Restorative Medicine Digest

Inflammation and a Solution: Probiotics

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements or components of bacteria, which have been shown to have beneficial effects on human health. They reinforce the various lines of gut defense: immune exclusion, immune elimination, and immune regulation. read more »

Is Bioavailable Curcumin A Myth?

The problem of curcumin’s low bioavailability has driven extensive research into new technologies which can potentially be applied to the manufacture of high-absorption curcumin supplements. read more »

Iodine or Iodide: What’s Really in Our Supplements?

Two forms of iodine are offered in iodine products, however, questions remain about label claims stating the presence of iodine (I2), which may not be present or available after digestion. It is the purpose of this article to review a recent lab test on a product claiming to contain both iodine and iodide in its formula, and to determine the actual amounts of each ingredient. read more »

Vitamin K2 for Preventing Atherosclerosis and Building Bone

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. read more »

In Excess? The Role of Iodine in Hashimoto’s Disease and Thyroid Cancer

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. read more »

Interview with Thyroid Expert and Speaker David Brownstein, MD

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 at Restorative Medicine conferences. 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. read more »

The Challenges for US Supplement Companies in Canada

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. read more »

Diet Induced Acidosis: Is It Real and Clinically Relevant?

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. read more »

Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of the Restorative Medicine Digest!

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. read more »

Cardiovascular Disease and the Gender Gap How Metabolic Syndrome Might be to Blame, and What to do About It

Dr. Druz is keenly interested in personalized prevention strategies that combine traditional medicine with functional and integrative therapies. She is a nationally recognized cardiac imaging expert with board certifications in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine. In this interview, she discusses the unique obstacles in diagnosing cardiovascular disease in women and steps that should be taken to increase physicians awareness on this critical topic. read more »