Dr. M's Women and Children First Podcast

Cholesterol VII- Follow up It is imperative that all readers know that any time you go against conventional wisdom, you run the risk of negative reactions from providers of care that disagree or do not know about this depth of hypothetical disease etiology. This set of lipid and cardiology articles was meant to stimulate the reader to think beyond the simple answer that "statin medications" and cholesterol lowering are the primary or only answers to coronary artery heart disease. The treatment of any disease must start at the headwaters of pathophysiological dysfunction. To wait until a medicine is the only way to a healthy home is not in anyones best interest.... Also, the Pollution Detectives leader Dr. Francis Koster pens an article. Enjoy, Dr.M

This weeks guest is Jake Hastings. Who is he? He is a man who has been on the front lines of human health with a diverse background in firefighting, EMS Care, and incident management. His adventures and jobs have carried him to 27 countries around the world. He served in the United States Air Force as a medic and mental health technician where he worked in clinics and hospitals with various military branches. After the military, Jake worked as a ski patroller in Mt. Hood Oregon, and a search and rescue park ranger for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. He eventually joined Clackamas Fire District #1 near Portland, OR and served 6 years as a Firefighter/ Engineer. Jake then joined the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Incident Management Team as a Public Information Officer and traveled the Pacific Northwest helping to manage large incident wildfires. Jake has worked in some large scale disaster incidents such as the Joplin Missouri Tornado in 2011, and the Riverside Fire in Clackamas County Oregon in 2020. Jake now teaches Emergency Medicine in Montana and also hosts wellness retreats part time. He is passionate about continuing to help others and advocates for mental health care amongst the first responder community. We discuss the reality of being a first responder, the trials that come along with the jobs and how we are working to live a more grounded and authentic life. Enjoy, Dr. M

High Density Lipoprotein - We are going to take a deep look at this very complex biological topic. Bear with me as in the end it will all make more sense as to why "good cholesterol" is not inherently good or bad as much as it just is. Our lifestyle decisions are in effect making a biological process good or bad. That is my scientific understanding at this time. We also look at COVID19 and the effects on the heart this week. Enjoy, Dr. M

Cholesterol Part V - What to do? I hope that over the last four weeks I have sufficiently laid the case for heart disease as a complex disorder that is far from just a cholesterol/lipoprotein issue. It is vastly more complex than this especially with the new emerging data on the actions of high density lipoproteins, HDL, in reverse cholesterol and other molecule removal from circulation. In the next weeks newsletter, we will look at HDL. Somewhere in the near future, I will synthesize further recent work linking CVD, immunobiology and obesity. Also, GLP Obesity drugs for teens and others.... Enjoy, Dr. M

Briana Pobiner PhD This weeks guest is super interesting. Briana Pobiner is a paleoanthropologist whose research centers on the evolution of human diet with a focus on meat-eating. Briana has a BA from Bryn Mawr College, where she created her own major called Evolutionary Studies. Then she completed a Masters degree followed by her PhD in Anthropology from Rutgers University. Briana is also an Associate Research Professor of Anthropology in the Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology at the George Washington University. She has done fieldwork in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Indonesia and has been supported in her research by the National Geographic Society, the National Science Foundation and the Society for American Archaeology. We discuss some of her favorite field moments including a run in with a white rhino as well as discovering fossil bones that were last touched, butchered and eaten by one of her 1.5-million-year-old ancestors. Since joining the Smithsonian in 2005 to help put together the Hall of Human Origins, in addition to continuing her active field, laboratory, and experimental research programs, she leads the Human Origins Program’s education and outreach efforts which includes managing the Human Origins Program's public programs, website content, social media, and exhibition volunteer training. Briana has also more recently developed a research program in evolution education and science communication. She is the recipient of the 2021 American Association of Biological Anthropologists and Leakey Foundation Communication and Outreach Award in Honor of Camilla Smith, and a 2021 National Center for Science Education Friend of Darwin award. Enjoy, Dr. M

Cholesterol Lipid Hypothesis Part IV - Endothelial Dysfunction How does an artery clog? Let us recap a little at this time. 1) Cholesterol and lipoproteins are significant and necessary for pathology to develop but not the only player in heart disease and atherosclerosis. I believe that inflammation is the root cause of the problem driving the lipid imbalance and plaque formation. 2) Lipoproteins are produced and recycled every day in order to deliver energy to tissues around the body via triglycerides and are a part of the ancient innate immune system. They are primed and ready to fight all systemic pathogens that are trying to hurt us. 3) Your genetic makeup may dictate whether you produce and/or recycle more cholesterol/lipoproteins than are advantageous in our current environment....Plus a discussion on acne. Enjoy, Dr. M

Cholesterol Lipid Hypothesis Part III So far, I have put forth some hypotheses that are controversial and raise questions about the American College of Cardiology guidelines. This is fine with me because this is about stimulating a conversation about disease etiology and treatment. Readers are never encouraged to go against their physician's recommendations. The choice to change a current therapeutic regimen is solely between the patient and their provider and frankly is likely predicated on how much damage has occurred over one's current lifetime coupled with genetic risk and the ability to alter lifestyle risk factors effectively.....and a discussion on avoiding inflammatory bowel disease. Enjoy, Dr. M

This weeks guest is special to me as he is my nephew and Godson. In his own words: "I am an active seeker, student of life, and on a mission of helping others remember who they are and their innate self worth. It has been my passion of walking alongside others in their own healing and transformation that has brought me to this work. I am a currently a nomadic Young Mens coach currently based in South America. I earned my BS in Psychology from The California Institute of Integrative Studies, and have a certification in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy. My work with individuals varies greatly depending on who I am working with and what kind of support they are needing, but you can expect Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing, compassionate listening, radical self acceptance, and practical tools and exercises in each session." We discussed the view of our current society from a young man's perspective. What is the crisis of "good enough?" What do we really want authentically as young persons? How can parents show up for their kids? And so much more... https://www.blakechalfant.com Young Man's Toolbox Course Enjoy, Dr. M

This week it is: Cholesterol Lipid Hypothesis Part II The hypothesis: cholesterol and lipoproteins like LDL are inherently good and necessary unless they become unbalanced either through genetics and most definitely lifestyle choices. From last week: It turns out that the carrier lipoproteins like LDL and HDL cholesterol are an ancient part of our innate immune system that have an important function in fighting infection. We have always used these lipoproteins to clear infectious material before they can do damage.... Plus some research on head trauma as well as the recipe of the week. Enjoy, Dr. M

This weeks guest is Dr. Subinoy Das. Dr. Das is the chief executive officer and medical director at US institute for advanced Sinus Care and research. He is the former Director of The Ohio State University Sinus and Allergy Center, and an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University. He is widely recognized as one of the nation's best sinus surgeons and has received multiple awards as a U.S. board-certified otolaryngologist including a Presidential Citation in 2015 from the American Rhinology Society. In addition, he is a former Research Associate of the Center of Microbial Pathogenesis at the Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital. His NIH funded research was awarded the 2013 Fowler Award (top basic science research award in otolaryngology) for his work on detecting the cause of sinus infections. We crossed paths at the University of Virginia where Dr. Das received the Alfred Burger Award for the top pre-medical student at the University before completing his medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he was elected President of his class, received Alpha Omega Alpha Honors, and received the Richard Bowman Scholarship for the top clinical performance. He then attended the University of North Carolina for residency and completed a fellowship in advanced sinus surgery and anterior skull base surgery at the Medical College of Georgia. He is a leader in minimally invasive sinus surgery, does not use nasal packing, and has helped to develop leading instruments/techniques used in sinus surgery including working on diagnostic tests and therapies to reduce the use of antibiotics for sinus disease, advanced computer guided surgery systems, hydrodebridement therapies for sinus disease, and custom molecular-based therapies to avoid sinus surgery. Today, we dive into the upstream causes of sinus and ear disease of children and adults. This is especially interesting because of the changes that occurred during COVID leading to new understandings of viral induced disease in humans. Enjoy, Dr. M

This week begins the cholesterol/lipid discussion as it relates to cardiovascular disease. We look at alternative ideas for elevated lipid levels in humans and why this might be so. History and nature had a plan. Could we be the reason for the mismatch of our genes and our health outcomes? We also look at men's work and some new research on autism spectrum disorders. Enjoy, Dr. M

This weeks guest is Dr. Bill Harris. Dr. Harris is an internationally recognized expert on omega-3 fatty acids and how they can benefit patients with heart disease. He obtained his Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from the University of Minnesota and did post-doctoral fellowships in Clinical Nutrition and Lipid Metabolism at the Oregon Health Sciences University. His interest in omega-3 fatty acids began with his postdoctoral work when he published his first study on the effects of salmon oil on serum lipids in humans (1980). Since that time he has been the recipient of five NIH grants for studies on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) on human health. He has more than 300 publications relating to fatty acids, including omega-3s, in medical literature and was an author on two American Heart Association scientific statements on fatty acids: “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease” (2002), and “Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease” (2009) both published in the journal Circulation. Dr. Harris is currently a Professor in the Department of Medicine in the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota and the President and CEO of the company OmegaQuant. Our conversation today is wide ranging and highly focused on the need for omega 3 fats as well as the reasons why. Enjoy, Dr. M

Coronavirus Update 81 plus other stuff We continue to have a highly infectious Omicron endemic national state with new strain XBB.1.5 accounting for 75% of our cases now with absolutely no signs of worsening disease severity or morbidity. Having had a previous Omicron natural infection is beneficial towards preventing moderate to severe disease from current circulating Omicron strains, but not helping against getting mild infection at all. This week we look at the residual data that is of interest. It is thinning out for me. We also look at men's health and the micronutrient iodine. Enjoy, Dr. M

What is it about Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity that we see a disease needing a drug to mitigate the problem versus first looking at the other possible root causes? (Some children do have a genetic or epigenetic condition that is not based on the following discussion.) I asked Dr. Sandy Newmark this question, here is his response: "I read Scattered minds a long time ago and thought it was a fantastic book. I agree with much of what he, and you, say. I do think he has a more of a narrow approach to etiology than I would support. I have many kids with clear ADHD who come from loving homes with 2 parents and little trauma history. There are genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that are also important in etiology, and I would not want those to be overlooked." Well said! This week we look at the this topic as well as the micronutrients magnesium and sodium. Enjoy, Dr. M

This weeks guest is Dr. Pam Staples. She is a friend and as amazing therapist. Her Bio lists her as having received a master’s and a doctorate in the field of Psychology. For her entire 40 year career, she chose to work with a very special population—teenagers. Working with teens has been so incredibly rewarding for Dr. Pam. She could see the innate opportunities to help change the trajectory of a teenager’s life, which are so potent during this delicate developmental stage. She describes herself as the “temporary third parent” when working with teens alongside their parents. Dr. Pam shared many of the tools in her wide ranging “tool kit” with her beloved teen clients. As a result, many of them are flourishing as adults today and seek out Dr. Pam to share their stories to this day. It is a joyful conversation that goes all the way around the world of parenting teens. Enjoy, Dr. M

This week we look at the quick hits related to Covid science. This information stream is fading, however, I am still finding some important science worth sharing in the literature. We also look at the disease underpinnings from the perspective of Marty Makary. Finally, we finish up with the micronutrient selenium. Enjoy, Dr. M

This week week look at a piece by David Katz: "I imagine -and in select cases know- that many of my colleagues were encouraged and gratified to hear that the NIH is allocating a sizable sum to the pursuit of precision nutrition. Some number of my colleagues will be directly involved in those research efforts, and others are simply pleased to see nutrition getting some small measure of the attention we agree it warrants. I can appreciate these reactions, but in my case, the response felt more like a wave of nausea accompanied by echoes of “here we go again, again.....” We also look at some recent studies in the aging space. Two studies by Dr. Sinclair and Dr. Macip looking at age reversal ability. From the David Sinclair Lab at Harvard we see first of its kind data regarding the ability to identify epigenetic marks in mice as the etiology or biomarker of aging. This is nothing short of an amazing discovery. Listen to Podcast #2 with the father of epigenetics Dr. Randy Jirtle to gain a foothold in this world and then listen on. Enjoy, Dr. M

This weeks guest is Dr. Kara Fitzgerald. What would say if I told you that you can reverse your biological aging process? What would you say to having some control over how you age from a health perspective? You would be all in right! Well I am and Dr. Fitzgerald is our teacher this week. She received her doctor of naturopathic medicine degree from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She completed the first Counsel on Naturopathic Medicine-accredited post-doctorate position in nutritional biochemistry and laboratory science at Metametrix Clinical Laboratory under the direction of Richard Lord, PhD. Her residency was completed at Progressive Medical Center, a large, integrative medical practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Fitzgerald is the lead author and editor of Case Studies in Integrative and Functional Medicine and is a contributing author to Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)’s Textbook for Functional Medicine. With the Helfgott Research Institute, Dr. Fitzgerald is actively engaged in clinical research on the DNA methylome using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her practice. The first publication from the study focuses on reversal of biological aging and was published 04-12-2021 in the journal Aging. She has published a book titled Younger You as well as a companion cookbook, Better Broths and Healing Tonics and offers Younger You Programs, based on the study. Dr. Fitzgerald is on the faculty at IFM, is an IFM Certified Practitioner and lectures globally on functional medicine. She runs a Functional Nutrition Residency program, and maintains a podcast series, New Frontiers in Functional Medicine and an active blog on her website, www.drkarafitzgerald.com. Her clinical practice is in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. This is a podcast that you do not want to miss! This is an amazing discussion on methods to reverse and or stall biological aging. Enjoy, Dr. M

Covid update #79 - This week we do a literature review looking at Covid and the post illness effects on lipid metabolism, chemical clearance and general long term health. We look at the effects of different mask types. We have a lifestyle Covid illness mitigation strategy moving forward. We finish with a look at liver and a recipe using liver as a main ingredient. Enjoy, Dr. M

This week we do a literature review looking at Neurology with specific stops at sleep loss and emotional regulation, APOE4 and Alzheimer's Disease, memory consolidation with sleep versus wake, gaslighting and more . We also look at potassium as a mineral of necessity. We finish with obesity and Semaglutide. Enjoy, Dr. M

Dr. Paul A. Offit is Director of the Vaccine Education Center and professor of pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is the Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Offit is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of virology and immunology, and was a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is a member of the Food and Drug Administration Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, a member of the Institute of Medicine and co-editor of the foremost vaccine text, Vaccines. He is a scientist, a skeptic, a thinker and an individual deeply passionate about children's health. This week we sit down again to discuss the latest with Covid, vaccines and children's health as new data has prompted a new discussion. I hope that you enjoy my latest conversation with Dr. Offit, Dr. M

This week we do a literature review looking at epigenetics, exercise, time restricted feeding and the microbiome. We also look at Iron as a mineral of necessity. We finish with a recipe for Polish Beet Soup. Enjoy, Dr. M

Food in Infants What do we know? "Humans are the only mammals who feed our young special complementary foods before weaning and we are the only primates that wean our young before they can forage independently. There appears to be a sensitive period in the first several months of life when infants readily accept a wide variety of tastes and this period overlaps with a critical window for oral tolerance." (Borowitz S.) We do a deep dive here plus some information on the mineral calcium and a segment on loneliness. Enjoy, Dr. M

Covid update #77 with quick hits on vaccines in young adults, POTS or hypotension following Covid 19 as well as obesity and Sars2. Non covid research looking at the brain. From Nature Communications: "Parkinson’s disease (PD) may start in the gut and spread to the brain. To investigate the role of gut microbiome, we conducted a large-scale study, at high taxonomic resolution, using uniform standardized methods from start to end... Here we show that over 30% of species, genes and pathways tested have altered abundances in PD, depicting a widespread dysbiosis." Enjoy, Dr. M

Donald Layman is currently a Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in the department of Food Science & Human Nutrition. Dr. Laymen earned his Bachelors Degree in Science in Chemistry and Masters Degree in Science in Biochemistry at Illinois State University. He then completed his Doctorate Ph.D. in Human Nutrition Nutrition and Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota. His laboratory is working to define protein and amino acid requirements and the interrelationship between dietary protein and carbohydrates in adult health. The research is focused on the impact of diet and exercise on adult health problems of obesity, type 2 diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome. Exercise is of obvious importance to health in maintenance of lean body mass, energy expenditure and weight control. Surprisingly little is known about amino acid requirements during exercise or the impact of amino acids on metabolic regulation. His group has helped to define roles of the branched chain amino acids (BCAA) in skeletal muscle metabolism. BCAA provide an important energy source for muscle during exercise and also serve as a critical regulator of muscle protein synthesis during recovery. During exercise, oxidation of BCAA increases, resulting in production of the amino acid alanine and a rapid decline in plasma levels of BCAA. Amino acid supplements prevent this decline in plasma amino acids, enhance recovery of muscle protein synthesis and interact with insulin to help stabilize blood glucose. They are continuing this research to define mechanisms for control of muscle protein synthesis and differences in dietary protein needs for men versus women and for adults with sedentary versus active lifestyles. A very important conversation for all to understand. All ages are impacted by this knowledge. Dr. M

12 years gone by! 624 newsletters down. So much has changed in the past 12 years since I began this journey of writing and learning. We wrap up the 12 year of the podcast with top ten things learned. Also touch on the mineral zinc as well as Long Distance Love Bombs. Best to all, Dr. M

Coronavirus Update 76 plus other stuff The work around Covid research is fading for me. This is now mostly a highly contagious upper respiratory infection for most. The morbidity has faded to a level where we are seeing very limited disease in children and the hospital data remains completely plateaued. Unless there is a dramatic shift in this virus, we are moving toward a world where Covid will be like the other 4 circulating coronaviruses for most of the United States population save for the high risk individuals as described throughout the pandemic. Focus remains on self care to boost all immune activity to thwart all infections from all microbes. Dr. M

This weeks Guest is Dr. Jeremy Goldberg. He styles himself as a compassion cultivating day making change agent/empathy collecting not quitting word wizard/chief burrito appreciator aspiring to inspire/struggle overcoming ranter in charge/ferocious idealist/never giver upper/a love bombing kindness pirate. What he really does, in my mind, is write and teach the world to project love and kindness where it is not layered enough. On his website he writes: My mission is to make kindness cool, empathy popular, and compassion commonplace. As part of that purpose, I write articles, send emails, host retreats and workshops, give TEDx talks, coach clients, host a podcast, write books, and make spoken word poetry videos. I am also active on Facebook and Instagram, leading an online tribe of more than 35,000 badass humans. If you want to learn more about me, click here for a short list of my favorite shit on the planet. My name is Jeremy, I founded Long Distance Love Bombs, and I am fucking stoked to meet you. Send me an email and let's get going: LongDistanceLoveBombs at gmail dot com. We breakdown words, relationship, connection and being happy in a world of silly tribal divisiveness! This was a super fun conversation to have been a part of! Dr. M

The fundamentals are these: Age related changes that lead to neuronal loss and cognitive decline are related to loss or reduction of myokine release, systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, reactive oxygen induced mitochondrial stress, DNA mutations and poor protein intake. First, exercise releases chemicals called myokines which are cell signaling molecules that have the job of telling other cells what to do via changes in gene expression, protein transcription and much more. The prototypical change is the increase of a substance called brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF, for short. BDNF is critical for brain cell mitochondrial biogenesis. BDNF promotes many developmental functions in the brain, including neuronal cell survival, differentiation, migration, dendritic arborization, and synaptic plasticity. Regular exercise promotes a progressive increase in BDNF protein for up to at least 3 mo......... Enjoy, Dr.M

Covid Update #75 All new omicron based variants are extremely infectious but not really dangerous anymore to immunocompetent people. They are evading prior immunity as well as all vaccines to varying degrees. Morbidity remains very low now. The current bivalent vaccines are not showing any improvement over the ancestral vaccine. Death remains almost zero for all healthy previous infected or vaccinated individuals. This is likely the new norm from here on out. This week we cover covid, vaccine effectiveness, skeletal muscle and dementia, human protein needs and function.

This weeks guest is Dr. Nancy O'Hara, a leading expert in the field of basal ganglia encephalitis and pediatric abrupt onset autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. Dr. O’Hara graduated with highest honors from Bryn Mawr College and was part of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She earned her Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed her residency, chief residency and general pediatric fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Before she began her medical career, Dr. O’Hara taught children with autism. From 1993 to 1998, Dr O’Hara was a practicing general pediatrician and partner in a group practice. In 1999, she began her consultative, integrative practice for children with special needs, dedicating her practice to treating children with neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, PANS/PANDAS and BGE, OCD, Lyme, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She recently published a book, Demystifying PANS/PANDAS, a desktop reference on basal ganglia encephalitis. She spends a large bucket of her time training and teaching other clinicians how to treat these complex disorders in children. This is a very in-depth conversation that is a full pathway of cause to effect and resolution. Enjoy, Dr. M

This week we take a look at: Drug Induced Micronutrient Loss, Soleus Push Ups and Miror Neurons To function at the highest and most optimal state requires providing our human engine with nutrients, both macro and micro types. By macro, I mean fats, carbohydrates and proteins. By micro, I mean minerals and vitamins which are cofactors for enzymatic activity driving the machine to normalcy of action whatever that action is. What dictates sufficiency? How do drugs disrupt this optimization success? and much more... Enjoy, Dr. M

Covid Newsletter #74. Why are we seeing massive waves of RSV and Influenza A right now? These viruses normally circulate in the winter only. The answer is nuanced, but likely primarily because of the pandemics social distancing and hygiene activity. During the 2020-2022 cycle of Covid fear and mitigation of viral risk, most of us avoided the normal trappings of viral spread. We masked avoiding the viral droplet portal of entry most commonly used. We kept our children semi isolated from other children where most year to year viral transmission events occur. We practiced enhanced hand washing and sanitizing reducing natural viral spread through contact. In essence we stopped the normal propagation of respiratory virus for 2 years. A whole cycle of children between 0 and 2 years old are RSV and flu immune naive leading to a perfect host pool for spread. The 2 to 18 year olds have had a long pause in exposure reducing circulating virus specific antibodies to negligible levels leading to stronger infections and more spread. Anyone who has a child in college (me) has seen infection after infection pound these students this fall. It seems like they are always dealing with a viral illness. Immunity country wide will return in the coming year to these viral illnesses reverting to the old reality of winter predominance. Quick Covid Hits and other musings - Enjoy, Dr. M

This weeks guest is my good friend Dr. Sheila Kilbane. She is a fellow pediatrician and onion peeler of root causes of children's diseases. Her background found her studying Zoology at Miami University before attending The Ohio State University College of Medicine. After completing her Pediatric training she went on to obtain a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. We share many desires to help families achieve immune and health solvency through upstream target manipulation that leads to happiness. Today we discuss Dr. Kilbane's view of this world as well as her book, Healthy Kids, Happy Moms. Enjoy, Dr. M

This week we look at PFAS Chemicals - Otherwise called "Forever Chemicals" Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or forever chemicals are being found all throughout the world as their use has risen over the past 6 plus decades. PFAS are a family of chemicals known as POPS or persistent organic pollutants as they are reported to not break down easily. They have been found in products like Teflon based nonstick cookware, Scotch Guard and Gortex stain-resistant carpeting and clothing, dental floss, commercial firefighting foams and many types of food packaging. Unfortunately, these toxins have been detected in drinking water, house dust and foods/beverages of common consumption..... We will also discuss children's strengths and hospitals. Enjoy, Dr. M

Covid Update # 73: Omicron US strains: as of October 22nd data - variants make up: BA.4.6 is 11%, BA.2.75 is 2%, BF.7 is 7%, BA.5 is 62%, BQ.1 is 9%, BQ1.1 is 7% BA.5 is losing ground to many new Omicron variant offshoots. BF.7, BQ.1 and BQ1.1 are very interesting as they are apparently more infectious than BA.5. That is amazing. We look at new PASC Long Covid data as well as the world of vaccine effectiveness. And much more... Dr. M

This week, I sit down with Dr. Stephan J. Guyenet, a neuroscientist, thinker and educator. After earning a BS in biochemistry at the University of Virginia, he completed a PhD in neuroscience at the University of Washington, then went on to study the neuroscience of obesity and eating behavior as a postdoctoral fellow. He has over 12 years of history in the neuroscience research world studying neurodegenerative disease and the neuroscience of body fatness. His mission is to advance science and public health as a researcher, science consultant, and science communicator. Publishing a book, The Hungry Brain, in 2017, he laid out the framework for understanding how our brains work with food. It was named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly and called “essential” by the New York Times Book Review. Finally, he is the founder and director of Red Pen Reviews, which publishes the most informative, consistent, and unbiased popular health and nutrition book reviews available. This hour long conversation is very stimulating as we dive headlong into the upstream targets of food choice and body outcome. Enjoy, Dr. M

Medication errors are a major risk for morbidity and mortality nationally. The number affected skyrockets into the hundreds of thousands when we look at the countless side effects that do not cause death but leave us miserable and harmed. When it comes to the children that we treat, physicians and care providers should refuse to give a medicine unless it is absolutely necessary. We explore these topics, a literature review and omega three fatty acids this week. Enjoy, Dr. M

Coronavirus Update 72 plus other stuff More data on the current Covid variants and how they are evading our immunity and vaccines. Morbidity and death remain completely reduced over the first 2 years of the pandemic. We tackle these and other topics this week. Enjoy, Dr. M

This weeks guest is Dr. David B. Allison. Dr. Allison is the third guest to tackle the topic of childhood obesity for us. He received his Ph.D. from Hofstra University in 1990. He then completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a second post-doctoral fellowship at the NIH-funded New York Obesity Research Center at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center. He became Dean and Provost Professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington in 2017. He has authored more than 660 scientific publications and received many awards over his distinguished career. Dean Allison has provided regular service to the National Academies, including the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine. His research interests include obesity and nutrition, quantitative genetics, clinical trials, statistical and research methodology, and research rigor and integrity. "Dr. Allison coined "It's about knowing" as the tagline for the School of Public Health Indiana University Bloomington for which serves as Dean, and the extended moto "It's about knowing. Because conjecture is good, but knowing is better." He conceived a book by the title "It's About Knowing" written principally by Susan Brackney and co-authored by Dr. Allison. More information about the book is available here." This week we tackle the difficulty of performing meaningful research in the Obesity landscape. This is a conversation primarily about the study process and the difficulties in teasing out the variables. Enjoy, Dr. M

Literature review 1) Looking for a new sweetener that is natural and less toxic to your body? Usher in Allulose which is the enantiomer of fructose, is much less sweet to taste and does not spike blood glucose or insulin levels. In the British Medical Journal we find: "This is the largest study assessing the effects of D-allulose in Westerners demonstrating an early dose-dependent reduction in plasma glucose and insulin levels as well as decreased postprandial glucose and insulin excursion in subjects without DM. These pilot observations set the basis for large-scale investigations to support the anti-DM effects of D-allulose." (Franchi et. al. 2021)..... Enjoy, Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #32 - David Katz, MD - Childhood Obesity Part II David L. Katz, MD, MPH is a specialist in Preventive Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, with particular expertise in nutrition. He earned his BA at Dartmouth College (1984); his MD at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1988); and his MPH from the Yale University School of Public Health (1993). He completed sequential residency training and board certification in Internal Medicine (1991) and Preventive Medicine/Public Health (1993). Katz is the founder and former director of Yale University’s Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center (1998-2019); Past President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine; President and Founder of the non-profit True Health Initiative; and Founder and CEO of Diet ID, Inc. The recipient of numerous awards for teaching, writing, and contributions to public health, Katz was a 2019 James Beard Foundation Award nominee in health journalism, has been a widely supported nominee for the position of U.S. Surgeon General, and has received three honorary doctorates. Katz has served as a nutrition columnist for O, the Oprah Magazine; an on-air contributor for ABC News/Good Morning America, and with appearances on most major news programs and contributions to most major magazines and leading newspapers, including OpEds in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. His most recent book, How to Eat, co-authored with Mark Bittman, is a 2021 IACP Awards finalist and is worth your time. I have had the pleasure of hearing him speak many times over the years and he is an amazing orator and I am blessed to have this hour with him. Enjoy, Dr. M

Coronavirus Update #71 A look at the next pandemic From a recent article, we see a 10 point series of mitigation measures for a future pandemic based on rational thought: "A more realistic public health approach is to adjust current mitigation goals to be more data-driven and to minimize unintended harms associated with unfocused or ineffective control efforts." a) Accelerate vaccinations, b) ease restrictions as fast as possible based on science, c) emphasize education and harm reduction, d) Encourage outdoor activity, e) reopen schools, f) avoid lockdowns, g) deemphasize ineffective mitigation measures, h) reassess testing, i) expand treatment and prophylaxis, j) prepare for future pandemics. And more... Dr. M

Dr. Katz - "Human offspring come into this world much like the young of all other mammals, and like all the others, within minutes of our arrival, we are hungry. Food figures prominently in our lives ever after, but never is it more important than in childhood, when it serves as the literal construction material of those growing bodies and brains. The initial food choice for human babies should be self-evident, as it is for all other baby mammals: the milk of their mothers. The provision of that milk is among the defining characteristics of the mammalian class; it is part of what makes us what we are.... Also, we discuss marijuana and vaping as well as new work by Derek Sivers. Enjoy, Dr. M

This weeks guest is Dr. Sandra Hassink, an expert in pediatric obesity. Dr. Hassink has spent her career looking into the pathophysiology and social determinants of childhood obesity. Her career began at the Univeristy of Deleware where she studied Chemistry before heading off to Vanderbilt University to study medicine. After completing her training in Pediatrics at St Christopher's Hospital in Philadelphia, Dr. Hassink began a long trailblazing road to treating childhood obesity, starting a weight management clinic in 1988 at Alfred I. duPont Children’s Hospital in Delaware well before most pediatricians even realized there was an issue to address. She is now internationally recognized as an expert in childhood obesity prevention, testifying before Congress and serving as chair of the Delaware Governor’s council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and directing the AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight. She has served as the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, chaired the AAP Obesity Leadership Workgroup, the AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight Advisory Committee, and the AAP Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Hassink is the chair of the Institute for Medicaid Innovation Child and Adolescent Subcommittee and a member of the National Advisory Board. She authored numerous articles for parents and pediatricians and two books: “Pediatric Obesity: Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Strategies for Primary Care” and “A Clinical Guide to Pediatric Weight Management.” In a word, she is a teacher. Today, we have the privilege of learning. Dr. M

Coronavirus Update #70 GOOD NEWS: This information is so important to help us all understand risk. Stratified risk is the only true way to measure personal risk. Let us look at some CDC data from the spring Omicron BA.1 and .2 spikes versus the fall 2021 delta wave. Median age of hospitalization has increased from 60 years old with Delta to 64 with BA.1 and 71 with BA.2. Any underlying medical condition associated with hospitalization increased from 89% with Delta to 92% with BA.1 to 95% with BA.2 respectively. Length of hospital stay decreased from 4.8 to 3.9 to 3.3 days. ICU admission was down from 24% to 18% to 13% of admitted patients. Mechanical ventilation decreased from 14% to 8% to 6% of admitted patients. And Finally, death from 12% to 8% to 5% overall. What we can glean from this data set is very clear. With successive SARS2 mutations coupled to increased population based exposure to virus via infection or vaccine, we are now seriously in a reduced risk state unless you are older than 65 years with a comorbid disease or younger than 65 with a serious disease. 95% of hospitalizations were related to a comorbid disease regardless of age. The other big takeaway was this: if you are in this high risk group, getting every available booster is vital to your survival based on the risk reduction data. For everybody else, the data is clear, you are ok - to boost or not to boost is up to you. But, absolutely work on your general health. To your health, Dr. M

Loss has seemed to follow me more this year than any other. Whether it is a newborn baby that never had a chance to take a crack at life, an 86 year old who lived a rich life or now a 20 year old in his prime, the loss is profound each and every time. My exposure is clearly occupational as well. However, how do we continue to process this time and time again? Does it get easier? How do we talk about it with those that have lost? How do we keep the faith and live for our best selves as we are the ones left behind as the dead cannot suffer? Let's Explore, Dr. M

† Jamie Manirakiza is the Executive Director at the Partnership to End Human Trafficking (PEHT). She is a Licensed and Masters level social worker who studied at the University of Pennsylvania before embarking on a career to shine a bright spotlight on human trafficking while helping those caught and released from that dangerous net. Partnership to End Human Trafficking (PEHT) is a nonprofit organization that provides individuals with a pathway toward healing and independence through community outreach, residential recovery, and economic empowerment. In this episode, we discuss the realities of human trafficking, what can be done about it and the work to help the survivors. Dr. M

Coronavirus Update 69. Quick Hits and other musings - 1) In the interview with Dr. Offit there were a few big take aways: Boosters for non risk based teen and young adults are unlikely to provide benefit while offering a small but real level of risk from myocarditis Boosters are offering minimal benefit to the nation from a transmission perspective. At best 8-12 weeks of protection against symptomatic disease Dr. Offit voted against adding omicron antigens to this fall's booster as there was limited data that it would any benefit. He was in the minority at the FDA advisory meeting, thus this fall's booster will have new strain genetics in it The boosters could, not shown yet in humans, block future variant immunity to newer strains through viral immune imprinting A lot more this week to digest. Dr. M

A mother, wife, herbalist, educator, author, researcher, and medical doctor, Tieraona has trained hundreds of medical professionals as the Fellowship Director at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, chaired dietary supplement expert panels for the United States Pharmacopeia, and has been appointed to numerous scientific advisory boards. In addition, she has authored best-selling books (including 4 published by National Geographic) and written over 50 peer-reviewed articles and 25 book chapters. Tieraona was appointed by the President of the United States to serve on a White House policy commission, has received many awards from academia, public health, and industry, and has lectured at over 600 conferences. She is an incredible teacher with an equally incredible life story. In this episode, we discuss the world of maternal health as it relates to preparing for a healthy life and pregnancy setting the stage for a healthy child's life. I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Low Dog, Dr. M