Omega-7 Mixed Fatty Acid Supplementation Fails to Reduce Serum Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Trial.

We report the effects of mixed omega-7 fatty acid supplementation on changes in serum hsCRP, TNFα, and IL-6 levels and self-reported outcomes in people with non-specific chronic musculoskeletal discomfort. DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 1:1 randomized single crossover trial composed of 688 mg/day palmiteolate for the verum and an equivalent amount of medium-chain triglycerides for the placebo. METHOD: Data were analyzed in two independent groups and as a crossover group. RESULTS: From 211 screened participants in 2017-2019, 56 were randomized. Six participants dropped out and fifty completers contributed to the statistical analyses. At baseline, none of the investigated biomarkers were significantly correlated to subjectively assessed musculoskeletal discomfort levels. For the two-group analysis (n = 26 and n = 24), none of the serum biomarkers reached statistical significance; however, a statistically significant placebo effect was found in the subjective outcomes. CONCLUSION: For the crossover analysis (n = 50), three weeks of supplementation with n7FA containing 688 mg per day of palmiteolate did not reduce serum inflammatory biomarkers nor did it improve subjectively measured quality of life (QoL) compared to placebo. Future studies should explore appropriate biomarkers, sufficient power, length of dosing, inclusion criteria for volunteers with higher BMI, and the verification of cis-palmiteolate versus trans-palmiteolate.

Dispositional Humility Of Clinicians In An Interprofessional Primary Care Environment: A Mixed Methods Study.

OBJECTIVES: Dispositional humility in professionals is a character trait that allows one to monitor self-centered occupational drive and to pay attention to the needs of other professionals. The aim of this study is to test whether or not clinicians working in interprofessional team care environments identify the character trait of humility as an important factor for successful collaborative relationships. This study aimed to revise a concept map of dispositional humility created through literature review. DESIGN: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was composed of the HEXACO personality test and the Integrative Medicine Attitude Questionnaire, followed by summative and directed content analyses of one-on-one interview data in order to identify the element of dispositional humility. SETTING: In the State of Washington, USA, where physicians (MD/DO), nurse practitioners (NP) and naturopathic clinicians (ND) serve Medicaid patients in community clinics. PARTICIPANTS: 6 MDs, 4 NPs, and 11 NDs. RESULTS: Twenty-one primary care clinicians were enrolled. Fifteen clinicians completed the interview. It was observed that the: 1) honesty-humility trait (p<0.01), conscientiousness (&p<0.01), and openness to experience (p<0.05) domains of primary care clinicians were statistically significantly higher than the reference standards; 2) attitudes toward integrative medicine did not differentiate the different clinician types; and 3) qualitative data supported the component of dispositional humility as a desirable trait in professionals with whom they would like to work. CONCLUSION: To maintain high-quality patient care while working as a team, limiting self-interest while focusing on the needs of others may be necessary and in the best interest of patients. An attitude of accepting the principles of integrative medicine has permeated this sample of primary healthcare workers. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed that humility was viewed as an important character trait for successful interprofessional collaboration. A revised concept map of dispositional humility to enhance collaborative relationships was created.