Author Archive
Leaky Gut May Be The Primary Mechanism For Autoimmune Activation?
In January 2011 a very interesting paper was published in Physiological Reviews, exploring the role of gastrointestinal permeability, genetics and risk of development of autoimmune diseases.[1]
This abstract explores some of the principle messages in the paper which is also available as a full free text.
It is generally accepted that it is the interplay between environmental factors and specific susceptibility genes that underlies the aberrant immune response responsible for the onset of these diseases. Less than 10% of those with increased genetic susceptibility progress to clinical disease, suggesting a strong environmental trigger in the predisease state.
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Does Avoiding Allergens When Pregnant or Breast Feeding Confer Any Benefit
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It has been considered over the last few years to advise mothers during pregnancy and whilst breast feeding to avoid allergenic foods such as milk, nuts, and other risky foods to reduce the risk of childhood allergy. Not for the first time researchers say this practice may be doing more harm than good. Research papers presented at a recent American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology conference suggests that exposure may be better than avoidance.[1]
High-Dose Vitamin D May Alleviate Menstrual Cramps: Study
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Women who experience painful menstrual cramps could find relief from high-dose vitamin D3, according to new research – which suggests the dietary supplement could provide an alternative to painkilling drugs that are currently used.[1] Women with a history of severe menstrual cramps reported significantly less pain when they took an ultra-high dose of vitamin D five days before their next expected period.
So How Much Vitamin D do I Need?
In practice life a number of questions arise relating to all supplemental suggestions and vitamin D is no different.
• What do I need to be healthy?
• How do I know what my levels are now?
• How do I raise my levels if I need to?
• What foods, supplements or lifestyle changes do I need to do?
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Glycophospholipids and their Effect on Fatigue
Michael Ash interviewed colleague Dr Rita Ellithorpe MD for CAM on the clinical application of a patent pending form of phospholipids known as glycophospholipids and commercially sold as NT Factor and referred to as Lipid Replacement Therapy® (LRT®).
Unusually for many food supplements, glycophospholipids have been the primary ingredient in a number of research papers, some of which has had Dr Ellithorpe as a primary contributor. Her colleagues in this work have included Prof Garth Nicolson and Dr Settenari. References relating to some of these studies may be found at the end of the interview. LRT® is scientifically validated in 9 preclinical and clinical trials over the past 15 years, with millions of doses safely taken by consumers. More than 25 articles in scientific and medical journals have been published on its benefits.
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The Benefits Of Vitamin D On Gait, Muscle Strength And Balance In Older Adults
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The usefulness of vitamin D is increasingly being explored and as a result better studies are being collated and brought into publication. A study published the Journal of the American Geriatric Society in Dec 2011 reveals that Vit D status is linked to physical functionality and represents a suitable replacement option. Whilst the dose recommended is modest, it is able to record an improvement, higher levels may provide greater benefit depending on base line levels.
Amla: An Ancient Super Berry Emerges from India
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The most revered medicinal berry in the entire subcontinent of India—Amla berry, or Emblica officinalis—is said to come from the first tree to appear on earth, manifested out of the tears of Brahma while he was meditating.[1]
Taking a Good Family History Made Easy
My Family Health Portrait is the Web-based tool from NHGRI and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Family History Initiative that helps you create your own family health history. Using any computer, an Internet connection and an up-to-date Web browser, you provide your health information to build a drawing of your family tree and a chart of your family health history. Both the chart and the drawing can be printed and shared with your family members and your doctor.
Tracing the illnesses suffered by your parents, grandparents and other blood relatives can help your doctor predict the disorders to which you may be at risk, and help you take action to keep you and your family healthy.
Free Genetic Testing
There is a genetic test that is pretty good at predicting some degree of one’s individual susceptibility. It’s a genetic test that is free, and we don’t use it very effectively. That’s your family medical history. How many of us, or indeed any health care practitioner, really takes a great and etailed family meical history. So many times practitioners ask a few subjective questions and may then simply make a note that it appears non relevant or, “non-contributory.”
I would suggest that rarely is the family history non-contributory unless this is somebody who is adopted and has no information about any of their blood relatives, because there are clues and we should be using those more effectively. Part of the problem is that taking a family history takes time, and often the patient doesn’t quite recall the details of what happened to aunts and uncles and so on.
There is a tool, which I think many hundreds of thousands of people have used, that the Surgeon General has put up on her department’s Website. If you click on this link “surgeon general family history,” it’ll take you to that tool. This is something for patients or clients to enter information about their own family members as far as their medical experiences. It ends up getting put into this software and then gets printed out as a standard format.
That gives the patient or client the chance to do all of the time-consuming work of getting the information. This saves time in clinic, but also lets you really examine the history in a quick and self reported manner that may well mean that you make better and more informed recommendations concerning prevention strategies.
I recommend you look it over and consider adding the link to your welcome to my clinic pack.
How Fast You Walk and Your Grip in Middle Age May Predict Dementia, Stroke
A presentation at the American Academy of Neurologys 64th Annual Meeting in 2012 suggests that simple tests performed in clinics may provide insights into future stroke and dementia risk.[1]
Simple tests such as walking speed and hand grip strength may help doctors determine how likely it is a middle-aged person will develop dementia or stroke.
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Probiotics Can Make Dendritic Cells Stop Singing the Blues
GUT is one of my favourite journals, as they regularly explore the ‘alternative’ approaches to colon health management with a vigour that appeases the clinician in me, and a rigour that calms the scientist.
A paper published in early 2012[1] add’s further knowledge to the role that probiotics and the active components produced by lactic acid bacteria have on mucosal health and intestinal balance. An especially pleasing discovery – for an old long term user of this word – is their inclusion of the term dysbiosis, with a summary explanation in the opening paragraph, as there is no abstract. I have reproduced it below:
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