Vitamin D is a superstar nutrient for supporting the immune system and reducing the risk of a cold, flu and acute respiratory tract infection. Researchers are now linking low vitamin D status (less than 20 ng/mL or 18 pg/mL, respectively) to an increased risk of COVID-19 in a study published this week. Vitamin D levels were tested in nearly 500 patients…
UPDATE: A clarification was issued by Penn State university the doctor was unintentionally citing outdated numbers. “During his discussion with board members, (Sebastianelli) recalled initial preliminary data that had been verbally shared by a colleague on a forthcoming study, which unbeknownst to him at the time had been published at a lower rate,” said Scott Gilbert,…
While it’s great it’s being studied for COVID, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is again being flagged by FDA as a potential drug not a supplement. Seven companies selling NAC for alcohol hangovers received warning letters from FDA stating NAC is an unapproved new drug that has not been evaluated to be safe and effective for their intended use. This…
You’ve likely heard of the many reasons to eat slowly, including improved digestion, increased satiety, decreased overeating, and even weight loss. But did you know that eating too quickly can contribute to a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS)? New research indicates that fast easting speed is significantly associated with increased odds of developing MetS independent…
We know that chemical fertilizers are harmful to us and the environment, but are there good alternatives? This new study comes up with an intriguing option! The known effects of chemical fertilizers include an increased risk of cancer, impaired fetal brain development, decreased soil biodiversity, contamination of water sources and contribution to greenhouse gases. In their quest to find healthier fertilizer…
Several mood-altering human neurotransmitters originate from microbes in the digestive tract. Now science is starting to dig into which bacterial strains are responsible.
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.
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…
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…
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.
