Racial differences are consequential in COVID-19 outcomes
COVID-19 outcome disparities are rapidly becoming apparent for people with obesity and multiple black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) groups.
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
Distinct subtypes of polycystic ovary syndrome with novel genetic associations: An unsupervised, phenotypic clustering analysis
We’ve known clinically that PCOS doesn’t always present as, well, PCOS. There is a far broader collection of phenotypes for PCOS than has been adequately documented. Thus, I was pleased to see this recent paper looking at PCOS subtypes and genetic associations.
An open letter to MedPage Today on their recent quercetin and COVID-19 article
In reference to the article: Quercetin: New Hype for COVID-19? We appreciate MPT’s reference to our phases paper and quote of Sam Yanuck, as well as their mention of the East Virginia Med School work. But there are more human clinical trials than the pharma PhDs suggest, which demonstrates bioavailability and efficacy. As…
Billions paid out over potential ties between talc powder and Roundup, and cancer
Two important legal battles reached decision points on settlements and damages recently – one against Johnson & Johnson’s talc products and the other against Monsanto’s Roundup, both for causing cancers. If you don’t already avoid these products, we recommend that you do. Johnson & Johnson is ordered to pay $2.1 billion to women who claim…
COVID Antibodies Decline, But The Question About Lasting Immunity is Still Unanswered
Protective antibodies against COVID-19 may only last a short time after infection, new evidence shows. However, it doesn’t mean that scientists have definitively answered the question about lasting immunity for this particular virus. The current thinking is that even low levels of powerful neutralizing antibodies may still be protective – after all, the immune system…
Making Functional Medicine Accessible and Profitable with James Maskell
COVID19 is upon us. Months earlier, we scheduled James Maskell to discuss his recent book: The Community Cure. Amazingly, his message today is all the more urgent. James argues for the group visit model, was an early adopter and proponent of group visits (in fact, we discuss the pre-publication Cleveland Clinic group visit research findings, which are astonishingly good; even better than the first JAMA publication comparing functional medicine one-on-one with family medicine.) Now, with COVID19 and self-isolation, the virtual visit and the virtual group visit (where James saw FxMed eventually going) is upon us. And specifically, his vision is that this model works in insurance- and even Medicare. James’ message – the promise of functional medicine – is timely, inspiring and essential. ~DrKF
Uncovering the Biases we Didn’t Even Know we had – A Useful Tool from Harvard University
Shedding Light on Our Own Implicit Biases – A Useful Harvard Tool
Episode 86: Sponsored | Panoramic Microbial Assessment: The GI360™ Stool Test with David Quig, PhD
The GI360 is a smart, evidenced-based stool test that is easily actionable by the clinician. Listen to my conversation today with VP of Scientific Support from Doctor’s Data, Dr. David Quig. One of the most useful tools I am aware of in stool testing is the Dysbiosis Test, which identifies and characterizes more than 45 targeted analytes across six Phyla using PCR and compares the patient results to a characterized normobiotic reference population. DDI is also using the Luminex PCR panel for pathogens, parasites and viruses – an FDA cleared panel for accurate detection of microbes that are almost always a problem. But what if they are not? Hear my discussion with Dr. Q on that. Finally, beta glucuronidase – it’s SO MUCH more complex than we’ve understood. Yes, we’re aware of the estrogen connection, but the BG story has evolved. We also walk through the chemistries – DDI includes a wide range of chems (appreciated by me and my colleagues here in our practice!). Give a listen, and leave us a review wherever you listen to New Frontiers! Thank you! ~DrKF
Coconut Cacao Chia Pudding
Beautiful and delicious Coconut Cacao Chia Pudding, this is a little bowl full of heaven! Not only tastes good but DOES good!
No Further Trials Needed to Determine if Omega-3 Fats Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Death
This new meta-analysis indicates that ‘no further trials are needed to better evaluate the efficacy of PUFAs in preventing death related to CVD”. A total of 100,609 patients were analyzed. Reduction in mortality due to cardiovascular issues was statistically significant with a relative risk of 0.937, CI 0.88-0.98, P=0.018. Is it time to put this decades-long debate to bed? We think so.