Articles

What is an Elemental Diet? An elemental diet is a specialized liquid diet in which nutrients are provided in their most basic "elemental" forms. Instead of intact proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, an elemental formula contains free amino acids, simple sugars, and medium chain triglyceride fats. These building blocks require minimal digestion allowing efficient absorption and…

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of this Common Condition Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Although testing methods have improved, allowing for better recognition, experts believe lifestyle factors and an aging population have also contributed to rising rates. Patients with SIBO may experience digestive symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain,…

Understanding the Roots of Anxiety and Depression Anxiety and depression are increasingly common conditions, driven by modern lifestyle factors and environmental stressors. However, conventional treatment options often fail to address underlying causes. According to medical experts, most cases of anxiety and depression can be traced back to a few key underlying mechanisms in the body: HPA…

The Growing Prevalence of Autoimmune Disease Autoimmune diseases, where the body attacks its own tissues, are on the rise globally. Some estimates state that up to 23.5 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune illness. Diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes can severely impact quality of life when not properly…

Understanding Hypochlorhydria and its Link to Digestive Issues Hypochlorhydria, defined as low levels of stomach acid, has been hypothesized as a potential root cause behind many digestive problems. However, research indicates only about 10% of the population actually has fasting hypochlorhydria based on pH levels above 3. Older individuals, though, may experience "functional hypochlorhydria" –…

Making Sense of Confusing and Contradictory Nutrition Information With endless fads, media hype, and competing information surrounding diet and nutrition, it can be extraordinarily confusing to make sense of what constitutes a truly healthy way of eating. Several key factors contribute to this confusion. Firstly, nutrition science itself faces inherent challenges. Unlike pharmaceutical drug trials…

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…

An Introduction to Medicinal Mushrooms Medicinal mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Unlike regular culinary mushrooms, medicinal varieties contain special compounds that can have therapeutic effects on health and disease. Some of the most well-studied medicinal mushrooms include reishi, shiitake, maitake and cordyceps. Medicinal mushrooms have a complex life…

Introduction Food sensitivities affect millions, causing diverse symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues, skin conditions and more. But identifying food triggers can be challenging. We eat so many foods daily, it's hard to pinpoint what specific items prompt our symptoms. The KBMO FIT test provides a comprehensive solution using advanced immunology to detect problematic foods. The…

Introducing mTOR: A Cellular Master Regulator At the center of some of the cell’s most vital activities sits a pivotal protein complex known as the mechanistic target of rapamycin, or mTOR. This critical signaling hub serves as a master integrator of cues from nutrients, growth factors, oxygen, and more to dictate major cell functions. Given…

The Discovery of PI3 Kinase Signaling in Both Insulin and Oncogenes In the 1980s, Dr. Lou Cantley made a breakthrough discovery regarding an enzyme called PI3 kinase. He realized it was a key player in insulin signaling that helped cells take up glucose. But he also found that PI3 kinase activity was increased by oncogenes…

Understanding the Biology of Aging The process of aging intrigues scientists across disciplines, from biologists to gerontologists. To better understand the underlying biological mechanisms that drive aging, researchers have turned to an unlikely model organism – the domestic dog. As beloved family members, dogs share our homes and environments while also demonstrating substantial genetic diversity…