Debunking the Oncology Myth That Cancer Patients Should Avoid or Reduce Their Vegetable Consumption Posted on October 27, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Debunking the Oncology Myth That Cancer Patients Should Avoid or Reduce Their Vegetable Consumption A theory persists that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, generally a highly pro-oxidative process, should avoid or reduce their consumption of antioxidant-rich vegetables. Although there is no evidence to support this theory that vegetable and fruit consumption is somehow contraindicated for cancer patients in treatment, it is often recommended by oncologists. Whether it is a woman with breast cancer or a man with colorectal cancer, the research actually supports improved outcomes for patients consuming more vegetables and fruit (1,2). Continue reading →
Why Recent Discoveries in All Oceans Suggest We Should All Rethink Seafood Recommendations: Microplastic contamination in all fish tested Posted on October 25, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Why Recent Discoveries in All Oceans Suggest We Should All Rethink Seafood Recommendations: Microplastic contamination in all fish tested It becomes more and more difficult to navigate a food system that is influenced in so many ways by human activity. Modern agriculture and pollution both present huge issues with respect to food safety. For decades now the number of foods that appear safe to eat regularly has dwindled. PCBs and dioxin were initial contaminants that proved to be even more damaging as endocrine disruptors than any scientist had anticipated. Later, a variety of pesticides and agrochemicals started showing up on plates across America, most of which remain largely unstudied. More recently, the routine disposal of trash, combined with non-point, runoff pollution, has resulted in a literal plastic soup in almost every ocean examined. Continue reading →
Be Wary of Enteral Formulas Built Around Dirty Dozen Ingredients Posted on October 13, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Be Wary of Enteral Formulas Built Around Dirty Dozen Ingredients Organizations such as The Environmental Work Group, www.ewg.org, that are essentially our only sentinels with respect to chemicals in our produce and other foods, have made it very clear. There are certain foods that carry inordinately high pesticide and herbicide levels and they should only be consumed if organically grown. These are labeled as Dirty Dozen fruits and vegetables. The list is updated each year but the core members generally stay the same. Continue reading →
A Closer Look at Cancer Metabolism Posted on September 1, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on A Closer Look at Cancer Metabolism Functional Formularies’ objective is to educate about the important link between nutrition and health. Our recent webinar, The Crucial Role of Nutrition in Cancer Treatment, received many questions regarding the role of dietary intervention in improving cancer outcomes. These questions primarily centered around the subject of protein and the amino acid glutamine. This particular webinar was to encourage care providers and patients to look specifically at carbohydrate and sugar restriction as beneficial tools to slow cancer growth (see recent blog on Sugar and Cancer, posted on July 27th, 2017) In addition, the topic of protein and glutamine restriction was discussed as they relate to supporting a ketogenic diet and to limiting cancer metabolism, respectively. Continue reading →
National Gastroparesis Month: Why fat, dairy, and consistency matter Posted on August 14, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on National Gastroparesis Month: Why fat, dairy, and consistency matter This month is Gastroparesis month and it is unfortunately, a poorly understood condition affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals each year. Sometimes the symptoms are episodic, but often they are chronic. Essentially there is a prolonged delay of gastric emptying and it results in a myriad of issues that range from GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) bloating, nausea, and vomiting to constipation and additional lower GI abnormalities that can all be significant complications. Continue reading →
A New Approach to Enteral Nutrition Support: Redefining true care, nutritional adequacy, and compatibility. Posted on August 1, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on A New Approach to Enteral Nutrition Support: Redefining true care, nutritional adequacy, and compatibility. The critically and chronically ill patient typically has several biochemical processes that are severely compromised. These aberrant pathways are the target of pharmacological intervention and are typically the only dimension of patient care associated with the outcome. Supporting the patient’s most fundamental nutrition needs are equally important, yet this dimension of care receives very little attention. Continue reading →