Two Mechanisms Potentially Improving Acquired Immunity to COVID-19: The Common Cold and Breastmilk
People who have been exposed to a seasonal “common cold” may experience less severe COVID-19 symptoms. While we’ve discussed this topic previously, a study from the Journal of Clinical Investigation reports the first clinical evidence of cross reactivity with the…
Best of the Year in Functional and Integrative Medicine – 2020
It goes without saying, although I’ll still say it again, that 2020 has been a year for the books not only in the world of Functional and Integrative medicine, but in all ways possible.
Navigating the Holidays: Voices from Our Clinic Team
Have you thought much about how you and your family are going to navigate the holidays this year?
Are You Nutritionally Prepared? Protect Your Body and Mind This Cold and Flu Season
Judging from the way 2020 has shaped up, this winter season may be like no other we’ve experienced before. Metabolic Maintenance, our sponsor this month, tells us about the mood and immune-boosting nutrients we need to have on hand for…
Furin Inhibition Continues to be a Viable Consideration for COVID
Scientists are continuing to explore the role of furin proteases in the development of drugs to address COVID infections. This is a topic Dr. Fitzgerald has written on previously, including a peer-reviewed publication discussing dietary, lifestyle, and natural options to…
High-Dose Biotin Not Effective for Treatment of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
High-dose biotin appears to be ineffective and potentially harmful in the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), contradicting an earlier study. A randomized trial from The Lancet of over 600 participants with MS found those who took 100 mg of…
Dogs in the Home Help Shape Children’s Immune Systems
Dogs not only serve as playful and loving family companions, but now research suggests they also help keep kids’ immune systems healthy. A study found pregnant moms with a dog in the home had children with less immunoglobulin E (IgE)…
Gut-Trained Immune Cells Help Protect the Brain from Infection
Immune cells in our gut appear to help protect the brain from infection. A fascinating study in mice suggests that immune cells in the gut are trained to recognize and respond to pathogens and then move to the brain’s surface…
Medications May Undermine Weight Loss Efforts in Diabetics
New research adds to our existing knowledge and experience that some medications may inhibit weight loss, even when lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise are prioritized. The Look AHEAD randomized study followed over 5000 middle-aged diabetic participants for 13.5…
Omega-3 DHA Enhances Cyclist Performance
Supplementing with omega-3 fats DHA + EPA, with a higher ratio of DHA, may increase physical power output and prolong the time before exhaustion (specifically before reaching the lactic acid threshold) according to a new study. Participants in a recent…
Early Introduction to Gluten May Prevent Celiac Disease
Can including gluten early in an infant’s diet prevent celiac disease (CD)? New data supports this possibility. Analysis of the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) randomized, controlled trial published in JAMA Pediatrics this September reported that none of the 488 children…
Vanilla Cinnamon Apple Cobbler
This is a great fall and winter dish to go with your meals or it can be enjoyed just as a dessert. I like to use firm, sweet and tart apples like Pink Lady or Jonathan. These apples hold their…
5 Steps to Boost Your Immune Resilience This Winter Season
A huge part of our immune resilience comes down to the inputs we give our immune system – the food we eat and the lifestyle choices we make. These choices can either help build a strong and balanced defense system…
Military Environmental Exposure Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis in Veterans
Environmental toxins have been shown in several studies to be a potential trigger for immune dysfunction and autoimmunity. Now new data, from ex-military personnel, adds to that evidence base. In this recent study, published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, U.S. veterans exposed to…
Soy Reduces Dementia Risk But Only if you Have the Right Gut Bacteria
Dementia risk may be reduced by consuming dietary soy, at least in those who have the right kind of gut microbes to produce a compound called equol from its soy-derived precursors. Equol is a metabolite of the soy isoflavone daidzein…
Green Tea & Coffee Consumption Reduces Risk of Death in Type 2 Diabetes
A new study from Japan suggests people with type 2 diabetes who consume both green tea and coffee (quite a methylation adaptogen cocktail) have a lower risk of death. By a significant amount. Researchers studied nearly 5,000 patients over a five-year period and found…
Data Emerge on “Long” COVID Characteristics and Risk Factors
Long COVID is now recognized as a post-viral syndrome of chronic debilitating symptoms that can last for months. Similar post-viral syndromes that have been observed follow other infections such as influenza, pneumonia, Epstein-Barr virus, and HIV. New data from a recent study by…
Navigating Obesity in Immune Dysfunction
Everyone’s awareness about comorbidities, especially overweight and obesity, is heightened due to COVID-19. And in two recent WebMD polls, up to 47% of women and 55% of men report gaining weight during the lockdown – no surprise there – but…
Resistance, Resilience and Recovery: New Resources for Functional Approaches to COVID-19
I am deeply impressed with the functional medicine community in taking on multiple, strong leadership roles around the pandemic.
Maternal Psychological Stress During Pregnancy May Lead to Asthma in Children
Children whose mothers had anxiety and depression during pregnancy may have an increased risk of developing asthma at 10 years of age, according to a new prospective cohort study of over 4000 children. Results showed a 46-91% increased risk of asthma and…