functional medicine and nutritional genomics - American Association ...
functional medicine and nutritional genomics - American Association ...
functional medicine and nutritional genomics - American Association ...
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AAPI’S NUTRITION GUIDE TO OPTIMAL HEALTH: USING PRINCIPLES OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND NUTRITIONAL GENOMICS<br />
effect persisted for one month, but not 6<br />
months.(24) He did not, however, measure for<br />
improvements in the frequency or severity of fecal<br />
incontinence.<br />
The most compelling recent study, authored by the<br />
late D. Perrins in 2005, evaluated 117 patients<br />
who received HBOT treatments without interruption<br />
for 5 to 15 years in the UK. The authors<br />
followed 703 MS patients treated with HBOT 5 or<br />
more years previously. Pressure <strong>and</strong> oxygenation<br />
protocols were consistent over the years.<br />
Assessments were made between 2 <strong>and</strong> 3 years,<br />
then again between 6 <strong>and</strong> 8 years, with a final<br />
survey being conducted at 11 to 14 years from<br />
the first HBO treatment.<br />
Among this group, 117 people attended clinic<br />
regularly <strong>and</strong> without interruption for 5 to<br />
17 years. Their findings support that 300+<br />
treatments with low pressure HBOT over 10+<br />
years was required to retard progression of<br />
disability. Five-hundred treatments were more<br />
effective as these patients had even less disability<br />
overall.(25)<br />
Despite these positive findings, three separate<br />
reviews of HBOT <strong>and</strong> treatment of MS<br />
were performed from 1995 to 2010. All authors<br />
concluded that the use of HBOT for the treatment<br />
of MS was not recommended based on limited<br />
study populations, variable treatment protocols, <strong>and</strong><br />
a lack of demonstrated benefit.(20, 21, 22)<br />
Expert opinion on the use HBOT for MS is<br />
controversial. MS is a condition with wide<br />
ranging clinical presentations <strong>and</strong> outcomes.<br />
Studies of HBOT in the treatment of MS have<br />
used a variety of different treatment protocols,<br />
varying in the amount of pressure <strong>and</strong> oxygen, the<br />
number of treatments, how long the clients were<br />
followed <strong>and</strong> the the end-point measured.<br />
It appears that the use of HBOT is unlikely to<br />
significantly affect patients with longst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
disease, such as chronic progressive MS. Those<br />
advocating the use of HBOT in MS suggest that it<br />
143<br />
be used immediately upon diagnosis <strong>and</strong><br />
chronically thereafter.<br />
The use of HBOT in MS has not been compared<br />
to the use of interferon, the most recent FDA<br />
approved disease modifying agent. Nor have the<br />
two been studied together. At this time, the use<br />
of HBOT should be considered an adjunct to FDA<br />
approved treatments. Possibly the long term use of<br />
HBOT in combination with immune modifying drugs<br />
would provide patients with the improved<br />
outcomes. Continued study is warranted, focusing<br />
on the long term use of low pressure HBO<br />
therapy in those newly diagnosed or with more<br />
mild disease.<br />
Autism<br />
Clinical Vignette<br />
JS is a 3 1/2 year old boy born to a 27 year<br />
old white female who had an uncomplicated<br />
pregnancy <strong>and</strong> normal vaginal delivery. JS<br />
experienced normal developmental milestones with<br />
appropriate feeding, sitting up, crawling, social<br />
interaction <strong>and</strong> expressiveness. At age 2 1/2 he<br />
experienced a flu-like illness with high fever <strong>and</strong><br />
diarrhea <strong>and</strong> was treated with hospitalization, IV<br />
hydration <strong>and</strong> antibiotics. Over the coming months<br />
JS’s parents noted significant regression of his<br />
prior verbal development, ultimately experiencing<br />
social withdrawal, failure to make eye contact, <strong>and</strong><br />
difficulty managing sensory stimulation. He was<br />
diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the<br />
age of 3 1/2.<br />
Review of the Literature <strong>and</strong> Discussion<br />
Disorders in the development of socialization,<br />
communication, <strong>and</strong> behavior characterize autism<br />
spectrum disorders (ASD).(1) This<br />
neurodevelopmental disorder may affect up to one<br />
out of 150 individuals in the United States <strong>and</strong><br />
the prevalence of autism may be increasing.(2,<br />
3)<br />
The use of a multi-disciplinary team with expertise<br />
in the diagnosis <strong>and</strong> treatment of ASD is<br />
preferred. This includes a detailed history <strong>and</strong><br />
2012