Despite the best efforts of clinicians, certain diseases are difficult to diagnose. Many conditions share common symptoms like inflammation, diarrhea, nausea, headache, constipation, and more, leaving physicians to make educated guesses based on the probability of a given disease. Under this framework, physicians are more inclined to diagnose common, yet relatively less harmful diseases first, than correct their diagnosis to a more serious disease later if necessary.

Alzheimer’s disease remains a debilitating and tragic disorder despite decades of scientific research attempting to find treatments and cures. Even with the advent of new drugs designed to slow the progression of the disease, patients and doctors alike are still looking for ways to stave off its onset and limit the severity of its cognitive effects. Patients now have reason to be hopeful, however. In the hunt for effective therapy, scientists are exploring a new therapeutic molecule: quercetin.

Brain fog: whether you’re experiencing it yourself or interacting with someone who is, it can be a frightening symptom. More formally known as mild cognitive dysfunction or mild cognitive impairment, brain fog is characterized by forgetfulness, trouble focusing, mental fatigue, sudden mind blanks, difficulty finding the right words when communicating, and a tendency toward “spacing out.” Additionally, brain fog is associated as a side effect of certain prescription medications.

Characterized by pain, diarrhea, bloating, discomfort, and constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can produce extreme discomfort that profoundly interferes with functionality and quality of life. Currently, the etiology of IBS remains unknown, and there is no therapy guaranteed to address the underlying pathology of the syndrome. Thus, all therapeutic options for IBS are currently intended to address symptoms rather than cure the condition. Although a variety of conventional therapies exist, their efficacy and tolerability vary, leaving many to seek out alternative and complementary options.

For patients who suffer from allergies, it can often feel like the therapeutic options are severely limited. The most commonly used pharmacological therapies—including antihistamines, corticosteroids, mast cell stabilizers, and decongestants—are not effective for all patients, and they can often result in side effects that disrupt everyday quality of life. After years of frustration with oral antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, inhaled corticosteroids, and other over-the-counter and prescription drugs, many patients are ready to explore alternative therapies to pharmacologics.

What if a stellar therapeutic benefit for Crohn’s disease has been sitting under doctors’ noses for even longer than they’ve known about the disease? What if patients could supplement their diets with a natural compound that could could help maintain a normal inflammatory response in their gut? In light of an abundance of research investigating the therapeutic value of derivatives of the turmeric plant, these hypotheticals are more likely than previously realized.

Does glutathione help Parkinson’s disease? That was the question posed by experts from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in a 2008 review paper. By the time of the study, the data supporting a potential role for glutathione supplements as an alternative therapy in Parkinson’s disease had been mounting for almost two decades, piquing the interest of researchers, patients, and practitioners alike.

For patients with gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nutritional supplementation can often make an important difference in quality of life. A growing body of evidence is now showing these therapies can address the underlying pathophysiology of these disorders, provide nutritional support for gastrointestinal symptoms, or address the indirect effects of the disorders on other body systems.

Systemic inflammation is detrimental to many of the body’s tissues and is implicated in countless diseases and health conditions ranging from the common flu to cancer. Emerging research is even linking systemic inflammation to unlikely conditions such as mood disorders and mild anxiety, expanding our understanding of the dangers posed by this circumstance.

As rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis continue to rise, the investigation into the potential causes of autism has intensified within the scientific community. As a result of these investigations, autism is currently understood to result from complex interactions between genetic and environmental variables. Now, research indicating that ASD might be caused by propionic acidemia (PA), an uncommon metabolic disorder, might give us even greater etiological insight.