by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN We are a stressed society, and our children are not immune. Stressors originating from home life and school (e.g. academic performance concerns, peer exclusion, social pressure, bullying, etc.) can result in negative short- and long-term consequences on children’s mental wellbeing, physical health and quality of life (QOL).1 It is estimated that in the 3-17 year age group of US children: 3% suffer from anxiety; 2.1% have depression; and 3.5% have behavioral or conduct problems.2…

by Bianca Garilli, ND Every 65 seconds someone in the US develops Alzheimer’s disease (AD), resulting in approximately 5.7 million Americans currently living with this condition. These numbers are expected to rise dramatically over the next several decades with projections of nearly 14 million people living with AD by the year 2050 and an associated $1.1 trillion in healthcare costs.1 AD is the most common form of dementia, characterized by impaired cognitive capacity beyond what is considered part of “normal…

by Lewis Chang, PhD As the prevalence of obesity continues to increase worldwide, the search for the most effective diet(s) for weight loss continues. Whether one diet is better than another—such as the low-carb vs. low-fat diet approach—is still being hotly debated. Regardless, researchers have noticed substantial inter-individual differences in weight loss success (or failure) in response to the same diet. It has been speculated that variations in certain genetic makeups or physiological traits in the population may be responsible…

by Bianca Garilli, ND It has been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In the case of the growing obesity epidemic and the concurrent increase in insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), it is important to understand the relationship between obesity and IR, and to identify biomarkers which can aid in the identification and prevention of these conditions. Inflammation is thought to be a major driver of the IR process, with evidence…

by Bianca Garilli, ND Women who consume increased amounts of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet may reduce their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  A 2017 prospective study by Hu Y, et al and published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases reviewed data from the Nurses’ Health Studies to evaluate the association between long-term dietary quality and risk of RA in women. The primary outcomes for this study were RA diagnosis with two subtypes of the…

by Lewis Chang, PhD A plant-based diet emphasizes a high intake of plant foods and limits or eliminates the intake of animal products. Research has demonstrated various health benefits of plant-based diets, such as lower risks of obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. However, studies that examined their effects on all-cause mortality have yielded inconsistent results. Differences in study population, study duration and, as importantly, the chosen definition of “plant-based diets” can all influence study findings. Not all…

by Bianca Garilli, ND, IFMCP Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the US and a major cause of serious disability for adults.1 Up to age 75 the incidence of stroke is higher in men, and from years 75-84 both men and women’s risk are equal; after age 84, however, the risk of stroke in women surpasses that of their male counterparts.2 Overall, the lifetime risk of stroke is actually higher in women than men, with a 21% lifetime…

by Bianca Garilli, ND Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of public health policy in most age groups, with the typical adult recommendation at > 150 minutes/week of aerobic exercise along with routine strength training or weight bearing exercise sessions. The benefits of consistent physical activity is well documented, including reducing risk of chronic illness and improving body mass index, weight and mood among other conditions. The role that regular physical activity plays in older adults, however, continues to expand…

by Bianca Garilli, ND In a single year, Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is responsible for nearly 500,000 infections among patients in the US. Approximately 29,000 of these patients die within 30 days of initial diagnosis of the infection, and 15,000 of those deaths can be attributed directly to C. difficile infection (CDI). C. difficile is now the most common microbial cause of healthcare-associated infection in US hospitals, with excess health care costs in acute care facilities estimated to be $4.8…

by Bianca Garilli, ND The rise in childhood overweight and obesity has been dramatic over the past three decades, with the number of overweight children tripling in that time frame, resulting in approximately 1 in 5 children (17%) in the US now estimated to be overweight.*1 Furthermore, while more children are becoming overweight, the heaviest children are getting even heavier.1 From 1971-1974 to 2009-2010, the prevalence of obesity in US children increased:**2 From 4.8% to 12.1% in children ages 2-5 From 4%…