NUTRITION
Osteoporosis can be defined as decreased bone mass and a shift in the structure of bone, resulting in a reduced quality of bone (Tufts, 2011). The quality of bone cannot be assessed, however, bone mineral density (BMD) can be screened using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to determine mineral content of bone (Tufts, 2011)….
Brown (2014) stated that overweight and obesity (OO) has doubled over the last two decades. Although genetics play a role in the outcome of such conditions, it would be fallacious to conclude genetic predispositions as a singular impetus behind OO. Environmental factors, specifically the interplay between environment and genetics, are a more likely cause of…
Brown (2014) indicated that overweight and obesity (OO) are conditions among children that are mounting at an accelerated rate. Moreover, approximately 18% of children aged 6-11 are obese with BMIs greater than or equal to the 95th percentile (Brown, 2014). Conditions of overweight and obesity set a foundation for other physiological aberrations such as cardiovascular…
Celiac disease (CD) is a common digestive disorder that affects approximately 1% of European and North American populations (Chang, Burke, & Golub, 2011; Zimmer, 2011). Infants with CD are genetically susceptible and are reactive to foods containing a particular form of protein known as gluten. Such reactions from gluten cause an immune-mediated inflammatory response, damaging…
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has determined that approximately 0.9% of children between 1-5 years of age from 2005-2008 have lead blood levels surpassing 10mcg/dL (Brown, 2014). Due the toxic side affects of lead upon human physiology, it is paramount to control said lead levels. Common sources of lead exposure include airborne sources,…
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) can be defined as a condition frequently marked by a low hemoglobin level (Brown, 2014). It is characterized by the signs of iron deficiency (depleted iron stores, weakness, fatigue, short attention span, poor appetite, weak immune system) in addition to paleness, exhaustion, and a rapid heart rate (Brown, 2014). Women with…
It has been indicated that optimal maternal nutrition, or lack thereof, affects the composition of breast milk. However, most research has reported an association between breast milk quality and nutrition without directly assessing dietary habits of the mother. Therefore, the following will consider the research concerning said connection between milk composition, supplementation, contraindications, and maternal…
Nutrient requirements during pregnancy are dynamic, and vary depending on several biomarkers of the female. Such markers include: current nutrient status, body size, physical activity levels, stage of pregnancy, and overall health status (Brown, 2014). As such, nutrient recommendations are largely unique to each individual. However, despite the specificity of said nutrient requirements, it is…
Gastrointestinal (GI) function is paramount in providing optimal health and a strong immune system. Ultimately, the GI tract acts as a gateway connecting the outside environment to the delicate internal systems of the human body. Thus, aberrations in gut barrier function and permeability can and does lead to disruptions in homeostasis, including fertility (Fasano &…
Conventional medicine can be thought of as a system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery (National Cancer Institute, 2018). Functional medicine (FM) is an emerging model, which considers the underlying cause of disease and symptoms in its effort to restore an individual’s homeostasis (Kresser…