by admin | Jan 28, 2019 | Health Awareness
From family doctors to internists, there are many types of
physicians that patients see regularly. Yet, one often overlooked discipline in
the medical world is functional medicine. Functional medical professionals
still receive formal education and clinical training, but their approach is
different from that of most other doctors. Find out what functional medicine
doctors do, and whether working with one could be the right choice for you,
below.
What Do They Do?
Functional medicine doctors use a systems-oriented approach
to address underlying causes of diseases, engaging both patient and
practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. In other words, these doctors take
more of a patient-centered approach to treat the entire person – not just their
isolated symptoms. These physicians are well-versed on the complex interplay
among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that impact long-term
health, which also play a role in many underlying health issues and chronic
diseases.
What Are the Benefits of Working With One?
Working with a functional medicine doctor gives patients a
unique advantage. They incorporate the knowledge of how various factors can
influence disease emergence and progression with advancements in science to
take a powerful, all-encompassing approach to treatment. In doing so, they
achieve the highest expression of health, and treat patients not just
retroactively by assessing symptoms that have already emerged, but also
proactively. Functional medicine doctors can therefore offer predictive
guidance to empower patients in their quest for improved and sustained
wellness.
Moreover, patients who are treated by functional medicine
doctors receive tailored services and treatments. For instance, these
professionals may recommend a customized supplement program based on a thorough
nutrient assessment. With the knowledge that lifestyle elements like nutrition
and exercise are uniquely linked to internal physiological factors, they can
help patients seek the dynamic balance that works best to support their version
of ideal health.
How Do They Help Certain Populations?
Individuals with illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and similar chronic ailments may find themselves working with doctors who can offer relief for symptoms, without making any real improvements in terms of treating what could be contributing to the condition in the first place. In patients who suffer from a chronic condition, and especially those with neurodegenerative disorders, issues such as gastrointestinal dysbiosis – the imbalance of gut flora – may be an underlying contributor. Research shows gastrointestinal dysbiosis is associated with changes in immune responses, which further supports internal medicine doctors’ stance that our bodily systems are inextricably linked.
Of course, gastrointestinal issues are only one example of
an underlying condition that a functional medicine doctor might uncover. Factors
like exposure to toxins, including heavy metals, could be wreaking havoc on
your internal systems, unbeknownst to you (or your existing medical team). If
you’re living with a chronic condition or symptom like persistent pain, there
is a whole host of factors that could be acting as a barrier against your
healthiest self. And, the only way to discover them is to use the comprehensive
approach applied by functional medicine doctors. If you’re interested in
finding one of these professionals in your area, visit the Institute for
Functional Medicine® here and click “Find a
Practitioner” at the top of the page.
by admin | Jan 27, 2019 | Exosomes, Heart Failure, Kidney Disease, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, Stroke, Umbilical Stem Cell
Tissue injury is common to many human diseases. Cirrhosis results in damaged, fibrotic liver tissue. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and related lung diseases cause damage to lung tissue. A heart attack damages heart tissue, just as a stroke damages brain tissue. In some cases, such as minor tissue injury, the damaged tissue can repair itself. Over time, however, tissue damage becomes too great and the organ itself can fail. For example, long-standing cirrhosis can cause liver failure.
One area of active research is to find ways to protect tissue from injury or, if an injury occurs, to help the tissue repair itself before the damage becomes permanent and irreversible. Indeed, tissue repair is one of the main focuses of regenerative medicine. Likewise, one of the most promising approaches in the field of regenerative medicine is stem cell therapy. Researchers are learning that when it comes to protecting against tissue injury and promoting tissue repair, exosomes harvested from stem cells are perhaps the most attractive potential therapeutic.
Why are stem cell exosomes so promising? Exosomes are small packets of molecules that stem cells release to help the cells around them grow and flourish. While one could inject stem cells as a treatment for diseases (and they certainly do work for that purpose) it may be more effective in some cases to inject exosomes directly. So instead of relying on the stem cells to produce exosomes once they are injected into the body, stem cells can create substantial amounts of exosomes in the laboratory. Exosomes with desired properties could be concentrated and safely injected in large quantities, resulting in a potentially more potent treatment for the disease.
Indeed, researchers have shown that extracellular vesicles (exosomes and their cousins, microvesicles) can be collected from stem cells and used to treat a variety of tissue injuries in laboratory animals.
Just a few examples of this research:
- Exosomes from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were able to accelerate skin damage repair in rats who had suffered skin burns.
- Exosomes from the same type of stem cell protected the lungs and reduced lung blood pressure in mice with pulmonary hypertension.
- Exosomes from endothelial progenitor cells protected the kidney from damage caused by a lack of blood flow to the organ.
In this growing field of Regenerative Medicine, research is constant and building as new science evolves from stem cell studies. Researchers are closing in on the specific exosomes that may be helpful in treating human diseases caused by tissue injury.
Reference: Zhang et al. (2016). Focus on Extracellular Vesicles: Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2016 Feb; 17(2): 174.
by admin | Jan 25, 2019 | Exosomes, Stem Cell Research
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing over half a million people every year. Heart disease encompasses several conditions and diseases, but the most common causes of deadly heart disease are a heart attack, heart rhythm problems, and heart valve problems. In each of these cases, damaged heart tissue becomes dysfunctional and the heart cannot pump blood efficiently or effectively. To combat this deadly set of diseases, researchers are searching for ways to heal and regenerate heart tissue. Stem cells and stem cell exosomes have shown promise.
While stem cells have been used in a variety of conditions, researchers long doubted the benefit of stem cells in heart disease. The heart, it was believed, was not a “hormonal” organ and thought to be relatively unresponsive to things like cytokines and other messengers. Fortunately, new research has completely changed this viewpoint. According to Drs. Sean Davidson, Kaloyan Takov, and Derek Yellon of the Hatter Cardiovascular Institute in the United Kingdom, “Most, if not all, cells of the cardiovascular system secrete small, lipid bilayer vesicles called exosomes.” The scientists go on to say that exosomes from stem cells “have been shown to be powerfully cardioprotective” and that exosomes produced by stem cells are capable of “activating cardioprotective pathways.”
In simpler terms, the heart and blood vessels are sensitive to the beneficial effects of exosomes. Thus, if exosomes are collected from stem cells, purified and concentrated, and then reinjected into the body, they can repair heart tissue. For example, exosomes collected from mesenchymal stem cells were able to reduce the amount of damage caused by a heart attack in mouse, and improve heart recovery after the event. This could have profound implications for humans who suffer a heart attack since damaged heart tissue can lead to heart failure, heart valve problems, and heart rhythm problems.
The study of stem cells and stem cell exosomes in heart disease is a relatively new science. Clinical trials will need to be performed to determine the role of exosomes in the treatment of heart disease. However, these findings represent an exciting avenue of research in the field of cardiology and regenerative medicine.
by admin | Jan 23, 2019 | Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Recent evidence has been accumulating that suggests that hyperbaric oxygen
can improve neuropathic pain, or pain that results from injuries to the central
or peripheral nervous systems. Despite increasing evidence for the value of
hyperbaric oxygen in pain management, there has been little clarity on how
hyperbaric oxygen confers its benefits. A recent study,
published in the American Journal of
Translational Research, aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which
hyperbaric oxygen relieves neuropathic pain. Given that the traditional
treatments for neuropathic pain are associated with adverse side effects, the
researchers hoped to improve understanding of neuropathic pain so that better
treatment options can be developed.
Prior to this experiment, hyperbaric oxygen treatment had
been shown to preserve the integrity of muscle and nerves and also to inhibit
the activation of astrocytes, among other activities that could be relevant for
its impact on neuropathic pain. Indeed, astrocytes, for instance, are known to modulate
pain. For this study, the scientists hypothesized that hyperbaric oxygen
treatment is able to help with neuropathic pain largely based on its impact on
autophagy. Autophagy refers to the way that cells protect themselves from
harmful stimuli and environments. Once nerve injury occurs, autophagy is
impaired.
The researchers showed that indeed, hyperbaric oxygen
treatment was able to reduce the autophagy impairment that results from nerve
injury. They further showed the specific way that this reduction occurred,
which was through the inhibition of a specific pathway called the mTOR pathway.
These findings provide support for the potential use of hyperbaric oxygen in
the treatment of neuropathic pain. Future research will help to elucidate if
and precisely how this approach can be used to help those who suffer from this
type of injury-induced pain.
Reference
Liu, Y.D., Wang, Z.B., Han, G., & Zhao, P. (2017).
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment attenuates neuropathic pain by elevating autophagy
flux via inhibiting mTOR pathway. American
Journal of Translational Research, 9(5), 2529-2648.
by admin | Jan 21, 2019 | Health Awareness
If you’re among the 40% of the U.S. population taking
multivitamins each day, you may already have found a daily supplement you like
and plan to stick with. Indeed, you’re in good company – with the body
requiring upwards of 40 essential vitamins and minerals to function
optimally every day, it’s certainly not easy to get all of the nutrients we
need from diet alone. In addition to helping us fill nutritional gaps in our
diet, taking multivitamins may also have long-term health benefits: one study
shows men and women who took daily vitamins greatly reduced their risk of a
first heart attack.
With that said, it’s important to remember that not all
multivitamins are created equal. As with any supplement, you should consider a
few key factors before taking a multivitamin. Discover how to choose the best
option for your needs with the helpful guide below.
Look for the Seal
First and foremost, any vitamin brand you consider should
feature a seal from a third-party certifier. This might include NSF
International, USP, or UL. Keep in mind that while a seal demonstrates the
brand’s commitment to industry best practices, the absence of the seal doesn’t
necessarily mean that the product is of poor quality. Instead, the seal
verifies that the vitamins are manufactured in alignment with that inspection
agency’s standards. Still, this bit of assurance can provide peace of mind –
especially if you’re taking the same vitamin every day.
Consider Your Needs
If you’ve ever stumbled upon men’s and women’s multivitamins
and wondered why they’re separated by sex, there’s a good reason for this: men
and women have different nutritional needs. For instance, women can benefit
from added
calcium, as the nutrient can help prevent against osteoporosis.
For men, on the other hand, too much calcium can actually be harmful. Women
also need more iron then men, while men should avoid it in excess as it can
cause dangerous deposits throughout the body’s critical organs.
In addition to these gender-based differences, your body’s
nutrient needs may vary by age and dietary practices. A nutritionist may be
able to help you pinpoint possible deficiencies more precisely, and you may
also wish to speak with your physician to determine whether there are any
specific needs to consider from a medical standpoint.
Read the Ingredients
Next time you shop for multivitamins, take a look at the
labels and read the ingredient list. A good multivitamin will contain vitamin
C, calcium, iron, magnesium,
and potassium. It should also have vitamins B6 and B12, D2 or D3, A, E, and K,
as well as the following additional nutrients: thiamin, riboflavin, niacin,
iodine, borate, molybdenum, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, selenium, and
zinc.
Check for Appropriate Values
While you’re reviewing the ingredients, browse through the
list of nutrients and look for appropriate daily values. While certain
nutrients, including calcium, cannot be provided in pill form at 100 percent,
many can. Pay special attention to the daily values of fat-soluble vitamins, or
those which your body stores, instead of expelling through urine as is the case
with water-soluble vitamins. These can be toxic if taken in excess and should
not exceed a daily value of 100%. Some fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E,
and K.
Remember that while taking a daily multivitamin is a good practice,
it won’t compensate for unhealthy habits. Supplements, as their name suggests,
are only meant to fill voids that can be left in even the healthiest diets. Fill
your diet primarily with whole foods and try to exercise most days of the week in
addition to taking a multivitamin for the most effective and comprehensive approach.
Always speak to your physician first before implementing a new diet and
exercise plan and to also help determine which multivitamin is right for you.
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