Institute for Functional Medicine Conference To Focus on Challenges of Infectious Disease

Forty years ago, the Surgeon General declared that we’d “won the war on infectious disease.” Unfortunately, we now know that’s not true. Not only have new pathogens arisen since then (HIV, avian flu, Ebola, to name a few), centuries-old ones have morphed into more virulent forms, thanks in large part to overuse of antibiotics and other drugs. The Institute for Functional Medicine’s 20th Anniversary Symposium offers a unique opportunity to learn integrative strategies for meeting the challenges of infectious diseases in the 21st century.

Ginseng Extract Safely Reduces Incidence, Recurrence of Respiratory Infections

A standardized extract of Panax ginseng root (Panax quinquefolium) is proving safe and effective for preventing and ameliorating acute respiratory infections, particularly  among elderly individuals.

Vitamin D3 Gives Mixed Results for Preventing Flu in Schoolchildren

At

a dose of 1,200 IU per day, vitamin D3 reduced the incidence of Influenza A among a cohort of Japanese schoolchildren, but was associated with an increase in incidence of Influenza B, giving no overall advantage in preventing flu-associated illness.

Sinus Cleansing Could Cut Drug Overuse for Sinusitis, URIs

Recurrent sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections account for more than $1 billion in unnecessary and largely useless antibiotic prescriptions annually. This is a major driver of antibiotic resistance. Much of it could be prevented if patients prone to sinus problems, seasonal allergies and respiratory infections routinely practiced sinus irrigation. New updates on the classical Indian neti pot could make this simple self-care practice more appealing to Americans.

Clostridium difficile: How Worried Should We Be?

Clostridium difficile has surpassed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as Microbial Enemy No. 1 in America’s hospitals. This bug can cause severe, often life threatening colitis, is increasingly common and more virulent than it used to be. Overuse of antibiotics is a main driver of the epidemic, and public health leaders are calling on community based physicians to be extremely judicious in their use of antibiotics.

The Swine Flu Mirror

What’s really interesting about H1N1 is the way it seems to mirror back to people what they fear most and trust least. Our individual reactions and responses to this bug tell us more about our human nature, than the nature of the virus or its potential health consequences.

Naturopathic Doctor vs. H1N1 Virus

What happens when a naturopathic doctor & his girlfriend get the H1N1 flu? A whole lot of coughing, sneezing, fevering and bed rest, that’s what. Swine flu is  nasty, says Dr. Michael Traub, but for most people it’s not likely to be life-threatening.

H1N1 is No Match for a Well-Primed Immune System

Maintaining the functional integrity of the innate immune complex through a vegetable-rich diet, and immune enhancing vitamins & minerals obviates the need to fret over which strain of flu virus will predominate. A competent immune system will defend against them all.

Elderberry Extract Quells Influenza Symptoms

An extract of Elderberry (Sambucus) proved effective in reducing symptoms associated with human influenza in a new placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Hypothyroidism, Candida & “Oximation”: Toward a New Model of Chronic Disease

The most important concept in medicine, I think, is the Law of Parsimony. It dictates that when explaining the cause for an event or series of events, the simplest explanation is likely to be most valid.