FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE BLOG
Includes over 800 monographs reporting on emerging studies in the medical and scientific literature of practical clinical importance, easily searched for content.
Sitting the rest of the day wipes out the benefit of an hour of vigorous exercise
Adding to the evidence demonstrating the marked metabolic impairment caused by sitting most of the day (and the benefit of sit-stand desks), research recently published in PLoS One (Public Library of Science) shows that the benefit of a full hour of exercise is wiped out by sitting the rest of the day...One hour of daily physical exercise cannot compensate for the negative effects of inactivity on insulin sensitivity and plasma lipids if the rest of the day is spent sitting. Reducing inactivity by low intensity activities such as walking at a leisurely pace and standing is more effective than physical exercise in improving these parameters in sedentary subjects. Our study suggests that in addition to health interventions that stress the importance of spending enough energy to maintain a neutral energy balance, a minimal daily amount of non-sitting time should also be promoted.
Uncomplicated diverticulitis does not improve with antibiotics
Although acute diverticulitis is typically treated with a course of antibiotics, a randomized controlled trial just published in the journal Evidence Based Medicine examines this practice and finds that uncomplicated diverticulitis is not improved by antibiotic therapy.
High protein beats high carbohydrate diet for biomarkers of metabolic syndrome
Regulating insulin is the key factor metabolic syndrome, diabetes and weight loss. In accordance with that, a randomized controlled trial just published in the journal Diabetes Care offers more evidence that a higher protein (with carbohydrate) diet improves multiple biomarkers better than a high carbohydrate diet.
Study associates iodine deficiency with type 2 diabetes
Astute clinicians are cautious with iodine supplementation due to the risk for triggering latent thyroid autoimmunity, but a study just published in the journal Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes is a reminder to remain vigilant about the potential need for iodine when managing type 2 diabetes.
Sugar calories are worse for diabetes and obesity than others
Attentive clinicians who have been exhorting their patients for years to avoid excessively stimulating insulin production with sugar are heartily welcoming the superb research just published in PLoS One (Public Library of Science) that drives a stake through the heart of the mistaken notions that calories from sugar have the same effect as others, and that obesity causes diabetes.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Celiac disease is but one consequence of autoimmunity or autoinflammation triggered by gluten among a host of others better characterized by the term non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The lack of standardization in terminology has obscured this fact, so two recent papers that help to clear the air are welcome.
Erectile Dysfunction is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality
More evidence that erectile dysfunction is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease is presented in a study just published in PLoS Medicine (Public Library of Science). This should come as no surprise considering that health of vascular endothelium is one of the elements necessary to ensure blood delivery to the 'periphery'. The authors added to literature on this topic by examining the degree of erectile dysfunction in relation to cardiovascular risk.
Weight loss and insulin resistance improved by branched-chain amino acids
Weight loss and improvement in insulin resistance naturally go hand in hand, and a study just published in the journal Diabetologia confirms that consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) helps both. Isoleucine, leucine and valine are already known to promote muscle growth and repair, influence brain signaling for appetite and metabolic rate, help with burn recovery, and be remedial for autism when it includes genetic mutations in BCAA pathways.
More evidence supports restraint with calcium supplementation
An extensive study just published in BMJ (British Medical Journal) offers more evidence* that higher levels of calcium intake can increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and all causes.
More on the autoimmunity of osteoarthritis
A paper just published in the journal Clinical Immunology reminds clinicians that osteoarthritis occurs when there is a pathological immune response to articular cartilage. "Even though osteoarthritis (OA) is mainly considered as a degradative condition of the articular cartilage, there is increasing body of data demonstrating the involvement of all branches of the immune system."
Data shows high intake of omega-6 fatty acids is not advised for cardiovascular health
Research recently published in BMJ (British Medical Journal) examines accumulated data to reveal that advice given by the American Heart Association to increase consumption of omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linolenic acid found in corn, sunflower, safflower, and soybean oils, is misguided for cardiovascular health.
Insulin resistance correlates with blood vessel damage leading to heart attack and stroke
Insulin resistance correlates with blood vessel damage evidenced by carotid intima-media thickness, a well-recognized index of vascular damage and is widely utilized surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease.
Adolescent decline in verbal ability can predict psychosis in adulthood
It's well recognized that cognitive deficits in childhood or adolescence typically precede the onset of psychosis, but the studies done up until now have not determined whether the association is prodromal (an early symptom of psychosis itself) or neurodevelopmental (problems with brain development and maturation that set the stage for later psychosis). A study just published in JAMA Psychiatry offers strong evidence that verbal decline in adolescence reflects neurodevelopmental defects that significantly increase the lifetime risk for psychosis.
Migraine: most patients should be taking magnesium
Magnesium plays a key role in hundreds of physiological processes and is very commonly depleted to suboptimal levels by common stresses. A paper recently published in the Journal of Neural Transmission is a good reminder that magnesium supplementation should be considered for all patients suffering from migraine.
Statins reduce coenzyme Q10 and glucose tolerance in skeletal muscle
It's long been known that statins impair synthesis of the important metabolic cofactor and antioxidant coenzyme Q10 while inhibiting the production of cholesterol. Clinical research just published in the American Journal of Cardiology further confirms that the muscle pain and exercise intolerance experienced by many taking statins is caused at least in part by decreased CoQ10.
Anemia due to hypothyroid
Even subclinical hypothyroid (reduced systemic thyroid effect despite normal lab results) has far-reaching consequences because the ability of every cell in the body to do its work is diminished. A study just published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine further confirms that hypothyroid can be a cause of anemia.
Prostate enlargement is promoted by autoimmune inflammation
Prostate enlargement—benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—is fundamentally an inflammatory process that can undergo conversion to malignancy and emerge as prostate cancer. The authors of a study just published in The Journal of Urology offer important evidence that autoimmune phenomena drive prostate inflammation and enlargement.
Preeclampsia, an autoimmune disease
Preeclampsia throws into turmoil 5% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide with potentially terrible consequences. Clinicians who participate in the management of pregnancy should appreciate the evidence revealing that preeclampsia is driven by autoimmunity.
Fasting is unnecessary for routine cholesterol and triglyceride tests
A valuable study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine offers welcome evidence that fasting before lipid profiles is unnecessary in most cases and may even be superior.
Bisphosphonates adversely affect orthodontic treatment
Bisphosphonates are drugs used to increase bone density by killing off the cells that resorb old bone (osteoclasts) to 'make room' for new bone cells. Bisphosphonates include alendronate (Fosamax and Binosto), zoledronic acid (Reclast), risedronate (Actonel) and ibandronate (Boniva)...A study just published in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics documents adverse effects of bisphosphonates on orthodontic outcomes.