UNCATEGORIZED/OTHER
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially introduced traditional medicine as a therapeutic intervention; an approach embraced and implemented by Syrian, Indian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Chinese societies for approximately 5000 years.1 Despite traditional medicine’s long history, misapplication, like any intervention, can be found in the use of botanicals. In the following sections, this author…
Botanical dietary supplement consumption has been experiencing continued growth within the United States, especially within the first decade of 21st century.1 Such a statement is supported by the US National Health Statistics Reports; the purchase and use of dietary supplements, to include botanicals, has consistently held first place position amongst the most popular complimentary health…
Botanical products have risen, both in popularity and sales, over recent years partially due to their perceived safety and positive influence upon health markers.1 Consumers frequently use botanicals to support maintenance of health and management of chronic diseases, and usually as an adjunct to prescription medications.1(1) However, said botanicals are not always regulated in a…
Breast cancer is the predominant form of cancer, and leading cause of death, among females.1 Surgery and systemic therapies such as hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and molecular targeted therapy are implemented and chosen based on the molecular characteristics of the breast cancer. Despite such interventions, absolute efficaciousness of said modalities are not ubiquitous among breast cancer…
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a thyroid disease whereby antithyroid antibodies and T-lymphocytes (part of the adaptive immune response) infiltrate and destroy cell components of the thyroid gland.1 Eventually, the thyroid gland loses its capacity to produce sufficient amounts of hormones necessary for normal function; an inevitable process which leads to hypothyroidism.1(661-662) As a means of…
The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is common within the elderly population; between 10-40% of individuals in advanced age are diagnosed with inadequate levels of said micronutrient.1 As such, it is imperative to restore B12 levels back to optimal ranges. However, inappropriate consumption of B12 can induce deficiency or potential toxicity. As a means of appreciating…
Optimizing nutrition can help support the recovery of traumatized bone and soft tissue. Such a decision is particularly relevant for older individuals who have sustained fractures or hip replacements; events which create significant tissue damage. In the following sections, this author would like to provide nutritional recommendations, from whole food and supplemental sources, which can…
Obesity is one of the most prevalent healthcare challenges, worldwide.1 Currently, Handzlik-Orlik et al1(383) stated that bariatric surgery (BS) is considered one of the most effective methods of achieving long-term weight loss, particularly when all other medical interventions have failed. However, BS is associated with complications to include micronutrient deficiencies.1(383) As such, it is essential…
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by elevated bone turnover and compromised bone strength, which increases an individual’s risk of fracture.1 Furthermore, 44 million Americans are estimated to have low bone mass which, in 2001, had a direct national expenditure of 17 billion dollars.1(1015) Ultimately, early monitoring and tracking of bone mineral density (BMD), and other…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease, which effects the connective tissues of the body with a particular locus about the joints.1 RA is characterized as a chronic, disabling, and deforming condition affecting multiple joints, especially along the hands and feet.1(731) The onset of RA is known to be driven by environmental and genetic…