Intelligent Medicine | The Best of High Tech Medicine and Alternative Modalities

I'm taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Can I take Kyolic aged garlic extract?; Can you discuss the amount of ionizing radiation patients are subject to with calcium scoring tests? Are there alternatives?; I have a Complement C4a test that is very high. What is the significance of this result?; What is the significance of a Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone test in the normal range?

Dr. Julie Poteet, a prominent integrative optometrist, discusses various aspects of eye health and how the eye can yield crucial insights about the potential for degenerative diseases and premature aging. She covers topics ranging from the impact of nutrition on age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma to innovative practices such as retinal photography and vision therapy. Dr. Poteet shares insights on the benefits of specific nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, DHA, and astaxanthin, and emphasizes the significance of a Mediterranean diet and lifestyle changes in preventing eye diseases. The conversation further explores the role of genetic predisposition, early intervention strategies, and the promising future of nutrition-based therapies for eye health.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Julie Poteet, OD, MS, CNS, FOWNS.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Peter Staats, Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of electroCore, pioneers in noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation.

The Olympic Women’s Boxing controversy explained —it’s a fascinating lesson in reproductive biology; Why it’s important for pregnant women to not even TOUCH men’s prostate pills; Fruits and vegetables vs. hypertension; How to talk to your doctor—and finding one who will listen; What causes lipomas, and can they be treated non-surgically? Are there alternatives to drugs for tardive dyskinesia? Some swimmers sicken after Olympic swim in polluted Seine; Why free medical school tuition won’t fix America’s doctor shortage.

15 million Americans at risk of liver damage from popular herbs—REALLY?? Is sitting the new smoking? Can eye drops reverse cataracts? Accuracy/efficacy of vaunted Galleri cancer screening blood test challenged by newly released data; Can melatonin help relieve tinnitus? Fireworks may spread harmful air pollution.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin delves into the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, providing an in-depth exploration of various mushrooms like cordyceps, rishi, chaga, shiitake, and lion's mane, highlighting their potential health benefits. These mushrooms are known for promoting immune support, healthy inflammation response, brain health, and other therapeutic effects. Leyla emphasizes the importance of proper identification and expert consultation when foraging mushrooms and encourages including domesticated varieties in everyday cooking to harness their nutritional power.

Health disparities in diabetes-related amputations; Big Food advertising by elite athletes; Pushback on government overreach during the time of covid.

I'm from Belgium and interested in naturopathy and functional medicine. Could you recommend a school?; I'm a senior trying to stay mobile. What do you think of daily use of a rebounder?; A look at Indigo in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease; Is strontium beneficial in the treatment of osteoporosis?; Are NTFactor and urolithin A similar?; Can you compare Thorne's nicotinamide riboside to Tru-Niagen? Is liposomal better?; I have numbness and tingling in my feet, ankles, calves and hands. Do I need a neurologist?

Neil Edward Levin, Senior Nutrition Education Manager and product formulator for Now Foods and Protocol for Life Balance, untangles the complexities of digestive health, including common issues like GERD, IBS, and gastritis. The discussion highlights the insufficiency of conventional gastroenterology's reliance on acid blockers and explores alternatives like digestive enzymes and supplements. Levin elaborates on the importance of maintaining a healthy digestive lining and the critical role of nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, and amino acids. The conversation also covers specific products like zinc carnosine, mastic gum, slippery elm, and essential oils such as oregano and peppermint. Additionally, they address the credibility issues in the supplement industry and the need for consumer vigilance.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Neil Levin, the Senior Nutrition Education Manager and a product formulator for NOW(r) Foods and Protocol for Life Balance .

Mental performance coach Brandon Epstein is author of "Programmed to Fail: How to Break Through Your Mental Block and Achieve Greatness." He discusses the mental aspects of performance, the influence of negative programming, and how belief systems shape reality. Brandon shares insights from his work with elite athletes and executives, as well as his personal journey of overcoming significant challenges, including weight loss and financial recovery. The conversation delves into practical strategies for achieving success in both athletic and everyday life endeavors, emphasizing the importance of aligning with one's authentic self and overcoming subconscious barriers.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Brandon Epstein, author of "Programmed to Fail: How to Break Through Your Mental Blocks and Achieve Greatness."

Why we’re failing at diabetes management; Soaring rates of amputation among diabetic African Americans highlights “mega-disparity” in healthcare delivery; Frustrated with American Diabetes Association ties to BigPharma and ultra-processed food companies, the American Diabetes Society founded to promote low-carb diet approach to disease management; How Listeria is prompting Northeast deli recalls; Can fish oil cause easy bruisability? Iodine’s role for thyroid and breasts; Congressional bill seeks to rein in SNAP subsidization of junk food purchases; Olympic highlights: Swimming in the polluted Seine and trans athletes in women’s boxing.

Trust in doctors craters in wake of Covid; Mother, don’t let your children grow up to be doctors; Does a diagnosis of hiatal hernia require lifelong acid-blockers? If you’re reluctant to get a colonoscopy, stool tests and a newly-approved blood test may suffice for prevention; When drugs aren’t tolerated, are there natural alternatives for peripheral neuropathy pain? Supplements for insomnia can help—but a comprehensive lifestyle approach is necessary to optimize sleep; The movement to kick Big Soda sponsors out of sport; NFL Kelce brothers sell out to endorse sugary cereal; North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is a heart attack waiting to happen.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin delves into the rising prevalence of chronic heart failure and critiques conventional treatments. She emphasizes the importance of understanding heart failure as a condition marked by low cardiac energy and dysfunction. Leyla discusses the shortcomings of current dietary guidelines and the negative impact of statins on heart health. Highlighting the 'awesome foursome' proposed by Dr. Steven Sinatra—Coenzyme Q10, L-Carnitine, D-Ribose, and Magnesium—she explains how these supplements support mitochondrial function and improve heart energy. Leyla advocates for integrative and functional medicine approaches, which, coupled with lifestyle changes, offer promising improvements in managing heart failure without the side effects of standard medications.

Olympics highlights and stiff person syndrome; Should I be concerned about my B12 being so high?; My calcium level is low. Should I be concerned?; Have you ever treated microscopic colitis patients with bismuth?; I'm taking Evening Primrose Oil but isn't it pro-inflammatory?

Do we need more fiber?; A discussion about Blue Zones; My BUN is high and my carbon dioxide is low. Do I have a kidney problem?; What do you think of spermidine for autophagy?; What about apigenin for anti-aging?; My doctor wants me to take Crestor but I'm concerned about side effects? What about Red Yeast Rice?

Jen Scheinman, registered dietitian nutritionist and senior manager of nutrition affairs at Timeline Nutrition, delves into the unique benefits of the supplement Urolithin A, branded as Mitopure®, which supports mitochondrial function and may have widespread implications for longevity, muscle health, immune support, skin care, and potentially cancer recovery. The conversation covers the scientific research backing Urolithin A, its practical applications, and exciting new studies that could expand its uses. Real-world applications and user experiences are also shared, making this episode a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in enhancing their health through mitochondrial support. Right now Timeline is offering 10% off just for listening to Intelligent Medicine. Just click HERE and use code HOFFMAN at checkout.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Jen Scheinman, registered dietitian nutritionist and senior manager of nutrition affairs at Timeline Nutrition, a longevity company on a mission to improve healthspan.

Dr. Torkil Færø, a Norwegian general practitioner and author of “The Pulse Cure,” details how heart rate variability (HRV) can be a critical indicator of health, stress management, and longevity. Dr. Færø explains the science behind HRV, its practical applications using modern wearable devices like the Garmin watch, Apple watch, Oura ring, and Whoop band. He shares insights on how lifestyle choices, diet, sleep, and even cold therapy can influence HRV. The episode highlights the importance of HRV in both general health and medical practice, suggesting it may become a standard part of health assessments in the future.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Torkil Færø, author of “The Pulse Cure: The revolutionary new way to balance stress, optimize health and live longer.”

When can an astute dermatologist deliver a lifesaving diagnosis? A lifelong athlete seeks an alternative to a knee replacement; Nearly half of all U.S. deaths avoidable via easily-implemented lifestyle changes; The hazards of secondary cigarette smoke; Solutions for acid reflux; Fish oil scores vs. cardiovascular disease; The verdict on a new drug for essential tremor.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses various reasons behind bloating and offers practical solutions. Leyla explains how factors like diet, stress, and lifestyle choices can lead to bloating and shares tips on mindful eating, hydration, and the types of food that can help or exacerbate the issue. She also covers the role of probiotics, the impact of certain medications, and the importance of exercise.

More on avoiding excess fluids during meals; Legacy media gets it wrong on the protein 'craze'; Some ideas and recommendations for the American Nutrition Association; What type of cream or salve can be used for hyperpigmentation?; I have hypoglycemia and 30 minutes of exercise increases my hunger - help!

Is there a brand of red yeast rice that doesn't contain any statins?; How do you know if your heartburn is from too much or too little stomach acid? And how do you treat each?; Any recommendations on avoiding the side effects of statins?; Do you think hotel breakfasts are of good quality?

Jane Barlow Christensen, author of “Be Your Own Shaman,” delves into the world of herbal medicine, discussing the benefits and applications of 94 healing plants. She covers traditional and modern uses of herbs, the importance of plant-based remedies in holistic health, and the fascinating family legacy that Jane carries on from her father, a pioneer in the field. With insights on specific herbs for immunity, digestive health, and other common conditions, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to incorporating herbal medicine into everyday health practices.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Jane Barlow Christensen, master herbalist and author of “Be Your Own Shaman: A Field Guide to Utilize 94 of the World's Most Healing Plants.”

Austin Frerick, author of “Barron's: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry,” presents a comprehensive analysis of how powerful conglomerates dominate the American food supply, leading to widespread health issues like obesity and metabolic diseases. The discussion reveals how 73 percent of the U.S. food supply consists of highly processed foods, driven by the profit motives of agricultural barons. Frerick, a Yale fellow with deep roots in Iowa, advocates for significant changes to agricultural policies, including local sustainable farming, better government procurement strategies, and the breakup of monopolistic powers in the food sector. The conversation emphasizes the detrimental impacts on consumer health, the environment, and rural communities, urging listeners to rethink the current food system and consider actionable solutions.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Austin Frerick, author of “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry.”

The gut link to autism: When Andrew Wakefield first proposed the connection in the 1990s, he was vilified, but new research supports microbiome impact on childhood neurodevelopment; President Biden is taking Paxlovid for COVID—will it help? When a “routine” X-ray leads to a wild goose chase; Astaxanthin shows promise for fatigue, muscle strength, cognition and aging; Introducing Mitopure®️, a urolithin A supplement, for mitochondrial support.

Toxic tampons; Folate and cancer—preventive or risk? Avocado leaf tea—is that a thing? Support for GI motility; How much protein should be consumed at each meal? Highly-promoted banking of newborn cord blood meets real-world challenges; Loneliness—but not necessarily social isolation—increases risk of cognitive decline; Solutions for spinal arthritis.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin explores the importance of the endothelial glycocalyx (EGX) in maintaining a healthy vascular system. Referencing an article by Dr. Jack Wolfson from the January 2024 issue of “Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal,” Leyla discusses how the EGX functions as a smart barrier within the vascular system. She explains its role in delivering oxygen, nutrients, and removing waste from the body while protecting against bad cholesterol. Leyla emphasizes the significance of lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking, in supporting the EGX and overall heart health. Additionally, she reveals new scientific findings on certain nutritional supplements that aid in EGX maintenance.

Violence, aggression and criminality. What do these have to do with diet and/or medication?; What do you think of Spike Support?; A new personal best for a 72+ year old!; My protein bar says "contains a bioengineered food ingredient". Should I be concerned?

A discussion on organic produce; Is there a natural approach to aortic valve stenosis?; Do you think hair testing is valuable?; Is it not okay to drink liquids during meals? Does it impede digestion?; Can you take nicotinamide riboside if you have cancer?; Is red lentil pasta a good substitute for regular wheat pasta?

Dr. Angela Stanton, herself a migraineur, harnessed her extensive knowledge of biochemistry and physiology to discover a root cause of migraines: electrolyte imbalance. Applying simple dietary interventions, she controlled her migraines, and has shared the benefits of her innovative protocol with numerous migraineurs via her free resources as well as her best-selling book "Fighting the Migraine Epidemic: Complete Guide; How to Treat and Prevent Migraines Without Medications." How does Dr. Stanton’s approach differ from the traditional migraine diet? What role does sodium play in migraines? Why is a keto or even carnivore diet curative for some migraine sufferers? Why are the benefits of migraine drugs limited? How is research into this promising paradigm progressing?

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Angela Stanton, author of “Fighting the Migraine Epidemic: A Complete Guide.”

Dr. Bill Rawls, author of "The Cellular Wellness Solution," joins us to discuss the role of herbal supplements in natural medicine. He prefers to use herbs, not merely as individual panaceas, like the way we deploy drugs to alleviate symptoms, but rather as part of a comprehensive strategy comprising lifestyle to optimize cellular wellness. Dr. Rawls relates how a personal health crisis impelled him to seek natural solutions. He dishes on supplement quality and how consumers can safely access the benefits of quality nutraceuticals. We focus on herbal supplements for immunity, PMS and menopause, inflammation, GI conditions, and cognitive health. Dr. Rawls explains the key role adaptogens play. He reassures us that, with proper knowledge, harmful herb-drug interactions can be avoided.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Bill Rawls, author of "The Cellular Wellness Solution."

Meta-analysis shows NO excessive bleeding problems with Omega-3s; Fish oil found safe for surgery; Dupixent for nasal polyps? Remedies for SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) in a type 1 diabetic; Less than 5% of the world’s population reside in the U.S.—but we consume 65% of the medications! Dr. Oz heart device under scrutiny; Oregon court reverses liability shield for Bayer in Round-Up class action; Movie Review—“Pain Hustlers”, a fictionalized recreation of a real-life opioid medication scandal.

Study that claimed herbal supplements were devoid of active ingredients debunked; Can IV vitamin C help with blood-borne infections? Just 30 minutes of exercise boosts cancer-fighting white blood cells; The paradoxical effects of diet on a little-known but important cardiovascular risk factor—lp(a); A quarter century of research supports heart benefits of Coenzyme Q10; Is the glycemic index (GI) obsolete? Medicare Advantage pushes $50B in fake diagnoses.

Nutritionist Leyla Muedin details various diet therapies for managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), focusing on the Low FODMAP diet and gluten-free options. Leyla explains the types of IBS (constipation-predominant and diarrhea-predominant), and provides a detailed list of foods to eliminate and suitable alternatives. She emphasizes the importance of self-preparation of meals and identifies common dietary culprits that exacerbate IBS symptoms. The episode also covers the short-term nature of the FODMAP diet and the need for gradual reintroduction of foods, alongside the holistic approach of assessing supplements, medications, and lifestyle factors that contribute to IBS.

A deep dive on peanuts and peanut butter; What is your take on the new Ornish study of a vegan diet for Alzheimer's?

I have tried everything but I can't seem to get off of famotidine (Pepcid) for my heartburn; If I have Barrett's esophagus and take famotidine, should I still take HCl?; Can I take Calocurb at night to avoid nighttime snacking?; I had a recent hip replacement and have osteoporosis. Any recommendations?; Can you talk about the new guidelines for prescribing statins?

The importance of personalized nutrition with Corinne Bush, CEO of the American Nutrition Association (ANA) and a Certified Nutrition Specialist. The ANA's mission is to promote health through personalized nutrition via the various educational programs and resources they offer for both healthcare professionals and the public. Key topics include the benefits and complexities of personalized nutrition, the use of the ketogenic diet, nutrigenomics, and the importance of boosting nutrition literacy in America. She also highlights the ANA's special course, “Getting Started with Personalized Nutrition.” Whether you're a nutrition enthusiast or simply an individual looking to improve your well-being, check out this comprehensive new course from the American Nutrition Association. It’s a self-paced, one-hour course with video, reference sheets, and more! All with the goal of helping you harness the power of personalized nutrition. You’ll learn how to optimize your energy levels, support your mental clarity, improve your G-I function, enhance your physical performance, and maintain your metabolic health. The course is regularly $49. But, as an Intelligent Medicine listener, you can get access to this vital content for just $29. Just use coupon code hoffman29 for the exclusive discount.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Corinne Bush, CEO of the American Nutrition Association and a Certified Nutrition Specialist.

Recently, headlines have proclaimed that vitamin D is ineffective, that we shouldn’t bother testing for it, and that most people shouldn’t bother taking it. Pushing back on those assertions is Dr. William Grant, one of the world’s foremost vitamin D researchers with over 60 published studies. His latest paper explains why research on vitamin D is plagued by methodological errors and colored by bias against nutritional supplements that might supplant pharmaceutical drugs. Dr. Grant explains how vitamin D, far from being just a “bone vitamin”, can impact a wide range of conditions ranging from dementia and Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mood disorders, and cancer; studies have shown it improves pregnancy outcomes and extends life; the latest research suggests a benefit for respiratory infections and Covid. We also discuss the important role sunlight exposure plays in vitamin D synthesis, and how wrong-headed health authorities have stigmatized sun exposure to great detriment. What levels are best? How much to take? Is there an upper limit? Dr. Grant is currently the director of the Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Resource Center.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. William Grant, one of the world’s foremost vitamin D researchers.