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 or it can weaken those defenses, encouraging them to flop, misfire or overshoot. If you’re…
Detailsby Melissa Parker As part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, one of our current nutrition residents, Melissa Parker MS, bravely and graciously shares her own story, highlighting the differing options she was offered for breast cancer treatment and why she chose to include the functional medicine (FM) path. Her experience shows just how powerful…
DetailsReviewed by Romilly Hodges (October 2020) Leaky gut is often written and talked about as a black and white concept: Either you have it or you don’t. And if you have it, you’ll want to ‘heal’ it. While this is true to some extent – after all, health begins in the gut, and we know…
DetailsWhen 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)
DetailsI am so grateful for the participation of the panel in the roundtable discussion on Bridging the Gaps in Functional Medicine, COVID-19 & Racial Disparities.
DetailsThis month’ blog is a story both painful and hopeful. Our own Juston Jaco MS, current team member in our residency program for nutrition professionals, shares his from-the-heart decades of experience with a challenging allergic condition – eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
DetailsAs research on gut barrier function and gut microbes (aka the gut “microbiota”) expands, more is realized about the interconnectedness of the human body. One of the surprising areas is in the way that an unhealthy microbiota is a key driver of obesity, fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiac risk.
DetailsSevere chronic pain is devastating. It can rob individuals of who they are and what they can become. In this heartfelt blog, Josette Herdell CNS generously shares her own family’s challenging journey from chronic, debilitating migraines, to a full, pain-free life through Functional Medicine.
Details“One of our lead nutritionists, Janine Henkel, is a former first responder. This blog, written “from the heart” by Janine is for anyone on today’s front lines, including those working in healthcare and essential services through these challenging times. We appreciate you so much. It’s also for anyone who needs their brain and body to function to its highest level at a moment’s notice and, as Janine likes to say – “anyone who isn’t guaranteed a bathroom break.” Moms of young kids included (we know what you have to do!). Truth is, there is wisdom here for all of us, even those of us at home day in, day out, trying not to make too many trips to the refrigerator. Tuck in…”
DetailsHere’s a review of the latest peer-reviewed and pre-print publications in regards to natural compounds that are showing promising anti-coronavirus activity.
DetailsLet’s take a quick look at what we know about COVID-19. Then I’ll talk about what it means for us all, how we can best support ourselves and our communities, some novel treatments, and some specific techniques for reducing stress and boosting immunity in this incredibly stressful time.
DetailsYou asked, and we dug into the research to share some background and advice for support in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, written from a pediatrician’s perspective.
DetailsSupplement quality is a hugely important issue. There have been many instances of supplements not containing what they claim to, containing contaminants they are not supposed to (including ones that can be harmful), cost-cutting with cheaper nutrient types, and overstating health impacts. Learn how to navigate your dietary supplement selection right here with advice from our Nutrition Team.
DetailsNutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight cognitive decline. Scientists believe that is in large part because many plants are rich sources of phytonutrients.
DetailsWe do get many inquiries about vegan diets, for reasons that include ethical, health and environmental, including by many people who simply want to reduce their meat intake, aka ‘flexitarian.’ But are vegan diets really a good idea for all? Read on to find out.
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