Liquid Hope Fed Mice Have Significantly Less Inflammation, More Beneficial Bacteria, and Better Outcomes. Posted on February 1, 2018 | by Functional Developer | Leave a Comment on Liquid Hope Fed Mice Have Significantly Less Inflammation, More Beneficial Bacteria, and Better Outcomes. A recently completed study at University of Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital provided significant insight into the protective role of an organic, whole food enteral formula on the GI. Mice with colitis were fed either Liquid Hope or one of two other polymeric enteral formulas for one week. Each group of mice was fed the same volume of their specific enteral formula for one week. Upon completion, the mice were weighed, several markers of inflammation were measured, and various microbial populations were assessed, particularly those that research has linked to a higher or lower risk for infection. In addition, several other biomarkers that influence intestinal inflammation were examined and compared across groups. 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 →