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Michael McIsaac, MS, MS, CSCS

Evidence-Based Practice and Low Back Pain

Understanding the utility and efficaciousness of evidence-based practice (EBP) is a vital first step in ensuring safe and effective outcomes with my clientele. In the following sections, I would like to provide an example of EBP, the findings I have used, and how it has helped me successfully re-strengthen clients with low back pain (once […]

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Improving Standards in the Health and Human Performance Field

In my last post, I spoke about the use of evidence-based practice (EBP), in my field of post-rehabilitation (PR) as well as its utility in improving the credibility of our industry. In this post, I would like to explore other factors that affect the professionalism and credibility of the health and human performance (HHP) field, […]

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Antioxidants and Tracking Oxidative Stress

Free radicals (FRs) are generated during normal metabolic processes in addition to exposure to pathophysiological states.1 Such species are unstable and induce unfavorable cellular changes, if left unchecked, to include DNA damage; a destructive process associated with the genesis of cancer.1(317) Antioxidants are substances that can control the effects and propagation of FRs thereby down-regulating […]

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Heavy Metals and Water Filtration

Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the air, soil, and water. Such levels came into existence from extraction of metals, industrial sewages, agricultural fertilizers, batteries, and electronic industries.1 Since water and hydration are essential to maintaining human health, it is equally critical to ensure drinking water quality. The following will explore water filtration as a means […]

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Heavy Metal Exposure, Sauna Use, and Health Outcomes

A toxin is a poisonous substance capable of causing death or serious debilitation, and is often found in air, water, and soil.1,2 In this author’s last post, hepatic phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways were covered as a means of appreciating the primary method of capturing and excreting toxins (via urination and defecation). In […]

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Glyphosate: Measurement and Detoxification Processes

A toxin is a poisonous substance capable of causing death or serious debilitation.1 Westernized societies have levels of toxic agents dramatically higher than those of the pre-industrialized era, which now exists in food, air, water, pharmaceuticals, xenobiotics (man-made chemicals), and endotoxins (toxins from microbes and metabolic reactions).2 Such a ubiquitous distribution of compounds place individuals […]

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Crohn’s Disease, Leaky Gut, and Zinc Supplementation

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by chronic relapse and inflammation along the intestine.1 CD is an autoimmune disease exhibiting an exaggerated immune response followed by a lowered tolerance towards food antigens and bacteria native to the gut.1(3899) Such processes eventually manifest as a chronic inflammatory response1(3899) Other factors also contribute to […]

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Leaky Gut and Antibiotics: Exploring the Connection

The intestinal wall, as has been discussed in previous posts, is composed of intestinal epithelium forming a semipermeable barrier preventing entry of pathogens and blocking contact with constituents of the immune system.1 Ultimately, such a system facilitates normal digestion/absorption, immune function, and overall homeostasis. However, disruption to the intestinal barrier can induce unfavorable changes to […]

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Assessing the Gut: Maldigestion, Malabsorption, Allergies, and Sensitivities

As discussed in previous posts, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an approximate 16-foot long organ system; a gateway facilitating immune function and entry of key macronutrients and micronutrients into the inner systems of the human body.1Approximately 30% of total daily caloric intake is devoted to the GIT in addition to a unique and independently working […]

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Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth (SIFO)

Small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO) is a condition defined by an excessive concentration of fungal microorganisms inhabiting the small intestine (SI). Such a condition is often found amongst immunocompromised individuals or those who use antibiotics with symptoms ranging from belching, indigestion, bloating, diarrhea (leading to nutrient deficiencies), nausea, and gas (Erdogan & Rao, 2015). However, […]

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