CMO’s Industry Roundup: Saffron, Grip Strength and the ACC

We’re launching a new series that brings the insights that Fullscript Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jeff Gladd normally shares only with our internal team—now open to the entire integrative and functional medicine community. This month, Dr. Gladd breaks down three emerging clinical priorities with immediate relevance to whole-person care Why the American College of Cardiology is now recommending high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) for universal cardiovascular screening How grip strength paired with BMI is outperforming traditional biomarkers in predicting metabolic decline and all-cause mortality risk What new evidence tells us about saffron as supportive care for patients experiencing SSRI-related sexual side effects. Clinicians will leave with practical, evidence-informed strategies they can apply right away—from how to add grip strength testing to a routine visit, to how to interpret hs-CRP in the context of inflammation and cardiometabolic disease, to how to navigate sensitive conversations about mood medications and quality of life. If you’ve been looking for research you can trust and tools that simplify decision-making, this episode offers a clear roadmap. Clinical Takeaways from This Episode Grip strength combined with BMI is emerging as a scalable, low-cost predictor of metabolic risk and all-cause mortality Dr. Gladd highlights the UK Biobank’s 90,000-person longitudinal analysis, noting: “Those in the highest grip strength tertile were 20% less likely to develop obesity-related disease,” with reduced all-cause mortality. Grip strength may reflect lean mass, mitochondrial function, and insulin sensitivity better than BMI alone. ( Xu, et al 2025 ) Grip strength as a lifestyle, bone health, and functional resilience indicator As Dr. Kresge explains, “having a strong grip can basically imply that you’re likely living a healthier life,” given its links to nutrient-dense dietary patterns, sufficient protein intake, sleep quality, smoking avoidance, and greater sense of purpose. Evidence also shows low grip strength strongly correlates with lower bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. ( Gedmantaite, 2020 ) Saffron may improve SSRI-associated sexual side effects RCTs suggest saffron may support sexual function parameters in individuals using SSRIs, with sex-specific benefits observed. As Dr. Gladd notes, “We haven’t had anything, to my knowledge, that really addresses the sexual side effects head-on like this study in saffron.” Findings support integration—not substitution—within existing mental health plans. ( Shaifee, 2025 ) Universal hs-CRP screening is now recommended for cardiovascular prevention The American College of Cardiology now recommends hs-CRP as part of routine cardiovascular risk screening—reflecting a shift toward evaluating systemic inflammation. Dr. Gladd emphasizes: “Inflammation is now in traditional healthcare as something that can be measured and understood.” ( Mesah, 2025 ) Causes of elevated hs-CRP and how to evaluate them clinically Dr. Kresge outlines the major drivers to consider, including infection, autoimmune activity, periodontal disease, adiposity, insulin resistance, low fitness, smoking, poor sleep, chronic stress, and nutrition patterns. She notes: “It’s no longer enough to run a lipid panel and call it cardiovascular screening.” ( Mesah, 2025 ) Dietary patterns, omega-3 fatty acids, and curcumin as inflammation-supportive strategies Inflammation-modulating strategies may include nutrient-dense dietary patterns, omega-3 intake and high-bioavailability curcumin. Dr. Gladd encourages clinicians to verify product quality: “Are you getting enough EPA and DHA?” ( Ahmadi, 2025 ) Nutrient monitoring opportunities for patients using SSRIs SSRIs may influence B-vitamin status, and Dr. Gladd notes that clinicians may want to be “proactive in supplementing or monitoring those levels,” when appropriate for patient-centered mental health care. ( Mohn, 2018 ) Ensuring AI is used to support—not replace—clinical judgment Dr. Gladd discusses emerging regulations to prevent AI from impersonating clinicians, underscoring Fullscript’s stance: “We’re bringing tooling to support the practitioner, not to replace the practitioner.” The persistence of clinician burnout and the need for operational support The 2025 Medscape Well-Being Report highlights burnout as an ongoing challenge. Streamlined clinical tools, thoughtful workflows, and comprehensive care platforms may help reduce administrative load. Guest Bio: Dr. Jeff Gladd, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Fullscript, is a nationally recognized integrative and lifestyle medicine physician. He founded GladdMD Integrative Medicine and authors Fullscript’s CMO Monthly Dose—a monthly research and industry briefing for keeping Fullscripters up to date. His work focuses on metabolic health, clinical nutrition, and technology that enhances clinical workflow. Learn more at fullscript.com . Assessments Mentioned in this Episode hs-CRP (per ACC universal screening recommendation) Lipid panel and triglycerides Fasting insulin or HOMA-IR CBC, ESR, ANA when clinically indicated Oral health evaluation for periodontal inflammation Magnesium and B vitamins may warrant assessment in patients on SSRIs Handheld dynamometer in-clinic or at-home Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to the new CMO Monthly Dose series. 01:53 – Dr. Jeff Gladd joins and shares the origin of the CMO Monthly Dose. 03:40 – Grip strength research overview and why it matters clinically. 05:00 – Using grip strength as a practical tool in metabolic and longevity care. 06:30 – Grip strength as a predictor of bone density and functional health. 07:30 – Lifestyle factors linked to higher grip strength. 09:34 – Emerging evidence for saffron in SSRI-related sexual side effects. 11:10 – Key findings for men and women from saffron trials. 12:30 – Nutrient considerations with SSRI use. 13:44 – ACC announces universal hs-CRP screening recommendation. 15:00 – Nutrition and supplement considerations for supporting healthy inflammation. 16:05 – Clinical causes of elevated hs-CRP and how to evaluate them. 17:20 – Why hs-CRP is essential beyond lipid panels. 18:00 – Physician burnout insights from the 2025 Medscape report. 18:30 – New AI regulations and Fullscript’s commitment to supporting clinicians. 19:12 – Closing remarks and call to share the episode. Disclaimer: The views expressed on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of Fullscript or any affiliated organizations. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. For your safety, always check with your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.