Dr. Michael Ruscio’s Monthly – Future of Functional Medicine Review Clinical Newsletter
Practical Solutions for Practitioners
In Today’s Issue
Practitioner Question of the Month
Practice Tip
Practitioner Question of the Month
Eli asks, “I understand probiotics can improve digestive function, but which one is the best to start with?”
Good question Eli. There is no one best answer here. You could make an argument that category 1 (lacto-bifido predominated formula) is the most well-researched category. However, some may counter that those who are histamine sensitive may do better on a soil-based formula (category 3). I’m not convinced of the counter-argument, however, I am open. I feel the counter-argument more emanates from soil-based manufactures looking for a marketable differentiating factor rather than from proof that this is a better place to start.
So, you can really start with any category; perhaps start with category one of you desire to be more evidence-based, or with category three if you are more concerned about histamine (although this is an untenable assumption).
Practice Tip
Periodically audit your office systems.
Things can break, and staff can drift into bad habits. This is why it’s important to periodically audit (or “check in” on) your systems and staff. This can be a simple process that includes:
- Calling your office and see how you are greeted, or have someone else call and listen in
- Email your office doing the same
- Have someone go through the new patient intake process and report to you on their experience
- Have a package mailed to someone and inspect, if you mail out items
- Check your billing, or have your accountant or bookkeeper perform a billing audit
- Check the documentation and feedback your staff is providing to your patients; paperwork, treatment programs, handouts, etc…
- Email your patients directly asking “What can we do better?”
The goal is not the ‘catch people making mistakes’ but rather to identify broken systems or deviations from working systems. Then to better understand why this happens and go to work providing the support and resources needed to fix it.
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I’d like to hear your thoughts or questions regarding any of the above information. Please leave comments or questions below – it might become our next practitioner question of the month.
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Do you plan to release further commentary on heavy metals and morbidity/mortality?
After your interview with Dr. Walsh I found this retrospective cohort review of 20,000 New Zealanders followed for 20 years showing no consistent link between mercury amalgams and disease, with the exception of Multiple Sclerosis which .had a HR of 1.24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15155698.
I suspect that there is a small subset of patients vulnerable to heavy metals who would benefit from detox, those with advancing neurologic diseases or autoimmunity unresponsive to other treatments.
Have you found any reliable clinical signs or conditions in which you WOULD refer a patient for heavy metal detox?
More to follow here soon…
Looking forward to it. Thank you for presenting consistently helpful clinical information- It has absolutely accelerated my development in functional medicine. So glad I have access to this information at the early phase in my career.
Way back in your November case series you mention troubleshooting common problems seen on an elemental diet.
Can you expand on the most common problems you see while implementing the ED or SED?
What role does oil of oregano play in helping reduce those problems?
I observe that oregano can be caustic / irritating to some patients and always have them take it with food. It seems that these issues would be worse on an ED…
I’m going to do a post or question of the month on this soon. Stand by
Way back in your November case series you mention troubleshooting common problems seen on an elemental diet.
Can you expand on the most common problems you see while implementing the ED or SED?
What role does oil of oregano play in helping reduce those problems?
I observe that oregano can be caustic / irritating to some patients and always have them take it with food. It seems that these issues would be worse on an ED…
I’m going to do a post or question of the month on this soon. Stand by
Do you plan to release further commentary on heavy metals and morbidity/mortality?
After your interview with Dr. Walsh I found this retrospective cohort review of 20,000 New Zealanders followed for 20 years showing no consistent link between mercury amalgams and disease, with the exception of Multiple Sclerosis which .had a HR of 1.24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15155698.
I suspect that there is a small subset of patients vulnerable to heavy metals who would benefit from detox, those with advancing neurologic diseases or autoimmunity unresponsive to other treatments.
Have you found any reliable clinical signs or conditions in which you WOULD refer a patient for heavy metal detox?
More to follow here soon…
Looking forward to it. Thank you for presenting consistently helpful clinical information- It has absolutely accelerated my development in functional medicine. So glad I have access to this information at the early phase in my career.