Introduction In 2022, a survey was conducted in Italy with the goal of evaluating the effects and safety of a specific specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) supplement on people with chronic pain. The survey involved 70 nutritionists who each worked with one to five subjects over a period of three months, during which the subjects took the supplement daily and completed a questionnaire about their symptoms at the start, one month in, and three months in. Download the PDF The SPM…

Introduction A healthy gut microbiota defends against harmful microorganisms, supports the immune system, and maintains homeostasis. However, factors like unhealthy dietary habits, antibiotics, age, or infections can disrupt this balance, potentially leading to various health issues. To address this, strategies like using probiotics and incorporating prebiotics into the diet are suggested to regulate and improve gut health. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.1 Prebiotics, non-digestible fibers and compounds, serve…

Introduction A healthy sleep is one with adequate duration, good quality, proper timing, regularity, and the absence of disturbances or disorders.1 However, nearly everyone experiences occasional sleeplessness for various reasons. Sleeplessness presents in multiple forms, including difficulty falling asleep, disrupted sleep, and early awakenings. It can contribute to daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulties with attention and memory. Emotional well-being can also be affected, leading to feelings of depression or anxiety. These sleep-related issues can impact daily activities, increasing the risk…

A unique, mucin-loving keystone species Akkermansia muciniphila, unlike many of the known probiotic species, is a unique commensal microbe inhabiting the mucus layer, where it can interact closely with host intestinal epithelial cells and immune cells. The gut mucus layer forms a natural defense barrier, and its integrity is vital for maintaining the intestinal health of the host.1 Akkermansia muciniphila is known to utilize mucins (key components of mucus) as nutrient and energy sources and produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids…

Introduction Berberine is a naturally occurring compound found in the stem, root, and bark of several plants and herbs, such as Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense) and Huanglian (Coptis chinensis Franch). Berberine has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries for the treatment of indigestion, dysentery, and a wide range of infections.1 In the 1980s, the hypoglycemic effect of berberine was discovered.2 Since then, a robust amount of research on this alkaloid’s pharmacological effects have been elucidated, including its…

Inflammatory pain is a prominent health burden that impacts the lives of countless individuals. While acute pain serves as an important protective mechanism, at times it can be difficult to control, even with the use of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).1 Even more concerning, single doses of acetaminophen beyond 1,000 mg or ibuprofen over 400 mg of can lead to adverse effects,1* which may cause patients to feel uncertain about conventional analgesics. Providing a safe and fast-acting approach, Rhuleave-K™ contains…

Download the PDF How Specific Strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria Work Together Probiotics have a long history of safe1 and effective use, with clinical studies demonstrating strainspecific effects on specific conditions.2 The early identified probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® (L. acidophilus NCFM) has been used in foods and supplements since 19703 and has demonstrated clinical efficacy alone and even more so with other strains. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (L. rhamnosus GG) is one of the most widely studied lactobacilli, patented in 19894…

Download the PDF Probiotics for the common cold: L. plantarum HEAL9 and L. paracasei 8700:2 Two meta-analyses have demonstrated that probiotics decreased the incidence and length of the common colds, or upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).1,2 Over the last several years, mounting evidence suggests that a particular combination of specific probiotic strains, Lactobacillus (recently renamed Lactiplantibacillus) plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus (recently renamed Lacticaseibacillus) paracasei 8700:2, provides larger benefit than the 8% relative risk reduction for infection2 or the 1.89-day decrease…

Download the PDF Numerous COVID-19 vaccines are being tested around the world, and billions of people will receive a COVID-19 vaccine in hopes of returning some normalcy to their lives and communities. Medical professionals may need to have meaningful discussions with their patients to help them have the best possible outcomes and to allay concerns they may have. We present this information from peer-reviewed publications to educate providers on experiences from other vaccines to safely get the best results and…

    Download the PDF   What is an inflammasome? Inflammasomes are protein complexes, built by “ready-to-go” parts within a cell.1 Internal and external danger signals, such as an infection and cellular damage, can trigger inflammasome assembly in as little as 10 minutes.1,2 After activation, inflammasomes cause release of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and cascade to an orchestrated inflammatory cell death known as pyroptosis and downstream immune responses.1 Several inflammasomes exist, and NLRP3 is considered the most clinically relevant…