Functional Medicine

NSCC Conference Preview: The Science & Practice of Healthy Aging

By Robert Bonakdar, MD

There are numerous claims about what supports longevity and healthspan, and it can be difficult to discern what is real from what is hype in this overheated field. That is why we’ve made The Science and Practice of Healthy Aging the theme of the 2nd annual Nutrition & Supplementation in Clinical Care (NSCC) Conference, which […]

The Metabolic Vulnerability Index: A Breakthrough for Predicting Chronic Disease

By Erik Goldman

The Metabolic Vulnerability Index (MVX) is a revolutionary new algorithmic test that quantifies six key biomarkers — small HDL particles, GlycA, branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine) and citrate—each highly predictive of poor cardiometabolic outcomes. Combined into a single Index score from 1 to 100, the MVX identifies drivers of poor health often years before […]

Rethinking Alzheimer’s: The Role of Microglial Cells Is Key

By Erik Goldman

For decades, Alzheimer’s disease research, and the clinical approaches that derive from it, have been hyper-focused on amyloid-β and its deleterious effects. But despite billions spent, this line of work has yet to yield a single truly effective drug therapy. That’s because there’s far more to the Alzheimer’s equation than amyloid plaques. In fact, by […]

To Help Patients Sleep, Ask the Right Questions

By Ron Grisanti, DC, Contributing Writer

Conventional medicine tends to view insomnia as an isolated problem — a nuisance symptom to be ameliorated. The solutions offered usually fall into three categories: Basic sleep hygiene advice: Recommendations like reducing screen time, keeping the bedroom dark, or sticking to a bedtime routine are helpful, but they are rarely enough on their own. For […]

The Ultra-Damaging Effects of Ultra-Processed Foods

By John Neustadt, ND, Contributing Writer

We hear a lot of talk about ultra-processed foods (UPFs) these days. Though there is no officially recognized definition of “ultra-processed,” the term is widely used, and it has even become something of a political issue in recent months—-and with good reason. UPFs have become a dominant feature of the modern diet, accounting for about […]

Noise: Not Just a Nuisance, It’s a Public Health Risk

By Erik Goldman

Back at the turn of the 20th Century, physician-bacteriologist Robert Koch predicted that, “One day, man will have to fight noise as fiercely as cholera and the plague.” That day is definitely upon us. The detrimental impact of noise goes far beyond the obvious problem of hearing loss. Over the last decades, researchers have shown, […]

Meds Review a Must for People with Osteoporosis

By John Neustadt, ND, Contributing Writer

Up to 30% of osteoporosis cases in postmenopausal women are caused by external factors like medications, rather than simply the decrease in estrogen that occurs around menopause. That’s according to a Mayo Clinic report from more than 20 years ago. In pre-menopausal women and men, that number is up around an astonishing 50%. Those are […]

Exploring a Plant-Based Alternative for Better Rest

By Suresh Lakshmikanthan, PhD., B.Pharm

There are many herbs and nutraceuticals that can help improve sleep quality. Certainly, your patients are aware of these, and many are experimenting with them, in their quest for better sleep. But it is essential to understand the biological foundations of sleep in order to know how herbs and nutraceuticals can optimize the quantity and […]

Transforming PMS: A Systems-Based Approach

By Erik Goldman

Join women’s health nurse practitioner Allison Sayre for an in-depth exploration of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that goes beyond surface-level symptoms. This webinar will unpack the complex physiological and biochemical factors driving PMS, examine key etiologic theories, and provide practical insights into both lab and clinical assessments. You’ll come away with evidence-based integrative strategies you can […]

Alice’s Wonderland: Walmart Heiress Builds New Med School With a Vision

By Erik Goldman

Alice Walton is starting a healthcare revolution in Bentonville, Arkansas. In the heart of Ozark country, the heiress to the massive Walmart fortune has built an independent, not-for-profit medical school from the ground up. Her goals? To re-humanize medicine, put holistic principles at the core of medical education, and expand access to high-quality healthcare in […]