An Integrative Approach to Hypertension: A Comprehensive Review of Antihypertensive Nutrients and Botanicals

We conducted a comprehensive review of the most current data available on the antihypertensive effects of 29 different nutraceuticals. All of the reviewed botanical and nutrient supplements, with the exception of French maritime pine bark extract and maitake (Grifola frondosa), have been demonstrated to effectively lower blood pressure in humans with good tolerability.

Inflammatory Sequelae After Chikungunya Virus Infection: Proposed Nutritional Treatment

Patients infected with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) exhibit specific characteristics, including high fever, rigors, headache, photophobia, petechial rash or maculopapular rash, and incapacitating joint pain. It is thought that the presence of CHIKV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies play an important role in a new type of rheumatoid arthritis reported in 2009. It has been reported that 97% of patients with CHIKV infection complain of recurrent symptoms for 6 months.

The Role of Iodine Deficiency and Subsequent Repletion in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and Thyroid Cancer

Iodine is an essential trace mineral that is necessary for thyroid hormone production. With the prevalence of iodine deficiency worldwide, universal salt iodization programs were successfully implemented to reduce the incidence of iodine deficiency disorders; however, unexpected increases in the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity occurred, and iodine excess was implicated as the causative factor. Despite these observations, epidemiological studies are inconsistent, and the etiology of autoimmune thyroid disease remains undefined. A review of observational and in vitro studies revealed that iodine alone is not responsible for thyroid autoimmunity.

To Stent or Not To Stent: Focusing on the ISCHEMIA Trial to Redefine Treatment in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease

Ischemic heart disease is the number one cause of mortality in both genders. Despite substantial gains in reducing mortality from cardiovascular disease, its prevalence is on the rise. Although percutaneous coronary revascularization procedures revolutionized the approach to acute coronary artery disease (CAD), their role in stable, chronic disease is less defined. As many more patients live on with stable forms of CAD, it is imperative that practitioners understand current evidence for and against revascularization, and develop a holistic, integrative approach to CAD. We examine current knowledge guiding decision-making in chronic CAD, and expand upon potential use of integrative approaches to chronic CAD.