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August Auguries: COVID-19 news roundup
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
“America Is a Coalition of the Worried: Everyone is anxious this summer—not over regular things, but over big and essential things.” That’s the title of an op-ed by Peggy Noonan in last week’s Wall Street Journal. It really captures the current mood. There’s lots…read more
Categories:COVID-19
How does it end?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
COVID-19 pessimists feel vindicated this month as cases surge in parts of the US that thought they’d dodged the coronavirus bullet; the baseball season is in doubt with entire teams quarantining and out of action; Dr. Fauci announced it’s “impossible…read more
Categories:COVID-19
Why did the U.S. get hit so hard with COVID-19?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
When news of a novel respiratory virus broke in March, who could have predicted that the U.S. would eventually lead the world in deaths? It was anticipated that China, with its packed cities and 1.4 billion inhabitants, would experience the…read more
Categories:COVID-19
The New York Times has a bias problem (No, it’s not what you think)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
When I was in junior high school and was assigned a report for civics class, I remember going to the New York Times for an authoritative account of whatever important news story was breaking. When John F. Kennedy was assassinated, I distinctly…read more
Categories:Supplements
Midsummer musings
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Twin Epidemics: During the last few months, I’ve often made the point that COVID-19 is a public health crisis superimposed on another epidemic—that of chronic degenerative diseases that are tied to our Western lifestyles. Junk food, sedentary lifestyle, debilitating addictions, and…read more
The path to a COVID-19 vaccine
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Let me begin by saying this is not an anti-vaccination screed. I know full well that passions run high on this issue, but remember Will Smith’s portrayal of a lone pandemic survivor in the 2007 movie I Am Legend? With savage,…read more
Categories:COVID-19
Physician, heal thyself—or not?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Self-care is one of my fundamental tenets. We over-rely on our health care system to deliver us health outcomes—many of which lie within the locus of our personal responsibility. Conversely, it’s been said that “A physician who treats himself has…read more
Categories:General Medicine
We’re all germaphobes and agoraphobes now: The way back
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I got a call from my hairdresser today. Because New York City officially enters “phase 2” this week, haircuts can resume—with social distancing, masks and disinfectant precautions. I felt like I’d just won the lottery! And that’s as it should be….read more
Categories:COVID-19 Mental and Emotional Health Stress
What’s your “Aging Type”?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Amid the consternation over the coronavirus pandemic, news of an important health research breakthrough was eclipsed. It came in the form of an article entitled “Personal aging markers and ageotypes revealed by deep longitudinal profiling” in Nature Medicine. We all age, and yes,…read more
Categories:Aging
Lessons of the pandemic
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Now that the imminent threat of hundreds of thousands of deaths and, for much of the country, the specter of hospitals overwhelmed with patients clinging to life on ventilators have receded, it’s time to reflect on the lessons this pandemic…read more
Categories:COVID-19
15 coronavirus myths debunked (part two)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last week, I offered a closer look at some of the myths circulating about COVID-19. This week, I’m continuing the list with the rest of the 15 myths that need debunking. Without further ado, let’s dive in: 9) Vaccine optimism: The stock market…read more
Categories:COVID-19
15 coronavirus myths debunked (part one)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It’s been a fast-moving couple of months. Amid contradictory and maladroit messaging—some unduly alarmist—we’re learning more about the true facts surrounding the pandemic. This week, I’m taking a closer look at the some of the myths you may have come…read more
Categories:COVID-19
Proactive Protection: The changes you need to make to bolster your body’s defenses against COVID-19
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
At this point, the inevitable unraveling of the lockdown is underway. In many parts of the country, restrictions are being lifted, and people are emerging from self-imposed house arrest. Even here in New York City, where I reside, the natives…read more
Categories:COVID-19 Metabolic Syndrome Obesity
The latest on COVID-19: From antibodies to zinc, and everything in between
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Is it a “Plandemic”? Spreading more rapidly than the virus itself, and threatening to inflame your limbic system and deprive you all your critical faculties, is a slick video featuring researcher Dr. Judy Mikovits. She outlines a wide-ranging conspiracy to infect…read more
Categories:COVID-19 Immunity Supplements
A closer look at two COVID-19 controversies
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
FBI Raids Alternative Coronavirus Clinic: Some of you may have been outraged, as I was, at the spectacle of armed FBI agents raiding a medical practice in Michigan that was offering patients vitamin C IV drips for prevention and/or treatment…read more
Categories:COVID-19
Everyday ways to combat COVID-19
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It appears that, for better or worse, we’re emerging from lockdown. We’ve “flattened the curve” and hospital admissions and deaths are declining. Americans are champing at the bit to normalize their routines and undertake damage control over a badly wounded…read more
Categories:COVID-19
Integrative Medicine—a new way forward amid the coronavirus pandemic
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Is COVID-19 the quintessential example of a “lifestyle disease”? I can’t take credit for that formulation—it’s by one of my cherished mentors, Dr. Jeffrey Bland, considered by many the undisputed “Father of Functional Medicine”. Hearing that helped me coalesce a…read more
Categories:COVID-19
Coronavirus update: Masks, losing fitness, and toilets
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
More mask misdirection (and some possible clarity): I’m finally getting a handle on this mask controversy. First, they told us that masks for the general public were unnecessary because a) they were ineffective, and b) the good masks were scarce…read more
COVID-19 Controversies: The debates to come
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
We are living in unprecedented and unpredictable times. It seems every day brings new recommendations on what we should—or shouldn’t—or actually, on second thought, should—be doing to keep ourselves and others safe from the spread of COVID-19. With experts and…read more
Categories:COVID-19
“Poor protoplasm” and coronavirus: How the state of our overall health affects our ability to weather COVID-19
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
During my medical training in the 80s, we treated a lot of very sick patients. When things went south, as they inevitably did, we fatalistically blamed patients’ declines on their “poor protoplasm.” What is poor protoplasm? As with the oft-quoted…read more
Categories:COVID-19 Diabetes Heart Disease Obesity
COVID-19 UPDATE—The good, the bad, the confusing: Latest developments in the treatment pipeline for the novel coronavirus
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
In a previous newsletter article, I outlined the most plausible natural preventive and treatment strategies for coronavirus. Herein, I’ll share some of the most promising avenues utilizing repurposing of currently-available drugs, fast-tracking of newly-developed agents, or ingenious deployment of traditional strategies…read more
Categories:COVID-19
Coronavirus treatment and prevention strategies
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
WARNING: The Federal Trade Commission mandates that prior to openly discussing any issues related to COVID 19 the following disclaimer be conspicuously placed in front of any article relating to COVID 19: NONE OF THE PRODUCTS DISCUSSED IN THIS ARTICLE…read more
Categories:COVID-19 Supplements
What we know about the COVID-19 pandemic
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Whew! There’s a lot to report here. Today, I’ll try to impart some of the latest facts about the COVID-19 (aka “coronavirus”) pandemic, although things are moving really fast. In fact, they’re moving so swiftly that you may have noticed…read more
Categories:COVID-19 General Medicine Infections
21 nutraceuticals that can boost your immune response (part two)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last week, I offered you the first half of my recommendations for bolstering your immune system. (If you missed it, you can read it here.) This week, we’re wrapping up with ten more nutraceuticals that can help you stay healthy…read more
Categories:Colds and Respiratory Infections Flu Immunity Supplements
UPDATED: 21 nutraceuticals that can boost your immune response (part one)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
With illness on so many people’s minds these days, I thought it might be a good time to review natural ways of supporting our immune systems. (Listen to my Clinical Focus podcast on the subject of Immune Support.) Amid the…read more
Categories:Colds and Respiratory Infections Flu Immunity Supplements
March tidings—The news you need this month
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Winter seems to be dragging on interminably, but there are signs of change: The days are getting longer, temperatures are moderating, and baseball’s spring training is getting into full swing. Here are some breaking health stories to hasten your transition…read more
Can a saliva DNA test tell you what diet is best for you?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
There are so many diets out there: Vegan, low-carb, flexitarian, paleo, high-protein, gluten and casein-free, and keto to name but a few. How to choose? This was already on my mind in 1989 when I wrote my first book, The…read more
Categories:
Glyphosate: Even if it doesn’t give you cancer, is it still bad for you?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It’s considered one of the most disastrous German acquisitions since the occupation of Stalingrad in World War 2: Bayer’s takeover of Monsanto, makers of the herbicide glyphosate, and “Roundup-ready” genetically modified seed. The $63 billion-dollar acquisition has threatened the very…read more
Categories:Environmental Health
UPDATED: 12 Ways to Conquer the Winter Blahs
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
By now many of you—particularly those of you who live in the Midwest and Northeast—may be suffering the effects of a snowy, frigid, protracted winter. It’s been cold and grey here in New York City. The wan February light does…read more
Categories:Depression/Anxiety Endocrinology Environmental Health Exercise Mental and Emotional Health Sleep Supplements
What you need to know about the new coronavirus
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
At this point, it’s safe to assume that you’ve heard of the new strain of coronavirus originating in China and the global panic it has caused. But how worried should you actually be? This week, I’m taking a look at…read more
Categories:COVID-19 Flu General Medicine Lung Health
Winter Shorts
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
With the holidays behind us, we’re hunkering down for winter 2020. But it’s sure not been quiet on the health/nutrition front. Here are some of the stories that have fascinated me: IV vitamin C vs. septic shock: Septic shock is…read more
Categories:Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Problems General Medicine Men’s Health Obesity Supplements
Repeat after me: “Hunger is my friend!”
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
We are all familiar with the sensation: You get that empty feeling in your stomach, your appetite revs up, the smell of Cinnabons or pizza or donuts becomes irresistible. It’s hunger, a primal urge to eat, which is relentless. We…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Who’s leading the charge in 2020 to combat the epidemic of diet-related disease?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It has now been acknowledged that unhealthy diet is one of the leading risk factors for preventable death, exceeding even the toll caused by smoking. Last year, the Lancet reported that globally, one in five deaths are associated with poor…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Medical Nihilism—an idea whose time has come?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
“Nihilism” is defined as “a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded”. When applied to modern medicine, it means imposing extreme skepticism on the medical practices that have come to comprise our disease-fighting armamentarium. After having read Medical Nihilism over the…read more
Categories:General Medicine
Man’s 4th Best Hospital by Samuel Shem: A Review
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
In the late 70s and early 80s I underwent my training in internal medicine at some of the busiest hospitals in New York City. The AIDS epidemic was raging. Poverty, urban decay and crime were taking their tolls. The prevailing…read more
Categories:General Medicine
Top Ten Intelligent Medicine podcasts of 2019 (part two)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last week, I began my recap of the best Intelligent Medicine podcasts of the year, highlighting topics ranging from childhood illness to DNA testing kits! This week, I’m finishing up our yearly Top Ten with five more picks for you to enjoy before the…read more
Categories:Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Digestive Health Environmental Health General Nutrition Immunity Nutrition Controversies Women’s Health
Top Ten Intelligent Medicine podcasts of 2019 (part one)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
‘Tis the season. As the pace of work and school slows, and the freneticism of shopping and parties abates, people are hopping into cars, buses, planes and trains to reach holiday destinations. Or else, they collapse and simply enjoy cocooning…read more
Top Ten Worst Health Stories of 2019 (Part 2)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It’s that time of year: I’m reprising my annual rendition of the year’s worst health stories. These stories distinguish themselves by perpetuating stereotypes about the dangers or inefficacy of supplements or natural therapies, or alternatively, parroting outmoded concepts about diet….read more
Top Ten worst health stories of 2019 (Part 1)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It’s that time of year again! Time to pay homage to some of the worst accomplishments of waning 2019: Worst songs, worst movies, worst fashions, worst tech gifts, etc. This week, I’m reprising my annual rendition of the year’s worst…read more
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): A Review
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
By now we’re all well aware of the importance of good blood sugar control. Even when it’s not a matter of lowering out-of-range glucose in outright diabetes—or avoiding inadvertent hypoglycemic episodes resulting from overzealous insulin dosing—evidence is amassing that optimizing…read more
Categories:Diabetes General Medicine General Nutrition Hypoglycemia
What I learned about environmental toxicity at the American Nutrition Association (ANA) annual meeting
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I just returning from the American Nutrition Association (ANA) annual meeting in San Diego. The ANA is a brand-new coalition of organizations that promote the science and practice of personalized nutrition. There was a big launch party for ANA at…read more
Categories:Environmental Health General Nutrition
The Raw and the Cooked: What enabled us to become human may also be our undoing
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
As many of you know by now, my training in college was in anthropology. This study of diverse cultures and human evolution informs my understanding of human health to this day. The Raw and the Cooked is the title of an…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
Low-tech solutions for challenging medical problems
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
“Dark therapy” for bipolar syndrome: You’ve heard of light therapy for SAD. It lifts patients out of seasonal depression. But patients with bipolar disorder suffer from hyper-excitation. They may be prone to bouts of manic behavior and have trouble sleeping or…read more
Categories:Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Problems Mental and Emotional Health Nutrition and Weight Urinary Health
UPDATED: 17 supplements for women with early breast cancer (part three of series)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so I wanted to reprise an article from a series I wrote previously about natural ways to support breast cancer treatment. I hope you find this article helpful once again, or for the first…read more
Categories:Cancer Probiotics Supplements Women’s Health
Fish oil supplements are good. No, worthless. Wait—they work!
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Amidst the excitement over a major research group’s vindication of meat last week (NYTimes: “Eat Less Red Meat, Scientists Said. Now Some Believe That Was Bad Advice”), news of another stunning reversal was eclipsed. “Omega-3 fish oil supplements linked with lower…read more
Categories:Heart Health Nutrition Controversies Supplements
Veganism—the New Children’s Crusade
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
In the year 1212, legend has it that a 12-year-old shepherd boy named Philip Cloyes, claiming to bear a letter from Jesus to the King of France, led tens of thousands of children to the Holy Land in what has…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
Everything you need to know about the current cholesterol guidelines
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL CHOLESTEROL EDUCATION MONTH Several years ago, we all awoke to a sea-change in the way mainstream medicine approaches the prescribing of cholesterol drugs. It caught many of the “worried well” by surprise. Even most doctors were blind-sided….read more
Categories:Atherosclerosis
Is weight gain inevitable as you grow older?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Most people steadily gain weight as they advance in age from young adulthood into middle age. Between ages 29 and 39, women typically gain about 7 pounds, and men put on an additional 15 pounds, according to the U.S. Department…read more
When it comes to heart disease—the type of diet you choose doesn’t matter (REALLY??)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last week we were assailed with yet another pop science diet report: “Healthy foods more important than type of diet to reduce heart disease risk: Researchers compare three popular diets and find all three reduce heart disease” reports Science Daily. So…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
A dozen reasons you’ve been told to avoid red meat—and whether or not they’re valid (part two)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Happy September! I hope all of my readers had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. With school starting and summer ending, September can feel like the perfect time to turn over a new leaf, leading many to look toward ways they…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
A dozen reasons you’ve been told to avoid red meat—and whether or not they’re valid (part one)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
“I’m trying to cut down on red meat.” It’s a familiar trope when I take a dietary history from new patients. People are feeling guilty these days about consuming beef, veal, lamb, and pork products. They’re taught that meat consumption…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
Book Review: Unsafe at Any Meal
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Renee Joy Dufault (pronounced Doo-Foe), author of Unsafe at Any Meal: What the FDA Does Not Want You to Know About the Foods You Eat. You can listen to the podcast here. The title…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
Stem Cells: Panacea or snake oil?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
They are billed as the new keys to longevity, an endless inventory of “spare parts” that can regenerate sick or tired organs, a veritable Fountain of Youth. But are stem cells the medical cure-all of the future, or are they…read more
Categories:Aging Cancer Diabetes General Medicine Muscle and Bone Health
Study highlights perils of the Paleo Diet—But does it hold up to scrutiny?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
You’ve probably seen last month’s headlines: “New research raises red flags over Paleo Diet”—Independent Online, South Africa (Source) “The Paleo Diet could be bad for your heart, study finds”—Health24 (Source) “The Paleo Diet could be your early ticket to the grave”—D’Marge…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies Paleo Diet
Summer shorts: What you may have missed while beating the heat
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
The summer heat is taking its toll on everything from our tolerance for sweat to our attention spans! So, this week, I’m bringing you a handful of short, easily digestible health news updates. Pour yourself a tall glass of iced…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Multiple Sclerosis Neurological Health Nutrition and Weight Nutrition Controversies Pediatric Health
Is psychiatry an unscientific mess?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
If you should suddenly experience headaches, double vision and balance problems, your doctor might order an MRI, revealing the presence of a life-threatening glioblastoma. Or, if you’re suffering from dry eyes and dry mouth, a physician might be prompted to…read more
Categories:Mental and Emotional Health
The weak case against saturated fats
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Saturated fats continue to be demonized by health “authorities.” The American Heart Association persists in recommending: “Eat an overall healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes: a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry and fish.” It urges…read more
Categories:Heart Disease Heart Health Nutrition Controversies
Is your grill killing you? Your personal anti-AGEing program
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
With summer ramping up, many of us are taking advantage of the warm temps by firing up the BBQ grill. Nothing compares with the savory taste of seared meat, seafood, or poultry. Or corn on the cob, baked potatoes, grilled…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
UPDATED: Hormone Nazis to men: “No testosterone for YOU!”
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
June is Men’s Health Month. In honor of that, and in light of recent studies, I’m bringing back this important article from several years ago. See the end for an update! —Dr. Hoffman Last month, an FDA advisory committee dealt a…read more
Categories:Men’s Health
PMS got turned into a sinecure for drug companies; now women are suing
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is estimated to be experienced by 20-40% of women of reproductive age. Its cyclic symptoms include mood alterations, digestive disturbances, weight gain and water retention, breast pain, backache, fatigue, sleep problems, and food cravings. It’s known that the birth…read more
Categories:Women’s Health
A cup of blueberries a day keeps the doctor away
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition researchers demonstrated the benefits of eating a cup of freeze-dried blueberries every day. The subjects were overweight or clinically obese (with BMI > 25), ages 50-75, all with three or…read more
Categories:Heart Health Metabolic Syndrome Obesity
How to protect yourself from the harmful effects of antibiotics
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
There are times when you just need an antibiotic. Think pneumonia, a serious skin infection, a urinary tract infection, or Lyme Disease. Yes, they’re overused for self-limited conditions like mild acne, bronchitis, ear infections, and sinusitis, but they’re sometimes necessary….read more
Categories:Medications Supplements
Processed foods cause overeating and weight gain—DUH!
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
A self-evident proposition, something that’s been at the core of my decades-long lifework as a medical nutritionist, I’d dub this the DUH Story—not merely of the week, the month, or the year—but of the present century! Why is this headline…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Scuba diving is great (but there’s a lot that can go wrong!)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I just returned from a dive trip to the Dominican Republic and wanted to share some reflections with you. I dove at Bayahibe, a beach resort near La Romana on the southern (Caribbean) coast of the DR, about a two-hour…read more
Categories:Exercise
New calls for “regulation” of health information: Censorship much?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last week, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)rolled out a new proposal: “Counteracting Health Misinformation: A Role for Medical Journals?” I was shocked and dismayed. The authors proclaim: “The growing toll of popular fallacies about health and illness is evident…read more
Categories:General Medicine
Could a vegetarian diet undermine your mental health?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I saw it on Drudge: “The Scary Mental Health Risks of Going Meatless,”a story in Women’s Health magazine. Predictably, this ignited a media feeding frenzy: “Plant-Based Diets May Hike Mental Health Risks” — CNBC “Vegetarian Diets Linked to Emotional, Mental Problems” — Latino…read more
Categories:Mental and Emotional Health Vegetarian Diet
New perspectives on IBS
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
April marks “IBS Awareness Month” so let’s survey some of the new innovations in IBS care since I last reviewed it. IBS patients—estimated at 30-45 million in the U.S. alone—are demanding better treatments. They’re even organizing politically to advocate for Congressional action to fund…read more
Categories:IBS
Meet your mitochondria!
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
How many of you remember your high school biology? We all know that our mitochondria are the organelles in our cells that help produce energy for our bodies. Our muscle cells have more mitochondria, which makes sense, but so do…read more
Categories:General Medicine
18 supplements for allergy relief and prevention
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last week, I offered my top ten tips for beating spring allergies. This week, I’m arming you with the supplements you need to keep the sniffling, sneezing, and watery eyes at bay. (If you’ve seen the footage of the massive…read more
Categories:Allergy Probiotics Supplements
Allergy Armageddon! 10 tips for surviving allergy season
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Congratulations, survivors of Winter 2018-19! You made it through the polar vortex and everything else this past winter has thrown at us, and the end is in sight! April is here and (for most of us) spring weather is on…read more
Categories:Allergy
15 reasons why most health studies are wrong
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
As my readers know, I’ve often lamented the lack of health literacy in the general public. I’ve even created a series of Health IQ quizzes so my audience could assess their knowledge. But one of the reasons for confusion over fundamental health…read more
Categories:General Medicine
17 natural ways to treat Multiple Sclerosis
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Did you know that March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month? There are now nearly a million people with MS in the U.S., with women making up 74% of them. Drugs are the current mainstay of treatment for MS, with some inroads being made,…read more
Categories:Multiple Sclerosis Supplements
The plot against Keto
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I’m not susceptible to conspiracy theories, but this week’s confluence of anti-low-carb/Keto stories has me wondering. It’s a veritable torrent of orchestrated assaults! First there was the “Keto crotch” campaign. Initially, I was going to pass up on damage control…read more
Categories:Ketogenic Diet Nutrition Controversies
Is vitamin D overrated?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
When it comes to acceptance of novel scientific theories, J.B.S. Haldane once wrote that acknowledgment goes through four stages: 1. This is worthless nonsense. 2. This is an interesting, but perverse, point of view. 3. This is true, but quite…read more
Categories:Supplements
Why the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last month, the investment world was rocked by the disclosure that Gerald Cotten, CEO of one of the world’s largest crypto-currency exchanges, had died suddenly at the age of 30. Lost with him were passwords and recovery keys that made…read more
Categories:IBD
“Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper”—REALLY?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
A big new study in the British Medical Journal concludes that the hoary advice, oft-repeated by health professionals and the media, that “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” is not applicable to the majority of people. Previous studies that…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Nutrition and Weight
Quiz: How well do you know your heart?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
February is Heart Health month, and today is Valentine’s Day, so there’s no better time to check up on how well you know your heart! Answer the questions below to find out if you’re a heart health aficionado, or if…read more
Categories:Heart Health
Nutrition community to Lancet: EAT this!
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Last month, 37 eminent scientists from around the world released a consensus paper for The Lancet—the EAT-Lancet report—that recommends draconian restriction of animal protein with a dual agenda of promoting human health and saving the planet from environmental catastrophe. I can’t…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
Real vs. fake detox
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
For every good phenomenon, there’s commercial exploitation and co-optation. So it’s been with the low-carb diet, the Paleo diet, and lately, the Keto diet—so much so that the unwholesome and inauthentic products that are promoted betray the original intent of…read more
Categories:Nutrition Controversies
Chill out–it may be healthy for you!
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Temperatures plummeted across much of the U.S. this week, leaving many of us shivering. I got out my long underwear that had been lying fallow for several recent mild Northeast winters. To make matters worse, weather forecasters terrorized us with…read more
Categories:Environmental Health
A tale of two toxins
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
We spend a lot of time worrying about exposure to mercury, lead, bisphenol A, glyphosate and a myriad of environmental toxins. But here are two that you probably don’t know about and may be inadvertently consuming. Transglutaminase: Science News reported this month that,…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Gluten Sensitivity
Does this statin make me look fat?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It’s been conclusively demonstrated that people who take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs—especially women—are more prone to Type 2 diabetes, the kind associated with being overweight. So much so that the FDA issued a black box warning saying that statin drugs could…read more
Categories:Atherosclerosis Heart Disease Heart Health Obesity
Censorship threatens your access to news about natural alternatives
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It seemed like a wonderful dream come true: An unlimited torrent of information at your disposal, just a click away. As my 90-year-old aunt excitedly described it: “The Internet is like having a genius in your living room!” But the…read more
Categories:General Medicine
The five health battles we need to fight next
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
In a previous newsletter, I celebrated five victories that suggest the tide is finally turning—marketers of chemical-laden junk food are bowing to consumer demands, and even the Federal government is scaling back on its fluoridation mandates. These victories are significant, and…read more
Categories:FDA General Nutrition GMO Healthcare Natural Health Care Nutrition Controversies Supplements
10 natural solutions for winter skin dryness
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Winter is the time of year when people most often complain of dry skin. It’s a matter of simple physics. Skin naturally holds moisture, and cold winter air doesn’t hold as much moisture as warm, humid summer air. The problem…read more
QUIZ: Test your holiday health knowledge!
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It’s the most wonderful time of the year—for some of us. For others, the holidays can mean stress, illness, overindulgence and the ensuing guilt, and a complete derailment of our yearly health goals. Take this quiz to find out if…read more
Categories:Exercise General Medicine Mental and Emotional Health Nutrition and Weight Quiz Supplements
The 10 worst health stories of 2018 (part two)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
“Fake news.” It’s now firmly in the lexicon of most Americans. But it doesn’t just apply to politics—it’s also rampant in health reporting. Earlier this year, I wrote an article entitled “Why most health news is fake news”. In that story,…read more
Categories:General Medicine
The 10 worst health stories of 2018 (part 1)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
‘Tis the season—of lists. Best books, best films, best consumer electronics, best cat videos… ad nauseum! This week and next, I’m flipping the script to recap the ten worst health stories of 2018. And, boy, this year has offered a bumper crop! Here…read more
Categories:General Medicine
The future of nutritional medicine (part three)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
In part one of this article, I discussed how new scientific breakthroughs will soon revolutionize the field of precision nutrition. In part two, I wrote about how the emerging field of nutrigenomics will help hone our nutritional recommendations. But there are additional levels of complexity…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
The future of nutritional medicine (part two)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
In part one of this article, I discussed how new scientific breakthroughs will soon revolutionize the field of precision nutrition. Essentially, the problem is that blanket nutritional prescriptions—e.g. “eat less fat,” “avoid processed foods,” “consume more fiber,” “take more vitamin D”—while helpful,…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
The future of nutritional medicine (part one)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I’m freshly back from the American College of Nutrition 59th annual meeting in Seattle. It was an information-packed and inspirational meeting, offering an exciting roadmap for the future of nutritional medicine. I’ve been involved in recommending diet and supplements for…read more
Categories:General Nutrition
Are organic foods worth the added expense?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Going into the market the other day, I was confronted with a choice: Organic strawberries and blackberries were nowhere to be found. Organic red raspberries were still available on this late Sunday afternoon, but they cost $4.99 for a small…read more
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How to diabetes-proof your child
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Rates of diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, are on the rise among America’s young people. The Search for Diabetes in Youth Study shows that from 2002 to 2012 the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes (Type 1) has increased by 1.8 per…read more
Categories:Diabetes Pediatric Health
Help! Should I be concerned about my high HDL level?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Q: In a recent segment, you discussed the possibility of HDL being too high, and the “high” figure you mentioned was anything over 60-80. My last blood work showed an HDL level of 133, and a total cholesterol figure of…read more
Categories:Atherosclerosis
Are Balance of Nature fruit and veggie pills as effective as they claim?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Q: I’m hearing all these radio testimonials for “Balance of Nature Fruits and Veggies.” Are their products for real? A: I previously weighed in on this subject in a newsletter article entitled “Are Fruit and Veggie Pills Really as Effective as They…read more
Categories:Supplements
Clinical Focus: Nicotinamide Riboside
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I’m in the business of knowing which supplements will make the grade—for patients and my listening and reading public. I’m constantly inundated with product pitches, few of which really pan out. To maintain the credibility of my recommendations, I perform…read more
Categories:Aging Supplements
Are probiotics useless? (Spoiler alert: They’re not!)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Recently the mainstream media has gone after supplements with a vengeance. Multivitamins, vitamin D, fish oil, and now probiotics have lately come into their cross-hairs. I’ve been called into damage control mode on numerous occasions lately (read my latest rebuttal…read more
Categories:Probiotics
Fish oil declared worthless for heart disease . . . until it became a profitable drug!
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
We’ve long been convinced that fish oil was heart-healthy. It totally makes sense. The first intimation that it was beneficial came in the 70s from epidemiological studies of Eskimos who, consuming massive amounts of oily fish and whale and seal…read more
Categories:Heart Disease Heart Health Supplements
The hidden toll of hurricanes
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
A year ago, Hurricane Harvey came barreling into the Houston area. Now Florence has wrought widespread destruction and catastrophic flooding on the Carolinas. This week, I’m reprising an article I wrote in the wake of Harvey, newly applicable to Florence….read more
Categories:Environmental Health Mental and Emotional Health
Do you have SIBO (Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth)?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Have you been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? Do you suffer from gas, belching, bloating, cramps, abdominal distention, diarrhea and/or constipation? All these may be manifestations of SIBO. How do you find out if you have SIBO? Fortunately, there’s…read more
Categories:Digestive Health Microbiome
Why most health news is fake news
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Recently, we’ve been regaled with headlines like these: “Study Warns Low-Carb Diets ‘Unsafe,’ May Lead To Early Death”—studyfinds.org “A No-go for Keto? New Study Finds Low-Carb Diets Increase Mortality”—fooddive.com “A Low-Carb Diet Could Cut 4 Years Off Your Life, So…read more
Categories:General Medicine
You should get a second opinion on statin use—and here’s why
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I’m often called upon to render a second opinion on whether a patient should take a statin or not. The scenario is usually something like this: A middle-aged patient undergoes a routine blood test and is told by their physician…read more
Categories:Heart Disease Heart Health
Probiotics under fire in flawed study—What’s the truth?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
As if recent headlines like this weren’t enough: “Study: A low-carb diet may be cutting your life short”—KGW.com “Instead of taking multivitamins, eat a healthy diet”—Times Colonist “Saturated animal fat more likely to cause liver damage, heart disease and diabetes…read more
Categories:Probiotics Supplements
Fats are worse for you than carbs? Really??
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
“Saturated Fat Increases Risk for Liver Disease More Than Sugar or Unsaturated Fat,” exults the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (a pro-vegan group): “Saturated fat intake is more harmful to the liver than sugar or unsaturated fat, according to a new…read more
Categories:Liver disease Nutrition Controversies
New York Times columnist gets it wrong again about integrative and complementary medicine
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Once again, I feel compelled to respond to yet another snarky, wrong-headed attack on the medicine I espouse in a column in the New York Times. Sometimes, when I share these hit pieces with colleagues, they say: “Don’t give that article additional…read more
Categories:General Medicine Natural Health Care
Is the Whole30 diet right for you? (part two)
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
After two and a half years of the Whole30Diet, I’d like to share my personal impressions with you. I’ve already written extensively about the diet here and here. You can also listen to a podcast where I discuss it. My experience with the Whole30 was overall…read more
Categories:Paleo Diet
Is the Whole30 diet right for you?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Two and a half years ago, I first began my exploration of the Paleo Diet via the Whole30 modified Paleo program, and I remain as impressed with the results as ever. Whole30 has only increased in popularity since then, so…read more
Categories:General Nutrition Paleo Diet
Essential fatty acids don’t help dry eye—or do they?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
“Omega-3s from fish oil supplements no better than placebo for dry eye . . . Despite insufficient evidence establishing the effectiveness of omega-3s, clinicians and their patients have been inclined to try the supplements for a variety of conditions with…read more
Categories:Eye Health General Nutrition Supplements
Hemoglobin A1c: What is it, and why does it matter?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
“Most commonly people are told that having an A1c of 5.6 – 5.8% should be considered normal, but these levels already put you in the second highest category for brain shrinkage! I believe that, based on this information, we should…read more
Categories:Diabetes General Medicine
Are your medications getting you down?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association has disturbing implications for Americans who take prescription and over-the-counter drugs, often many at the same time: They can significantly increase the risk of depression. Moreover, the number of adults using 3…read more
Categories:Depression/Anxiety General Medicine Medications
Less is more: The rise of overtreatment in the 21st Century
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
The country doctor of the early 20th Century had very few tools to address patients’ complaints. Armed with a few simple medications and some basic surgical techniques, they often had to rely on reassurance and bedside manner to ease suffering. …read more
Categories:Cancer General Medicine Heart Disease Medications
The honest truth about green tea extracts and liver toxicity
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
I’m a big fan of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a green tea catechin with many applications that I’ll enumerate below. I take it myself, and I recommend it to my patients and listeners. So I was especially dismayed to see that Consumer…read more
Categories:Liver disease Supplements
Supplements in the cross-hairs again: What the latest study gets wrong
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
We’ve been here before. In December 2013, an editorial in Annals of Internal Medicine proclaimed: “Enough is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements.” Unequivocal in its condemnation, the article stated “we believe the case is closed—supplementing the diet of well-nourished adults…read more
Categories:Supplements
Rethinking Super Size Me: Is it a Big Whopper?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Most of us nutrition aficionados recall Morgan Spurlock’s landmark 2004 documentary, Super Size Me. The film offered a humorous and engaging take-down of fast food. In the spirit of Gonzo Journalism, Spurlock turned himself into a human guinea pig, subjecting himself…read more
Are some medicines stealing your brain power?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
It recently came to light that a wide range of popular medications—used routinely by tens of millions of Americans—have a nasty tendency to accelerate cognitive decline and set the stage for Alzheimer’s disease. Some are prescription drugs, but many are…read more
Intelligent Medicine Health News Review
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Every week, I share my insights with you on various health topics, from the latest news to seasonal concerns to in-depth examinations of particular areas of interest. But every now and then, I like to give my take on a…read more
‘A Perfect Storm for Broken Bones’ or a perfect marketing pitch for osteoporosis drugs?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
In a recent article, entitled “A Perfect Storm for Broken Bones”, New York Times health writer Jane Brody decries “a crisis in the treatment of osteoporosis”. Not enough women are being screened, and too few are taking bone-preserving drugs, she alleges: “A ‘perfect…read more
Categories:Muscle and Bone Health Osteoporosis
Is there really a vast conspiracy to deprive us of cures and profit off our misery?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
The line of reasoning goes as follows: The pharmaceutical industry, partnering with its enablers in Big Food and Big Medicine, and subsidized by Big Government, has a stake in keeping us sick and dependent on their expensive, but non-curative chemical…read more
Categories:General Medicine Medications
10 tips for surviving allergy season
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Congratulations, survivors of Winter 2017-18! It seems like it’s been an interminably cold spring, but you’ve made it. April is here and (for most of us) spring weather is in sight — but wait! A new menace threatens—Spring Allermageddon! Soon…read more
Categories:Allergy
Is the growth of the pharmaceutical industry making us sicker?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
Members of the natural health movement (myself included) have long argued that despite acknowledged medical advances, today’s proliferation of pharmaceutical drugs threatens to undermine, rather than promote, the health of our populace. We’re often branded as Luddites, ignorant skeptics, even…read more
Categories:General Medicine Medications
Can you really “lose 40 pounds in 40 days”?
By Dr. Ronald Hoffman
If you listen to AM radio, it’s likely you’re continually assailed with ads that claim that you can lose “25-40 pounds in 40 days.” There’s not even a qualifier that this is a best-case scenario like “Results may vary” or the disclaimer…read more
Categories:Nutrition and Weight Obesity