Additional Resources & References
Explore our curated collection of scientific references, expert insights, and additional resources to deepen your understanding of natural approaches to optimizing blood work values.
Scientific References
Natural Remedies Research
Coconut Oil
- Eyres L, et al. (2016). "Coconut oil consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in humans." Nutrition Reviews, 74(4), 267-280.
- Cardoso DA, et al. (2015). "A coconut extra virgin oil-rich diet increases HDL cholesterol and decreases waist circumference and body mass in coronary artery disease patients." Nutricion Hospitalaria, 32(5), 2144-2152.
- Nagao K, Yanagita T. (2010). "Medium-chain fatty acids: functional lipids for the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome." Pharmacological Research, 61(3), 208-212.
Oregano Oil
- Coccimiglio J, et al. (2016). "Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Cytotoxic Activities of the Ethanolic Origanum vulgare Extract and Its Major Constituents." Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2016, 1404505.
- Zou Y, et al. (2016). "Oregano Essential Oil Improves Intestinal Morphology and Expression of Tight Junction Proteins Associated with Modulation of Selected Intestinal Bacteria and Immune Status in a Pig Model." BioMed Research International, 2016, 5436738.
- Force M, et al. (2000). "Inhibition of enteric parasites by emulsified oil of oregano in vivo." Phytotherapy Research, 14(3), 213-214.
Turmeric/Curcumin
- Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS. (2017). "Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health." Foods, 6(10), 92.
- Panahi Y, et al. (2017). "Curcuminoid treatment for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial." Phytotherapy Research, 31(11), 1766-1772.
- Rahmani AH, et al. (2018). "Role of Curcumin in Disease Prevention and Treatment." Advanced Biomedical Research, 7, 38.
Milk Thistle
- Abenavoli L, et al. (2018). "Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum): A Concise Overview on its Chemistry, Pharmacological, and Nutraceutical Uses in Liver Diseases." Phytotherapy Research, 32(11), 2202-2213.
- Federico A, et al. (2017). "Silymarin/Silybin and Chronic Liver Disease: A Marriage of Many Years." Molecules, 22(2), 191.
- Gillessen A, Schmidt HH. (2020). "Silymarin as Supportive Treatment in Liver Diseases: A Narrative Review." Advances in Therapy, 37(4), 1279-1301.
Essential Minerals Research
Magnesium
- Rosanoff A, et al. (2012). "Suboptimal magnesium status in the United States: are the health consequences underestimated?" Nutrition Reviews, 70(3), 153-164.
- Barbagallo M, Dominguez LJ. (2015). "Magnesium and type 2 diabetes." World Journal of Diabetes, 6(10), 1152-1157.
- Guerrero-Romero F, et al. (2015). "Oral magnesium supplementation improves glycaemic status in subjects with prediabetes and hypomagnesaemia: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial." Diabetes & Metabolism, 41(3), 202-207.
Potassium
- Aburto NJ, et al. (2013). "Effect of increased potassium intake on cardiovascular risk factors and disease: systematic review and meta-analyses." BMJ, 346, f1378.
- Weaver CM. (2013). "Potassium and health." Advances in Nutrition, 4(3), 368S-377S.
- Stone MS, et al. (2016). "Potassium Intake, Bioavailability, Hypertension, and Glucose Control." Nutrients, 8(7), 444.
Sodium Balance
- O'Donnell M, et al. (2014). "Urinary sodium and potassium excretion, mortality, and cardiovascular events." New England Journal of Medicine, 371(7), 612-623.
- Graudal N, et al. (2014). "Compared with usual sodium intake, low- and excessive-sodium diets are associated with increased mortality: a meta-analysis." American Journal of Hypertension, 27(9), 1129-1137.
- Farquhar WB, et al. (2015). "Dietary Sodium and Health: More Than Just Blood Pressure." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 65(10), 1042-1050.
Trace Minerals
- Prashanth L, et al. (2015). "A review on role of essential trace elements in health and disease." Journal of Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, 4(2), 75-85.
- Wiernsperger N, Rapin J. (2010). "Trace elements in glucometabolic disorders: an update." Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 2, 70.
- Huskisson E, et al. (2007). "The role of vitamins and minerals in energy metabolism and well-being." Journal of International Medical Research, 35(3), 277-289.
Detoxification Research
Liver Detoxification
- Hodges RE, Minich DM. (2015). "Modulation of Metabolic Detoxification Pathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review with Clinical Application." Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2015, 760689.
- Stickel F, Schuppan D. (2007). "Herbal medicine in the treatment of liver diseases." Digestive and Liver Disease, 39(4), 293-304.
- Grant DM. (1991). "Detoxification pathways in the liver." Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease, 14(4), 421-430.
Kidney Support
- Yarnell E. (2002). "Botanical medicines for the urinary tract." World Journal of Urology, 20(5), 285-293.
- Clare BA, et al. (2009). "The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(8), 929-934.
- Beaux D, et al. (1999). "Effect of extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth, Hieracium pilosella L., Sambucus nigra L. and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. in rats." Phytotherapy Research, 13(3), 222-225.
Scientific Perspective on "Detox"
- Klein AV, Kiat H. (2015). "Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence." Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 28(6), 675-686.
- Cline JC. (2015). "Nutritional aspects of detoxification in clinical practice." Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 21(3), 54-62.
- Sears ME. (2015). "Chelation: Harnessing and Enhancing Heavy Metal Detoxification—A Review." The Scientific World Journal, 2015, 821824.
Expert Resources
Functional Medicine Resources
Functional medicine approaches focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease, with particular emphasis on biochemical individuality and systems biology.
Naturopathic Medicine Resources
Naturopathic medicine combines traditional healing wisdom with modern scientific research, emphasizing the body's inherent self-healing capacity and natural therapeutic approaches.
Integrative Medicine Resources
Integrative medicine combines conventional Western medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies, addressing the whole person including mind, body, and spirit.
Nutritional Medicine Resources
Nutritional medicine focuses on the use of food and targeted supplementation to address biochemical imbalances and support optimal physiological function.
Educational Resources
Books
The Detox Prescription
Evidence-based approaches to supporting the body's natural detoxification systems, with a focus on practical, sustainable strategies.
The Magnesium Miracle
Comprehensive guide to magnesium's role in health, with protocols for addressing various conditions through magnesium supplementation.
Herbal Medicine: From the Heart of the Earth
Scientific and practical guide to using herbs for various health conditions, including liver and kidney support.
Textbook of Functional Medicine
Comprehensive reference on functional medicine approaches to chronic disease, including metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.
Online Courses
Metabolic Detoxification
Institute for Functional Medicine
Evidence-based approaches to supporting the body's detoxification pathways, with clinical applications.
Learn MoreNutritional and Environmental Medicine
ACNEM
Training in nutritional approaches to chronic disease, with emphasis on evidence-based interventions.
Learn MoreHerbal Medicine for Modern Clinical Practice
American Herbalists Guild
Scientific foundation and clinical applications of botanical medicine for various health conditions.
Learn MoreIntegrative Approaches to Cardiometabolic Health
University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
Evidence-based natural approaches to cardiovascular and metabolic health optimization.
Learn MoreResearch Databases
PubMed
Comprehensive database of biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books.
Access DatabaseCochrane Library
Collection of high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making, including systematic reviews.
Access DatabaseNatural Medicines Database
Evidence-based information about complementary and alternative therapies, including herbs and supplements.
Access DatabaseNCCIH Research Resources
Research resources from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Access DatabaseProfessional Organizations
Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)
Leading organization in the field of functional medicine, providing education, research, and clinical resources.
Focus Areas: Functional medicine, systems biology, personalized healthcare
Resources: Educational programs, research, clinical tools, practitioner directory
Visit WebsiteAmerican Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
Professional association representing licensed naturopathic doctors, promoting natural medicine and research.
Focus Areas: Naturopathic medicine, natural therapies, preventive healthcare
Resources: Educational materials, research, practitioner directory, advocacy
Visit WebsiteAcademy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM)
Interprofessional association for practitioners in integrative health and medicine, promoting whole-person care.
Focus Areas: Integrative medicine, holistic healthcare, interprofessional collaboration
Resources: Conferences, education, research, networking, practitioner directory
Visit WebsiteAmerican Herbalists Guild (AHG)
Professional organization promoting clinical herbalism and herbal education in the United States.
Focus Areas: Herbal medicine, botanical therapies, traditional healing practices
Resources: Educational programs, research, practitioner directory, publications
Visit WebsiteDisclaimer
The resources and references provided on this page are for educational and informational purposes only. They do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, dietary change, or therapeutic approach, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications.
The inclusion of external resources and links does not imply endorsement of all content on those sites. We have made efforts to provide high-quality, evidence-based resources, but cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of information on external websites.
Individual responses to natural remedies, minerals, and detoxification approaches vary. What works for one person may not work for another, and some approaches may be contraindicated for certain individuals.