Research and News February 2020

For me, the sun rises and sets on emerging (or reemerging) science- pushing the conversation forward, the outrageous twists and turns of new evidence, of new technology; of new interventions for our patients we can explore, or jump right onto if the safety data are good. The newsletters I open first are ALWAYS my science briefs. And full disclosure, my favorite one is from Scientist Magazine. Being current in the midst of the medical revolution is essential to the practice of FxMed. For this reason, we provide Research and News. A digest of topics we are curious about, we have vetted and found beneficial. Check it out. ~ Dr KF

FDA Approves First Standardized Powder for Allergy Desensitization
Food allergy treatment took a giant step forward last Friday when the FDA approved Palforzia, a peanut allergen powder for use in desensitization treatments. Rather than ‘cure’ an allergy, a course of treatment with Palforzia is intended to provide peanut-allergic individuals some level of tolerance to peanuts to reduce the risk from small, inadvertent exposures. We are witness to the significant risks (and heightened stress) that those with food allergies live with every day, and will be looking for this to pave the way for other standardized food allergen treatments. We’ll keep you updated.

Non-Stick Chemicals Found in Drinking Water Across US
The contamination of drinking water by fluorosurfactant chemicals used in non-stick cooking surfaces and waterproofing sprays (PFAS) is more widespread than previously thought. Independent laboratory analysis found problematic PFAS levels (above those determined by studies to pose risk to human health) in 42 out of 44 locations tested across 31 US states. Highest levels were found in major metropolitan areas including Miami, Philadelphia, New Orleans and norther New Jersey. Health concerns of long term exposure include cancer, impaired fetal development and reduced vaccine effectiveness. Filters that can effectively remove PFAS include granular activated carbon and ion exchange.

Smoke-Damaged Cells Can Be Replaced – It’s Never Too Late To Quit
Lung cells previously damaged from cigarette smoke can be replaced by healthy ones, according to new research that shows it’s never too late to quit the habit. Some of the people in the study had smoked more than 15,000 packs of cigarettes over their lifetime. Researchers found that 90% of lung cells in current smokers contained gene mutations including those that can lead to cancer. However, in ex-smokers they found that up to 40 percent of those damaged cells had been replaced with healthy ones.

APOE4 Gene Carriers at Greater Risk for Memory Deficits from Soccer Headings
Soccer players, repeatedly heading a ball, who also carry the APOE4 gene allele, are at greater risk for memory deficits even in their 20s. This, according to a study in JAMA Neurology. Participants in this study had played soccer for at least six months a year for five years or more, and had a median age of 23. It’s unknown if these effects are transient in nature or whether there is any impact on later life cognitive decline.

Antibodies Found in Rheumatoid Arthritis Linked with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)
Antibodies found in certain types of rheumatoid arthritis (anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, ACPA) have been recently linked with an increased risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), even before a diagnosis of RA is made. ACPA can target citrullinated proteins on airway surfaces to create inflammation in the lungs. This effect appears to be worsened amongst individuals with the HLA-DRB1 genotype. By looking at underlying factors that drive ACPA formation, Functional Medicine can often identify ways to bring down that reactivity.

Fish Oil May Improve Testicular Function
Supplemental fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids is associated with improved measures of testicular function including larger testes, higher semen volume, and higher total sperm count, according to new research from JAMA Network. 1600 participants were analyzed in this study, which also found a dose-dependent effect – consistent supplement use (2/3 of days of more) had even better levels of testicular function which could be clinically meaningful. Fatty acids are found in sperm membranes are critical for sperm function. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be made by the body and must be consumed in the diet.

Look to Chile for How to Cut Sugary Drink Consumption
How do you effectively reduce a nation’s intake of high-sugar drinks? Look at what Chile has done – by banning sales in school, restricting marketing to children, and requiring dramatic black and white warning labels on products, the country has reduced consumption by nearly a quarter over two years. When the measures were adopted, Chile was consuming more sugary drinks per capita than any other country in the world. The biggest drops were to sweetened fruit drinks and sweetened dairy drinks.

Could Homeopathy be an Adjunctive Treatment for Coronavirus?
Homeopathy for the novel Coronavirus, COVID19? Although this article in the Scientist is highly critical of the proposal from India’s Ministry of AYUSH, I might try this as an adjunctive treatment. It won’t hurt, and it might help. Homeopathy does have a long history of use, as much as it’s maligned. And I have seen some nice turnarounds using some specific homeopathic interventions. But using standard of care medicine is also important, of course. Thoughts?