America’s metabolic based diseases are on the rise; with over 20 million Americans currently having Type 2 diabetes (T2D), it is expected that 1 in 3 will be diagnosed with this disease in their lifetime.1 Furthermore, every year over 610,000 Americans die of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the number of people diagnosed with heart disease continues to climb as well. 1 Taken together, the statistics are staggering. Both of these preventable diseases are exacerbated by obesity which, itself, is rising dramatically in the United States.1 It…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Three months of nutritional ketosis provided relief from chronic cluster headache (CCH), according to a study by Di Lorenzo and colleagues.1 Headache complaints are among the most commonly reported neurological disorders. Migraines affect 1 in 7 adults annually and are 2x more common in women than men. In contrast, cluster headache (CH) is rare, affecting < 1% of the population and is 6x more common in men.2 CH is the most severe type of…

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a chronic health condition comprised of a group of risk factors that raise the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified five risk factors that indicate that a patient may have MetS. These include a large waistline, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting blood glucose. As prevalence and incidence of obesity increase globally, the risk of developing MetS increases as well. The NIH indicates that…

Pathology & Prevalence of Asthma Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disorder that is characterized by “asthma attacks” during which airflow is obstructed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the prevalence of asthma among children is 8.6% and among adults is 7.4%. While boys are likelier than girls to have asthma, adult women are almost twice as likely to have asthma than are adult men. African Americans have the highest prevalence of asthma, at 9.9%. The prevalence has…

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both inflammatory disorders that affect the cartilage and the lining of the joints, respectively. The Cleveland Clinic indicates that osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis in the United States. It affects more than 70% of adults between 55 and 78 years of age, more commonly affecting women than men. The earliest symptoms of OA are joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. It is most common in the knee, hip, spine, and hands. Activity and…

Intuitively, we understand that our health status declines as we age. Increasing incidence of morbidity associated with chronic diseases leads to reduced mobility in our elder years, which has downstream effects on our mental health and overall quality of life as we age. Research is showing us that many of the chronic conditions associated with aging are actually themselves associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, not resulting from any specific injury. This confluence of health conditions that emerge in advancing age…

So far in our series on inflammation and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), we have covered a variety of topics, including aging and vascular disease. Those two topics come together in this post on women’s health as they age and experience the menopausal transition. Compelling research from Erasmus MC published in JAMA showed that early onset menopause is associated with an elevated risk of coronary heart disease. We know aging and vascular disease are both associated with inflammation, but is menopause specifically associated with…

DHA or EPA supplementation during gestation increases SPM levels in mothers and newborn babies. Omega-3 fatty acids and metabolic precursors such as specialized pro-resolving mediators, or SPMs, have been associated with reduction of inflammation, and other health conditions.  In pregnancy, omega-3 supplementation has been shown to reduce preterm birth and neonatal concerns. A study by Ellen L. Mozurkewich et al explored if supplementation of EPA- or DHA-rich supplements during pregnancy increases SPM metabolites in serum and cord samples. This study…

Gail Cresci, PhD, RD, LD, CNSc: The Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease 2-part series, "Therapeutic Manipulations of Gut Microbiota – Module 2" In this module Dr. Gail Cresci discusses the therapeutic manipulations of gut microbiota, including methods for managing peptic ulcers. Dr. Cresci explores the use of fecal microbiota transplants to manage recurrent C. difficile infection, as well as the benefits of pre- and probiotics for specific ailments. Dr. Cresci’s research examines the desirable properties of specific probiotic strains, their…

Gail Cresci, PhD, RD, LD, CNSc: The Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease 2-part series, “Diversity of the Gut Microbiota and the Host – Module 1” In this module Dr. Gail Cresci discusses the diversity of the gut microbiome and its influences on the host, as well as the associations of gut dysbiosis and synbiosis. Dr. Cresci's research has led to a greater understanding of the impact of the gut microbiota on metabolism, gene expression and immune function, as well…