbes, have created genetic ‘adaptations’ that allow them to colonize the gut. New research shows that spore formation and the ability to export protons our of their cell (to prevent internal acidification) are two likely mechanisms used by gut-loving probiotics.

The Right and Wrong Ways to Implement Low Carb Diets
How is it that both high and low carb diets can be associated with increased mortality risk? The answer likely lies in the variation of the diet that you implement, as argued in The Lancet Public Health. Low carb diets that are high in animal products and low in plant phytonutrients miss important health- and longevity-promoting compounds. Similarly, high carb diets that are rich in refined grains and sugars will push insulin and glucose too high, with negative consequences, and can also be lacking in phytonutrients. Our nutrition team can help you get it right.

When Probiotics AREN’T Helpful
Could probiotics be making your symptoms worse? We normally think of probiotics (beneficial gut microbes) as hugely health-promoting. But if you happen to have an excess level of microbes in your small intestine you can experience digestive discomfort including bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, as well as potentially brain fog, headaches, skin rashes and more. Probiotics often make these symptoms worse since they add to the total bacterial load. You will find more resources on this condition, SIBO, on our site.