Chronic Disease

Thyroid Levels, Thermoregulation, & The Fight Against Fungi

By Roby Mitchell, MD / Contributing Writer - Vol. 12, No. 1. , 2011

Ever wonder why our normal body temperature is 98.6°? It turns out that it’s an ideal temperature for warding off fungi. Low thyroid function equals lower  temperature, which makes someone’s tissues ideal ground for growing pathogenic fungi.

Natural Dopaminergic Activator Improves Outcomes of Addiction Recovery

By Kenneth Blum, PhD / Contributing Writer - Vol. 12, No. 1. , 2011

In the past decade,  researchers on neuroanatomy and neurotransmitters have found links between genes, the brain, and addiction behavior. What we now know about the dopamine reward circuits in the brain is helping addiction specialists to create effective holistic approaches to addiction recovery.

Calorie Restriction Mimetics: New Tools for Reducing Chronic Disease, Promoting Longevity

By Stephen Holt, MD / Contributinig Writer - Vol. 11, No. 4. , 2010

 

Calorie restriction—by as much as 50%-70% of normal intake—is the only intervention consistently proven to extend lifespan. But that’s not a realistic treatment option for most people. Fortunately, natural substances including resveratrol, carnosine,  and carnitine can mimic the beneficial effects of calorie restriction.

Sublingual Immunotherapy: Allergy Relief Under Your Tongue

By Scott Rollins, MD / Contributing Writer - Vol. 11, No. 4. , 2010

 

Sublingual immunotherapy is a safe, highly effective alternative to injection-based treatments for managing allergies. Moreover, it enables primary care physicians to treat patients that they are currently referring out to specialists.

 

Who’s in Bed with the IOM? Vitamin D Report Prompts Conflict of Interest Suspicion

By August West / Contributing Writer

 

The Institute of Medicine’s Nov. 30 consensus statement claiming most Americans do not need supplemental vitamin D, and that the vitamin has few benefits beyond bone health, has some folks wondering if committee members had preexisting biases or vested interests against supplementation.

It turns out that at least two members of the committee hold patents on synthetic vitamin D analogs used as prescription drugs, or have significant relationships with companies involved in vitamin D drug development.

Treating Skin Disorders From the Inside Out: An Interview with Dr. Julia Hunter

By Roby Mitchell, MD / Contributing Writer - Vol. 11, No. 4. , 2010

Many dermatologists will lip-service the ideas that, “beauty begins from within,” and “Skin health is a reflection of overall health.” But very few of them practice that way. Dr. Julia Hunter, a holistic dermatologist in Los Angeles, is a rare exception. In this interview with Dr. Roby Mitchell, Dr. Hunter shares insight on connections between the skin and the gut, the role of vitamin C in skin care, skin care ingredients to avoid, and much more.

Helping Patients Step Off Antidepressants

By Michael Banov, MD | Contributing Writer - Vol. 11, No. 3. , 2010

Antidepressants are the most widely-prescribed class of drugs in the US, and primary care doctors prescribe 74% of ‘em. Drug companies give ample guidance on starting meds, but little help in ceasing treatment. Yet many people want off their meds. Psychiatrist Michael Banov offers his insight on when and how to stop antidepressant treatment.

Telomeres, Aging, & Disease Prevention: Do Telomere-Targeted Treatments Have a Role in Clinical Practice?

By Stephen Holt, MD, PhD | Contributing Writer - Vol. 11, No. 3. , 2010

Telomeres—segments of chromosomes that prevent aberration or loss of genetic information during cell division—are among the hottest research topics these days, and they’ve become the focus of “anti-aging” and chronic disease prevention strategies. Like many areas of genetic research, the work on telomeres raises as many questions as it answers. Anti-aging specialist Dr. Stephen Holt explores the many nuances of telomere and telomerase research, offering his own clinically tested recommendations.