In This Edition:
- What’s New at FMP Essentials: Stay updated on upcoming courses, practitioner meet-ups, and exciting announcements, and new educational content.
- MASLD and Brain Health: Check out this new study diving into the link between MASLD and cognitive decline—even in lean individuals—highlighting the need for early intervention and liver-focused care.
- Private Mastermind Podcast Spotlight: Tune in to our latest episode on the functional medicine approach to breast cancer with Elizabeth Boham, MD.
- Blog Feature: This month’s blog explores how elevated Lp(a) increases cardiovascular risk and how functional medicine can support patients through testing, risk reduction, and emerging therapies.
Stay informed, engaged, and ahead of the curve with this month’s updates!
What's New At FMP Essentials?
- IFM's AFMCP Europe Program: Dr. Elyaman was an instructor for IFM's Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) Europe program in London this past weekend!
- Xymogen Xperience is happening this weekend (April 12–13) at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District in Dallas, TX! Dr. Elyaman will be speaking on the functional medicine approach to dementia in his talk, "Cracking the Dementia Code: Functional Medicine Strategies for Cognitive Health and Resilience."
- Attendees will gain insights into:
- âś… Key biomarkers and clinical assessments for cognitive function.
- âś… The role of inflammation, mitochondrial health, and metabolic balance in brain aging.
- âś… Nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted interventions to support cognitive wellness.
- âś… Practical, actionable strategies to integrate into clinical practice.
- We're also excited to have our first FMP Essentials booth at the event—we hope to see you there!
- Attendees will gain insights into:
- A4M Spring Congress: We are hosting a meetup at the A4M Spring Congress that is taking place April 24-26. If you are attending the conference and would like to connect with fellow functional medicine practitioners, we'd love to meet you in person. Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining the meetup.
- Dr. Terry Wahls' Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Summit: Dr. Elyaman will join Dr. Wahls and 40+ world-leading experts at her upcoming summit, running April 29 – May 5. Learn more about the event by clicking here.
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Mastermind: We continue to work on our Silver and Gold memberships which are set to launch in mid-2025, offering advanced clinical content and leadership development tools. Click here to join the waitlist!
MASLD and Brain Health: What the Latest Research Reveals
We often think of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) as a silent condition affecting only the liver—but new research highlights a much broader impact. A recent 2025 study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism suggests that MASLD may also be tied to changes in brain structure and cognitive decline, even in patients without obesity or other metabolic risk factors.
Study Overview
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Objective:
To assess the link between MASLD, brain structure changes, and cognitive function over time. -
Participants:
2,155 middle-aged adults from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study, including individuals both with and without MASLD. -
Methods:
All participants underwent brain MRIs and cognitive testing at baseline and again after 4 years.
Key Findings
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MASLD increased the risk of developing white matter hyperintensities (WMH) by 35%
(RR 1.35, p = 0.006) -
Hepatic steatosis alone predicted WMH, independent of other metabolic comorbidities
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Greater liver fat (indicated by a lower liver attenuation index) was associated with executive function decline
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The strongest effects were seen in non-obese individuals (BMI <25)
Interpretation of the Results
This study reinforces that liver fat is not just a metabolic issue—it may directly impact brain health. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are well-established precursors to cognitive impairment and dementia, and their presence in individuals with MASLD—even those without obesity—suggests a broader neuroinflammatory effect.
These findings emphasize the importance of early detection and intervention, regardless of a patient’s BMI or standard metabolic labs. Cognitive decline may begin before any outward signs of metabolic dysfunction, highlighting the need to integrate liver health into brain health strategies.
The Functional Medicine Lens
This research supports a more proactive, whole-person approach in functional medicine:
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Screen for cognitive symptoms in MASLD—even in lean patients
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Emphasize liver support as part of brain health protocols
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Don’t wait for abnormal metabolic labs—hepatic steatosis may still be present and clinically relevant
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Address steatosis early using nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation
Want to Learn More?
Explore our Fatty Liver Course to dive deeper into advanced, targeted interventions—including phosphatidylcholine, omega-3s, curcumin, and more—to reverse hepatic steatosis and improve outcomes.
References:
Check Out This Month's Podcast Episode
🎧 New Podcast Episode: A Functional Medicine Approach to Breast Cancer
This month on the FMP Essentials Show, Dr. Yousef Elyaman is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Boham—IFM educator, physician at the UltraWellness Center, and breast cancer survivor—to explore the functional medicine approach to breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and recovery.
Here’s a glimpse of what they discuss:
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Dr. Boham’s Personal Story – How her diagnosis with triple-negative breast cancer during residency shaped her perspective as a physician and patient.
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Root Causes & Risk Factors – The role of environmental toxins, insulin resistance, stress, and sleep disruption in breast cancer development.
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The Power of Mindset – Why emotional resilience, gratitude, and support systems are key parts of the healing journey.
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Functional Lab Testing – From beta-glucuronidase and estrogen metabolism to CRP and bioimpedance for tracking terrain imbalances.
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Treatment Support – Lifestyle strategies, detox plans, and key supplements like sulforaphane, melatonin, and mushrooms for immune support.
This episode is filled with practical insights and heartfelt reflections practitioners won’t want to miss. 🎙️
How to watch/listen: Log into your account, select the Bronze Mastermind, and scroll down to the "Expert Interviews, Insights & Podcasts" section to find the episode.
Check Out This Month's Blog Post
Lp(a) and Cardiovascular Risk: A Functional Medicine Guide
Lipoprotein(a) is a genetically driven cardiovascular risk factor often missed in standard lipid panels. This month’s blog breaks down what Lp(a) is, why it matters, how to test for it, and what to do when it’s elevated. Learn how emerging therapies like pelacarsen and olpasiran are changing the landscape—and how functional medicine can support patients through targeted risk reduction strategies.
Click here to view the article!
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-The FMP Essentials Team
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