Emerging Therapies and Research

The Origins and Effects of Ketamine Ketamine was originally synthesized in the 1960s as an anesthetic agent, valued for maintaining blood pressure and respiratory drive. However, clinicians soon noticed it could cause hallucinations and "out-of-body" sensations. While concerning, these psychedelic properties led researchers in the 2000s to explore ketamine as a rapid-acting antidepressant. In the…

The Frontiers of Metabolomics Research Metabolism refers to the complex network of chemical reactions that convert food into energy and synthesize essential molecules in our bodies. The relatively new field of "metabolomics" aims to measure all of the metabolites and metabolic pathways operating in a cell, tissue, or organism. Key topics in metabolomics include: Studying…

The Devastating Impact of Late-Stage Cancer Detection Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death, taking more lives annually than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. Historically, the vast majority of lung cancer patients have faced a grim prognosis, with few treatment options once their disease has progressed or spread widely throughout the…

The Brain's Critical Role in Regulating Body Weight Obesity has become a global public health crisis, with rates skyrocketing over the past few decades. While the condition is often blamed solely on poor lifestyle choices, the biological underpinnings of obesity are far more complex. Emerging research has highlighted the central role of the brain in…

What is Lipoprotein(a)? Lipoprotein(a), or LP(a), is a lipoprotein particle consisting of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle bound to a protein called apolipoprotein(a). The levels of LP(a) are determined primarily by the liver's production rate of apolipoprotein(a). LP(a) Levels in the Population About 20% of people have elevated LP(a) levels, with higher rates seen in…

Hair Loss is Extremely Common Among Both Men and Women Hair loss is an extremely common issue affecting close to 100 million Americans. It can occur in both men and women due to a variety of factors including genetics, hormones, certain medications, and underlying health conditions. Male pattern baldness linked to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) accounts for…

A Long History of Mistreatment Led to Justified Skepticism Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women has a long and controversial history. In the 1940s and 1950s, estrogen was found to effectively relieve troublesome menopausal symptoms, which on average last 7-10 years, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease, the #1 killer of women.…

Examining the Potential of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Fibromyalgia is a perplexing condition characterized by widespread muscle pain, profound fatigue, sleep dysfunction and cognitive difficulties. It affects up to 6% of the general population and is much more prevalent in women. Despite decades of research, the underlying mechanisms behind fibromyalgia remain unclear. As a result, treatment…

Introducing the DUTCH Test Assessing hormone balance and detoxification pathways is an important part of functional and integrative medicine. The Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH) provides a detailed urinary analysis of key hormones and metabolites to help practitioners personalize treatment approaches. Rather than relying on serum, saliva, or 24-hour urine collection, the DUTCH…

An Introduction to Stem Cell Therapy Stem cells have emerged as a hugely promising option for regenerative medicine. Often derived from a patient's own fat tissue, these intrinsically versatile cells possess the ability to develop into whatever cell types are required to carry out repairs in the body. Early research tracking stem cells shows they…

Introduction Hormone testing is an essential part of functional medicine practice. Being able to accurately assess a patient's hormone levels allows practitioners to identify imbalances and customize treatment plans. However, choosing the right testing medium – serum, urine, or saliva – is key to getting reliable results. The Limitations of Serum Testing Blood serum testing…

The Brain Loves Ketones Research increasingly shows the benefits of ketogenic diets and ketone supplementation for providing the brain an efficient, "clean" fuel source to maintain optimal function. Studies demonstrate that inducing nutritional ketosis through high fat, low carb diets or supplements like MCT oil can significantly improve symptoms in neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and…