by Bianca Garilli, ND Obesity is an established a predisposing factor for chronic disease processes including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These sequelae of obesity results from the relationship between excess adiposity, underlying inflammation and insulin resistance at the population level.1 More recently, however, research indicates there is more to learn about obesity as a risk factor for these disease processes on the individual level since the number of lean phenotypes suffering the same health conditions…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Recent research from three well-known cohorts, The Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), NHS2 and Health Professionals’ Follow-Up Study (HPFS), reveals that higher magnesium intake is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), particularly in diets with poor carbohydrate quality.1 Green leafy vegetables, unrefined whole grains, and nuts are richest in magnesium, while meats and milk contain a moderate amount.2 Refined foods, like carbohydrates (carb), are poor sources of magnesium. Diets with poor carb quality are characterized by…

Most women spend more than 1/3 of their lives in the postmenopausal phase, and one of the major health concerns for postmenopausal women is breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimated that 1 in 8 US women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life.1 Currently there are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the US.1 Some of the risk factors for breast cancer are unavoidable, such as age, family history, and being female. Other lifestyle factors can be…

by Bianca Garilli, ND, IFMCP Within the past few decades the rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes throughout the world have risen dramatically.  Although there are many potential causes for this rise, one such contributor may be increased antenatal intake of sugary drinks.1 Intake of as little as 0.6 servings per day (standard deviation of 0.9 servings) of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) during pregnancy has been associated with adiposity in mid-childhood (median age of 7.7 years) with the greatest association being…

by Bianca Garilli, ND, IFMCP Across the world autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rates vary greatly; making it difficult to confirm definitive numbers particularly in many countries that do not actively track rates or publicly report their statistics. However, data from countries such as Poland where it is reported that 3 in 10,000 children are diagnosed with ASD, or Hong Kong where ASD afflicts 327 in 10,000 children and in the US where in 2015 there were 222 in 10,000 children…

We know that many health conditions have underlying chronic inflammation that can make disease management and treatment more complex. Inflammatory bowel conditions, such as IBD or Crohn’s Disease are closely related to inflammation. In this short video with Dr. Serhan of Harvard Medical School, Metagenics Institute inquires about the opportunities to treat IBD and Crohn’s Disease with SPMs for resolution of inflammation. In animal models, there are encouraging result on three resolvins: D1; Mar1; and E1. Each of these is…

While SPMs offer an exciting opportunity to treat and manage the inflammation often associated with chronic disease, it is crucial to consider the correct amount of SPM for various clinical conditions. In this short video with Dr. Charles Serhan of Harvard Medical School, MHICN inquires about the correct dose of SPM in humans. Dr. Serhan responds that the correct dosing levels have yet to be established fully. Questions that remain include: does gender play a role? Does age play a…

Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) offer an exciting opportunity to treat and manage the inflammation often associated with chronic disease. The precursors to SPMs are Omega-3 essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA. In this short video with Dr. Charles Serhan of Harvard Medical School, MHICN inquires about whether it is possible for humans have excessive intake of SPMs. Dr. Serhan responds no as SPM operate under  a feed forward mechanism. 11. Insights from the Metagenics Lifestyle Summit 2015: Charles Serhan, PhD

Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) offer an exciting opportunity to treat and manage the inflammation often associated with chronic disease. Inflammation exists in other settings as well, such as pre- and post-operative settings where healing will be necessary. Metagenics Institute asks Dr. Charles Serhan of Harvard Medical School if there is any data regarding pre- and post-operative use of SPMs for improved healing outcomes. Dr. Serhan responds that there is, indeed, data supporting that indication of SPMs. SPMs will not interfere…

Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) offer an exciting opportunity to treat and manage the inflammation often associated with chronic disease. In this short video, we ask Dr. Charles Serhan of Harvard Medical School about the time of onset of action for SPMs following their ingestion. Dr. Serhan responds that, in a limited study of humans, the conversion of substrate is very fast. Within four hours, investigators could identify those patients who had taken pro-resolving mediators by testing the peripheral blood. Experiments…