by Cassie Story, RDN Abstract: Although it was not identified and isolated until the 1930s, vitamin C has been known to protect against and treat certain disease states since the 18th century. Ask any health care practitioner to recall the first nutrient deficiency they learned about, and vitamin C will likely top the list. Images of sailors in the 1700s returning to shore with bleeding gums, fatigue, and even death due to a deficiency in this potent, water-soluble, antioxidant micronutrient…

by Noelle Patno, PhD What is lactoferrin? Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in most body fluids (including saliva, tears, bile, small intestine secretions, vaginal secretions, and more) and highly similar across species. First identified in bovine milk in 1939, it was later isolated from human milk in 1960 and other fluids as well as blood plasma (specifically, the immune cells called neutrophils). The highest concentration may be found in human colostrum at 8 mg/mL with breast milk levels at…

In this Clinical Minute, Nikky Contractor, PhD discusses the most important factors for healthcare provider to consider when selecting a probiotic for their patient. Important strategies include: Make sure that the probiotic has been identified by its genus, species, and strain. Ensure that probiotics are used in a targeted way for a particular condition. Understand the clinical research that supports the use of a particular probiotic for a specific condition.    

by Lewis Chang, PhD Introduction “Damned if I don’t get more tired every day. Tired of what I do. Following arcs, like lobbed rocks. The inevitability of truth. But the complexity and the grey lie not in the truth, but what you do with the truth once you have it.”—Detective Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig, in the 2019 film Knives Out) The current pandemic is not showing any sign of slowing in the US and many parts of the…

by Noelle Patno, PhD Introduction Recent findings show that not only respiratory disease but also hypertension and diabetes are prevalent comorbidities associated with COVID-19 infection.1 In fact, multiple meta-analyses indicate that individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases have a higher risk for the COVID-19 disease.2–4 Metabolic disease and the immune response to infections are closely tied together in the gut, from which digestion and defense originate, as the oral route into the intestine is one major way…

by Michael Stanclift, ND Introduction Expectant mothers may find some reassurance in recent evidence suggesting COVID-19 infection during pregnancy doesn’t appear to pose the same dangers as related viral infections (e.g. SARS, MERS).1 Pregnant women contracting COVID-19 must still be cautious about their and their developing babies’ health, especially since treatment options are more limited during pregnancy; however, documented cases give us some insight into the short-term effects. As with all things related to COVID-19, the data is still emerging,…

by Melissa Blake, ND Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many clinical questions that we do not yet have clear answers for. What does appear to be clear is the connection between metabolic health and disease risk. In particular, obesity poses a significant increased risk of infection and mortality, with statistics suggesting its presence in nearly half of hospitalized or deceased COVID-19 patients.1 As our waistlines expand, so too does the incidence of diabetes.2,3 Preexisting type 2 diabetes (T2D) has…

by Bianca Garilli, ND, IFMCP, USMC Veteran Introduction SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) began its destructive path in China in late 2019 and spread, quite literally, across the globe at speeds faster than most could have ever imagined. Worldwide, the COVID-19 virus has left (at the time of this writing) over 190,000 people dead, and nearly 2.7 million infected based on the limited testing that most countries have employed. And the trajectory of the global curve is still uncertain. The fight is real,…

by Christopher Moulton, PhD Introduction At this point in the pandemic, clinicians are aware of the most typical symptoms related to COVID-19 infection: persistent fever, a dry cough, and shortness of breath. However, to a lesser extent a variety of other symptoms have been reported in coronavirus-afflicted patients, including fatigue, myalgia, rhinorrhea, and a sore throat.1 Notably, the first documented American patient with the novel coronavirus experienced nausea and diarrhea concurrent with cough, which occurred prior to any respiratory distress.2…

COVID-19 April 6, 2020 Update On April 2nd, the number of COVID-19 cases reached 1 million worldwide. The US currently has over 300,000 reported cases, more than any other country in the world. Amid the uncertainty around the pandemic, the US is also learning so much more about the novel coronavirus. Epidemiologists and infectious disease experts recently published what they had learned based on existing data in JAMA Viewpoint. Below are some of the highlights.1 How does SARS-CoV-2 spread? The…