Celiac disease (CD) is a common digestive disorder that affects approximately 1% of European and North American populations (Chang, Burke, & Golub, 2011; Zimmer, 2011). Infants with CD are genetically susceptible and are reactive to foods containing a particular form of protein known as gluten. Such reactions from gluten cause an immune-mediated inflammatory response, damaging […]
Read MoreNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has determined that approximately 0.9% of children between 1-5 years of age from 2005-2008 have lead blood levels surpassing 10mcg/dL (Brown, 2014). Due the toxic side affects of lead upon human physiology, it is paramount to control said lead levels. Common sources of lead exposure include airborne sources, […]
Read MoreIron deficiency anemia (IDA) can be defined as a condition frequently marked by a low hemoglobin level (Brown, 2014). It is characterized by the signs of iron deficiency (depleted iron stores, weakness, fatigue, short attention span, poor appetite, weak immune system) in addition to paleness, exhaustion, and a rapid heart rate (Brown, 2014). Women with […]
Read MoreIt has been indicated that optimal maternal nutrition, or lack thereof, affects the composition of breast milk. However, most research has reported an association between breast milk quality and nutrition without directly assessing dietary habits of the mother. Therefore, the following will consider the research concerning said connection between milk composition, supplementation, contraindications, and maternal […]
Read MoreNutrient requirements during pregnancy are dynamic, and vary depending on several biomarkers of the female. Such markers include: current nutrient status, body size, physical activity levels, stage of pregnancy, and overall health status (Brown, 2014). As such, nutrient recommendations are largely unique to each individual. However, despite the specificity of said nutrient requirements, it is […]
Read MoreGastrointestinal (GI) function is paramount in providing optimal health and a strong immune system. Ultimately, the GI tract acts as a gateway connecting the outside environment to the delicate internal systems of the human body. Thus, aberrations in gut barrier function and permeability can and does lead to disruptions in homeostasis, including fertility (Fasano & […]
Read MoreConventional medicine can be thought of as a system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery (National Cancer Institute, 2018). Functional medicine (FM) is an emerging model, which considers the underlying cause of disease and symptoms in its effort to restore an individual’s homeostasis (Kresser […]
Read MoreMetabolic syndrome (MS) is a condition defined by a constellation of associated risk factors that increase a person’s chances of contracting stroke, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes (Chen, Yen, Huang, Lee, Hsia, & Lin, 2012). MS affects 35.1% men and 32.6% women in the United States, and associated risk factors include high levels of blood […]
Read MoreTechnological progress is nested deeply within contemporary Western society, and has brought with it many conveniences gifted to its citizens; acute-care medicine, the combustion engine, mass food production, enhanced communications via smartphones, and instant access to information through the Internet, to name a few. Although such examples show technological prowess, they still remain but a […]
Read MoreNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to treat inflammation and pain associated with RA. However, a meta-analysis conducted by Lee, Bae, and Song (2012) suggested research supporting the role of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) in reducing inflammation, with a particular influence upon the amounts of NSAIDs used in RA subjects. A meta-analysis is a […]
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