Digestive Health

Leyla Weighs In: Overcoming IBS and Candida
October 18, 2024
Addressing Candida and IBS with Diet and Botanicals. Nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses candida overgrowth and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). She offers insights into botanical supplements such as caprylic acid, olive leaf, and oil of oregano, emphasizing the importance of a low-carbohydrate, yeast-free diet. She addresses listener Sandy's query on IBS, detailing the individualized approach required for effective treatment, alongside dietary changes. Leyla explains the interconnectedness of candida with various health issues, including autoimmune conditions, and the impact of diet and probiotics on managing symptoms. The episode further explores the role of antibiotics and NSAIDs in contributing to a leaky gut, alongside lifestyle adjustments necessary to improve gut health.

ENCORE: Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: Gut Bacteria and Cholesterol
October 3, 2024
Food company executive commits cannibalism; New face mask can diagnose respiratory viruses; Study identifies gut bacteria that regulate cholesterol; Does functional medicine offer any appreciable help in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis?; What do you think of magnesium spray versus taking an oral magnesium supplement? Click HERE for part 2.

Leyla Weighs In: Cutting Out Sugar and Starch for IBS Relief
September 27, 2024
Registered dietitian nutritionist Leyla Muedin discusses dietary strategies for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). She compares the traditional low FODMAP diet with a recent study advocating a low sugar and starch diet, highlighting the effectiveness of both approaches in alleviating IBS symptoms. Leyla provides detailed information on which foods to avoid and which to consume on a low FODMAP diet and stresses that while both diets can significantly improve IBS symptoms, they are not intended to be long-term solutions. The episode offers insights into how dietary changes, along with botanical supplements, can help relieve IBS-related issues such as bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits.

Understanding Digestive Health: Supplements, Strategies, and Solutions, Part 1
August 7, 2024
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. Click HERE for part 2.

Understanding Digestive Health: Supplements, Strategies, and Solutions, Part 2

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. Click HERE for part 1.

Banish the Bloat: Leyla Weighs In with Tips and Insights
July 26, 2024
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.

Leyla Weighs In: IBS Treatment Strategies–Dietary Tips and Lifestyle Advice
July 12, 2024
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.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Pathway to Optimizing Health, Part 1
January 18, 2024
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) – those devices that provide 24/7 blood glucose readings – are not just for diabetics anymore. Data from CGMs provide a pathway to disease prevention and reversal, such as obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, prediabetes, fatty liver disease, GERD and more. Dr. Paul Kolodzik, Board Certified in both Emergency Medicine and Preventive Medicine, is author of “The Continuous Glucose Monitor Revolution For Nondiabetics.” He discusses CGMs, insulin resistance, low carb and keto, intermittent fasting, even the prudent use of the new FDA-approved weight loss medications like Ozempic. Click on the book title to receive a free copy. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Connecting the Dots Between Your Gut Health and Many Common Ailments, Part 1
January 4, 2024
Dr. William Davis, author of the best-selling Wheat Belly series, focuses on the microbiome in his new book "Super Gut: Reprogram Your Microbiome to Restore Health, Lose Weight, and Turn Back the Clock." Dr. Davis relates how the limitations of his conventional cardiology training led him to explore natural alternatives, which fundamentally altered his patients’ trajectory to heart disease. He describes the rationale for gluten avoidance as a path, not just to weight loss, but also to overall health restoration. Dr. Davis goes beyond mere gluten avoidance; it’s necessary to curtail many other offending grains and embrace a low-carb diet. His research has revealed that homemade yogurts, made with specific starters, have a wide range of benefits. A polyphenol and prebiotic-rich diet, probiotic replacement, as well as certain nutraceuticals are critical to restoration of gut integrity. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Connecting the Dots Between Your Gut Health and Many Common Ailments, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. William Davis, author of "Super Gut: Reprogram Your Microbiome to Restore Health, Lose Weight, and Turn Back the Clock." Click HERE for part 1.