The Proof is in the Research!
A response by Dr. Michael Wald to uneducated medical doctors who say, “You’re crazy…nutrition doesn’t work!”
I am constantly asked by my patients, “Doc, why is it that my doctor(s) do not believe in nutrition for my health problem. They got very upset when I doubted them and said that nutritional approaches are unproven.” When it comes down to it, I think
Dermatology
New developments in our understanding of acne pathogenesis and treatment.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19555434
About Acne: High glycemic load food (that cause blood sugar to increase) and milk may induce increased tissue levels of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (causing acne).
Hair loss in long-term or home parenteral nutrition: are micronutrient deficiencies to blame?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20823774
About Hair Loss – Micronutrient status is infrequently monitored and current recommendations for supplementation are nonspecific for hair loss in long-term parenteral nutrition. Studies are required to determine the incidence of marginal zinc, selenium, iron or biotin deficiencies that could manifest as hair loss.
Gastroenterology
L-arginine supplementation improves responses to injury and inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium colitis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22428068
About Colitis – L-Arginine treatment of mice with DSS colitis resulted in increased ex vivo migration of colonic epithelial cells, suggestive of increased capacity for wound repair.
Surgery
Perioperative nutrition and the use of nutritional supplements.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17430769
About Healing and Improved Healing – Nutritional intervention and supplementation may help curb some of these potential adverse affects of poor nutrition by promoting wound healing; enhancing immunity; reducing swelling, bruising, and inflammation; and reducing oxidation caused by anesthetic agents and surgery.
Cardiology, Pediatrics & Psychiatry
Polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3: new data on heart disease, cancer, immune resistance and mental depression.
About Heart Disease, Cancer, Immunity and Mental Depression
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21384741
Clinical and epidemiologic studies have shown a positive role for n-3 in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, infant development and more recently, in various mental illnesses, especially in depression.
Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, cognition, and behavior in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
About cognition, behavior in kids, ADHD and ADD
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22541055
Increases in erythrocyte ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically DHA, may improve literacy and behavior in children with ADHD. The greatest benefit may be observed in children who have comorbid learning difficulties.
Beneficial effects of herbs, spices, and medicinal plants on the metabolic syndrome, brain, and cognitive function.
About Herbs, Brain Function and Metabolic Syndrome.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23092406
Herbs can protect the nervous system improving brain function and also help blood sugar, blood fats and lower blood pressure (metabolic syndrome)
Neurology
The essential fatty acids omega-6 and omega-3: from their discovery to their use in therapy
About Heart Disease, Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18449139
They showed that raised levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 in tissue correlate with a reduced incidence of degenerative cardiovascular disease (by reducing inflammation), some mental illnesses such as depression, and neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Gerontology (aging medicine)
Lipid mediators in membrane rafts are important determinants of human health and disease.
About Overall Health
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17510668
Nutrition that affects the membranes of all cells can affect cancer, insulin resistance, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Immunology
Nutrition and immunity in cancer.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17922950
About Cancer, immunity and nutrition
This may be through a direct action on the immune system, either by enhancing or suppressing it, as well as on the development of the tumour itself, by modulating gene expression or by antioxidant activity. Protective effects can be achieved by adequate intakes of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, selenium and n-3 fatty acids among others
Infectious Disease
[Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): patient with sepsis].
About improving surgical outcomes and reducing complications.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22309758
Nutritional metabolic management, together with other treatment and support measures used, is one of the mainstays of the treatment of septic patients. Nutritional support should be started early, after initial life support measures, to avoid the consequences of malnutrition.
Gynecology
Intake of fruit, vegetables, and carotenoids in relation to risk of uterine leiomyomata.
About Fibroid Cysts
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22071705
These data suggest a reduced risk of UL among women with a greater dietary intake of fruit and preformed vitamin A.
Neonatology
Can nutritional modulation of maternal intestinal microbiota influence the development of the infant gastrointestinal tract?
About How Probiotics (healthy bacteria) Helps the Intestinal Tract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22990463
Particularly in early life, the composition of the microbiota profoundly influences the development and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) mucosa, which may affect health in later life.
So much for lack of evidence! The National Library of Medicine (NCBI) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/)
NCBI is where doctors go, or should go, to research scientific studies regarding virtually any area of health and disease. I have conducted a search of the major areas of medicine and the number of studies available that have investigated the effects of nutrition.
Cancer and Nutrition – 22204 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Immunity and Nutrition – 3907 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Dermatology and Nutrition – 284 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Gastroenterology and Nutrition – 7965 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Surgery and Nutrition – 27362 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Cardiology and Nutrition – 563 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Pediatrics and Nutrition – 8894 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Psychiatry and Nutrition – 772 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Neurology – 630 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Gerontology – 1436 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Infectious Disease – 2192 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Gynecology – 995 nutrition studies as of 10/2012
Neonatal – 4510 nutrition studies as of 10/2012