Microbiome

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1: The Numerous Benefits of Almonds
April 12, 2023
A handful of almonds before meals promotes weight loss, reduces belly fat, improves blood sugar, lipids, may reverse diabetes; A better alternative to bicarb for GERD symptoms; Please critique the Wapo article on probiotics' impact on gut health; Is the Atkins Diet a healthy way to eat low carb? Click HERE for part 2.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for April 8, Part 1: Fish Oil v. Cognitive Decline
April 10, 2023
I made Flava Naturals chocolate brownies for Passover—and they were a hit! Fish oil scores vs. cognitive decline in new study; Is crystal healing legit? Becoming a stool donor can yield big bucks—but few qualify; An epidemic of back pain in young girls is tied to excess screen time; Big Pharma has plans to harness mRNA technology for cancer, autoimmune disease, genetic conditions by 2030—but is it ready for primetime? Survey shows confidence in CDC recommendations varies by party affiliation; Body composition is a strong determinant of risk for severe Covid. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

ENCORE: The Crucial Role of the Microbiome in Immunity, Part 1
April 5, 2023
Christine Rosche, M.P.H., C.N.S., Board Certified Nutrition Specialist and Digestive Health Expert developed an integrative approach to digestive health based on 25 years experience in the health care field. She describes how an imbalanced microbiome predisposes to bad Covid outcomes; additional studies suggest that drastic alterations to intestinal contents occur with Covid infections, and may be responsible for the persistence of symptoms in Covid “long-haulers”. Rosche describes the suite of tests that can help evaluate the status of the microbiome. A HeartMath™️ evaluation of heart rate variability can show whether stress is impairing a patient’s recovery. Additionally, a little-acknowledged effect results from continual exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Diet modification, pre-and probiotics, targeted nutraceuticals, and stress reduction can reverse harmful alterations of the microbiome. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: The Crucial Role of the Microbiome in Immunity, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Christine Rosche, M.P.H., C.N.S., Board Certified Nutrition Specialist and Digestive Health Expert. Click HERE for part 1.

The Dire Consequences of Our Depleted Microbiomes, Part 1
March 2, 2023
Is the human microbiome an endangered species? Dr. Martin Blaser, author of "Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues," has now been featured in a new documentary, "The Invisible Extinction," that explores the dire consequences of our depleted microbiomes. Antibiotic overuse, C-sections, lack of breastfeeding, ultra-processed food, lack of exposure to nature, and chlorinated water conspire to deplete our bodies of beneficial bacteria; these imbalances in intestinal flora have profound far-reaching effects, not just on digestive disorders, but on immunity, metabolism, and brain function. Conditions like insulin resistance, obesity, Parkinson’s Disease, depression and anxiety and many more have been linked to microbiome deficits. What lessons do stool samples from indigenous peoples offer us? There may be a trans-generational effect of microbiome depletion. Dr. Blaser has gone so far as to advocate a Microbiome Vault to preserve our bacterial heritage. Are fecal transplants and poop pills the answer? “Vaginal seeding”? What role do high-fiber diets play? Are fermented foods beneficial? What about probiotics? Dr. Blaser describes measures we need to take now to recover our microbial diversity. Click HERE for part 2.

The Dire Consequences of Our Depleted Microbiomes, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Martin Blaser, author of "Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues." Click HERE for part 1.

ENCORE: A Remarkable Functional Food: Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat, Part 1
February 28, 2023
A conversation with the founder of the Functional Medicine movement, Dr. Jeffrey Bland. His latest innovation is the identification and popularization of a remarkable functional food, Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat (HTB). It contains an array of immunorestorative compounds, as well as unique prebiotics supportive of a healthy microbiome. HTB is available as a food ingredient, or as a concentrated supplement, HTB Rejuvenate™️. New findings suggest HTB optimizes immune parameters, counteracts insulin resistance, and improves subjective well-being of experimental subjects. Dr. Bland further weighs in on the ideal diet, the lessons of the pandemic, and why we need a renewed focus on natural antecedents to health even as we move past Covid-19. Click HERE for part 2.

Nutritional Psychiatry, Part 1
February 7, 2023
Dr. Drew Ramsey is a pioneer in the emerging field of Nutritional Psychiatry and author of "Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety: Nourish Your Way to Better Mental Health in Six Weeks." Dr. Ramsey reviews the remarkable research that has demonstrated the efficacy of diet for improving mental health outcomes. The foods we eat impact our brain function for better or for worse, delivering essential nutrients, fostering a healthy microbiome, combatting inflammation, encouraging neuroplasticity, and supporting neurotransmitters. He is co-developer of the Antidepressant Food Scale which rates foods based on their potential to support well-being. He is also director of the Brain Food Clinic which offers integrative psychiatric care incorporating “dietary assessment and food prescription along with coaching, meal planning, and hands-on skill building in your kitchen.” He believes that no single diet offers a panacea for mental health optimization, but that replacement of ultra-processed food with nutrient-dense alternatives offers the most benefits with ease of compliance. Click HERE for part 2.

What Should You Expect From Your Probiotic Supplement?, Part 1
February 2, 2023
When you start taking probiotics, it affects your whole body. This is because the bacterial colonies in your gut—or gut microbiome—impact many aspects of your health, such as your digestion, brain function, and your immune system. Dr. Ross Pelton is the Director of Science & Education for Essential Formulas Incorporated which specializes in premium probiotic products. He joins us with a Probiotics 101 primer. How can you tell when your probiotics are working? What should you look for in a superior probiotic formula? Also, find out how your microbiome is directly related to your aging process in Dr. Pelton's new article, "The Microbiome Theory of Aging." The article details why an unbalanced gut microbiome increases disease risk and accelerates biological aging. Click HERE for part 2.

What Should You Expect From Your Probiotic Supplement?, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Ross Pelton, Director of Science & Education for Essential Formulas Incorporated which specializes in premium probiotic products. Click HERE for part 1.