Breast thermography is safe, radiation-free, relatively inexpensive, and it can detect early and possibly reversible metabolic and vascular changes associated with later growth of breast cancer. Though underutilized in the US, it is poised for a resurgence.
Based on the idea that organ system functions are reflected in galvanic currents on the skin surface, electrodermal testing has become a very popular “alternative” diagnostic technique. Available data suggest that there are electrical currents on the skin, and one study shows that ET can, indeed, detect internal problems. But data are scant, and there’s no evidence this controversial technique can identify specific causes of internal problems, as ET practitioners often claim it can.
Hypothyroidism is very common, and it has serious health consequences, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, menorrhagia, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, depression, psoriasis, and urticaria. But you’ll often miss it if you rely solely on conventional diagnostic criteria.
Greater eco-consciousness means making better choices about the materials we use. But sometimes, there are no clear-cut “good” substitutes for toxic materials, and the choice comes down to selecting the least impactful of available options. Case in point: compact fluorescent lightbulbs which save energy but contain mercury.
In their effort to get a grip on their health, many people are utilizing “alternative” diagnostic tests that claim to identify nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins, and disease risk factors. Some of these tests are backed good science, others are not, but even the legitimate ones may not be able to provide the type of guidance that patients are seeking. In Part One of this series, Cathy Creger Rosenbaum looks at hair analysis and antioxidant testing.
Connexins are the molecules that connect cells together and regulate passage of biochemical signals through our tissues. Their degree of openness, and consequently, the level of intercellular information flow, is greatly affected by nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors-especially the relative acidity of one’s diet. Neurophysiologist Darrell Tanelian, MD, PhD, has developed a comprehensive, user-friendly diet and lifestyle program aimed at improving health by improving connexin function at the cellular level.
Lipoic Acid, Green Tea Extract, and Fish Oils are among the cornerstone supplements for helping people improve their glucose metabolism and preventing diabetes.
Daily consumption of magnesium-rich whole grains took a 30% bite out of the risk of diabetes among a cohort of more than 40,000 Black women, according to a recently published transatlantic study.
The Genovations series of tests, developed by Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories, allows primary care physicians to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms—small genetic changes in central metabolic processes—that can increase an individual’s risk for many common disorders including osteoporosis heart disease, and autoimmune diseases. Information from the Genovations tests can help doctors develop nutritional interventions tailored to each person’s genomic profile.
The core tenet of the emerging discipline of functional medicine is that nutrition is the major determinant of gene expression, and therefore of health and disease. Functional medicine pioneer Jeff Bland, PhD, explains how, in a sense, food is information that tells the genes what to do. Depending on the signals we send our genes, they can produce health and happiness or depression and disease.
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