The liver is thought of as the critical organ for metabolizing drugs and botanicals. It’s true, however a team of University of Houston pharmaceutical researchers found a newly recognized process of drug metabolism in the intestines, in a mice study. This process is followed by recycling through the liver. “TheRead
In the alternative, complementary and integrative medical community, it is well known that ginger has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, which makes it a popular herbal supplement in inflammatory diseases. This new study offers insight into what happens when researchers and physicians, who are not familiar with its beneficial properties, areRead
Diabetic patients taking the natural product goldenseal while taking the prescription drug metformin may be unwittingly sabotaging efforts to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, as reported in a study published in the journal Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Metformin was included in a cocktail of selected drugs given to participants inRead
From our partners at Integrative Medicine, a Clinician’s Journal. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of menstrual irregularity and hyperandrogenism in women of reproductive age. Conventional treatment is centered around the use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) to regulate menstrual cycles, protect against endometrial hyperplasia, and manage clinicallyRead
For many years now, Amanda Archibald, RD, culinary genomics expert and author of The Genomic Kitchen, puts the caper berries at the top of her superfood list because of high levels of quercetin. It is well known that quercetin has been shown to decrease decrease the transcriptional activity of theRead
Chicoric acid, a hydroxycinnamic acid, derived most commonly in the roots of chicory (Cichorium intybus), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), and basil. Each possesses a variety of health benefits, such as antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, weight management, and neuroprotector. A number of companies are selling chicory root as a dietary supplement forRead
Throughout history, compounds have been used from nature to assist with wound closure. As this study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, suggests, “despite the discovery of antimicrobial agents, antiseptics, and anti-inflammatory drugs, the wound closure process is challenging in the clinical setting of modern medicine. “Plants and naturalRead
In immunocompetent subjects, Candida sp. are generally responsible for mucosal infections, including thrush and vaginitis, which can lead to invasive candidiasis in immunocompromised patients, with emerging species becoming multi-drug resistant. Candida sp. represent the most common cause of fungal infections worldwide. In this work, researchers evaluated the activity of anRead
As clinicians, we always strive to give our patients the right tools to succeed in their personal health and wellness goals. To that end, a focus on gastrointestinal health is a key component of any comprehensive treatment plan. As Hippocrates said 2400 years ago, “All disease begins in the gut.”Read
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