Covid-19 is a novel virus that likely came from animal origins starting in Wuhan, China. There have been multiple waves of this disease as it has spread across the globe, first in China, then in Iran and Italy and now it has made its way to the United States. We have had time to learn from experiences in other countries about who is effected, how the disease is transmitted and mechanisms for reducing the rate of transmission and spread in our communities.
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How Body Composition Analysis Gives A Unique Window into Overall Health
One of the unique tools that we have at the San Francisco Institute for Integrative and Regenerative Medicine is an Inbody 770 Body Composition Analyzer that measures Bio-Impedance, which is based on the amount of resistance that your body provides to an electrical current that is passed through your hands and feet. There are many scales that purport to do this but only the Inbody 770 is actually measuring your body, without using calculations that are based on a population average. Continue reading
The Inter-Relationship of Integrative and Regenerative Medicine
It seems like for every chronic medical condition that has hitherto been relegated to disease management, we are finding a use for stem cells to help address underlying causes and provide more lasting cures. Regenerative Medicine is the use of growth factors or stem cells derived from the patient or donor sources in order to stimulate the body’s innate healing capacity. Many body parts have a limited capacity to heal based on limitations in blood flow, chronic inflammation, and the formation of scar tissue. Using growth factors and stem cells, we can overcome these limitations by supplying the necessary ingredients for healing directly to the area.
Hypothyroidism and Functional Medicine
This recent NY times article refers to a study showing that ‘thyroid disease is over diagnosed and over treated.’ The study used blood levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) for diagnostic criteria and prescribed Synthroid (synthetic T4) for those in the abnormal range. A number of clinical signs and symptoms associated with hypothyroidism were followed and were not shown to change even as the TSH came back down into normal limits. The conclusion was that TSH is not a good indication of thyroid health and these clinical signs and symptoms do not seem to respond to synthetic T4. Continue reading
Cultivating, not hacking, the Microbiome
In this recent New York Times article, biohacker Josiah Zayner decided to attempt to fix the imbalance in his microbiome by consuming antiobiotics and then ingesting a friend’s sweat, saliva and feces in order to recolonize his digestive tract. You can watch the short film and read more here: https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000005015342/gut-hack.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
The Biomechanics of Running
This New York Times article brings up a short section on preventing injury while learning how to run. It briefly mentions that there is little evidence to support stretching prior to running and offers an anecdotal report of a few exercises that may be beneficial instead. Read the rest of the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/well/guides/how-to-start-running