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.
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.
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.
Vitamin K is an essential nutrient present in plants, animals, and fermented products that plays an important role in a number of biological systems. Recent evidence suggests that vitamin K has potential health benefits far beyond its role in activating coagulation factors. It appears that vitamin K2 (menaquinones) play an important role in optimal bone and cardiovascular health.
Yoga is a holistic mind‐body practice used for physical and mental health, which is most commonly looked upon by educators as a wellness program for students. This study aims to analyze whether pre-adolescent school students who practiced yoga performed better in attention and memory tasks in comparison with controls that did not practice yoga.
We conducted a comprehensive review of the most current data available on the antihypertensive effects of 29 different nutraceuticals.
In “The Role of Vitamin K2 in Bone and Cardiovascular Health,” published in the Journal of Restorative Medicine, author Tal Friedman, ND discusses the more recent revelations about the importance of K2 and its significant differences from the role of K1. K1 is best known for facilitating clotting. But K2 (menaquinone) has been found to be far more important for its role in preventing osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. Based on the results of a comprehensive review and analysis of both observational studies and randomized, double-blind clinical trials, he further makes the case for Vitamin K2 supplementation, particularly MK-7.
Following widespread efforts to eradicate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) worldwide — first launched in the 1990s and continuing today — epidemiologists noted an unexpected phenomenon: a significant uptick in the rates of both autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease) and thyroid cancer. Initial wisdom suggested that because eradication efforts favored universal salt iodization (USI) programs, excess iodine was likely to blame.
I recently had the pleasure of having a conversation with David Brownstein, MD, who is a board certified family physician, integrative practitioner and an expert in thyroid disease, hormones and iodine. He is also the author of fourteen books and is a popular keynote speaker who will be featured at the Toronto Regional Restorative Medicine Conference. In our conversation, he graciously shared details about his typical method for evaluating patients and specifics on his treatment plans using nutrients, herbs, hormones and occasionally pharmaceuticals as needed. I think you’ll find the information he shared to be noteworthy and relevant to your own practice.
If you’re an integrative physician practicing in Canada, you may have noticed that not all professional brands of supplements from the US are available for you to sell in your dispensary. You may also have noticed that the formulas for the Canadian versions of products are different, and may offer lower doses of certain ingredients.
The topic of acidosis has long been controversial, and has not yet gained acceptance by mainstream medicine. Some of the reasons for this may be because of the challenges in thoroughly understanding the complexity of the topic, the obstacles in testing serum acidity accurately, and then the challenges of proving it in research. Nonetheless, acidosis has been shown clinically to have a significant effect on health.
AARM designed the Restorative Medicine Digest to complement the education offered in the Journal of Restorative Medicine (JRM) and to highlight topics in the Restorative Medicine Conferences.
