Resources & Articles

Resources and Articles On Improving Health And Relieving Pain

By Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP 13 Mar, 2024
https://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/2000.cfm ** Feel free to use this article on your website. Compliments from Functional Medicine University . ** Read my past articles: http://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/department88.cfm ===================== View Rick Bramos Fitness YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_x4I27Z0DfYkfcroXxAhcA/videos Here is Rick's New Video of the Week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W__EwtXJkyY Rick is now offering phone consultations for those wanting to lose weight or simply to improve their fitness. Rick can be reached at 2days2fitness@gmail.com for more details. ===================== ATTENTION DOCTORS AND ALL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS Tell your friends and colleagues about Clinical Rounds. This is a great introduction to the field of functional medicine. Here is the webpage to subscribe: http://www.clinicalrounds.com Take care, Ron P.S. Please visit our facebook page and "Like It" Of course if you really like it. :) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Functional-Medicine-University/161486170671332
13 Mar, 2024
At the very least, you'll want to keep this to a minimum. Inflammation is often visible—think red skin or a swollen knee. However, inflammation can also occur on the inside, and it's not always so easy to detect. "Inflammation is a physiological process involved in the defense of our body and the repair of tissues," says Jenna Stangland, RD , a Momentous advisor. Stangland explains that inflammation can be triggered by infections, trauma, toxins or allergic reactions. Sometimes, it becomes chronic in the muscles and tissues. Unfortunately, Stangland says chronic inflammation carries risks. "Chronic inflammation can end up stimulating the development of cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disease, neurological disease or cancer," Stangland says. "This type of inflammation can last several months as a result of inability to combat and reduce it." Diet isn't a cure-all for chronic inflammation or the diseases it can trigger. However, it's an important tool. "Diet plays a significant role in inflammation, as certain foods can either promote or reduce inflammation in the body," says Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN , a preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com . One food in particular is worth avoiding. RDs shared the food to limit if you have chronic inflammation. Related: The One Diet That Will Actually Lower Your Heart Attack Risk, According to Cardiologists
18 Dec, 2023
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP
27 Nov, 2023
18 or 80 most anyone can do these. Remember create a habit first.  Perform these exercises just twice a week.
27 Nov, 2023
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. Its symptoms vary but may start with mild memory loss or difficulty remembering words or names. As it progresses, Alzheimer's causes worsening confusion and memory loss, changes in personality, the inability to perform everyday tasks and more. Alzheimer's is caused by a slow build-up of protein plaques and tangles in the brain that eventually cause brain cells to stop working properly. This build-up usually starts years before a person experiences symptoms. Alzheimer's-related memory loss is caused by brain cells working improperly and dying-a process known as neurodegeneration. Alzheimer's is estimated to account for about 60% of dementia cases. Diagnosing Alzheimer's Until recently, it has been difficult to identify the biological changes that indicate Alzheimer's. The typical evaluation, which includes physical exam, blood and urine tests and cognitive testing may provide ambiguous or conflicting answers, which can result in delayed referrals until symptoms become clearer. That has changed with new technology and testing. Labcorp has developed a new test called the Amyloid-Tau-Neurodegeneration (ATN) Profile ( ATN Profile) to help doctors detect evidence of biological changes consistent with Alzheimer's. These tests are the first objective tools that doctors have to help evaluate Alzheimer's, meaning that with a simple blood test , doctors and other health professionals allowed to order labs can get a clearer answers on Alzheimer's and its progression and get patients on a care plan earlier. This will in fact give physicians a simple, objective test for Alzheimer's disease pathology that can help shorten the time to diagnosis. Labcorp is the first company to make a fully blood-based ATN Profile commercially available. What is ATN? The ATN framework establishes a means for classifying biomarkers based on the biological evidence of Alzheimer's disease that each marker provides These markers are divided into three categories to reflect the three primary biological changes associated with Alzheimer's: A for amyloid plaques: Accumulations of beta-amyloid 42 proteins begin to form plaques in the brain years before initial symptom onset T for tau tangles: The beta-amyloid 42 accumulation causes misfolding of tau proteins, which tangle into knots and disrupt normal brain cell function N for neurodegeneratio : Brain cell functional impairment causes the cells to die, which exacerbates the characteristic cognitive impairment symptoms observed in Alzheimer's patients
10 Oct, 2023
Vertigo and This Common Vitamin Deficiency
26 Sep, 2023
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP Medical literature is very clear that oral dental health plays a significant role in your cardiovascular health. As odd as it sounds, regularly brushing and flossing your teeth could be what stands between you and a future heart attack. Research has linked bacteria from the Streptococcus genus to fatty plaque buildup in heart arteries. A new study published in the journal Circulation has pinpointed two specific oral microorganisms that play a role in whether we develop atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). In all people there should be a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in our mouth (teeth). However when this balance is upset, it kicks off a chain of events that makes atherosclerosis far more likely to occur. The researchers used advanced technology for the study to reexamine the gut and oral bacteria assessments and cardiac imaging from 8,973 volunteers in the earlier SCAPIS study. Search in the medical literature has actually identified three bacteria associated with atherosclerosis when they were found in large numbers in the mouth. They include: Streptococcus anginosus Streptococcus oralis Streptococcus mutans The scientists who have published their research have two theories about why these bacteria might be a contributing factor for atherosclerosis. 1:These bacteria (streptococcus species) set off systemic low-grade inflammation that leads to plaque accumulation in heart arteries. 2: In an attempt to evade our immune system, the bacteria in our mouth enter our bloodstream and set up shop in our arteries. Steps to take to decrease the potential of Streptococcus genus compromising our cardiovascular health include: Regularly brushing your teeth Flossing Consider using a waterpik water flosser (this is my dentist strongest recommendations to clean out bacteria deep in the back molars.) This oral health appliance provides a stream of pulsating water to floss between your teeth and below the gumline. Don't forget the most important step of ideal dental health and that is regular dental cleanings. Here are some additional recommendations to be certain your oral health has the best opportunity to be bacteria free. Stop the Sugar Salt Water Rinse Tea Tree Oil and/or Oregano oil products. These essential oils have natural antibacterial qualities. If you battle gingivitis, look for mouthwash or toothpaste made with tea tree oil (never use straight oil) and/or Oregano oil. Olive Leaf Extract: Olive leaf extract is another natural antibacterial that can be used in mouthwash or toothpaste. One of my personal go to preventive measures to ensure optimal oral health is the Dentalcidin Oral Care System by Biocidin Botanicals. Clear here for more details on this dental care system. Start protecting your heart and reducing your risk of heart complications today by focusing on your oral care. You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com References: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1882761608000045 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276015000454 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1594668/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3275337/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33825326/ https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/iai.00897-19 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37435755/ The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP) www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com . This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Grisanti is required
18 Sep, 2023
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP The medical journal Neurology has reported that people who carry a gene that's associated with Alzheimer's disease may lose their sense of smell long before memory and thinking problems occur. The specific gene reported in this paper is called APOE e4 . You can order APOE Alzheimer's Risk from Labcorp. The code is: 504040 Testing a person's ability to detect odors may be a useful way to predict future problems with cognition. The study from the Neurology journal surveyed more than 865 people about their ability to detect an odor and identify what they were smelling. Tests were given over five years. Those with memory or thinking problems were tested twice, five years apart. The investigators also took DNA samples. People who carried the gene variant ( APOE e4 ) for Alzheimer's were 37% less likely to have good odor detection than people without the gene, the researchers found. Those with the gene ( APOE e4 ) experienced reduced smell detection from age 65 to 69. People with the gene variant ( APOE e4 ) did not show a difference in the ability to identify what they were smelling until ages 75 to 79 . Once the ability to identify odors declined, it declined faster than in those who did not carry the gene. At the start of the study, thinking and memory skills were similar among the two groups. Unfortunately, the researchers concluded that thinking skills declined more rapidly among those carrying the gene variant than among those without the gene. You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com References: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/loss-smell-linked-alzheimers-cognitive-impairment-and-biomarkers https://practicalneurology.com/news/loss-of-smell-may-predict-alzheimer-disease-and-dementia https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/70/6/739 https://news.uchicago.edu/story/rapid-loss-smell-predicts-dementia-and-smaller-brain-areas-linked-alzheimers The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP) www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com . This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Grisanti is required
11 Sep, 2023
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP Most traditional physicians almost always order a standard lipid panel which includes total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Unfortunately this standard lipid test will put most people at risk causing plaque to silently build up in there arterial walls if this one test is not ordered. Most people I bet have not even heard of this life-saving test and even worse most people would believe if their total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol are within the optimal range they are free from a serious cardiac event. WRONG! The lab test I am referring to is called oxycholesterol, or oxidized LDL cholesterol (OxLDL). Its role in cardiovascular disease has been well documented. (See references below) The optimal value for OxLDL is less than 60 U/L. Learning how to lower OxLDL levels (if elevated) is critical to preventing or reducing the plaque buildup in your arteries known as atherosclerosis. When OxLDL increases in your bloodstream they cause massive inflammation and significantly decreases the elasticity of your arteries. Even worse this ominous lipid (OxLDL) also increases blood clot formation in your arteries leading to atherosclerosis and sending your stroke risk skyrocketing. Again mainstream medicine has unfortunately overlooked this test. I see time and time again patients having a false sense of confidence taking statins to lower their total and LDL cholesterol only to see significantly elevated OxLDL. This is a recipe for disaster. This article is not to deter anyone from addressing elevated LDL cholesterol with statins but to be certain that they are not going down the road toward a cardiac event with high levels of OxLDL. Unfortunately statins will not lower OxLDL.:( Fortunately, the technology to measure OxLDL levels is available. Simply ask your doctor to order OxLDL from Labcorp or Quest. The code from Labcorp is: 123023. The code from Quest is : 92769 In the next 3-5 years, this type of testing will likely become much more mainstream. But why wait? Knowing your OxLDL levels and working on lowering them, and keeping them low, can mean the difference between no plaque buildup and severe plaque buildup in your arteries!. The peer reviewed medical papers listed below clearly shows us that OxLDL levels are linked to heart disease. In just one study published in Circulation the plasma OxLDL level in patients who had had heart attacks skyrocketed about 3.5-fold over control subjects. Knowing if the amount of oxidative damage to your LDL cholesterol is elevated or not is critically important. That's why testing is essential. But equally as important is to know why the oxidative damage is occurring in the first place so you can do something about it. What do we know about the possible causes of elevated OxLDL? While the experts aren't positive yet what triggers the oxidation of LDL molecules, it's likely that much of it is related to diet, stress, infections, thyroid issues and environmental toxin exposure. What Steps Can One Take to Lower Elevated OxLDL? 1: Mediterranean-style diet , high in monounsaturated fats, reduces LDL oxidation. One study of 372 adults at high risk for heart disease found that diets rich in olive oil or nuts decreased OxLDL levels. 2: Eating a diet high in polyunsaturated fats—like the ones you'll find in fast foods, junk food, and baked goods increases OxLDL. In fact, corn oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil and soy oil all seem to raise OxLDL levels. 3: Besides the Mediterranean diet there are a couple more dieting “secrets” that can drive down LDL oxidation. To no ones surprise gluten-free diets have been shown to reduce levels of OxLDL. 4: Pomegranate juice have been shown to ward off LDL oxidation. 5: Green tea also fights LDL oxidation as well. 6: Vitamin E is a powerful nutrient that prevents oxidation damage in the body. (Make sure you are taking all eight of the vitamin E family)-Naturally occurring vitamin E exists in eight chemical forms ( alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol 7: A heart supplement superstar Coenzyme Q10 because it targets and reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol molecules. I recommend 200 mg daily as a supplement. 8: Other natural solutions for fighting oxidation include garlic, resveratrol, and grape seed extract. Other Factors to Consider in Lowering OxLDL Include the following 1: Research has shown that either a low functioning or an over-functioning thyroid gland can drive up your OxLDL levels. 2: Chronic infections can increase levels of OxLDL. Studies show that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) commonly associated with increased intestinal permeability aka: Leaky Gut will negatively impact LDL particles leading to elevated OxLDL. (Good reason to go gluten-free). Covid has been found to associated with elevated OxLDL. In addition the following infections have also been associated with elevated OxLDL and should be ruled out and addressed: Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and cytomegalovirus 3: Rule out environmental toxins Be sure to get your OxLDL level tested and work with a functional practitioner to treat the root reasons if your level is elevated. You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5627698/ https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.atv.21.5.844 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2631666/ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.613780/full https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.104.529297 //www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/OxLDL.pdf https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/article/68/3/353/309912 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622147838?via%3Dihub https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28371298/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16115546/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286305000586 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18689551/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26773777/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23456579/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21812107/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0098299797000319 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3063630/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622071711 https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2012.2408 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17616006/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10845869/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7214326/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109706008515 https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/83/5/1752/2865698 The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP) www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com . This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Grisanti is required Compliments from Functional Medicine University
22 Aug, 2023
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP According to the Vision Council, 80% of American adults use digital devices more than two hours per day. Nearly 67% use two or more devices at the same time. Fifty-nine percent have symptoms of digital eye strain. Since our eyes are not good at blocking blue light, nearly all visible blue light passes through the front of the eye (cornea and lens) and reaches the retina, the cells that convert light for the brain to process into images. There is some "preliminary" growing research that constant exposure to blue light over time could damage retinal cells and cause vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration.
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