Bifidobacterium Adolescentis Strains Identified as GABA-Producers
Several mood-altering human neurotransmitters originate from microbes in the digestive tract. Now science is starting to dig into which bacterial strains are responsible.
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
Sweet Potato Cauliflower Curry
I’m cooking the rainbow and making colorful, nutrient-dense meals to help support and strengthen our immune defense.
Sponsored: In Pursuit of Best Practice for Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
As a functional medicine clinician and scientist, I absolutely appreciate the deep literature dives my colleagues take. When they come up for air, there is a synthesized body of knowledge that is riveting, satisfying to listen to, trust-worthy and, most importantly, practice changing. Such was my conversation on all things menopausal hormone therapy with Dr. Doreen Saltiel, currently consulting for Precision Analytical (they’re lucky to have her). She spent the bulk of her impressive career as an interventional cardiologist (although confesses she wanted to go into OBGYN) and jumped into integrative and functional medicine after her own “ah-ha” healing journey, involving hormone replacement therapy, relatively early on in her life.
Addressing Root Causes of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Dr. Dale Bredesen
I very much enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Dale Bredesen – from his story of finding functional medicine (it’ll resonate with many of you, as it did me, I’m sure) to where the ReCODE program is now (pay attention to the large clinical trial now underway and the refinements of Dr. Bredesen’s thinking over the last decade), and the launch of The End of Alzheimer’s Program (a goldmine resource for clinicians and regular folks alike). Links on the podcast show notes page, be sure to check them out. Thanks for listening!
Not a Recommended COVID Remedy – Oleander Plant Linked to Serious Side Effects, Including Death
Following the recently-reported news that oleandrin, an extract of the oleander plant, may combat COVID-19, the nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC) issued a concerned warning about oleander, raising the alarm about the plant’s substantial toxicity.
Uterine Fibroids – New Bill Aims to Increase Research and Education Funding
Wow! (forehead slap) Of course we need funding for this sometimes tough-to-treat but ubiquitous condition. It wasn’t too long ago that fibroids were a much less common entity. Now, sadly, they are nearly ubiquitous. A new bill introduced by Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) seeks to provide $30 million annually to the National Institutes of Health…
BPA Exposure Increases Risk of Death from Any Cause
There has been a wealth of research on the negative health effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure. However, very little research has looked at long-term health outcomes. This study, published in the top tier JAMA Network Journal, serves as a massive warning and confirmation of the dangers from exposure to this endocrine-disrupting chemical, commonly found…
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Skin Microbiome and Gut-Brain-Skin Axis
When you hear “microbiome,” you may think of gut bacteria first. Cutting-edge research, however, shows that the skin biome is another vital population of microorganisms that influences human health in surprising ways. From 2009 to 2019, the annual number of peer-reviewed papers examining the skin biome increased more than ten-fold. (1) Scientific interest in the topic is growing exponentially as new sequencing techniques allow the identification of previously undiscovered species, as well as novel insights into the roles they play in wellness and disease. (2)
Functional Medicine, COVID-19 & Racial Disparities: Bridging the Gaps Webinar
I am so grateful for the participation of the panel in the roundtable discussion on Bridging the Gaps in Functional Medicine, COVID-19 & Racial Disparities.
The Utility of a Low Nickel Diet in Refractory Celiac Disease
A low nickel diet may be helpful for refractory Celiac Disease symptoms, according to this new study, published in the journal Nutrients. Especially if other contributors such as positive food IgE, SIBO, IBD, H pylori, and lactose intolerance have been ruled out and correct adherence to a gluten-free diet is ensured. Interesting points from this…
