Vitamins & Supplements

Holistic Practitioners Weigh in on “DSHEA 2.0”

By Erik Goldman, Editor

How do holistic and functional medicine practitioners feel about DSHEA and the peculiar language games it obliges supplement makers to play? Holistic Primary Care’s 2019 practitioner survey offers some interesting insights.

Can Probiotics Regulate Lipid Metabolism?

By Carrie Decker, ND, Contributing Writer

There’s ample data to show that gut bacteria affect mood, immune system health, sleep cycles, and response to stress. It turns out that the gut microbiome—at least certain microbial species within it—also play a role in lipid metabolism, suggesting that some types of probiotics may have heart health benefits.

Low Folate, MTHFR Polymorphisms Raise Risk of Congenital Heart Defects

By Kristen Schepker, Assistant Editor

Low folate status, combined with a cluster of certain folate-metabolizing genetic variants, is associated with increased risk of congenital heart disease (CHD). Mothers and children with certain polymorphisms within the MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR genes showed decreased folate and elevated homocysteine levels, both significant risk factors for CHD.

Gottlieb Resignation Leaves Key Supplement Rules in Limbo

By Erik Goldman, Editor

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s surprise resignation earlier this month sent shockwaves through the natural products industries. His departure at the end of March will leave two key aspects of dietary supplement regulation in limbo: the legality of CBD supplements, and the possibility of a major revision of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).

Hemp & CBD: Evidence, Evangelism & Extreme Exuberance

By Erik Goldman, Editor

If you are confused about the therapeutic value of hemp oil, cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabis-related substances, and you’re scratching your head trying to figure out what’s legal and what’s not, that’s good: It means you’re paying attention.  Yes, there is some evidence, but there’s also a lot of evangelism. Clinicians face the challenge of separating the scientific realities from the hype. 

Cannabis: State of the Science

By Erik Goldman, Editor

Is there any solid science to support the use of phytocannabinoids in clinical practice? The answer is yes….and no.

It depends on how you define “cannabis” and “cannabinoids;” whether you’re talking about inhaled (ie, smoked or vaped), ingested, or sublingual delivery; and of course, which diseases you’re considering.

Cannabis & Hemp: A Regulatory Update

By Erik Goldman, Editor

The year 2018 was a landmark in the history of hemp and cannabis in the US. It was the year the FDA approved the first natural cannabis-derived prescription drug, and Congress passed a Farm Bill that included provisions legalizing cultivation of, and interstate commerce in, low-THC hemp. But the laws and regulation around hemp and cannabis remain a confusing patchwork, and some states are taking regulatory actions that run counter to the new federal provisions.

Cannabis, Hemp, Marijuana: What’s in a Name?

By Erik Goldman, Editor

Amid the current rage for all things cannabis, there is a lot of confusion about the terminology used to describe this plant and compounds extracted from it.

Part of that confusion arises from the Farm Bill of 2018, which changes some federal definitions. These changes have major implications for legal and regulatory policy.  Here’s a guide to common cannabis-related terms and their current definitions.