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.
Kara Fitzgerald, ND, received her doctor of naturopathic medicine degree from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She completed the first Counsel on Naturopathic Medicine-accredited post-doctorate position in nutritional biochemistry and laboratory science at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory under the direction of Richard Lord, PhD. Her residency was completed at Progressive Medical Center, a large, integrative medical practice in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Fitzgerald is the lead author and editor of Case Studies in Integrative and Functional Medicine and is a contributing author to Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)’s Textbook for Functional Medicine. With the Helfgott Research Institute, Dr. Fitzgerald is actively engaged in clinical research on the DNA methylome using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her practice. The first publication from the study focuses on reversal of biological aging and was published 04-12-2021 in the journal Aging. She has published a consumer book titled Younger You as well as a companion cookbook, Better Broths and Healing Tonics and has an application-based Younger You Program, based on the study.
Dr. Fitzgerald is on the faculty at IFM, is an IFM Certified Practitioner and lectures globally on functional medicine. She runs a Functional Nutrition Residency program, and maintains a podcast series, New Frontiers in Functional Medicine and an active blog on her website, www.drkarafitzgerald.com. Her clinical practice is in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
Additional publications
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 an unprecedented cold season. I have a long history with this family-owned company, going back to my days as a resident at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory. They make high-quality, novel therapeutics that I trust and use in my practice routinely. I especially like their vitamin D, zinc, and antioxidants. Don’t get caught unprepared for illness this winter. Shore up your immune defenses early so you can have a fun, safe, and healthy winter season!
Sponsored |The Best Biomarker of Aging: What Clinicians Need to Know
I am particularly fascinated by new advances in testing biological age and how these biomarkers relate to disease risk. My podcast guest today is Dr. Joseph Raffaele MD, a leading expert, researcher, and clinician on the topic of biological aging and telomeres. We talked last year on New Frontiers, and I’m psyched to continue the conversation!
This time, Dr. Raffaele and I explore the various tests he uses to determine physiological age and disease risk, and go big into how senescent T cells and infections, such as cytomegalovirus, increase COVID-19 risk, particularly in a younger, seemingly healthy population. You’re going to love this enticing convo on the role of aging as it relates to disease and COVID-19 risk, and might find some great take-away clinical pearls to use in your own practice. Settle in, this is a good one, and let me know what you think by leaving a review or comment! ~DrKF
Stage IV Cancer: Dr. Patrick Hanaway’s Personal Experience with Functional & Integrative Modalities
Is it fair that I say – yet again – that this was my best conversation this year? My most deeply personal, honest, heartfelt, love-filled, scientific, evidence-informed (and pearl-ladened) conversation on cancer and recovery? Well, Dr. Patrick Hanaway, MD is a mentor, a colleague, a friend, and an amazing guy. His journey as a leader in functional medicine through stage IV laryngeal cancer and his embrace of a metabolic approach was profound.
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 consider for lowering furin levels.
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 biotin three times per day (10,000 times higher than the RDA) or placebo failed to…
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) allergies. Adolescents who had prenatal exposure to dogs showed nearly a 30% decrease in 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 to protect it. The lining of the gut is rich in immunoglobulin A (IgA), antibodies…
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 years and found overweight or obese participants taking obesogenic medications, or drugs that tend to…
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 study of 50 amateur cyclists published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports…
