Intelligent Medicine

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Gerard Mullin, America’s foremost integrative gastroenterologist, about how can you take charge of your metabolism by altering your microbiome.

Excess supplemental calcium alone doubles stroke risk, but not WITH vitamin D; Chocolate may protect against atrial fibrillation; Zinc lozenges shorten cold duration; Does vitamin D deplete magnesium? Supplements, diet for Type 2 diabetes; Woman sues maker of “Sport Beans” claiming they were laced with sugar; World’s leading diabetes drug—Metformin--works by modifying intestinal bacteria; “Light” cigarettes up risk of type of lung cancer.

Rate of Alzheimer’s Disease jumps 54% in just 15 years; What to do about estrogen dominance? Nicotinamide riboside for energy, cell regeneration, glaucoma; Just one alcoholic drink per day ups risk for breast cancer; Vitamin D increases muscle strength; What to do about a failing hip implant? Cholesterol limbo: How low can you go? New and old cholesterol drugs don’t reduce risk of death, heart events.

Taking your questions: My urinalysis showed "odd" bacteria in my urine, could it be from the soil-based probiotics I've been taking?...I found the bottled water I use at home and my office contains fluoride, how do I determine which water delivery service has the best product? Plus, tips to reduce food waste.

The Standard American Diet is a major driver of the current epidemic of degenerative disease in the U.S. Top-down efforts by government to stem the tide of illness are unwieldy, costly failures. The Suppers Programs is a community-based, voluntary organization that helps individuals escape the addictive eating patterns that are undermining their health. Founder Dorothy Mullen explains how commercial foods subvert our normal appetite cues. She describes how diet affects mood. The Suppers Program offers an economical local model that enables individuals to experience the benefits of dietary transformation in a non-judgmental setting. According to Dorothy, “portion control” is one of the biggest myths that undermine dieters’ success. Indulging in sugary, artificially-flavored snacks and soft drinks cannot be offset merely with exercise, however intense, as food industry apologists would have us believe. Fundamental dietary change isn’t easy, but it’s necessary for many to attain optimal physical and emotional wellness. Diet must be individualized--there is no “one-size-fits-all” eating prescription. The Suppers Programs is based in New Jersey, but is training facilitators to expand across the Northeast, and is a model for transforming the American way of eating.

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dorothy Mullen, founder of The Suppers Programs, about how commercial foods subvert our normal appetite.

Cross-reactivity with certain foods during hayfever season. What do you think of time release vitamin C or ascorbyl palmitate? How can I prevent herpes outbreaks that seem to be increasing in frequency? Is boluoke superior to nattokinase when it comes to preventing blood clots?

What can I do to prevent further bouts of atrial fibrillation? I’m having hip replacement surgery, any post-op supplements you would suggest? Any supplements my wife can take for eye floaters?

"Suboptimal diet” accounts for 1/2 of deaths due to heart disease, stroke, diabetes; Save those baby teeth—they may be a clue to your child’s environmental risks; Nutritional supplement banishes postpartum depression; Low-dose naltrexone relieves symptoms of fibromyalgia, lowers inflammatory cytokines.

Ease up on the thermostat, spare the a/c to access cardiometabolic benefits of Paleo lifestyle; Should you avoid the hospital during the July changing-of-the-guard? Just a modest increase in kids’ physical activity could save billions in medical costs.

A teen chugged a latte, a Mountain Dew and an energy drink--and died; NSAIDs can increase heart risk by more than 50%--within days; Supplements to forestall dementia; Carbonated water stokes appetite; Latest studies confirm full-fat cheese won't raise chance of heart disease; Low glycemic index diet lowers blood pressure; TJ Robinson, The Olive Oil Hunter, offers tips on selecting the highest quality, polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil. Visit www.MyFavoriteOliveOil.com for a special offer to Intelligent Medicine listeners.

High levels of exercise can turn back your biological clock; Could chemo result in a slowed metabolism that prompts weight gain? The perils of unnecessary PAP smears in older women; Selenium and CoQ10 team up to cut heart disease deaths in half; As an accompaniment to calorie reduction, which is best in overweight seniors: aerobic exercise alone, resistance training alone, or a combination of both? What are the long-term consequences of radiation treatment for cancer? Monsanto said to deploy paid "trolls" to counter adverse publicity about glyphosate and GMOs. Study challenges flu risk in pregnancy, uncovers harm of flu vaccine.

Dr. Hoffman's nutritionist, Leyla Muedin, answers these listener questions: "What are your thoughts on Scottish farm raised "organic" salmon? What about wild caught pacific seafood being contaminated by Fukushima radiation?"

When faced with patients with chronic, difficult-to-diagnose conditions, integrative doctors need to look past traditional disease categories. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, sometimes popularly known as histamine Intolerance, helps explain why patients are stuck. Dr. Tania Dempsey, medical director of Armonk Integrative Medicine in New York, explains how diverse conditions like multi-system allergy, pain syndromes, skin problems, depression and anxiety, IBS, prostate and bladder pain, vulvodynia, endometriosis, and PMS are often remediable with natural interventions. How is MCAS diagnosed? What are common MCAS triggers? Is a low histamine diet effective in alleviating symptoms? What supplements are beneficial for MCAS?

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Tania Dempsey, medical director of Armonk Integrative Medicine in New York.