Growing epidemiological evidence has shown that plant-based dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, etc.) are associated with improvements in cardiovascular health. What is less clear is the contribution of individual micronutrients or phytonutrients within these dietary patterns on cardiovascular risk reduction. One such phytonutrient is the phytochemical family—catechins, a group of flavonoids commonly found in cocoa, tea, legumes, grapes, apples, pears, and other plant-based foods. Dr. Daniel Mangels from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and Dr. Emile Mohler III…

by Bianca Garilli, ND Recent research continues to support the idea that both a genetic and environmental component may be potentially associated with the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Heritability is high in ASD as can be seen from family and twin studies. It is most certainly polygenic (multiple genes may contribute to ASD risk rather than there being just “one ASD gene”), and may be associated with both conserved mutations (inherited from parents) but also de novo mutations.1 The genetic risks related to ASD are highly complex…

Women who enter natural menopause before 45 years old have increased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and overall mortality compared with women whose onset of menopause is at 50-54 years of age. However, it remains uncertain whether early onset of menopause influences levels of CVD risk factors leading to increased CVD risk. One of the major CVD risk factors is type 2 diabetes (T2D). Researchers at the Department of Epidemiology at Erasmus University Medical Center (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) set out…

Diet and exercise interventions during pregnancy helped women minimize excess gestational weight gain and lower the odds of caesarean section (C-section).1 Multiple clinical trials have previously demonstrated that diet, physical activity or the combination of both during pregnancy are beneficial in limiting excessive gestational weight gain. However, due to the relatively small sample sizes of these earlier trials, it remained unknown whether there were differential treatment effects in certain subgroups of women who may need additional support. To address these…

Ketone bodies (including acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate and acetone) are produced mainly by the liver from fatty acids during fasting, prolonged physical activity, starvation, or ketogenic diets (diets that restrict carbohydrates to usually < 50 g/day). The metabolic state in which ketone bodies are utilized as the main energy source for the body instead of glucose is called ketosis. Physiological or nutritional ketosis has been shown to lead to several metabolic advantages including weight management and improvements in glycemic control and blood lipids.1 An…

by Bianca Garilli, ND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by fat accumulation in the liver not caused by alcohol consumption, affects up to 25% of people in the US.1 This is typically a silent disease, often not producing symptoms until its later stages when there is chronic liver injury; complaints can include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, itching, edema and sometimes mental confusion.1 NAFLD is most commonly diagnosed in overweight and obese individuals, particularly…

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a type of apolipoprotein involved in various biological processes, including lipoprotein transport, immunoregulation, and even cognition. The gene that encodes APOE is called APOE gene and is polymorphic, with three major alleles (ε2, ε3 and ε4) producing 6 common genotypes (ε2/ε2, ε2/ε3, ε2/ε4, ε3/ε3, ε3/ε4, and ε4/ε4). The ε3 allele is the most common allele, and the ε3/ε3 the most common genotype in humans. The ε4 allele is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and for…

Results from a supplementation trial demonstrated that the combination of probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids reduced the risk for steatosis (fatty liver) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)1. Previous research has shown that modulation of the gut microbiota via probiotics supplementation may have beneficial effects on the gut-liver axis and metabolic and immunologic responses, and omega-3 supplementation may improve liver lipid metabolism and adipose tissue function. 2,3 Seeing the potential, researchers from the Bogomolets National Medical University (Kiev, Ukraine)…

by Bianca Garilli, ND Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by a group of markers including elevated blood pressure, increased fasting blood glucose and dyslipidemia along with increased levels of adiposity, particularly central fat deposition. It is estimated that MetS affects 1 in 3 Americans with a higher prevalence in women than in men. MetS is a launching point for other chronic disease processes as well due to its relationship to increased inflammation and obesity – these processes include non-alcoholic fatty…

A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated that, compared with metformin, myo-inositol had beneficial effects on multiple parameters related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 1. PCOS, an endocrine disorder characterized by infertility, menstrual dysfunction and metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance and androgen excess, affects many women of reproductive age. Because insulin resistance has been shown to have a key role in the development of PCOS, insulin sensitizers such as metformin have been used as a therapeutic option for PCOS. Recently, the combination…