An Update on the Management of Gastroparesis Posted on July 31, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on An Update on the Management of Gastroparesis Gastroparesis is a syndrome that results from delayed emptying of the stomach in the absence of a mechanical obstruction. It can be a very challenging problem with typical symptoms of nausea (93%), early satiety (60-86%), vomiting after meals (68—84%), bloating, and with upper abdominal pain (46-90%). The overall prevalence of gastroparesis is 9.6 per 100,000 men and 38 per 100,000 women. Motility of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract requires coordination of the nervous system, smooth muscles of the gut and specialized “pacemaker cells” known as interstitial cells of Cajal. These pacemaker cells play an important role of the synchronization of contractions of the stomach. Continue reading →
Clinical Biomarkers for MDs and RDs: What they mean and what the patient needs Posted on July 24, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Clinical Biomarkers for MDs and RDs: What they mean and what the patient needs By now, most clinicians and dietitians have learned to assess patient lab work with at least some new-found appreciation for those markers of inflammation. These may range from the highly sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP-hs) to the more general erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or possibly the surrogate marker of renal inflammation, urinary micro albumin. Each of these has its own role in detecting inflammatory-based issues and each should indicate the potential role for dietary intervention. C-reactive protein tests, both regular and highly sensitive, have become the most common measures of inflammation. CRP values greater than 3.0 are major red flags,- in fact, anything greater than 1.0 should generate some concern. CRP hs values greater than 1.0 suggest a significant amount of inflammation, most likely systemic and definitely affecting the cardiovascular system. Much of this inflammation is gut-derived: microbes metabolize particular components of a meal or diet and then generate a wide variety of substances, many of which are highly inflammatory. Continue reading →
On the road with Functional Formularies: A Brief Travel Guide Posted on July 6, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on On the road with Functional Formularies: A Brief Travel Guide In wake of the solstice, summer is here at last! Whether you’re taking a day trip to the local beach, riding full steam ahead on a cruise liner, or hopping on that big jet plane to explore the vastness of Mother Earth; you may find yourself in need of a few tips on how to travel with Liquid Hope or Nourish. While we are not able to cover every possible scenario that you may experience in your travels, we can provide a bit of guidance for the more common situations that may arise as you escape ‘real life’ and enjoy some fun in the sun. Continue reading →
Patients with Mitochondrial Disorders Frequently Suffer Malnutrition Posted on July 3, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Patients with Mitochondrial Disorders Frequently Suffer Malnutrition Revised 8/6/2020 A Dutch study published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, revealed that those populations with neurodegenerative diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction are most often malnourished in at least a few to multiple macro and micronutrients. Mitochondrial pathology is at the core of many health conditions, most of which are on significant rise globally. Mitochondria require quite possibly the greatest nutritional support of any organelle within our cellular physiology. When nutrients are missing from an individual’s diet and mitochondria are unsupported, they start to burn out. Eventually, after there is sufficient damage, entire neurons start to collapse metabolically. It is this collapse that generates symptoms and ultimately underlying health conditions. Continue reading →
Resilience and Health: In response to life’s adversity, how effectively do you bounce back? Posted on July 3, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Resilience and Health: In response to life’s adversity, how effectively do you bounce back? “. . . everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of the human freedoms . . . to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” ~ Viktor Frankl As certain as taxes and death, we can anticipate adversity in our lives. No one is sheltered from the vulnerability of being human. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of such adversity. When it comes to health, quality of life, and longevity, a person’s capacity for resilience is where the rubber meets the road. Continue reading →
Purple Sweet Potatoes, More Great News; Exemplifying the possibilities offered by deeply colored vegetables Posted on June 12, 2017 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Purple Sweet Potatoes, More Great News; Exemplifying the possibilities offered by deeply colored vegetables The term superfood gets thrown around too much. Many of the foods are great for one reason or another but they seldom provide enough bulk to our diet (such as starch, other macronutrients, and/or fiber) to go along with their exceptional antioxidant content. We would be hard-pressed to acquire a significant amount of our daily energy from many of the most popular foods featured on the Dr. Oz show. Mangosteen, cacao, green coffee beans, blueberries, acai, and green tea are all amazing in one way or another, but they should never constitute a significant percentage of what we eat daily. True superfoods would be those that offer much more than a unique antioxidant or polyphenol content, but that also provide an additional foundation of nutrients, and that are compatible with human physiology on multiple levels. The lack of difficult-to-digest anti- nutrients, and possessing low levels of sugar and polyunsaturated fats are critical characteristics. The superfood should also be highly supportive of our micro biome and foster the growth of beneficial organisms while inhibiting the growth of potentially pathogenic ones. Continue reading →