Functional Medicine

This work is the culmination of several thousand research publications combined with Dr Vasquez's many years of clinical experience and teaching graduate-level students and doctorate-level clinicians worldwide. With radiographs, photos, acronyms, illustrations, flowcharts, and detailed-yet-simplifying explanations, Dr Vasquez makes it easier than ever for clinicians to grasp important concepts in integrative care and functional medicine and then to translate the basic science research and molecular biology into treatment plans that can be explained and used in " the real world " of clinical practice with patients. The associated video tutorials and recorded live conference presentations further help students and clinicians " get it " via Dr Vasquez's effective teaching style which embraces complexity while always emphasizing clinical applicability and psychosocial context. The Inflammation Mastery & Functional Inflammation Mastery & Functional Inflammation Mastery & Functional Inflammation Mastery & Functional Inflammology series of books and videos Inflammology series of books and videos Inflammology series of books and videos Inflammology series of books and videos translates important concepts and nutritional/biomedical science into easy and practical clinical applications for the prevention and treatment of disorders of sustained inflammation, which Dr Vasquez describes as " patterns of metabolic disturbance and inflammatory dysfunction " existing in three sequential and overlapping categories: 1) metabolic inflammation, 2) allergic inflammation, 3) autoimmune inflammation. This book includes access to video presentations which introduce the origin and components of the Functional Inflammology Protocol and FINDSEX ® acronym. Post-publication updates to this information and important social and clinical contextualization are made available in videos and online repositories (access provided in the book), and the e-newsletter available from ICHNFM.ORG. This textbook also provides access, via reprints or hyperlinks, to Dr Vasquez's published articles—an example of which is his recent paradigm-shifting editorial published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine (2014 January). The updated section on pain management allows students and clinicians to understand and apply manual, pharmacologic, nutritional and botanical medicine treatments for musculoskeletal pain, thereby providing better relief for patients and avoiding the hazards of NSAIDs, coxibs, steroids, opioids, immunosuppressants and biologics.

Study Guide and Exercises for Human Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Clinical Disease: Textbook and Presentation Slides

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Excerpt from Chapter 1: Copyright © 2004-2021 by Dr Alex Vasquez. Published most recently in Inflammation Mastery, 4th Edition (InflammationMastery.com) and Textbook of Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine.    All rights reserved and enforced. See update/overview 14Aug2021 at HealthyThinking.substack.com

Modulation of genetic expression by the skillful use of dietary, nutritional, and botanical interventions is clearly the leading edge of modern nutritional practice. Thus, familiarity with the concepts and implementation of "nutrigenomics" must become incorporated into the clinical skill set of chiropractic and naturopathic physicians. This article focuses on the nutritional and botanical inhibition of the primary "amplifier of inflammation" known as nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). From both clinical and pharmacological standpoints, the safe and effective inhibition of NF-kappaB is considered a major therapeutic goal for the prevention and treatment of conditions associated with an upregulated inflammatory response, namely diabetes, arthritis, cancer, autoimmunity, and the aging process in general. This article introduces concepts and terminology that will facilitate the effective clinical implementation of a nutritional protocol aimed at relieving excess inflammation by inhibiting NF-kappaB.

This short book includes two Do It Yourself Diagnostic Imaging methods...With a camera & a computer with internet connection, you can edit a picture of where your lump or bump is, & see its biochemistry under the skin, & if there is cancer present...There is also a brief article helping someone to begin an Alternative anticancer regime...Feel free to join the DIY Cancer Repair Manual Facebook group, & contact Sari grove if you need help editing your pictures or understanding what they mean...

Conference Speakers:
• Dr Jeffrey Bland, PhD FACN
• Dr Alex Vasquez, DC ND DO
• Dr Loren Cordain, PhD
• Prof Dr Garth L. Nicolson, PhD
• Dr James OKeefe, MD
• Dr Michael J. Gonzalez, PhD DSc
• Dr Deanna Minich, PhD FACN
• Dr Matthew Hirschey, PhD
• Dr Lynda Frassetto, MD
• Dr David H Haase, MD
• Dr Kenneth Cintron, MD
• Mr. Jeffrey Smith, GMO expert
• Dr. Thomas O'Bryan, DC
• Pedro Bastos MA MS Ph.D. candidate (Lund University, Sweden)
• Maelan Fontes MS PhD candidate (Lund University, Sweden)

Infographics: D3 dose size determines clinical effect: Modest physiologic doses (demonstrated above) follow first-order pharmacokinetics characterized by a dose-response relationship that is predictable and also which does not result in significant accumulation of D3 relative to 25(OH)D; in contrast, unnatural bolus dosing of D3 follows unpredictable zero-order kinetics resulting in >500x non-physiologic elevations of D3 relative to deficient 25(OH)D with antagonistic biochemical/physiological effects leading to negative clinical consequences (Heaney Am J Clin Nutr 2008 Jun; Vieth, "Chapter 57: Pharmacology of Vitamin D" in Vitamin D, 3rd Ed., Academic, 2011).

Previous titles:
1. Death of the Vitamin D Bolus and Pandemic Consequences of Codified Confusion
2. Vitamin D3 Dosing and Dogma: Mechanistic Explanation for the Failure of the Bolus Depot

Phrases coined: pharmacotheism
Related articles and videos are provided on this page https://www.inflammationmastery.com/d

Full video: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fibromyalgia2019 Abstract: In this 2-hour presentation, Dr Vasquez provides an overview of fibromyalgia, its cause and clinical treatment. This summarizing presentation is based on Dr Vasquez's previous publications on fibromyalgia, starting with the clinical monograph commissioned by the Institute for Functional Medicine in 2008 accredited for continuing medical education (CME), updates to this work in the 2012 edition of Integrative Orthopedics, and the complete re-working of this clinical model and therapeutic protocol in 2016 in Inflammation Mastery 4th Edition, also published as Textbook of Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine (volume 2). Dr Vasquez has lectured internationally on this topic and has published peer-reviewed articles in a wide range of journals including British Medical Journal, Nature Reviews Rheumatology, JAMA, Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. Additional details and treatments are published in the 2016 books, also Pain Revolution (full-color printing ISBN 1522951008) and Brain Inflammation (grayscale printing ISBN 1530471893).

This compilation document contains the following articles/excerpts:
1. Vasquez A. Scotland's public health programs and trends improving nutritional status should be considered when discussing HPV trends [rapid response]. BMJ.com/content/365/bmj.l1375/rr-4 2019 Apr
2. Vasquez A. Unified Antiviral Strategy published by ICHNFM. International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine 2014 Oct
3. Vasquez A. Translating Microbiome (Microbiota) and Dysbiosis Research into Clinical Practice: The 20-Year Development of a Structured Approach that Gives Actionable Form to Intellectual Concepts. International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine 2015 Jun
4. Vasquez A. Antiviral Strategies and Immune Nutrition [book excerpt, most recent source Inflammation Mastery 4th Edition https://www.ichnfm.org/im4]. International College of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, 2014 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OPDQG4W
5. Vasquez A, Gilbert Manso, M.D., John Cannell, M.D. The Clinical Importance of Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol): A Paradigm Shift with Implications for All Healthcare Providers. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2004
6. Antiviral Nutrition Update #1 for 2018: Clinical Trial of Vitamin D3 against HPV/CIN1 [video transcript] https://vimeo.com/251566879

See also:
7. Vasquez A. Scotland's public health campaigns to improve vitamin D nutriture occurred within the same timeframe as HPV vaccination [rapid response]. BMJ.com/content/365/bmj.l1161/rr-8 2019 Apr

This compilation document contains the following articles/excerpts:
1. Vasquez A. Scotland's public health campaigns to improve vitamin D nutriture occurred within the same timeframe as HPV vaccination [rapid response]. BMJ.com/content/365/bmj.l1161/rr-8 2019 Apr
2. Vasquez A. Unified Antiviral Strategy published by ICHNFM. International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine 2014 Oct
3. Vasquez A. Translating Microbiome (Microbiota) and Dysbiosis Research into Clinical Practice: The 20-Year Development of a Structured Approach that Gives Actionable Form to Intellectual Concepts. International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine 2015 Jun
4. Vasquez A. Antiviral Strategies and Immune Nutrition [book excerpt, most recent source Inflammation Mastery 4th Edition https://www.ichnfm.org/im4]. International College of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, 2014 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OPDQG4W
5. Vasquez A, Gilbert Manso, M.D., John Cannell, M.D. The Clinical Importance of Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol): A Paradigm Shift with Implications for All Healthcare Providers. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2004
6. Antiviral Nutrition Update #1 for 2018: Clinical Trial of Vitamin D3 against HPV/CIN1 [video transcript] https://vimeo.com/251566879

See also:
7. Vasquez A. Scotland's public health programs and trends improving nutritional status should be considered when discussing HPV trends [rapid response]. BMJ.com/content/365/bmj.l1375/rr-4 2019 Apr

Antiviral Nutrition Update #1 for 2018:
Clinical Trial of Vitamin D3 against HVP/CIN1: The video of this presentation is archived at ichnfm.org/hpv1, and the transcript in PDF format—which is considered the final and citable version—is archived at academia.edu/35808436; any corrections or updates will be made to the PDF file. Observe that this video presentation is truly an *update* subsequent to previous publications and that therefore not all sources are cited; for citations, see the video, and for complete citations regarding the protocol in its entirety, see the book Antiviral Strategies and Immune Nutrition or the ebook version titled Antiviral Nutrition. Citation: Vasquez A. Antiviral Nutrition Update #2 for 2018. Video presentation (ichnfm.org/hpv2) and official transcript (academia.edu/35808436) 2018 January

Primary reference: Antiviral Strategies and Immune Nutrition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1502894890/ also published in digital ebook format as Antiviral Nutrition (Kindle ebook) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OPDQG4W. Also published in Inflammation Mastery, 4th Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KMZZLAQ/ and Textbook of Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine, vol. 1: Essential Knowledge for Safe Action and Effective Treatment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JDIOHR6/

PRESENTATION TRANSCRIPT: Integrating Functional and Naturopathic Medicine Concepts and Therapeutics into Medical Practice for Common Primary Care and Specialty Conditions: Key Concepts and Paradigm Shifts in Clinical Care, 2020 May; because of the difficulty in uploading updates to this Academia website, any future updates will be posted to: https://www.inflammationmastery.com/medical
Date of most recent update: 18 May 2020

Note article + attachments: Authors of a meta-analysis recently published in JAMA Cardiology concluded that omega-3 fatty acids have no significant association with fatal or nonfatal coronary heart disease or any major vascular events. This critical review examines participant profile, intervention dosage, bioavailability of intervention, and duration of therapy for the cited trials and determines that the conclusion of the meta-analysis is tentative at best.

Thank you for nearly 8,000 downloads of the original document, updated in 2019 and relocated https://www.academia.edu/39481031  Nutritional and Botanical Treatments Against “Silent Infections” and Gastrointestinal Dysbiosis, Commonly Overlooked Causes of Neuromusculoskeletal Inflammation and Chronic Health Problems. Nutr Perspectives 2006

Document relocated to https://www.academia.edu/39907759 for updates  [Unfortunately the PDF contains a few typographical errors; coauthor is Joseph Pizzorno] Evidence-based medicine—by definition—requires objective, reliable and accurate research and reviews from which to make the best decisions in patient care and public policy. The causes of inaccurate information, ranging from presumably innocent mistakes all the way to overt intentional fraud, affect all scientific and biomedical disciplines.[1] While these accidental and intentional errors can derail our understanding of diseases and thereby impact tens of thousands of affected patients, such inaccuracies in the field of nutrition have the ability to impact hundreds of millions of persons worldwide[2] because, whereas fractions of the population succumb to a specific disease that may “necessitate” drug therapy, the entire human population eats food and is thereby affected by nutrition research. Further, the science of nutrition is particularly contentious, territorial, and ironic. The great irony of nutrition research is that most of it is conducted by (medical) professionals with zero formal training in nutrition; clinical therapeutic nutrition is not taught in the vast majority of medical schools[3] [4] [5] nor in post-graduate medical training programs[6], including those specialties that are obviously impacted by dietary intake such as gastroenterology[7] and cardiology.[8] [9] Despite this absence of training in clinical nutrition, the medical profession deems and proclaims itself authoritative on all health-related topics, including the entire territory of clinical nutrition.[10] A major point of contention arises when unskilled and invalid research is published by medical authors (including nonphysician journalists[11]) in major journals, thereby mischaracterizing the validity of nutrition interventions (e.g., essentially always concluding that nutritional interventions are inefficacious or potentially hazardous) and then such research is used as political fodder in attempts to disparage, restrict and regulate the entire nutrition supplement industry[12] to the benefit of the medical profession and pharmaceutical industry. Several factors disrupting the integrity of this nutrition research are commonly found in studies published by “elite” universities in “top-tier” journals, which are then republished and distributed as “headlining news” in newspapers, magazines, and television via which they ultimately influence patient care, government policy and health outcomes for tens/hundreds of millions of people. This editorial provides several recent examples of questionable nutrition research and publications and thereafter describes possible causes and lists some proposed solutions.

This is the final edited version of the conference presentation delivered in 2020 May; because of the difficulty in uploading updates to this Academia website, any future updates will be posted to: https://www.inflammationmastery.com/medical

As a researcher, author, clinician, and recent (2015) reviewer for PLOS One, I am writing with great concern about the editorial quality and review process of this previously esteemed journal, particularly with regard to the article discussed below. This Letter was sent to the PLOS One Editor by email on 20 July 2017 with receipt acknowledged on 21 July 2017; the response that "We encourage you to contact the corresponding authors of the article directly" is absurd as it will not address either the 1) lack of editorial quality, 2) the defects in the review process, or 3) the [in my opinion] erroneous publication of this article. Oddly, PLOS One does not publish letters and therefore provides no means for the archived biomedical record (e.g., in Pubmed, PubMed Central, Europe PMC, etc) to be corrected; the only public-access option provided by PLOS One is a comments section on their own website which is virtually invisible and unknown to people accessing the article via indexed databases. Thus, given the aforementioned lackluster response and nearly nonexistent channels to correct and critique this PLOS One article, this critique is published online publicly and also noted via Pubmed Commons.

In this excerpt from Inflammation Mastery, 4th Edition (InflammationMastery.com) and Textbook of Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Dr Vasquez provides pages discussing "Iron Deficiency, Interpretation of Serum Ferritin Table, Management Diagram"

Transitioning from one year to the next: Various cultures since time immemorial have marked and celebrated the winter solstice with celebrations, meals with friends and family, and time away from work; transitioning from one calendar year to the next has given people pause and a moment to reflect on the events that happened in the past year and what might be anticipated in the next. Reflection with anticipation along with the realization that the future is somewhat malleable inclines people to imagine how the future might be shaped by the exertion of some modicum of creativity and effort. Any realistic conception of how we might improve the near future must segue from our recent past; we must have an awareness of what is going on around us as we look toward the future to visualize ourselves living within it and also acting upon it. What is going on in the world and how I how might I act upon that trend and flow in order to improve both its transition and its destination? What should each of us do on a personal level to (in the words of Mahatma Gandhi) be, embody, and materialize the change(s) that we want to see in the world?

FINAL VERSION UPLOADED 12 Apr 2015: The purpose of this article is to briefly outline the arguments for and against and to invite proponents of "medically endorsed nutritional deficiency" to clearly articulate their position, its mechanisms, and to provide a risk/cost-benefit ratio substantiating what is otherwise contrary to the bulk of science and clinical practice on this topic.

The recent article by Cutshall, Bergstrom, Kalish titled "Evaluation of a functional medicine approach to treating fatigue, stress, and digestive issues in women" in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2016 May) conveys faulty study design and irreproducible methods, including incomplete description of assessments (laboratory methodology) and interventions (treatments used). For the use of steroid hormones, the dose is not described by the authors, and parameters for appropriate use (including patient selection, duration of use, potential risks) are not described, suggesting that the authors are either unaware of or indifferent to such risks and the need for appropriate use; propagation of such perspectives encourages irresponsible use of these steroid hormones by practitioners or, perhaps worse, by the general public at large who might be inclined to follow the treatment protocol described. The article contains nonstandard terminology without definition, justification, or citation; several important assertions are unsupported by citation. Their limiting description of functional medicine as a "model is focused on restoring optimal functioning of 3 body systems: hormonal, digestive, and detoxification" is discordant with more authoritative descriptions provided by Institute for Functional Medicine and International College of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. The author of this review asserts that this study is neither properly conducted nor properly reported, that it is not an accurate representation of functional medicine, and that the treatment protocol as it is potentially dangerous either via its faulty description or its inappropriate implementation. Affiliations / Brief biography (limited to 75 words): Alex Vasquez DC ND DO FACN is Director of the International College of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine (ICHNFM.ORG) in the United States and Europe. Dr Vasquez lectures and consults internationally and has published more than 100 professional articles and letters and more than 12 books, most recently including Inflammation Mastery Fourth Edition. Dr Vasquez has served as a consultant researcher and lecturer for Biotics Research Corporation.

Faulty methodology leads to inaccurate and/or misleading conclusions that—rather than advancing science and patient care—actually retards advancement, adds confusion to the scientific literature, and—especially in the case of so-called “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) and functional medicine—leaves the entire field open to easy attack by medical detractors. Standards for maintaining integrity in functional medicine research are the same as for other types of biomedical and psychosocial research and include at least the following: