This paper is entitled, “Supplementation with Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Reduces Inflammatory Biomarkers and Improves Reported Clinical Symptomology in Subjects with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions: Results from a Multi-Center Open-Case Series” Highlights: Inflammation has 2 phases: initiation and resolution. Many chronic health issues are linked to unresolved inflammation Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are endogenous molecules essential for resolution of inflammation but may not be produced in required levels in certain condition Multi-center case study assessed effects of a proprietary SPM supplement (LM-O3)…

Type 2 diabetes is an increasing global health issue, which benefits from ongoing research in medical nutrition therapy. All attempts to introduce a modified diet, reduced caloric intake and physical activity have been shown to assistance patients experiencing glucose toxicity. Impaired glucose tolerance causes many health issues, including cardiovascular disease. This review covers the criteria for diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes research completed by Osama Hamdy, MD, PhD, Medical Director of the Obesity Clinical Program, at the Joslin Diabetes Center.…

This open-label, multi-clinic study in 12 patients with digestive disorders demonstrated that consuming 2 servings daily of an innovative structured nutrition therapy for 6 weeks: Reduced GI symptoms and improved overall GI quality of life Increased production of SCFA, including butyrate Increased levels of Bifidobacterium spp. Reduced potential harmful intestinal microbiota Despite the limited sample size in this preliminary study, this targeted nutrition therapy approach offers promise as a novel nutritional therapy for patients with compromised gut function. Download the…

Effects of a novel hops extract & undenatured collagen combination in a case series of subjects with chronic arthritic joint discomfort According to the National Health Interview Survey, 30% of US adults have reported experiencing some type of joint pain during the preceding 30 days. Hops-derived tetrahydroiso-alpha acids (THIAA) –a mixture of co-, n-, and ad-congeners –have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and to reduce bone cartilage degradation in a mouse model of RA. This case series provides…

by Bianca Garilli, ND, IFMCP A common concern in peri- and postmenopausal years is weight gain, typically 1.5 pounds per year during the fifth and sixth decades of life and shown to be independent of a woman’s initial body size or race/ethnicity. It was previously believed that the increase in weight coincided with the onset of menopause most likely due to the drop in estrogen levels. Although declining estrogen levels has, in fact, been shown to lead to an increase…

by Bianca Garilli, ND Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a common complication of diabetes, leads to pain and loss of feeling in the hands, arms, feet and legs. The incidence of neuropathy is approximately 45% for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and is responsible for more hospital admissions than all other diabetic complications combined; as well as accounting for 50-75% of non-traumatic amputations.1-2 The most common pharmaceutical treatments utilized in DPN cases include analgesics and anti-depressants along with physical therapy,…

A meta-analysis including 12 studies that included > 280,000 participants found that both obesity and underweight are associated with an increased risk for migraines.1 Prior research had indicated an association between higher weight and migraines and while exact mechanisms are not known, it has been postulated that overweight individuals may have increased adipose tissue secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased adipocytokines, and increased circulating sex hormones all of which may play a role in migraine development and severity. Studies have also shown patients…

A review published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics showed alcohol consumption adversely altered gut microbiota and could lead to negative impacts on the liver. It is well known that alcohol intake directly and adversely affects the liver, but more recently, it has also been clinically shown to impact the gastrointestinal microbiota. To better elucidate this relationship the authors utilized the PubMed data base, to identify and review data from research articles addressing this topic. The studies that the authors identified showed alcohol…

Inflammation, pathogenic gut bacteria, and Candida species and markers of disease severity where analyzed in adults with stable mild, moderate and severe congestive heart failure (CHF). High levels of pathogenic bacteria including Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Candida species were discovered in CHF patients when compared to normal control. Intestinal permeability (IP), right arterial pressure (RAP) and markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP) was also greater in the CHF group. These results suggest that people with CHF have higher levels of gut dysbiosis and…

by Bianca Garilli, ND An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine  reviewed data collected from 1998-2012 from adults in the Swedish National Diabetes Register with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).  Information was analyzed for various end points including overall mortality rate and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Results from the study showed that during the observed time period the incidence rates of CVD and overall mortality rates decreased in both…